Hello from Detroit—15 year SW rider!

Hi everyone!

I've been looking for recommendations for some accessories for my 2002 Silverwing, and this forum keeps coming up as a resource, so I figured I should go ahead and join. And if I join, I should introduce myself.

My name is Dorion, I live in suburban Detroit. I've been riding for, oh, a while, but I've had this specific (black) 2002 Silverwing since 2003. I'm a very casual rider, but this year, I'm FINALLY trying to make the scoot a little more comfortable.

In truth, I've been thinking about getting a different bike — maybe a trike. But since I don't have the money saved up for that just yet, I figured I should see what I can do to make ol' Scootypuff a little more long-distance comfy. Gonna put a top box on it, maybe do a backrest mod... the things I've been reading this forum for, in other words. I also have to figure out how to keep my throttle hand from falling asleep. I'm reading recommendations for that, but so far, I think it's going to be a matter of positioning my arm in some unnatural way. (Been a graphic designer for my entire life, which means extensive computer use every single goddamned day, so RSI is playing a role, I'm sure.)

What I'd LOVE to do is get a custom mural/decal on it. But that's a whole other conversation.

So back to the point, hi!

-Dorion

Hello & Welcome

Welcome aboard!

Hey, welcome to the group. I have a 2002 myself snd really enjoy it. I'm in Georgia so we have a longer riding season here.

Welcome from o-HI-o.

Welcome to the site, I was born in Detroit, lived in Highland Park in the 50's....if you are interested in a Air Hawk cushion, I have a medieum in perfect condition for $60.00 plus shipping. I too changed my 2012 SWing to a trike....if you go that way, you won't be sorry.

Thanks, Pastor Ron. I just ordered a gel pad to see how that goes first.

I don’t know that I’d trike up the SWing... I thought something more powerful might be nice. But I don’t know... we’ll see where I land in a few months.

Hi Dorion and welcome to the BEST SWing site on the net.

As far as throttle fatigue goes, I use the Vista Cruise Throttle Clamp. I had one of these on several of my previous cycles and have one now on my 08 SWing. They work great and are easy to install. They run about $26.

I had my SWing triked out this winter and really like it. It is a Motor Trike GT3 kit. Totally it cost about $8,000 for Motor Trike to make, ship and the local dealer to install it.

Thanks, Dale.

I do have a palm paddle, which helps (a little...sometimes...I think...). I might try a clamp. (I have a 3D printer, and there are lots of clamp patterns available, which says a lot about how useful/popular they are.) My tingles aren't limited to riding, so there's more at work there that I need to figure out. I think if I can just find the right hand/arm position, that will make a lot of difference.

As for triking the SWing, to be honest, if I were going to spend that kind of money, I'd buy a used Goldwing trike (or similar). That's kind of where my sights are currently set — buy a slightly older (metric) trike, keep the SWing as it is for around town. (I could also buy another entire SWing trike for a quarter what that kit cost!)

Dorion:
A warm WELCOME from NO. East Tennessee.
(Land of Davy Crockett & Pres. Andrew Johnson)
Keep us informed of your rides 'cause we want
to be envious of the rides of other S/Wing riders.

Hello neighbor. Welcome to the group. Rochester Hills MI. resident here. There are a couple more Silverwing 600 riders out this way; one in Auburn Hills close to me and another further out in Tecumseh. We ride together when the stars align properly and go to places like Frankenmuth, the Woodward Dream Cruise, sometimes rides to local cider mills in the fall etc. (that is when the other 2 guys can manage their work schedules... me, I'm retired and can go anywhere whenever I please) We all do most of our own wrenching on our bikes and are happy to be helpful when we can. Lots of useful info here on the forum too... just ask.

Dorion,
Welcome to the forum. Check out my album. I have pictures of mods I have done. My NEP throttle lock allows me to remove my right hand from the throttle so that I can relax it. Wind and hills effect the speed most. Below is a list of mods I have done.
Ride safe!

bandito2 wrote:

Hello neighbor. Welcome to the group. Rochester Hills MI. resident here. There are a couple more Silverwing 600 riders out this way; one in Auburn Hills close to me and another further out in Tecumseh. We ride together when the stars align properly and go to places like Frankenmuth, the Woodward Dream Cruise, sometimes rides to local cider mills in the fall etc. (that is when the other 2 guys can manage their work schedules... me, I'm retired and can go anywhere whenever I please) We all do most of our own wrenching on our bikes and are happy to be helpful when we can. Lots of useful info here on the forum too... just ask.  

This is great to know, thanks! This will be my first stop for mech questions.

Hello from Ga. I also have at Swing Trike and love it.

Hi Dorion, welcome.

Don't trike the SW. It's a great bike to be enjoyed as Honda intended. It has it's quirks like any bike. It's not a sports bike but that's what it makes it special. Enjoy it as it is and do a Goldwing trike if you feel the need. There are plenty of mods you can do to the SW to make it feel more customised, so go with that. Bike and Trike are very different things. Try nipping through traffic on a trike

Loosebearing wrote:

Hi Dorion, welcome.

Don't trike the SW. It's a great bike to be enjoyed as Honda intended. It has it's quirks like any bike. It's not a sports bike but that's what it makes it special. Enjoy it as it is and do a Goldwing trike if you feel the need. There are plenty of mods you can do to the SW to make it feel more customised, so go with that. Bike and Trike are very different things. Try nipping through traffic on a trike

I humbly disagree...triking the Swing was the best thing I everdid as a mod.

Pastor Ron wrote:

I humbly disagree...triking the Swing was the best thing I everdid as a mod.

It's hardly a mod, it's a major conversion job. Since I've been on here I've read about various conversions, including those weird one's that are basically outrigger/training wheels tacked onto the Silver Wing similar to children's bikes.

So far I can't recall any members explaining exactly why they want or needed to convert their Silver Wing to a trike. I realise it may be advancing years, mobility problems, declining physical strength, or simply the stability or extra confidence of extra wheels.

If I was interested in a trike, there's a handy trike conversion specialist about a hours ride from my home, although it would be far simpler to sell or PX my Silver Wing and buy a 3 wheel scooter. Something like a Piaggio MP3 500, or Peugeot Metropolis 400. Maybe the Quadro 3 350 and Quadro 4 350, or just for tooling about on the Yamaha Tricity 125.

These are all well established tilting scooters with 2 wheels at the front, and 1 at the rear (or 2 on the Quadro 4). Financially they make more sense in the UK than a US import conversion kit. They wouldn't be a wide or heavy as adding a kit, and there's plenty of useful accessories available for all of them.

Agree with Meldew---there are European 3 wheelers available that are probably safe and have type approval for various countries.

My observation---US conversions can be crude/one wheel in front safe? Probably Harley factory 3 wheels ok, ridden within its limitations. Yamaha has new 3 wheeler somewhere in the pipeline.

One thing I have never seem with scooters converted to trike, is has anybody ridden any of these big miles??

At 79 I deal with age by getting lighter better balanced bike/scooter than SilverWing. My current CB300F Honda is well balanced, even loaded for tour/Hepco & Becker T-Bow saddle bags/ their luggage rack,$40 Bestem box/ $29 Cycle Gear magnetic tank bag. This bike disadvantage=NO CENTERSTAND, open drive line-----already thinking of 2019 purchase of new bike/scooter.

Yes sir Jim Bob don't trike it Bla Bla Bla listen to us. Bla Bla Bla take my word for it. Bla Bla Bla
even if you want a trike don't do it Bla Bla Bla we know what we are talking about. Bla Bla Bla.

30,000 or more a year. 8,000 miles nothing----how about SilverWing drive belt with extra load?

What about it?

ItBeMe wrote:

Yes sir Jim Bob don't trike it Bla Bla Bla listen to us. Bla Bla Bla take my word for it. Bla Bla Bla
even if you want a trike don't do it Bla Bla Bla we know what we are talking about. Bla Bla Bla.

++ 1.....enough said....once again I got caught up in worldly confusion...I pray I will learn better SOON.

Swing Trike Converts, you won't get negatives from me until I can PROVE TO YOU that you are not enjoying the comfort and safety of the best looking and riding trike available. You had the courage to make the conversion, so enjoy!

Well so far no articulate replies or reasons for converting to a trike, not even a 'it's a lot easier for wifey to get on and off the pillion seat of my Silver Wing since I got the conversion/stabilisers'. I've also yet to read anything about any distances or tours being covered on one either, especially as it's the height of the 'riding season' and the weather has been very good on both sides of the Pond.

As for having the courage to have a trike conversion done, isn't it more about having the disposable income to pay for it.

< Snip > ...

Hello from White Mountains of NH, who grew up in Davison Michigan.

Welcome and lots of ideas here for modifications etc. You'll see some amusing disagreements. Leave those at that, amusing. Make your choices and enjoy.

Wish you the best and happy to see ya moving forward toward longer adventures. It's really fun!

Meldrew wrote:

Well so far no articulate replies or reasons for converting to a trike, not even a 'it's a lot easier for wifey to get on and off the pillion seat of my Silver Wing since I got the conversion/stabilisers'. I've also yet to read anything about any distances or tours being covered on one either, especially as it's the height of the 'riding season' and the weather has been very good on both sides of the Pond.

As for having the courage to have a trike conversion done, isn't it more about having the disposable income to pay for it.

< Snip > ...

I have a bad hip....and because of diabetes I have problems in both feet and legs....it was either give up riding or buy a trike....it that articulate for you?

Sorry mate, I've had a stroke in the past and I voluntary agreed not to ride or drive for a couple of months, and if I'd been medically advised to give up riding permanently I'd have accepted it. IMHO if you're not physically up to it, you should be on a mobility scooter not a trike.

My wife stopped riding with me after we went down on a slow u-turn. Last year I purchased a 2004 SW in the state of Washington and drove it back to Idaho. About 250 miles. It came with a Voyager trike kit. It was a different style of riding. Funny thing is now my wife is talking about riding again. She must feel safer on a trike. She even mentioned of doing short road trips on it. If a trike will get my best friend to ride with me, than that is as good a reason for the trike. I will still ride two wheels in Hawaii.

Meldrew wrote:

Sorry mate, I've had a stroke in the past and I voluntary agreed not to ride or drive for a couple of months, and if I'd been medically advised to give up riding permanently I'd have accepted it. IMHO if you're not physically up to it, you should be on a mobility scooter not a trike.

It just goes to show...you answer someones question and it still isn't good enough. I think I will just move on. May you all have a blessed life.

At 79 I am disabled vet, had heart attack, stroke, bad hips/knees (VA pays) diabetic and old. But day to day I work fine----I find riding bike/scooter keeps me going----including getting legs over seat when bike is loaded for touring.

My objection to trikes in US----safety, except Can-AM/Piaggio-----think about braking performance, ability to dodge things in the road(safely) What about ABS working? Most trike operators probably not interested in sidecars....as there is an amount of skill necessary.

Piaggio 3 wheelers are probably pretty safe----designed as complete package. Last time I lived in Europe saw some really skillfully ridden and very fast in corners

Way to go. Urinate on an introduction page. We insist on introductions and then all of the "people with opinions" can't wait to share them regardless of where they are.

I hope the OP sees and learns something here to keep them coming back.

For comfort, I got a Corbin Seat. For the wrist problem, I got a throttle lock. For extra luggage, I got some soft throw over panniers that goes under the seat and over the gear packed in the under seat storage.

My tent, cot and sleeping bag is stacked on the rear seat. I always travel solo. If I am going two up, I am on my Goldwing and toting a trailer.

If I was looking for a trike, it would be a factory two wheel in front type.... not a conversion. Medically, if it goes that way for me, I will ride one of those until a 4 wheel convertible is my only option. I turn 65 this month and my health is still good.

Again, please excuse those that spew insults. They know not who they insult or offend besides those who they disagree with. We all came here because we own or have an interest in Silverwings and some have previous experience with motorcycles and some don't. One thing is for certain, they all have an opinion.

Thank you for introducing yourself. If you have been lurking for 15 years before joining, you should get some kind of an award.

Yes, an award is certainly warranted.

Meldrew wrote:

Sorry mate, I've had a stroke in the past and I voluntary agreed not to ride or drive for a couple of months, and if I'd been medically advised to give up riding permanently I'd have accepted it. IMHO if you're not physically up to it, you should be on a mobility scooter not a trike.

I can no longer ride a 2 wheeler for health problems and that is why I am on a trike.
And if I had been medically advised not to use my mouth on this site to tell other members what is good and bad for them I would shut up permanently.

ItBeMe wrote:

< Snip > if I had been medically advised not to use my mouth on this site to tell other members what is good and bad for them I would shut up permanently.

Dunno how to take this remark but I do hope we're not getting into another sniping contest. 

Been there, done that, didn't turn out well.

ItBeMe wrote:

Meldrew wrote:

Sorry mate, I've had a stroke in the past and I voluntary agreed not to ride or drive for a couple of months, and if I'd been medically advised to give up riding permanently I'd have accepted it. IMHO if you're not physically up to it, you should be on a mobility scooter not a trike.

I can no longer ride a 2 wheeler for health problems and that is why I am on a trike.
And if I had been medically advised not to use my mouth on this site to tell other members what is good and bad for them I would shut up permanently.

Well if that's your own photo and teeth that you're using as an avatar, that's good medical advice. By the way you're not using your mouth to tell anyone anything, you're typing it out like the rest of us.

Now isn't a pity it's taken you and Pastor Ron until now to fess up the real reasons to why you've gone for trike conversions, instead of you both getting all indignant about it.

Anyway now that's cleared up, I'm taking Timothy's good advice and saying no more.

I'll bid y'all a good evening.

As far as me converting my SWing to a trike. I did it because I wanted to. I like the way it rides and handles. As far as the belt goes, maybe it will wear sooner, maybe not. I don't do "Jack Rabbit Starts" so I'm not too concerned. It's not all that hard to pull the cover off and take a look at it at maybe 10,000-12,000 miles or so. And it's not all that hard to change when needed. Some people like a trike, some don't. I've only lost about 4-5 mpg on the highway so that's not bad. In town with stop and go it suffers a bit more but I'm still in the lower 40s.

It seems like there's a lot controversy on liking or not liking triking out the SWing. I say to each his/her own. I'm happy with it and that's pretty much all that matters to me. I don't have any health problems that made me do it. I just dood it. Yes, I spelt that wrong on purpose...

Dale N. wrote:

... snipped ... As far as me converting my SWing to a trike. I did it because I wanted to.   ... I say to each his/her own.

Totally agree with you Dale.     It's like the issue of trailering your ride and the doofus' who say real riders don't trailer their rides.  There are a number of sound reasons why some people choose to trailer their bikes vs. spending mindless hours/days staring at superslabs just to get somewhere.  

Hey, if that's how they want to ride ... so be it ... but don't crap on those who choose otherwise for their own reasons.