HONDA SILVERWING...the grand-daddy of scooters
4Runner4Sure
awesome bike. But boy, being 5ft2", 145lbs...that thing is heavy. I can't
back it up or push it forward much. Hum......am I in trouble or what? I
can ride it though. It's a nice ride. Just having that issue. Sure hope I
don't drop it...or I'll really be in trouble. Both of us are taking the
Motorcycle Riding Course. Any thoughts anybody? I can't help but wonder if
we really got a good deal on them. 2005's (one is ABS and the other is
not) both at about 6,699 - 6,999.
Mickey
paul c
hey Mickey, I envy you, if i had the dough i'd get a 'Wing for trips and
keep my 250 for in-town. i'm not an expert about safety, but i think
there are times when it's better to drop the thing rather than try to
stay with it.
Somewhere on the internet is a site called bikergirls or somesuch - it's
not what it may sound like, rather full of advice and experience. i
remember seeing a series of images there showing a small woman righting
a big bike - I would never have guessed the technique until I saw it.
seemed to be all about leverage and getting most advantage out of the
bigger muscles. reminded me of a tiny (90 lbs) nurse who with a little
technique and a smooth board, could get my paralyzed father out of a
chair and into bed and vice versa, smooth as silk without breathing hard
while I had put out my arm trying to do it all with strength. I hope
you can find that site.
p
neilnew...@hotmail.com
paul c wrote:
> 4Runner4Sure wrote:
> > My husband and I just bought two Honda Silverwings and I think it's an
> > awesome bike. But boy, being 5ft2", 145lbs...that thing is heavy. I can't
> > back it up or push it forward much. Hum......am I in trouble or what? I
> > can ride it though. It's a nice ride. Just having that issue. Sure hope I
> > don't drop it...or I'll really be in trouble. Both of us are taking the
> > Motorcycle Riding Course. Any thoughts anybody? I can't help but wonder if
> > we really got a good deal on them. 2005's (one is ABS and the other is
> > not) both at about 6,699 - 6,999.
> >
> > Mickey
I ride a 49cc scooter and have no experience with bigger scooters, so
can't comment.
Would the 250cc Honda Reflex be any lighter and easier for you to
manuever?
> hey Mickey, I envy you, if i had the dough i'd get a 'Wing for trips and
> keep my 250 for in-town. i'm not an expert about safety, but i think
> there are times when it's better to drop the thing rather than try to
> stay with it.
>
> Somewhere on the internet is a site called bikergirls or somesuch - it's
> not what it may sound like, rather full of advice and experience.
Maybe you mean?:
http://www.girlbike.com/scooters/
Also search the web and newsgroups via:
You'll find there's lots of scooter stuff on the web and in newsgroups.
Also, Yahoo has some scooter discussion groups, I think. Maybe they
have one for the Honda SilverWing?
(snip)
neilnew...@hotmail.com
neilnewsgro...@hotmail.com wrote:
> paul c wrote:
> > 4Runner4Sure wrote:
> > > My husband and I just bought two Honda Silverwings and I think it's an
> > > awesome bike. But boy, being 5ft2", 145lbs...that thing is heavy. I can't
> > > back it up or push it forward much. Hum......am I in trouble or what? I
> > > can ride it though. It's a nice ride. Just having that issue. Sure hope I
> > > don't drop it...or I'll really be in trouble. Both of us are taking the
> > > Motorcycle Riding Course. Any thoughts anybody? I can't help but wonder if
> > > we really got a good deal on them. 2005's (one is ABS and the other is
> > > not) both at about 6,699 - 6,999.
If you're happy, then you got a good deal.
> > > Mickey
(snip)
> > Somewhere on the internet is a site called bikergirls or somesuch - it's
> > not what it may sound like, rather full of advice and experience.
>
> Maybe you mean?:
>
> http://www.girlbike.com/scooters/
>
> Also search the web and newsgroups via:
>
> www.google.com
>
> You'll find there's lots of scooter stuff on the web and in newsgroups.
> Also, Yahoo has some scooter discussion groups, I think. Maybe they
> have one for the Honda SilverWing?
Another thought: Maybe you could find advice for Suzuki Burgman and/or
other big scooters that would be helpful for your situation?
> (snip)
cuh...@webtv.net
be running as fast as the horse is.
cuhulin
SoCalMike
> paul c wrote:
>> 4Runner4Sure wrote:
>>> My husband and I just bought two Honda Silverwings and I think it's an
>>> awesome bike. But boy, being 5ft2", 145lbs...that thing is heavy. I can't
>>> back it up or push it forward much. Hum......am I in trouble or what? I
>>> can ride it though. It's a nice ride. Just having that issue. Sure hope I
>>> don't drop it...or I'll really be in trouble. Both of us are taking the
>>> Motorcycle Riding Course. Any thoughts anybody? I can't help but wonder if
>>> we really got a good deal on them. 2005's (one is ABS and the other is
>>> not) both at about 6,699 - 6,999.
>>>
>>> Mickey
>
> I ride a 49cc scooter and have no experience with bigger scooters, so
> can't comment.
>
> Would the 250cc Honda Reflex be any lighter and easier for you to
> manuever?
likely not much. the silverwing doesnt seem as big as a burgman 650.nice
size for the displacement. hope the OP got any applicable recall work
done on em.
if i was really short of stature, id check out the yamaha morphous.
brand new tech, 250cc engine, seating comparable with a helix, aka:
barcalounger style.
phreadbarnz
cuh...@webtv.net
cuhulin
Trevor George
> Silver Wings are Motorcycles ..... not Motor Scooters.
They used to be .... The original Honda "Silver Wing" was actually the CX500 with a
sort of half-fairing on it, which made it look like the baby brother (sister) of the
Honda "Gold Wing".
When they dropped that (and left a few years gap) they decided to call the new 'BIG'
scooter the "Silverwing", but I thinks it's correctly written as just one word now as
"Silverwing" rather than "Silver Wing" as previously.
It did lead to a bit of confusion in some circles for a while :~)
--
Cheers ..... Trevor George, Bristol, UK.
Home - http://www.PoolesWharf.com
Work - http://www.OnMyWindow.co.uk
phreadbarnz
cuh...@webtv.net
Yeah,I guess the Silverwings sort of confused me too.Either that or them
Goldwings.
cuhulin
Cynthia
I also have a Silverwing...I am 5' 10" and about 155 (and a woman) and
I also have trouble with the weight sometimes. Not with moving it, but
I do have trouble getting it up on the center stand (so, I don't do
it), and when I am manuevering it in close quarters at slow speed, it
feels uncertain...and the weight becomes very apparent. I think I have
an advantage over you because of my height -- I can get my feet down
easily to support me and the scooter. This makes it much easier for me
for the moving and backing up process, I can just "walk the bike".
However, I rode my husbands Burgman 650 this weekend, and I could only
get my toes down, and did not feel comfortable at all. I would not buy
the Burgman for myself for that reason (though it is a great scooter).
I think you need to make the call...based upon my experience, you might
feel more comfortable with a bike/scooter where your feet can reach the
ground. This is just an opinion. Note that I am not an experienced
motorcycle rider, I am still in the learning mode, so take my inputs as
what they are......
I have toppled my scooter. Once on an angled driveway and I could not
get it uprighted by myself, and I am pretty fit. I am now much more
careful where and how I park.
I took the Motorcyle safety skills class and was very pleased with the
results. It also made my licensing easier (no driving test required in
CA if you go through the course). 2 women (petite) in my class of 15
failed the class because they dumped their bikes in the "final exam".
This says to me that being right sized on a bike is important. There
were 4 women in my class, two of us passed, and two didn't. I think 10
out of the 11 men passed. I am not claiming any gender
gooblie-gaabblie...I just think that taller people (and men are USUALLY
taller than women) do better on the riding exam.....
I got a discount on my scooter because it was a prior model year, but I
think you got a ripping deal on yours. In our area, they are not
dealing on scooters because they are so popular.
Good luck. Cynthia
SoCalMike
> Hi Mickey,
>
> I also have a Silverwing...I am 5' 10" and about 155 (and a woman) and
> I also have trouble with the weight sometimes. Not with moving it, but
> I do have trouble getting it up on the center stand (so, I don't do
> it), and when I am manuevering it in close quarters at slow speed, it
> feels uncertain...and the weight becomes very apparent. I think I have
> an advantage over you because of my height -- I can get my feet down
> easily to support me and the scooter. This makes it much easier for me
> for the moving and backing up process, I can just "walk the bike".
> However, I rode my husbands Burgman 650 this weekend, and I could only
> get my toes down, and did not feel comfortable at all. I would not buy
> the Burgman for myself for that reason (though it is a great scooter).
i could have bought a 650, but after comparing em, i thought the 400 had
more going for it as well as a lower price. im 5'10" myself, and didnt
have to tiptoe it, but it just felt too massively WIDE. the 400 feels
svelte by comparison... almost like a reflex or helix with a bigass engine!
>
> I think you need to make the call...based upon my experience, you might
> feel more comfortable with a bike/scooter where your feet can reach the
> ground. This is just an opinion. Note that I am not an experienced
> motorcycle rider, I am still in the learning mode, so take my inputs as
> what they are......
>
> I have toppled my scooter. Once on an angled driveway and I could not
> get it uprighted by myself, and I am pretty fit. I am now much more
> careful where and how I park.
i remember seeing a website that has a description and video of how to
upright a scooter. its all in the leverage and involves turning the
handlebars so the front wheel acts like a pivot point. the test subject
was a petite older lady. it was ALL in the angle. wish i remember the
sites name.
>
> I took the Motorcyle safety skills class and was very pleased with the
> results. It also made my licensing easier (no driving test required in
> CA if you go through the course). 2 women (petite) in my class of 15
> failed the class because they dumped their bikes in the "final exam".
were they riding a MSF supplied bike, or their own? the MSF bikes tend
to be smaller and lighter, like honda shadow 250s
> This says to me that being right sized on a bike is important. There
> were 4 women in my class, two of us passed, and two didn't. I think 10
> out of the 11 men passed. I am not claiming any gender
> gooblie-gaabblie...I just think that taller people (and men are USUALLY
> taller than women) do better on the riding exam.....
ive noticed a lot of short dudes prefer harleys :)
cuh...@webtv.net
Scooter and another piece of pipe a few feet long that will slide into
the other piece of pipe that is mounted/attached under the Motor
Scooter? Use the longer piece of pipe for leverage to get a Motor
Scooter upright again.And the longer piece of pipe can be painted a
bright orange or yellow or white flourerence color and stowed upright
behind the seat with a flag thingy.That would help make the Motor
Scooter more visible in traffic.
Well,only an idea of mine I dreamed up for what its worth.
cuhulin
paul c
Sorry, I can't remember the link that showed the woman lifting the bike
(I recall it was a series of images, not a movie).
What I can remember is this: 1) bike on its left side. 2) she TURNS HER
BACK to it (this seemed the key point to me). 3) crouches with both
knees bent. 4) puts her butt against the left edge of the seat. 5) puts
her right hand on the left hand grip. 6) puts her right hand on the
passenger rail or similar. 7) basically while continuing to push against
the seat with her rear, she stands up, using her legs for the work and
her arms only to maintain some balance 8) once she's got the bike almost
but not quite vertical, some of the bike's weight is leaning against her
but most of the weight is being supported by the wheels. At that point
she turns (I forget in which direction) in order to get both hands on
the handlebars in the usual positions.
As I recall, she didn't need to stretch at all nor need much arm muscle.
Of course this was on the level, might be harder on a hill if the
bike/scoot doesn't have a parking brake.
pc
paul c
> cuh...@webtv.net wrote:
>
>> How about having a piece of pipe mounted/attached under a heavy Motor
>> Scooter and another piece of pipe a few feet long that will slide into
>> the other piece of pipe that is mounted/attached under the Motor
>> Scooter? Use the longer piece of pipe for leverage to get a Motor
>> Scooter upright again.And the longer piece of pipe can be painted a
>> bright orange or yellow or white flourerence color and stowed upright
>> behind the seat with a flag thingy.That would help make the Motor
>> Scooter more visible in traffic.
>> Well,only an idea of mine I dreamed up for what its worth.
>> cuhulin
>>
>
> Sorry, I can't remember the link that showed the woman lifting the bike
> (I recall it was a series of images, not a movie).
>
> What I can remember is this: 1) bike on its left side. 2) she TURNS HER
> BACK to it (this seemed the key point to me). 3) crouches with both
> knees bent. 4) puts her butt against the left edge of the seat. 5) puts
> her right hand on the left hand grip. 6) puts her right hand on the
> passenger rail or similar.
meant to say "puts her LEFT hand on the passenger rail or similar".
cuh...@webtv.net
market.Devices for getting heavy Motor Scooters back upright and flip
down/flip up trainer wheels for short people whos feet/legs are not
quite long enough to keep a Motor Scooter upright at barely moving
speeds/crawling through very slow traffic.
cuhulin
Cynthia
to be smaller and lighter, like honda shadow 250s >
We were riding the MSF supplied bikes (150s), but the women were fairly
petite, so stilll had some difficulties getting their feet down. I do
think that being on a bike that is too big will make it much harder to
correct small "unbalances" when coming to a stop or when travelling at
a slow speed.
I am going to look for the video that someone else mentioned about
righting the bike using leverage vs brute strength. It would certainly
be helpful for me, though I hope to never have to use it.
Cynthia
DELONGPREBUM
effort I can't put the bike up on the centre stand either, and I'm 5 '
10", 175 pounds and male.
I took a driving class here in Japan (yep, valid just for 400cc and
under scooters) and I trained on a Silverwing 400 and the instructors
showed me how to put it up on the centre stand but I still couldn't do
it and it wasn't required "on the final test".
I'm lazy and didn't try too hard. If my life depended on it I would
make more of an effort.
It snows a lot here and I ride when it's snowing, but not if there's
too much snow on the ground.
The Silverwing 400 is a beautiful machine, but much more 'front-heavy'
than the Majesty 250. Both are about the same size as a Burgman 650,
but like someone else said, the Burgman 650 cc just feels so damn WIDE!
cuh...@webtv.net
article about some Honda Motor Scooters recalled.Something about faulty
brakes.The article is about two or three years old and it links to
www.motorcyclenewswire.com You might want to check with a Honda dealer
about that.
cuhulin
SoCalMike
> I have a Yamaha Majesty 250 and while I can pick it up without too much
> effort I can't put the bike up on the centre stand either, and I'm 5 '
> 10", 175 pounds and male.
its all leverage. pushing down with the foot/leg while holding the grab
handle gives your leg more power. kinda like walking up a step, vs.
walking up a step while holding the railing to force your leg down
>
> I took a driving class here in Japan (yep, valid just for 400cc and
> under scooters) and I trained on a Silverwing 400 and the instructors
> showed me how to put it up on the centre stand but I still couldn't do
> it and it wasn't required "on the final test".
>
> I'm lazy and didn't try too hard. If my life depended on it I would
> make more of an effort.
>
> It snows a lot here and I ride when it's snowing, but not if there's
> too much snow on the ground.
>
> The Silverwing 400 is a beautiful machine, but much more 'front-heavy'
> than the Majesty 250. Both are about the same size as a Burgman 650,
i was under the impression the following share bodies/frames:
burgman 250/400
silverwing 400/650
majesty 250/400
> but like someone else said, the Burgman 650 cc just feels so damn WIDE!
it is. even the specs for the T-Max make it appear to be about the same
size/width/weight/length as the 250/400 class scooters
SoCalMike
(potentially)
faulty rear wheel
leaky gas tank
loose handlebar stem
theyve been really good about fixing the issues.
David Probett
I ride a Piaggio X9 500 and that's always been a b****r to lift!
I found a tip on a US website but a lady bilker which demonstrated
that the best way to lift any heavy bike was to stand on the fallen
side-down of the bike with your back to the bike.
Hold the fairing/rail near the pillion seat with one hand and the
handlebar with the other.
Gently lift and walk slowly and steadily backwards.
The bike cannot help but rise upright.
Regards
David
On Mon, 10 Apr 2006 18:10:33 GMT, Gunnar H Reichert-Weygold
<paganl...@spamcop.net> wrote:
>On Tue, 4 Apr 2006 16:00:57 -0700, SoCalMike wrote
>(in article <Xt2dnVq66Og1Z6_Z...@comcast.com>):
>I've found it easier to grab the rear handhold with my right hand, hold the
>left steering grip lightly for balance and then stand on the center stand. My
>Burgman 650 slowly rises into position that way.
>
>BTW, come on over to http://www.burgmanusa.com/, you'll be very welcome.
David Probett
davidp...@pobox.com
cuh...@webtv.net
Scooters back upright again,how about useing a small car jack?
Do any of the foreign name brand Motor Scooter companies have factories
in America where they manufacture some of the Motor Scooters? I realize
Kawasaki has a factory in America,but they manufacture Motorcycles.
cuhulin
SoCalMike
> For the ladies who have problems with getting their heavy fallen Motor
> Scooters back upright again,how about useing a small car jack?
> Do any of the foreign name brand Motor Scooter companies have factories
> in America where they manufacture some of the Motor Scooters? I realize
not as far as i know. too small a market (still!) and then there are
profit margins to consider.
my ($1200) 1986 elite 80 was built in japan, but by the 90's, theyd
switched production to mexico.
yet they still charge over $2200 for one brand new. a 20 year old
design, on old tooling, built by people that make minimum wage or less.
they could rekindle the market if they sold em up here for what theyre
actually WORTH, which is closer to $1000.
thatd also dry up the ebay market pretty quick too.
> Kawasaki has a factory in America,but they manufacture Motorcycles.
> cuhulin
yup- in nebraska, i think. big cruisers, etc. honda has a goldwing plant
in the USA too, i think.
cuh...@webtv.net
show host say he might buy a Motor Scooter because of the high gasoline
prices.And I have recently heard more or less the same thing from other
radio talk show host around the country and from other people too.
I think it is about time for some people to start manufacturing Motor
Scooters in America again.Harley Davidson probally could,but they
probally think they would cut in too much on their Motorcycles sales.I
saw where Harley Davidson has (or soon will have) a dealership in China.
cuhulin
paul c
the one thing that has tempted me to look at a used Goldwing is the
perhaps crazy thought that i could 'see the USA' as Chevrolet used to
say, and then when i hit the burgs, take my in-town small scoot off the
Goldwing's rack!
p
SoCalMike
> Just this morning on a local radio talk show,I heard one of the two talk
> show host say he might buy a Motor Scooter because of the high gasoline
> prices.And I have recently heard more or less the same thing from other
> radio talk show host around the country and from other people too.
>
> I think it is about time for some people to start manufacturing Motor
> Scooters in America again.Harley Davidson probally could,but they
> probally think they would cut in too much on their Motorcycles sales.I
nah... completely different markets. and not only that, to make a
reliable economical scooter would require technology completely foreign
(no pun intended) to them.
porsche did all the engineering for their "v-rod"
> saw where Harley Davidson has (or soon will have) a dealership in China.
they make more money off the use of their name (on everything from
pinball machines to underwear) than they do selling bikes.
> cuhulin
>
happy-guy
scooter. First, they don't have to to survive, second, it would not help
their macho image.
Happy-guy....
.
>>
>> I think it is about time for some people to start manufacturing Motor
>> Scooters in America again.Harley Davidson probally could,but they
>> probally think they would cut in too much on their Motorcycles sales.
>
cuh...@webtv.net
Harley Davidson one cylinder Motorcycles that Harley Davidson used to
sell back in the 1960's and 1970's.The small Motorcycles were made in
Italy,(I think) I dont remember where the Topper Motor Scooters were
made.There is also the Rokon Motorbikes that are still being made in
America.I own two old Rokon frames and three Rokon wheels.Rokon is not
affiliated with Harely Davidson.And there is, www.confederate.com
If I had the money,I would buy one of those.
cuhulin
SoCalMike
> Harley is image driven and has been for years.... no, they will never make a
> scooter. First, they don't have to to survive, second, it would not help
> their macho image.
i think toyota oughta make one. it was owning my honda elite 80 that
made me decide my first showroom new car was going to be a honda. i
figure if the car would be as fun, easy to maintain, and durable as the
elite then id be a happy guy.
it was, and i am. 1998 civic hatch.
first new car after years of hand-me-down american beaters, and one
ill-chosen 1981 VW convertible. the VW *was* fun to drive, and pretty
sporty for a chick car, but something needed replacing every month. the
final straw was the fusebox :)
i think toyota could design something small, sporty, futuristic,
economical, and durable. and hell- theyve got all that hybrid technology
too.
a 1 cylinder, 449-497cc hybrid scooter with a standard CVT that uses
electricity up to 40mph before the engine kicks in, and an honest
80+mpg, and 90mph? for $7000 or under?
think its possible?
SoCalMike
> On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 01:01:30 -0400, "happy-guy" <happ...@cox.net>
> declaimed the following in alt.scooter:
>
>> Harley is image driven and has been for years.... no, they will never make a
>> scooter. First, they don't have to to survive, second, it would not help
>> their macho image.
>>
which are generally "sportier", but still have that gawdawful V-twin.
its a torquey, low-rev cruiser engine, and does THAT job exceptionally
well.
kinda like dodge putting a cummins diesel from their RAM series into a
viper. its like, whats the point?
only buell id ever consider is the smaller NON v-twin based one. and
even then...