Help me NOT lose my balance!

Hi, I just bought a 2005 Honda SilverWing 600 and I researched Everything before buying! And I’m 5’3 and female and in moderate shape. I wasn’t going to buy it cause I wasn’t sure I could handle it BUT I read everywhere that “small women do it all the time etc” so I bought it before riding it and now...it’s SOO Heavy and I already fell over at very slow speed and hurt my ankle. So I’m scared now as well. So I’ve been trying to sit on it and practice leaning far as I can go before it takes me over instantly. And I can’t really lean either way more then a foot at most without going down hard. And that’s NOT even moving! That makes me Terrified to lose my balance going faster! I can’t back it up or even push it without it falling over. And it literally takes everything I have to pick it up. So I paid every dime I had for a bike I can’t enjoy and I NEED TIPS ON HOW TO BALANCE! PLEASE! What do other small people do when they have trouble holding it up at slow speeds? Or if they lean an inch to far? Just fall over all the time?? I can’t catch myself cause it’s too heavy and I’m crushed in more ways then one If there’s any advice on how to stay balanced or keep from letting my hips move one way or the other...I’d appreciate it! Thanks!!

First do you have motorcycle license? Ankle hurt---wearing boots? If no lic. take a course! SilverWing is heavy/top heavy. I had 2 new ones/age got to me and I bought something smaller. They are easy to dump. Bikes are designed to be ridden feet up....foot pressure on foot boards works/helps, no death grip on bars.

You have to realize that the Silver Wing is over 500 pounds! And like John says it is a top-heavy beast that requires practice. My suggestion is to take a course as suggested above or trade it for a smaller/ lighter steed, Forza or whatever.  Good luck.

At 5’ 3” isn't the Silver Wing's almost 28” seat height going to a problem safely putting your feet down without tipping it over when stopped in traffic, or the times you have to manoeuvre it about using your feet. That 550 lbs weight can also be difficult to haul on and off it's main stand.

Sorry that you had that experience but it sounds like the lack of it got you. You say how far over can you lean? as you found out not very. That said find and take a motorcycle safety course it's worth your hide and more worth your life. Speed is what keeps you up and these scooters don't have the advantage of a hand clutch along with the brake to feather your low speeds, just the brakes and throttle. When stopping square up ( go straight ) head, shoulders and eyes up. It takes some practice so if you can find a empty parking lot, mall style and practice it will be a big help. Good luck and welcome aboard here.

First, welcome aboard the board cubelife99!  

Can you share the riding experience you have until now (i.e. how long have you been riding, the kind of riding you have done i.e. flat roads, hills, off roading, city commuting, long distance touring and on what kind and size of motorcycle/scooter etc.)

What formal or informal motorcycle riding training do you have?  

What kind of riding do you anticipate having in the future i.e. mostly city commuting and errands, secondary country roads & sight seeing rides, major touring including interstate highways etc.?

The answers to the above questions will provide much needed context for your situation and how best to respond to your needs.    

I have my thoughts/first reactions about what is going on but I'd prefer to gather more information first.  After all ... "prescription without diagnosis is malpractice".

Meldrew wrote:

At 5’ 3” isn't the Silver Wing's almost 28” seat height going to a problem safely putting your feet down without tipping it over when stopped in traffic, or the times you have to manoeuvre it about using your feet. That 550 lbs weight can also be difficult to haul on and off it's main stand.

If she likes and keeps the scoot she can have that seat height modified to help the feet down problem.

You can of course get the seat lowered, but the Silver Wing still a heavy 550 lbs lump. I've read a few recent forum posts from long term owners mentioning it's weight as they get older as a major reason for considering changing to a lighter maxi scooter.

Now if weight and balance of a Silver Wing is a problem from the start, you're going to get hurt physically and financially.

Meldrew wrote:

You can of course get the seat lowered, but the Silver Wing still a heavy 550 lbs lump. I've read a few recent forum posts from long term owners mentioning it's weight as they get older as a major reason for considering changing to a lighter maxi scooter.

Now if weight and balance of a Silver Wing is a problem from the start, you're going to get hurt physically and financially.

That is true sir but she doesn't say she can't get both feet down, being able to do that would be a benefit over trying to catch a one foot down stop with a heavy bike, I know more than one former G'Wing owner that were happy with a lower seat and being able to plant both feet on a stop.

Other than remembering to ride upright and don't over lean on the SW. Get a trike kit that will work. I only put my foot down after stopping just to balance at a light.