Getting rid of the SWing...

and getting a 2012! Here's the story.

Last Fall when I started looking for wings I really wanted ABS. My reasons were A) my reflexes are not what they were when I was younger, B) rain storms are common on summer afternoons, C) there is often sand on the roads from winter and D) there are a lot of critters up here, deer but also elk, moose and bear. I like the idea of just glomming 2 handfulls of brake and letting the computer work its magic.

I bought my 08 because the price was good, $4k with 2600 miles, and I wasn't sure enough that I'd like a big scooter to pay a lot. I ended up putting 2200 miles on the 08 and just signed a deal to trade it for a 2012. Only lost $300 so I think I made a wise decision for once. The new one should be in towards the end of the week and I'll transfer my Russell seat and Cee Bailey windshield.

Plus I've heard that black is marginally faster than grey.

Congrats on getting a 2012, who knows it might be the last model year? The black is really sharp!!

On the 2012's you're right: the black is indeed faster. But that's not the case on previous year models. From 2002 thru 2011 it is the red/wine/burgundy models that have been track-test proven to be not marginally, but significantly faster.

Some people still insist on denying/rejecting the test results, but then, some people still insist that there's no global climate change either.

In any case, ride safe, and enjoy your new abs s'wing.

Those of us who own the 2007 Silver Grey model could make the case

that that is the fastest model with later years being somewhat slower

Just a purely subjective opinion on my part

I am not sure how you went up 4 years and 5,000 miles for $300, but however you did that, good job!

larryinseattle wrote:

I am not sure how you went up 4 years and 5,000 miles for $300, but however you did that, good job!

Just to clarify, I bought the SWing Dec. 2011 for $4k w/2500 miles on it. I'm getting $3.7k with 4700 miles on the trade-in on a 2012 @ $9.25k. I probably could have done
better selling it outright and dickering on the new price but Montana ain't scooter country. Otherwise it's head to Seattle area and that subtracts 1100 miles and hotels to whatever I might save. I decided to go the easy route and just trade in.

Bike is hopefully in this Sat so pix will have to wait.

realbtl wrote:

larryinseattle wrote:

I am not sure how you went up 4 years and 5,000 miles for $300, but however you did that, good job!

Just to clarify, I bought the SWing Dec. 2011 for $4k w/2500 miles on it. I'm getting $3.7k with 4700 miles on the trade-in on a 2012 @ $9.25k. I probably could have done
better selling it outright and dickering on the new price but Montana ain't scooter country. Otherwise it's head to Seattle area and that subtracts 1100 miles and hotels to whatever I might save. I decided to go the easy route and just trade in.

Bike is hopefully in this Sat so pix will have to wait.

Now I understand. That is the exact type of math I would use to show my wife that the first motorcycle didn't really cost anything besides the little bit of gas I put in the tank.

For everyone's info... black SWings have always been faster. The reason is because the cellular makeup of black paint is much smaller thus compacting better to provide a much smoother finish thus providing for much less friction between paint and the air rushing by it. And is even better with a freshly applied coating of liquid Pledge to make it even slicker... thus even faster... A guy told me all about it one day.

I agree with Mike O on this, however his source is either ill informed or forgot about the extra 5 mph which could be added to the black paint top speed by adding GT style stripes... A very common addon in the US and OZ cos we know better!

Congrats on the 2012! I have only driven a '12 model but I like it so far!!! And yes the black is a great color!

DickO wrote:

For everyone's info... black SWings have always been faster. The reason is because the cellular makeup of black paint is much smaller thus compacting better to provide a much smoother finish thus providing for much less friction between paint and the air rushing by it. And is even better with a freshly applied coating of liquid Pledge to make it even slicker... thus even faster... A guy told me all about it one day.

Before or after you bought the bridge? Everyone's heard of the "Silver Streak', but black is just a skid mark.

No comments about the blue SWings, so I guess I have one of the "slower" ones?? I have always liked the black and dark red ones, very sharp!!!!!!!!

It's actually a little known fact that the blue ones are faster than any of them.
This is simply because they look so much more classy and dignified. Therefore the rider 'floats' along on a wave of self righteousness resulting in the engine having to do less work.
Stands to reason eh?

Incidentally this fact is 'little known' as I only just made it up... Even I hadn't heard of it five minutes ago!

I presumed that the silver colored Silverwing (like mine), although not the fastest, would be the most environmentally friendly by reflecting more of the sun's harmful rays back into space, thus reducing the greenhouse effect caused by the sun's warming of the atmosphere, and subsequently the evil outcomes of "man made climate change". Maybe all Silverwings should be silver, then we could all be making a real positive difference for the planet.

There... I feel better now.

Darkeswinger wrote:

. Maybe all Silverwings should be silver, then we could all be making a real positive difference for the planet.

Good point! After all they are called "Silver" Wings!!!

OK, thats it, now that I've learned my '08 is one of the slowest S/Wing's, I'am going to change variator, sliders, air filter, spark plug and any other changes that will give me more launch off the line and if that doe'nt do it, I'll strap a rocket to my a** and blow everyone out of the water. Ride Safe.

Robert

Here is the real reason black is the fastest color. It more readily absorbs energy from the sun allowing optimal use of Honda's patented and highly secret Honda Alternative Locomotive Force Auto Synergy System Electric Drive, known in typical Honda-speak by its acronym, for increased power.

See, this is one of the reasons I ride. The sun came out today so I took the S40 out and thoughts like this pop up out of nowhere.

Time for the tin-foil hat

Cheers,

While some year models may or MAY NOT be faster, the 2003 was the only year when REVERSE was STANDARD!

"Hi Yo" wrote:

DickO wrote:

For everyone's info... black SWings have always been faster. The reason is because the cellular makeup of black paint is much smaller thus compacting better to provide a much smoother finish thus providing for much less friction between paint and the air rushing by it. And is even better with a freshly applied coating of liquid Pledge to make it even slicker... thus even faster... A guy told me all about it one day.

Before or after you bought the bridge? Everyone's heard of the "Silver Streak', but black is just a skid mark.

Really... "Hi Yo"... I am sadly offended about your disbelief in my highly sophisticated, thoroughly researched technical explanation. Really... I'm kinda' sure it was true...

Mine is an 05 and it has an Over Drive Button on the dash.