Number of posts : 98 Age : 77 Location : Winter Haven, Fla Points : 5333 Registration date : 2010-10-11
Subject: Upgrading Silverwing Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:29 pm
Since 2007 every two years I've bought a new Silverwing. The last one is a 2012. Now that I can't buy another newer one what do I do? I love the bike and don't want any other. I'm wondering about riding this one, keeping up the maintenance and have the engine rebuilt when it wears out.
Ideas?
Bash On! Super Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 252 Location : Dallas, Texas Points : 3663 Registration date : 2015-08-24
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:18 pm
Well, I bet you can still find a NOS Silverwing.
As far as keeping your 2012, good thing it's a Honda. It should run for a long time with proper maintenance. Rebuild the engine if it's economically wise when, and if, you need to. These bikes apparently don't have terrific residual value so keep that in mind when deciding how much money to throw at it.
Worst case, there are plenty of good two-wheelers out there. In the end, the SW is just another machine, an appliance if you will. I'm sure you'll be able to find a suitable replacement when the time comes.
exavid Silver Wing Guru
Number of posts : 2658 Age : 81 Location : Medford, Oregon Points : 8410 Registration date : 2009-07-17
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Thu Nov 05, 2015 6:27 pm
Since you can still get parts for early SWs there should be no problem getting parts for the foreseeable future. There's always eBay for the odd pieces now and the as well. I wouldn't worry about the bike lasting, the engine should be good for well over 100,000 miles if maintained by the book intervals. These machines will last as long as your want them to. A friend of mine has a Goldwing with 400,000 miles on the odometer. The main repair he did other than normal maintenance replacements was a clutch somewhere around 300,000 miles. The fact that your bike is water-cooled is the main reason these engines last so long. It helps a lot of you do your own maintenance and have the tools to do it. I'd recommend buying a service manual for your bike as well. Honda services bikes up to ten years old so that should keep you going until 2022.
GHM-PM Site Admin
Number of posts : 2632 Age : 72 Location : Bullhead City, AZ Points : 7534 Registration date : 2012-05-17
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Thu Nov 05, 2015 8:50 pm
The last year was 2013. If you look diligently there are NOS 2013's still available at good prices. So you could do at least one more new unit!!! My 2012 has less than 17K on it but runs fabulously, not sure how many miles you have but other than normal maintenance, tires, probably belt. rollers etc. is all you need to get to 50K... Good luck with whatever you decide.
dalehazelton Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 80 Location : Hudson Valley NY Points : 3484 Registration date : 2015-08-18
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:40 am
I found my SW at a Harley dealership. It's a 2008 and had 1,800 miles on it. that's about 250 miles a year put on it. You can buy an older one with confidence. If you don't trust an older vehicle and don't want a CTX700 with the DCT and prefer the scooter layout go for a Burgman 400. They go like heck and still make them brand spanking new.
bicyclenut Maxi-Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 141 Age : 56 Location : Chicago Suburbs Points : 3578 Registration date : 2015-09-04
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:59 am
How may miles do you have on your 2012? If you like the bike I am not sure why you would want to get another unless it has really high mileage or damage. Design pretty much hasn't changed in 10+ years so I would think parts will be available for at least another 5-10 years. Yes, some of the other brands have some new features and electronics, but I don't think they have the reliability and durability of a Honda. Look at all the Elite and Helix scooters still going strong from back to about 1985.
Not that they are exactly the same, but in the Automotive repair business, Honda vehicles are pretty bulletproof, rarely see an engine or drivetrain failure and this is usually due to neglect or no oil. Many rust out or have other failures before the engines. I had a lawnmower with a Honda engine for 14 years, always started, ran great, put it in the shed for winter with old gas, started right up in spring. I actually only changed the oil once after 12 years (me bad) and never had an issue. Finally had some carb problems and since wheels were in bad shape, needed new blade, etc. decided not to fix and just bought another Honda.
I bought a 2003 Silverwing with about 5000 miles on it and I am sure it will be just as reliable as a new one but I paid 1/3 the price. Plenty of extra money to replace tires, do some maintenance and some upgrade modifications. Rather than buy a new one, save the money and use it to maintain the current one - new vehicles are rarely a good investment, maintaining a vehicle unless it reaches a point of poor ROI is always a better bet. Sure I have been tempted by some of the fancy features and looks of the newer Burgman's or especially the BMW 650GT, but when you read about the problems and the costs to maintain these, I keep deciding I'm pretty happy with the Silverwing. It's been a good value, reliable and good performance for what it is. Now if I stumble upon a wad of cash, I may still get that BMW as my Sport Scooter!
john grinsel Curmudgeon
Number of posts : 3321 Age : 85 Points : 9485 Registration date : 2009-08-18
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:51 am
I,too like to get new bikes....and ride a lot. My second new silverwing, left over 2013, mileage now near 30,000, will be replaced at 50,000 miles or sooner if I get bug for new bike.
I know Honda can last a long time, but just don't like the hassle as the things age. I like to ride on/with warranty. Thoughts: I will not buy another leftover SilverWing. So maybe another Burgman 400? I have had 2 new, nice, lighter, still current model---perform just fine, rubber band drive maybe not as reliable as Honda? Maybe wind protection not as good as SilverWing, both with Givi adjustable windshield, but still ok. My last Burgman 400 had about 45,000 miles at trade time and was working fine---I had bug for new bike.
Big scooter market is dead in US and probably there will be nothing new on the market in coming years.
JeffR Site Admin
Number of posts : 2598 Age : 65 Location : Bay Area, Ca Points : 8681 Registration date : 2008-12-19
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Fri Nov 06, 2015 12:38 pm
Has anyone given thought to the Honda Forza? I hear they have about 25 hp and are very smooth. When I bought my CTX 1 1/2 years ago I was amazed at the price of the B650. I know they are very nice bikes but the sticker price was $11,500 and it is still sitting there. I spent $9,000 on my CTX700 DCT and thought that was a lot of money. That is the most I have ever spent on a bike but really enjoy it. I have never had a big cruiser bike so my new bikes are the price of the SWing or CTX.
But like John has said, the US scooter market does really offer all that much. I wish we would get more of the bikes the Europe or Asia gets, but then no one really buys them here. As for your SWing lasting for a long time we never read about anyone that has to overhaul an engine on this site. The SWing may not have the bells and whistles of the B650 but it gets going. It's too bad they don't bring the integra over here although there isn't really any 'step-through' design on that bike either.
Bash On! Super Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 252 Location : Dallas, Texas Points : 3663 Registration date : 2015-08-24
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Fri Nov 06, 2015 2:51 pm
I looked at a Forza before deciding to buy the Silver Wing next to it in the showroom.
Everybody is different but I thought the Forza ergonomics were odd. On the Forza, couldn't flat-foot the scooter but, conversely, felt cramped when my feet were on the floorboard. It even felt more cramped than the riding position on my PCX150.
OTOH, I could easily flat-foot the SW, and also have plenty of stretch-out room while in a riding position.
P.S. The dealer still has a leftover new Forza (non-ABS) advertised for only $3995.
john grinsel Curmudgeon
Number of posts : 3321 Age : 85 Points : 9485 Registration date : 2009-08-18
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Fri Nov 06, 2015 8:10 pm
I have looked at/test rode Forza. Could work for me, GIVI has adjustable windshield/monokey rack for my monokey box. Odd size rear tire. Could buy one,should fit my needs.
ABS only.
bicyclenut Maxi-Scooter Rider
Number of posts : 141 Age : 56 Location : Chicago Suburbs Points : 3578 Registration date : 2015-09-04
Subject: Re: Upgrading Silverwing Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:26 pm
Here's a Silverwing upgrade...back end looks a little like a Honda Helix...