Possible Purchase

Greetings from the Valley Of The Sun. I come from an extensive Gold Wing background, and am contemplating buying a 2004 S'wing, with 21k. It appears to have been very well maintained. He has replaced the fluids, tires, etc.

My concerns basically involve the mods he has done, such as:

"Power Commander (with laptop)
Lighter variator slider weights (faster spool)
Delkovic slip on exhaust (DB Killer included)
K & N filter pod (replaces stock airbox)
Hyperpro front progressive fork springs
Ram Mount cellphone holder
Larger Clearview Shield for better aero
Backrest
Etc."

He basically has 'beefed it up to be a little sportier'. The work appears to be well done. However, he has all the stock parts to return it to stock condition. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be happy with the noise (and he says it pops a little on trailing throttle, with a smile). He is an adult (40s? 50s?) so I don't get the impression he has abused the bike. I am after comfort, quiet, and maximum mpg. So my question is: Would it be relatively easy to return it to 'normal'? I maintain my other bikes, ie timing belts etc on my GL1500. But I am a total newbie when it comes to weights, rollers, variators, Power Commander, etc. He would include his nice looking homemade tool to 'lock' the clutch (?) for maintenance "down there".

So,,, how much is involved overall? Can someone who knows the difference between a torque wrench and a socket set tackle this in a day or two? He would include a Honda manual for a 2002, and YouTube is my friend. I am also obviously comfortable pestering gurus on forums, being a member on 6 and counting. Hopefully some day I might be able to contribute in return.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, concerns, questions, advice, suggestions or ?

Ron in AZ

OK, I can answer for the following:
-Power Commander- no idea as I don’t have one on my 03
-lighter sliders: If OEM rear spring and 26 GM sliders, this will improve the acceleration and lower rpm when at highway speeds (by a few hundred rpm- these still rev pretty high at 70 mph or so, like 5400 rpm)- it’s a nice upgrade and I would keep it the way it is
-Delkevic exhaust- I have one and am very pleased with it- maybe slightly more dB on acceleration and slight decel burble, but at steady speed, really no difference between the Delkevic and OEM
-HyperPro Springs: VERY worthy upgrade- I just installed these on my SWing and used 5W Amsoil Shock Therapy fluid- very stable ride, no ‘crashiness’ over bumps and handles very well- take the OEM parts, but leave the better springs installed
-The K&N filter- not sure, personally, I have a HiFlo Filtro filter to use and will likely just keep mine OEM, but not to disparage the upgrade
-Clearview shield: I have one and the only thing I wish I did when I ordered it is get it slightly taller (but I have a cheap eBay extender on it, so now it blocks the wind well). The OEM shield by comparison (in my opinion) is inferior.
-Backrest, if elevated, likely won’t push you forward as much- I removed mine and ride without it- added some foam padding over the hard points of the seat and covered the whole seat with a mesh cover, so it looks very OEM- I can extend my legs quite a bit and ride for hours comfortably.
-Phone holder: I don’t use one myself, so it’s a personal choice.

Overall the prior owner did some very good upgrades and I would leave them as is (you have to decide for yourself OEM muffler vs Delkevic, but if he’s giving you all the old parts, you’re all set for comparing the sound- personally I like the tone of mine).

Good luck with the new bike if you buy it.

EDIT: I didn’t mention I have 2 Honda ST1100s, and although the scoot is a different beast, I find it quite easy to work on, even easier than the STs (which really aren’t that difficult either). Just ask when the last services were done, including the drive belt- that requires a swap every 16K miles (I did mine shortly after I bought mine- low mileage but 20 years old at the time- done in about 1.5 hour, so pretty easy).

Thanks for that! I did indeed buy it. All fluids have been changed, OEM, as was the drive belt.  He put the DB Killer in before I test rode it, and I think I may wait a bit before going back to stock.  We'll see how it goes.  I'm an excited 78 YO kid...

I will post a pic when I figure out how to attach as I learn navigation here.

Thanks again.

Ron

Congratulations on the purchase! Sounds like you found a good one. As to the mods, they are sound IF you like them, my 2012 is nearly stock except for a taller windshield and I love it. Much easier to drive around town than a Gold Wing and not bad on the freeway.

Anyway greetings from Bullhead City!

landisr wrote:

Greetings from the Valley Of The Sun.  I come from an extensive Gold Wing background, and am contemplating buying a 2004 S'wing, with 21k.  It appears to have been very well maintained.  He has replaced the fluids, tires, etc.

My concerns basically involve the mods he has done, such as:

"Power Commander (with laptop)
Lighter variator slider weights (faster spool)
Delkovic slip on exhaust (DB Killer included)
K & N filter pod (replaces stock airbox)
Hyperpro front progressive fork springs
Ram Mount cellphone holder
Larger Clearview Shield for better aero
Backrest
Etc."

He basically has 'beefed it up to be a little sportier'.  The work appears to be well done.  However, he has all the stock parts to return it to stock condition.  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be happy with the noise (and he says it pops a little on trailing throttle, with a smile).  He is an adult (40s?  50s?) so I don't get the impression he has abused the bike.  I am after comfort, quiet, and maximum mpg.  So my question is:  Would it be relatively easy to return it to 'normal'?  I maintain my other bikes, ie timing belts etc on my GL1500.  But I am a total newbie when it comes to weights, rollers, variators, Power Commander, etc.  He would include his nice looking homemade tool to 'lock' the clutch (?) for maintenance "down there".

So,,,  how much is involved overall?  Can someone who knows the difference between a torque wrench and a socket set tackle this in a day or two?  He would include a Honda manual for a 2002, and YouTube is my friend.  I am also obviously comfortable pestering gurus on forums, being a member on 6 and counting.  Hopefully some day I might be able to contribute in return.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, concerns, questions, advice, suggestions or ?

Ron in AZ

congrats it's nice to see someone from the forum picked it up. When you have time post a video of that exhaust sound. Kinda been on fence on to get one or not.

Thanks for the welcome. I will study the tutorials on navigation here to post a pic and vid. First I will post an intro.

Ron