I am looking to purchase a silverwing to commute to work. And for pleasure when time permits. I am female at 5'2" and as a new rider would like any advice to make it safer and more fun. I am also curious about preventive maintaince and service schedules. I would like to add my accessories at time of purchase (any advice on the most necessary items). I like the back rest, luggage carrier, and maybe a stereo. Can't wait for that first ride. I appreciate any advice.

Thanks, Shescoot

Shescoot,

Welcome and I think you would be making a great choice (of course) to choose the Silverwing. You should sit on one first as you are just 5' 2" tall and the ability to flat foot the bike at a stop or at least be able to contain and control it while moving by padding around using your feet may be a challenge. It is a rather heavy bike.

Beyond that the preventive maintenance is rather simple and even a mechanically challenged person as I am can do most of the basic maint. tasks. It is an extremely reliable and simple machine with a great deal of beatifully complex engineering.

You are living pretty close to us. We belong to the Heart Of Georgia Super Scooters www.wildhogss.com - go to the forum. Good place to locate local rides and riders

great college town welcome

Hi shescoot,

Welcome aboard. If you have any questions about the Silverwing...please ask. We have quite a few knowledgeable people here that can answer most of you questions and some great how-to pictorials and accessories.

Post some pictures of the new scooter when you get a chance.

Again....Welcome and enjoy.

Hello shescoot, I read your post and you mentioned being a "new" rider. Did you mean "new to riding motorscooters" or new to "silverwings". If the answer is the first, I would strongly recommend you take a riding course like the Motorcycle Saftey Foundation (msf.org) beginner course. Passing this will also get you your Ga. Motorcycle drivers license requirements (you will need a Ga. Motorcycle license to legally commute on your bike and for insurance purposes should you finance your purchase). There are several nearby locations to take the MSF rider course, some of which offer a weekend course.
There are several Honda dealers near you, as well as craigslist and ebaymotors to view new and used Silverwings. I have a friend who bought a used Silverwing on ebay last year. He then took the MSF course, and since then, his wife took the course also. She wanted a Silverwing of her own, but she was shorter than you and was "new" to riding, so after sitting on a Silverwing, found a better fit for herself on a Burgman 400. Honda also made (and I think reintroduced this year) an Elite 250cc. If you could buy a good used one and "practice" on it for a while, then you could ride virtually anything...or get more motor and room in a Silverwing.
Anyhow, just a few thoughts, and good luck with your new venture!! spotsbill

Shescoot,

The SWing is a great choice and will take you anywhere you want. If you haven't sat on one yet please do. Some riders that are your height either have the seat lowered an inch, by cutting some foam out, or by wearing thicker soled boots. There really isn't much to do to the SWing since it is really very trouble free. I have 29,300 miles on it now and it is still running like new, it is an '07.

Hopefully Coralee (driftwoodpoint) will read this and chime in. I believe she is about your height and did a couple of mods. But she is really liking it and takes some good rides on hers too. It is a great bike and very fun to ride. But if you think it is too tall you may want to try the Burgman 400 since it is shorter. Just be careful of the clutch problems they are having with some of them. You may also want to try www.burgmanusa.com to read up on them. They redesigned it in '07 and also had to redesign the clutch a couple of times. So read up on that if you chose that bike. I'm not saying anything bad at all about it but there are problems that don't seem to be totally corrected yet.

Good luck and keep us informed. But you will love the SWing.

Thanks for the warm welcome and the great advice!! I went today and tried sitting on it one more time and I feel comfortable enough that I ordered my helmet so that I can make my purchase on Sat. And by new rider I mean brand new. Wish me luck.

We are going to trade in a Yamaha Waverunner for it, but if someone is interested in one let me know before this Sat. It is the FX Cruiser high output, 4-stroke. 2004 model with only 71 hours. We kept it in the garage. Just had it serviced and it has a new battery. comes with trailer, matching cover and life vest 1-lg, 1-xl. and anchor. We just don't have time to enjoy it any more and the scooter is more pratical for us right now.

Once I learn to ride and can ride for pleasure I will definately look into some to these rides you guys do, sounds like fun.

Thanks again,
Shescoot

Yes, I am going to take the safety course. (For the safety of myself as well as those around me). I guess it did sound as if I planned to hop on and ride off into the sunset. Thanks for the advice, and keep your fingers crossed.

shescoot

Shescoot, look on the MSF site for locations to take the rider course. The one I took was offered at the Honda Regional Headquarters at their test facility in Alpharetta, Ga. That is not too far from Rome, Ga. but there may be one closer...Good luck and keep us posted on your progress...billc.

Excellent and best of wishes.

Shescoot,

Congrats on your choice and I'm sure you will really enjoy it. When you get it post some pics in the "Album" section. You can create your own folder and post pics of your Swing and rides you go on. We would all like to see some. And please be active on the site. We like as many to be active and we really don't have many women on the site that are active. Congrats again.