Hello from Sacramento

Greetings to all. I do not have a Silverwing. I currently ride a Kawasaki Vulcan 750, which has been a very good machine, but due to some arm injuries in the "clutch" arm, I have been considering the possibility of getting a large scooter because of the automatic transmission and storage. Primary use will be local rides and possibly some occasional touring (1000-2000 miles).

I have looked at the Burgman 650. Seems like a fine machine, but I have read some troubling threads over on the Burgman650 website regarding the reliability of the drive belt and the difficulty in changing it out.

I also looked at the TMax, but I'm concerned that the engine is a little on the small side for me (5'11'', 275).

I'm seeking some general info and some input about the SWing from those of you who own one. In particular, I'd like to know whether routine maintenance (oil change and such) and occasional minor repair (drive belt change, tire change, etc) are things which can be done by an owner with average mechanical skills. I'd also like to get some info about the reliabilty of your machine, its general comfort for long rides and anything else you might be willing to impart. Anything unusual I need to look for on a used SWing?

Thanks in advance for all responses and for overlooking my ignorance, as I'm sure these questions have been asked many times before...

Bob

Welcome to the forum. I am newbee here myself and I've owned SW for just over a month now. The only feedback I could give you is in regards to the first oil change (600-mile service). That was a really simple procedure, you just gotta have right tools (torque wrench and oil filter wrench). I need to do nothing maintenance-wise till 4000 ml. Many owners here will tell you how reliable SWs are and for the most part only routine maintenance is required (tires, batteries, etc). You typically change a drive belt around 16Kml, oil change and spark plug every 8Kml, air filter every 16Kml (according to the maintenance schedule). I've heard of one SW with 133Kml - this should give you an idea of their reliability.
I recommend purchasing a service manual as many owners do. It sounds to me that most of routine maintenance could be done by an owner. One of the complaints here on the forum is a SW seat so many owners either buy an aftermarket one or getting an additional seatback installed. I hope this helps. Thanks.

Bob,

I am pleased to say that I am of less than average in mechanical skills and have had no problems doing routine maintenance tasks on the two SilverWings in my garage. I've even had all of the plastic off of one of them and the majority off of the other (various mods and one accident) and am amazed at the minimal tools (and skills) needed to do the tasks.

I have not changed the belt by myself, but only because my wallet (and time) allowed (or forced) me to go to a shop. But, I've read up on the task and know I could do it if I needed to.

I really do not think the maintenance or repair tasks of the SilverWing should keep anyone from diving in.

I'm editting to add:

Welcome to the site. I hope to hear of your decision soon.

Hi Bob,

Welcome aboard. Alot of good information to be found here and some GREAT people to chat with. Enjoy.

DennisB

Hey Bob, welcome to the forum, and in case you do decide to get a S'wing, welcome to that too.

I'd say that I am of average (maybe "average+"?) mechanical skill, meaning that I don't have hands with two thumbs, and I can do manual things pretty well, if not on a professional level, or as precisely as an expert might. The main thing I seem to have to watch out for is breaking things I'm working on. If I go slowly and carefully, I can avoid this, but I admit that on occasion I just over-do it - as in try to hurry, or become impatient or annoyed- and something breaks. I'm getting better with this, if I say so myself.

I've done all of my own maintenance on my S'wing thus far, including motor oil and final drive oil changes, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs, rear and front tire removals and re-installations. I think that's it so far. I'm about to tackle bleeding the brakes, hopefully in the next day or so, and I have bought front brake pads and a new drive belt which I will also attempt to change when they are due. I believe I'll be able to do these things as well.

So far none of these things has proven too difficult or intimidating. My experience so far is that the S'wing isn't difficult to work on, especially if you have the right tools (like the right kind of oil can for the final drive oil change; or a vacuum pump for the brake bleeding, etc.). When and if it comes to major repairs, like rebuilding the engine for example, I'll certainly go to the pro's, but routine stuff seems well within my reach, and probably within yours.

Also, based on people's reports, and on my limited personal experience so far (my S'wing is an '04, bought used with 5800 miles on it, and now with something over 13,000 since last summer), there isn't much in the way of major repairs to do. It seems like it's mostly all routine maintenance. And I'm not aware of any "typical" issues/problems with the S'wing. There don't seem to be any, as far as I've read or experienced for myself.

People generally refer to the S'wing as "bullet proof", or say something along the lines of "Well of course it's reliable. It's a Honda." Take this for what it may be worth.

When I was looking for my used scoot, I wanted to know what condition it was in, how many miles it had on it (I consider any S'wing with under 10,000 miles to be a "low mileage" bike, given that they are known to go well over 100,000 miles), and what my feel for the seller was. I'm not aware of any considerations that would make one model year preferable to another, so an '02 or an '03 or an '04, '05, '06 etc. probably wouldn't make any difference in general. The older the bike, the drier the tires might be if they are originals, and stuff like that.

Sorry if I've gone on too long. Good luck with your decision, and again, welcome, and ride safe.

Hello California Surfing man... there are several owners on this forum with more mechanical skills than me. And there are some with less. MY problem is more physical limits than mechanical. I can read and understand instructions, but the stooping and getting down is tough for me. That being said... I have been able to do a lot of routine maintenance for my scoot. Oil change, oil filter, air filter, installing fog lights (although that one is not routine), change out windshield are the things I do myself. I have hired new tire and V-Belt installation because special tools are needed. If you have a tire changer and the brace for holding the pulley, you can do those. There are pictorials on a lot of the maintenance requirements that are VERY helpful. It has been fun actually to do those things I can do. Good way to learn your bike inside out. Bullet proof is an understatement. Read all the posts on this and other Silverwing forums. Almost NO ONE is disappointed with their Swing. A few want softer seat or larger gas tank and stuff like that. But you will have to look long and hard to find a trend of any mechanical shortcoming of these machines. I have put about 8K Miles on mine in a year. Never been in the shop. I know there must be some out there that have problems, but they are isolated instances. If you wind up joining us, you will not be disappointed.

Gary