Advice please - New owner - heavy bike

Hi all,

Firstly just wanted to say thanks for all the great info on this forum.
Only had my SWing a few days and already found this place invaluable!

Anyway, I have a problem I can't find an answer to...
Basically my bike feels extremely heavy. Not to hold but when it's moving/rolling.
For example when pulling away it feels like it needs loads of power to get going.
Also when lifting off at about 50kph it slows down much faster than I would expect, almost like the breaks are on.

Now I'm comparing it to another scooter i've been riding which is a 2005 Piaggio 125cc so a much smaller lighter bike but I still think something is wrong.

The problem is i'm not sure where to start looking!
I've checked tyre pressures which are all fine.
Everything feels good when under power and moving but I can tell something is wrong.
Also the steering feels a little strange but I'm putting that being down to riding a different bike.

Any suggestions or ideas for things I can check would be most appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Oliver

Oliver,

Welcome to the forum - enjoy the ride.

The bike is heavy so it does require a good bit of throttle to take off from a stop. Weight of the bike and the inherant inefficiencies of the drive line are the culprits.

Releasing the throttle while at speed will seem like the brakes are on as in fact the engine is acting as a brake and you are feeling a good bit of engine braking.

x

Welcome ollya.

It's been said but I will be boring and repeat it.

The Silver Wing IS a heavy machine and you cannot compare a 125 with a super scooter of the ilk of the mighty 'Wing'

The engine braking is considered a bonus when slowing down, consider it a saving on the cost of brake pads. I rarely use the brakes when slowing down. You will soon anticipate your braking and simply close the throttle when you want to reduce speed.

Get on the machine and take it for a few miles and you will soon start to appreciate the power and braking of one of the best super scooter ever built.

Dale, Bigbird & Doug,
Thanks for the reassurance, i definately feel like the problem's gone away already! Well ok not quite but at least i'm a little less worried.

I'll do as suggested and check the brakes, and will post back my findings

Thanks again for the quick responses!

What I might also do is find another SWing for sale at a local dealer and see if I can get a testdrive to compare ;-)

Welcome to the forum!

Not to but it WILL feel heavy. You went from one that's 258 pounds + you to 550 pounds + you. That's one hell of a weight upgrade. The engine braking just takes a little getting used to but it's a great way to shed speed w/out hitting the brakes.

Have fun and keep the rubber side down!

just remember to keep it balanced and keep the handlebars straight as you stop or you might dump it -- and really learn how heavy it is as you try to pick it up.
from someone who has been there more than several times.

welcome aboard!

When checking the brakes, also make sure the parking brake is releasing fully. It doesn't go well with the parking brake engaged. Ask me how I know.

+1 on the parking brake, it was the most difficult aspect to master when I came to the SWing from a bike !!!