Checking in from Portsmouth, UK

Hi All,

New owner of 2012 Silver wing in Blue. Unmodified and purchased with just 9,000 miles on the clock.

Wrong side of fifty now and previous bikes have included Ducati 900 Dahmah Sport, Harley Davidson 883 Hugger, Suzuki GSX600F, Suzuki DR650, Kawasaki 400 twin and hiding shyly in the back of the garage an LML (Indian Vespa) 125 scooter.

Too old and slow of reflexes now for proper bikes but the comfort, practicality and pulling power of the Swing suits me just fine.

All the best,
Pete

Hello Pete and welcome!

I suspect that the majority here are the wrong side of fifty but the Silverwing is as near ideal for wrinklies to ride as any bike.

I'm in Salisbury, not that far from you; there's a Saturday Rideout coming up soon if you're into that sort of thing. :-)

Pete,

Welcome to the site and congrats on your SWing. I'm sure you will like it just as much as the other bikes you have owned.

Welcome Pete. So you are under fifty (the "wrong side" on this site).        

   

Thanks for the welcomes. I shall keep an eye out for the ride-outs.

There's only one bike I'd truly enjoyed as much as his Silver Wing and that was my Kawasaki 400, collected shortly after my 17th birthday.

Here's a hint for all you young ones out there. If anyone ever asks you what the best day of your life was in front of your wife. The proper answer is "my wedding day" not "the day I got my first proper motorcycle"

Hello mate, you've mentioned 'proper motorcycles' in both your posts, what exactly do you mean by that? Aren't they just motorcycles.  

Proper motorcycle in comparison to a moped or scooter even a decent maxi scooter. I love the Silver Wing but it doesn't handle like an Italian bike and anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling themselves.

The Silver Wing and maxi scooters are, in my opinion, the best development of the last twenty years and suit my needs and riding style beautifully. I'm not setting myself up as a superior "bike" rider, I sold my Duke because it would have killed me. Too fast, too powerful and too tempting for my ability, I know my own limitations.

Pete, watch the wrinkle from the grin on your face. You are officially a Swinger. Welcome to the party.

Welcome Hippo Pete, most of us started on Motorcycles. i have only been a Scooter owner for four years. Once you get used to the swing you will find, you can throw it around, almost as much as a motorcycle. I have left a lot of motorcyles behind,after i let them overtake me,and then that little devil on my shoulder whispered "go on,you know you want to.  "

HippoPete wrote:

Proper motorcycle in  comparison to a moped or scooter even a decent maxi scooter. I love the Silver Wing but it doesn't handle like an Italian bike and anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling themselves.

The Silver Wing and maxi scooters are, in my opinion, the best development of the last twenty years and suit my needs and riding style beautifully. I'm not setting myself up as a superior "bike" rider, I sold my Duke because it would have killed me. Too fast, too powerful and too tempting for my ability, I know my own limitations.

Your Duke was a Seventies era bike, air cooled, chain drive, carbs, etc from the days when fitting a set of Dunlop TT 100's or Avon Roadrunners tyres was considered cool. I was riding around on a new BMW R100/7 about the same time the Darmah was the latest thing. We all thought Derriboots were great back then too.  

Ha ha - Derriboots. Try telling the nippers about those, they'll never believe you (or the slightly ripe aroma from them after a day's riding).

And Mr Old Limey, yes I understand, I've not pushed the Wing yet but it pulls beautifully. I think one of the main things that surprised me was on day of collection, I trundled down a slip road onto the motorway, joined a very clear main carriageway thinking right, time to open her up, glanced down and found myself doing around 80mph already. Smooth, oh yes.

Cheers,
Pete

Hi Hippo Pete
West Country Rideout 7 June. Start 10am at Travelodge Wincanton A303- run round Mendips , Levels and other Somerset goodies. About 95miles. You'd be welcome to join us.

I've heard of Mendipite although I don't remember seeing a crystalized specimen. Post a few pictures of any famous mining areas please. Some day Ill get there.

Hippo, I never bought a Duke for the same reason you sold yours. I got in enough trouble with the VTX.  

Thanks for the continued welcomes all and Paul, thanks for the heads-up on 7th June.

Cheers,
HippoPete