Silverwing riding impressions on Cycle World

I don't know if this has been posted or not but in the last Cycle World magazine there was an article with the riding impressions of the Honda Silverwing.

Here it is on their site:

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/07/10/honda-silver-wing-riding-impression/

All right! The price is right, Now, it they should add a larger trunk and a larger windshield and I might be interest, because that is all that our Super bike needs.

Every shortcoming of the SW has an inexpensive solution. An adjustable shield like the GIVI AF, Progressive springs for more precise handling, Dr Pulley Sliders for better, smoother acceleration and lower engine noise at speed, and a good bluetooth audio system in my helmet, and I really have no complaints.

Jesse in Atlanta

Very good point Jesse. I would also add that there is a very good chance that you can shop around and find a hold over model at a dealership for much less than the list price. Last summer I paid only $6,499 for a new 2009.

I think that while it can be improved, the Silverwing is a great ride as is. I never stop surprising myself about how much I like to ride this, how easy it is, how much I enjoy the no shifting, the current storage, etc.

In other words my experience is 90% positive and while I could see that it can be improved, the fact is that some of these points can be handled easily...

If Honda wanted to do something right, they would compare is to the BMW scooter and work on making the weak points better, they surely can because the platform is already great. The BMW seems to be a great machine too, so it could be a "target" for Honda to achieve and surpass.

carlosw wrote:

If Honda wanted to do something right, they would compare is to the BMW scooter and work on making the weak points better, they surely can because the platform is already great. The BMW seems to be a great machine too, so it could be a "target" for Honda to achieve and surpass.

Honda have got it right, BMW's scooter has quality control issues that have stopped it going on sale. It seems only the press hacks have ridden it, not Joe Public.

Yes, some times the "riders" compare times and speeds that are so ridiculously similar and make a big fuss about a small performance advantage when it is absolutely insignificant in the real world. I have had zero issues with my Silverwing and love the way it rides and it ha plenty of performance well over the normal speed limits.

I don't think the number of years a model has been out means that much. If it's a good bike it's a good bike. I have an old Harley that a lot of new Harley riders would trade for in a sec.... I love my Silverwing, it gets me down the road just fine. There are always some goodies you can get for it which is better than getting a new bike sometimes.

Yes, but you've stuck a sidecar on the side of your Silver Wing which has reduced it to being a three wheeled tug, the same goes with converting it to a trike, or fitting those weird outrigger wheels, it's no longer the maxi scooter that Honda designed.

Read the Cycle World article....but don't remember what it said----but nice to see them include it in magazine.

Right now Maxi Scooter market appears dead in my part of the world....in Dalton GA Suzuki dealer this
AM on parts run---3 2011 Burgmans on floor--2 650 and 1 400.

Comment on SilVerWing Sidecar (trike/training wheels) wonder if drive a fair amount, let's say 30,000 miles a year, how long drive line lasts? Rubber band drive not designed for that---and steering damper, braked wheel, reduced overall gearing? Remember 20 years ago, German mag
Motorrad had test on Helix with sidecar, with TUV approval---it ate belts every 3000-4000 km---I drove Sidecar outfits for over 40 years so have some idea=fun but different skill set.

Meldrew wrote:

carlosw wrote:

If Honda wanted to do something right, they would compare is to the BMW scooter and work on making the weak points better, they surely can because the platform is already great. The BMW seems to be a great machine too, so it could be a "target" for Honda to achieve and surpass.

Honda have got it right, BMW's scooter has quality control issues that have stopped it going on sale. It seems only the press hacks have ridden it, not Joe Public.

+1

Yea, im still here.

Meldrew is correct, BMW appear to struggling with their scooter. I am on the mailing list for the launch and I haven't had a peep from them for months so I don't think anything is imminent. Lots of fanfare at the end of last year and test rides in all the comics then total silence !

If I had to trike, I'd either do it with my current Shadow or pick up a Goldie trike. Shaft drives work better than others since the output shaft can be hooked up to a differential.

So Meldrew, I guess I have turned my Silverwing into a tug? I suppose
when I came out of my coma and finally got to where I could get around with a cane some, that I said the heck with it and wanted to ride anyway. I can't ride my Harley anymore so I guess I'll just have to change my belts more often and drive my old 'tug' around. And a good sidecar set up right doesn't add too much rolling resistance or mass to it. And we can take the grandchild along or get groceries. I've 10 or 11 other bikes starting in about 1964 and they all had good or poor points. The main thing is to enjoy riding and don't worry too much about what others think about your 'setup'.

Johnnygone wrote:

So Meldrew, I guess I have turned my Silverwing into a tug? I suppose when I came out of my coma and finally got to where I could get around with a cane some, that I said the heck with it and wanted to ride anyway.

Sorry to hear about your problem, I was also wandering about for a few weeks with a stick last year after my stroke. I now understand why you have a sidecar, but by adding that third wheel you've changed the nature of the beast from maxi scooter to sidecar outfit, and your Silver Wing is now a sidecar tug. But it works for you, that's fine.

No bike is perfect but I consider the Silverwing to be very close as is. Of course people have different needs and tastes and a little customization make the bike more "personal" and more apt for one own preferences and needs. That be a windshield, tire, seat, etc.

But for sure the basic Silverwing is one of the best platform around.