Hi everyone,

It was brought to my attention that we don't have any sticky's on this forum. Someone has requested, and it is a very good request, to place a sticky so it will stay at the top of the "Topic". So I am putting this here to ask all the members about any serious issues with the Silver Wing.

I know that there were a couple of recalls/issues very early on but those have been resolved years ago. Do any of you know of issues concerning reliability, safety, or just issues with comfort? I don't what this to be a post where riders say "well the shield could be higher", or "I wish the seat was lower". But rather recall issues or serious trouble issues. I know with the '07 and later Burgman 400 they have had issues with the clutch, so that is the feedback I would like. I'm not denigrating the Burgman but just using it as an example. That is one of the newest bikes out and the new ones seem to have a problem or two, for the first couple of years.

So please come back with any serious issues that Honda just hasn't seemed to fix. Personally, I just can't remember any or know of any, but I do seem to remember they had a recall or two early on. I have only had the SWing for 2 years but after a lot of research I just don't think the SWing has been aflicted with any serious trouble.

Thanks,

JeffR

One problem I have been told about is the seat, you have to make sure its closed down correctly, or it leaves the trunk light on and then drains the battery.
\
the fix was to take out the bulb.

Jeff,
I'm sure somewhere on the other board they had listed a site to go to to find out if your bike had any recalls, You could list the site and people could check their own recalls. Even tho they were years ago people are always buying older ones used without a history, so they will be curious.

Holding the handbrake all the way in and putting up the kickstand in order to start the bike is another common one.

As mentioned above the trunk light is another common one.

Most people still don't realize the speedo is inaccurate or why.

Since there won't be many super-important things coming out, how about making a sticky
that details typical gotchya's:
"FAQ for new Silverwing owners: How to get the most out of your bike."
Then you can put all of the above in there and more, along with links to the individual board topics. You can link to the FAQ on a Site Welcome message. I invite you to consider that part of the Sticky should be a reminder to search for the information on both this and other boards (Your board is strong enough now to consider .org as a sister board rather than competition and there is no reason not to cross-promote. Most users are members of both boards anyway.) for answers. Let your sticky advertise that we are an active and involved community and have many of the answers they are looking for. They simply have to search what is already out there, and then ask any specific questions about details.

Dan

Dan,

That is a good idea of yours. The reason I haven't done that,mention your site, is not because I think of anyone as "competition" but just because I didn't think of it. I also thought that everyone knows of www.silverwing.org , the site you moderate, and the Silver Wing site on the Yahoo Groups.

Here is a link for recalls for many cycles: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle_recalls/01/honda/index.html

Thanks for the help Dan.

Jeff,
I'm really glad to hear that there is no rivalry.
It's only natural when creating a new site that does something similar to another site, that you want to nurture your base and not have them look to a more mature site for information. You've done a really good job with this site and it has grown tremendously. People are getting a lot of good information here. Also while I do mod on the other site it no more belongs to me than this site belongs to DennisB or jdeeranton. We poor and humble mods live to serve our webtastic overlords
:ufo:
:Not Worthy:

OK Dan and Jeff, I'm getting all choked up here - the two of you play well together!

FYI, I visit both forums and participate equally in both. They both have their own unique character, and that is good. Their is enough room in the Silver Wing cyber world for both, and that's a good thing. As we say in Chicago, "thanks to 'dabothuvya" for your efforts on your respective forums!

Hi Fellas,

Well I can think of a quite important issue regarding the S'wing... Namely, it can severely affect ones free time and disposable income. For instance after all the Mods, I even went and bought a bike aswell.... As to free time, well notwithstanding being out riding the S'wing, there is all the time spent on internet forums....

While I have not (yet) had this problem, I recall that a few months ago Bernardo mentioned a problem with his wheels losing air pressure due to corrosion inside the rims. Bernardo, perhaps you could correct my fuzzy recollection here.

My SWing has a serious tracking problem. The damn thing won't go straight. I take it to the store to pick up a few things, and it won't go straight home. It always finds the longest route possible.

Hi All,
Just as a side note::::: Was this really going to be a serious thread????? :beer: :bounce1:

:mallet: :ROTF:


:thank you:

Well one of the things I have had a problem with is that when I put too much in the underseat compartment then I can't get it opened. It actually did it at the dealership open house. So I got one of the service guys and he got it opened. I don't have things packed in there but it doesn't seem to take much for that to jam. I'm looking forward to getting my Givi trunk put on...I really need more storage space!!!!

Coralee,
The way to open the seat if it won't unlatch is simply to press down in the middle (right in front of the rider's butt rest). When too much stuff is in the underseat compartment it will cause the seat pan to actually bow up a little in the middle. This in turn puts enough force on the rear latch to prevent it from opening. Pushing down on the center of the seat unloads the rear latch enough that it will click open after you have turned the key.

p.s. Love your tag line. It's one of my wife's favorite sayings.

Thanks...I know I carry too much "stuff" and at some point you will see me riding down the road with a trailer just to carry it all!!
I love that sayings also, even have a T-shirt with that one. I also love "the road less traveled". My dad used to recommend that book. The first line in the book is "life is difficult"...I love it!

Bernardo,

I do the same thing as you...ride past the store first and then go there about 1/2 hour or so later. Makes going to the store fun and I just tell my wife it was really busy. :ROTF: I also like to take the shopping cart out to the scoot and watch as others look at what I'm doing. I can fit about 8 or our grocery bags, which are the smaller plastic ones, in my scoot.. the people just stare at me when I do this. You guys over there sure get a lot of bikes we don't get. I've never heard of a Veradero, or others you guys get. Must be nice to have such a large selection.

Jeff

This summer, starting next week when I've completed the work for my course (which I'm supposed to be doing right now, but have been seduced away again) I'm going to enjoy test riding various other machines, though for the moment I seem to have my heart set on a Yamaha Fazer 1000, but the older torquier carb model. I should be able to keep my Mrs agreeable and afford one by next summer. The Honda Varadero however isn't on my list, as its heavier than my yamaha, and only a little more bhp, though better torque.....

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Honda/Honda-XL1000-Varadero-2001--current/?&R=EPI-336


Beisdes I think I have a thing for the 4 cylinder bikes, or maybe even the Triumph Tiger triple, now that is a lovely machine, if a bit tall. A lowering kit and taller screen is needed for that one......

I still need to have a go on a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 which is the suzuki equivalent, over 100bhp and a bit more torque than I have on my yamaha, and lighter. Plus price wise these are affordable.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Suzuki/Suzuki-DL1000-V-Strom-2002-current/?&R=EPI-406

It's all money money money..... You test ride, and then think what you would need to do to tweak it to how you like..... sigh. The Fazer other than needing a taller screen seemed "just right", and plenty powerful enough, though its still tweakable.... That by the way is something to be wary of with regard to insurance, as even for my S'wing I had to shop around a bit to find a company that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for the performance mods.

The only other machine I've ridden that really felt right was the BMW R1200GS, but even a second hand one is twice the price of a same age Fazer. Also the Fazer feels much quicker and aggressive, but also has that laid back "cruise a long" feel if you ride easy and are gentle on the revs. That is what I'm after, and being able to do it in comfort....

Yep that Silver wing has sure spoilt me for bikes and scoots. I sometimes think that if I hadn't have done all the mods to the Wing, and had tested more bikes before buying the Yamaha diversion, I'd have enough money now to buy a Fazer.... But I'd have missed out on all the fun tweaking the Wing, and perhaps not as gone into test riding other bikes as much....

I was thinking I usually write a review when I've tested a bike... I've already written a few. Should I post them here on the general section? Would anyone be interested?

For what its worth, The S'wing usually wins overall for its versatility and comfort, and only really loses out on brute power and torque.... If I'd never tried any of the other bikes, than I'd probably be content with owning the S'wing alone.

Then again what waste of space having just one machine in the garage when you could have 2, hmmmmm?! or maybe, even three....!

Bernardo, please post your reviews. It's allways interesting what others think of other bikes.
In my opinion Varadero 1000 is too plain. It is not as nimble as one would want and too heavy for even lightest offroad riding. My friend had one, he couldn't keep up with us on Dominators. It's very comfortable on the highway thou.

As a new owner (3 days), I noticed a few problems with my SW:
1. The darn weather has been crappy (rainy and cold) and I can't ride!!! I need to add some miles, only 28ml so far.
2. On a more serious note, I think that the trunk latch is a bit clumsy. A few times, I actually left the trunk un-latched because it seems that it needs a good push on the end to lock. I am not sure either light is on at that point. Also, it takes at least 2-3 turns of the key to unlock it (not much inside).
Thanks.
Gunars: you are in Riga, I've been there a few times, I am originally from Kiev.

Miro:
If you leave the seat unlatched, the compartment light stays on and will eventually run down your battery. If you plan to do that often you might want to remove the light bulb.

After looking for a button (that must be pushed by the seat) for a while, I just removed the light bulb. Thanks.

I took both my Reflex (41K) and my Silverwing (56K) to the dealer for new tires and drive belts. They checked the brake pads. Both scoots needed new rear pads but the front ones on each were ok. I have tried to squeeze both brake handles equally and each braking I use both. What might I be doing wrong?

Just like in cars, there will be a different brakes wear (from front to back ) in scooters. This might be due to:
1. "rear wheel drive"
2. Honda combined brake system (I am sure it's been discussed here before)
3. More weight on one wheel vs. the other.
4. You're being righty vs. lefty (different pressure on levers)
Thanks. Miro.

Dominator 650ccm engine is still used on some Honda models. Although a bit de-forced version. Original was 44hp and now it is down to 36hp. Althou bike is reliable there are reports of failed engines at around 60k kms. And repair costs are high.
Africa Twin is 750ccm V-twin engine. And very thirsty one. Something around 12l/100km! I'd say that Varadero is next generation of Africa Twin.