New Scooter

Hello folks, took delivery of my 2013 yesterday, touch over 6 grand, out the door. Absolutely love it, took the wifey for ride, she loves it as well. Thinking it is better than the bmw c 600 sport I had, not nearly as much technology, which I don't need or want. The salesman, what can I say? He pointed out the 12 volt outlet in the left hand box, which is a plug in a hole! O well, that can be corrected. Enjoy your day, Paul

Enjoy your new ride!!! I still love mine after 7 years...

I've had my 08 for 5 years now and still love it. Also, a happy wife is a happy home. Enjoy it and have fun.

"He pointed out the 12 volt outlet in the left hand box, which is a plug in a hole! O well, that can be corrected."

Two to three hour solution, great for a Saturday morning when you're looking for a project ... and made easier if you invest $20 to $30 in a digital service manual.

Remove the lid under the seat (four screws).

Remove the seat (four bolts under the nose and a cotter pin holding the shock arm). A Vanna White to hold the seat while you unscrew the bolts is a huge help. Also, put some tape under the cotter pin while you're working with it. You do NOT want to drop it into the bowels of the bike.

Remove the spark plug lid (two screws).

Remove the rubber floorboard liners and the floor skirts (lower screws behind the front wheel plus screws and bolts on the floor boards).

Remove the entire floor step, the centerpiece that includes the gas cap lid (two screws). The center of the bike is now exposed for your surgical wiring operation.

Back the cord from a Battery Tender "female cigarette lighter" ($11.) into the hole in the left cubby. Feed the line into the hole down the inside of the left faring until it emerges into sunlight at the bottom. I will confess, seeing it emerge was a near orgasmic feeling.

Pull the line tightly so the female socket is taut in the empty hole (it's too big to pass through so you'll never lose it in the bike). Keeping the line taut, zip tie it in place along existing lines and/or the frame to form a path to the battery. It will need to go UP through the hole in the lid under the seat (photo).

Attach a Battery Tender "ring terminal harness" (pre-fused and $5.00) to the battery. Connect this to the female line and voila: You have power in the left glove box for GPS or charging your phone. You can obviously also use the harness to charge the battery as needed.

Best o' luck on the new ride!

Thanks Mike, should be raining all week in Iowa! So, what do you keep in the "curiously strong mint" box? Regards, Paul

Also, I really like your Corbin seat, the color is killer, really Jerry Lee Lewis stuff going on there!

"Thanks Mike, should be raining all week in Iowa! So, what do you keep in the "curiously strong mint" box?"

Paul,

Very observant! Once upon a time, the box might have contained neatly rolled wacky weed. But that ship sailed many moons ago. Now the box under the seat has my iPhone charger cable and insurance and registration cards. The box in the left cubby has actual mints inside.

"Also, I really like your Corbin seat, the color is killer, really Jerry Lee Lewis stuff going on there!"

Goodness, gracious! That sent me to YouTube to enjoy my favorite scene in the Dennis Quaid movie, where Chuck Berry refuses to let Jerry Lee play last, so he sets his piano on fire and says, "Follow that, killer."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q_olybarxU

One more quick question please, looks like the 6' cable should be long enough, right?

"One more quick question please, looks like the 6' cable should be long enough, right?"

Correct. It's actually a perfect fit. I purchased a 12-foot extension just in case and was able to return it. When you get all the exterior parts out of the way, it's a pretty direct path to the battery.

Thanks Mike, have it ordered! Paul

gustav, congrats on your purchase. I'm sure yours has ABS? I had a 2009 ABS and enjoyed just over 6,000 miles ( had 26,000 when I bought it). I believe Honda makes excellent ABS maybe even better than BMW (too complicated) . Besides if the wife likes it you're gonna be a happy man for many miles.

Thanks Fran, yup, linked abs. Have had three bmw's, including c 600 sport scooter, tired of their over engineered, complicated, hard to work on or service attitude. Love the Silverwing!

I agree gustav, Bmws are too complicated and I think brake down too often. I had a 1974 BMW R90/6 which I put on over 100k miles and considered it a well made unit (except for points ignition) but easy to work on. I had a 1998 K1200RS a few years ago which looked new with 12,000 miles ,and gorgeous. It had a two stage ABS which worked fine but if it broke down $$$ and sure enough the main rear seal stated leaking (very common). In top gear on freeway the Silverwing was quicker for passing.

I pray you have miles of smiles

Thank you all very much! Enjoying the Silverwing very much!