SilverWing experience

This past Aug to now Aug tomorrow has been my least ridden year since 1955. Two work related moves and final (retirement move to TN....sucks want to get out of here, too hot and too many idiot drivers, little bike activity)-----throw in a stroke and you get picture....after stroke you need to re-learn most riding skills and practice, practice and think what you are doing.

I rode my TMAX maybe 1000 miles in this time frame and SilverWing 6,000.


Just got back from 7 days of riding with some business/parts shopping and routine Dr appointment....plus house hunting in MI UP----so I was busy.2400 plus miles.

Like to throw in some observations

1. Handle bars too high----try TMAX or Vespa sometime.

2. Air management very bad----Baker Air Wings go back on next week----blast to knees.

3. Top Heavy loaded----I try to mount everything low, some heavy stuff under seat, one rubber bag on seat behind me, Givi 46 Liter Box, too high, should only be light loaded, "tank bag" in well.

4. Handling----remembering this is a scooter, a putt putt, not too bad if not hurried, some low speed feeling of hinged in middle that could probably be fixed with fork brace (do they make one?) and better fork springs ( or spacer used with stock) Mine may have some early sag----but I weight 180 only.

5. Maybe a little under braked----try some 80 to zero stops loaded and you get picture.

6. My gas mileage, ok, nothing special. Low of 50, high of 60 overall around high 54.
Of course reg.

7. Speed/power plenty.

8. Stays together good----Warranty runs out in Aug----rear clutch, has noise---not even going to look at, let Honda do and pay. The SilverWing is the 6th rubber band drive Honda I have had-----of these 5 had drive line trouble that Honda took care of under warrany---Only Reflex was fine in this area...and with 22,000 miles lady on cell phone ran it and me over, bike totaled.

9. Designer must never have taken trip or carried anything----bag on rear seat, you have to remove bag to get at junk under seat. Dumb.

10. Tires---Bridgestone----kind of crappy. Only other approved tire is IRC. Metzeler has no approved tire set--from looking at their German listing, so there must be an issue---Pirelli is same company, but have not looked to see what they recommend.

For seat----WalMart car wash mitt cut at seam velcro to seat/ rider no underwear in high heat. Reasonable comfort.....but any foot forward position is not the greatest for machine control or the butt and spine.

Based on experience----Helix would have been fine/liked rear trunk and non linked foot rear brake. SilverWing, maybe a kind of overkill for the riding I do.

I used Hwy 127 from TN----ok, Interstates in poor condition, like third world, worse than the eastern bloc countries after the wall fell in 1989.

Speed....Silver Wing can run as fast as you twist throttle all day long---I think nice spot at maybe 5000-5200 rpm. Most comfortable 50-55mph, but you need to not block anybody. I have yellow decal on top box, "Caution old Fart."

John Grinsel Too many trailer bikers observed. My spy at AMA---said only one board member showed up on bike for their latest meeting--Andy Goldfine/Aerostich.

Fun at hotel HD group showed up, put on their Halloween costumes, took bikes from trailer...their ride to eat only. No cost option---lots of noise but really no faster than big scooter.

john grinsel wrote:

... my least ridden year since 1955. Two work related moves and final (retirement move to TN....sucks want to get out of here, too hot and too many idiot drivers, little bike activity).

So in your opinion it is hot in the south. This has been a warm one, but it is summer and it does get hot in the summer. When I was growing up in Minnesota I remember some pretty hot summers - especially while I was riding a hay rack piling bales on it and in the hay-mow. By-the-way it seems that poor driving skills are becoming a bit of a universal thing here in the states.

john grinsel wrote:

Like to throw in some observations

1. Handle bars too high----try TMAX or Vespa sometime.

2. Air management very bad----Baker Air Wings go back on next week----blast to knees.

These are indeed your observations, so I can not contest nor challenge them. Now for me the handlebar height is just fine and the air flow if anything is not a concern. I generally ride with my knees inside the airstream so have not experienced this as a problem.

john grinsel wrote:

4. Handling----remembering this is a scooter, a putt putt, not too bad if not hurried, some low speed feeling of hinged in middle that could probably be fixed with fork brace (do they make one?) and better fork springs ( or spacer used with stock) Mine may have some early sag----but I weight 180 only.

We ride our SilverWings fast and ride them slow I have no complaints about the rigidity of the frame. I am considering changing the front fork springs, but no hurry. I do not know of any fork brace available for the SilverWing, but it would be a rather simple item to machine from aluminum.

john grinsel wrote:

5. Maybe a little under braked----try some 80 to zero stops loaded and you get picture.

I would like to see two rotors up front, but only as a preference. I have not experienced any situation where I thought the bike did not have enough brake power, even while the bike was loaded for touring. We do not pack very heavy though... and I try to leave plenty of room to come to a halt.

john grinsel wrote:

9. Designer must never have taken trip or carried anything----bag on rear seat, you have to remove bag to get at junk under seat. Dumb.

I do agree that the design is not the best, but don't know much about the designer so no observation about the designer here. Having a split seat like the Majesty would be nice, but then the complaint might be the need to open two parts to get at the stuff in the back. Compromise and acceptance.

john grinsel wrote:

10. Tires---Bridgestone----kind of crappy. Only other approved tire is IRC. Metzeler has no approved tire set--from looking at their German listing, so there must be an issue---Pirelli is same company, but have not looked to see what they recommend.

Acctually as we benefit from freedom of choice, it would seem that all tires of the recommended size and speed rating would be "approved" tires. The OEM only uses two manufacturers as suppliers. I don't think the owners manual contains a list of approved tires or manufacturers. Motorcycle Superstore has a great selection of tires that fit the SilverWing.

john grinsel wrote:

For seat----WalMart car wash mitt cut at seam velcro to seat/ rider no underwear in high heat. Reasonable comfort.....but any foot forward position is not the greatest for machine control or the butt and spine.

Must find some brain clean to scrub mental images from brain...

john grinsel wrote:

I used Hwy 127 from TN----ok, Interstates in poor condition, like third world, worse than the eastern bloc countries after the wall fell in 1989.

I tend to avoid the interstates when riding the bikes, but do take them when in the car. I was in Regensburg before, during and after the wall came down and travelled (drove) to the former Eastern Zone of Germany and to Czechoslovakia. I have never been on sustained stretches of road here in the states that are as poor as those roads were.

By the way I'm moving this thread from the section titled "Tips on Using This Site" to a more appropriate location.

Well John, your comments thoroughly read and transferred to that part of the brain that is set aside for forgetting.

You don't like the 'Wing' fair enough. Buy another ride - simple.

Me, I love it but not being a techie am ignorant of any of the 'Wings' faults and as they say - ignorance is bliss.

Seriously....your attitude sucks.

I live in Tennessee and I love it. I moved here from Oklahoma City, there from Kansas City, there from New York, from there Alabama, from there Washington DC. I've worked in New Jersey, Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore, China, Taiwan, Australia and Brazil. I haven't ridden bikes for millions of miles but I've been around. I've met a lot of people and I know good places from bad. If you think there's something wrong with Tennessee the problem is most probably you.

Seems to me there's lots of riders here in Tennessee, and everyone waves except maybe choppers. Even the Harley guys I've met here are friendly and they all wave.

Your shitty attitude makes it difficult to assign any value to your opinions at all.

Lighten up, Francis.

I was going to jump on the rubber-band wagon but you're all saying it much better than I.

I love my Silverwing with all, if any, of its faults - it does the job in style and I'm proud of it.

Dale, You may consider one more thread move.

Is it riding all those miles that makes one so sour on life, if so I'm glad I can never manage to catch up no matter how long I have left on this earth. I'd have to live another entire lifetime to be able to do so. I pray that he isn't as unhappy as he sounds in his post it would be a shame too live like that or around someone who puts off that much negativism. Sounds like an ACLU lawyer, you know the ones who try to take all your rights away for own good.

Is there a thread called TRASH?
Craig

The ACLU takes rights away? Name one.

The right for our Veterans to have a peaceful funeral without having pickets harassing the families. But then you may not think this is a right, you may think that the protesters have more rights than someone who has gave his life for his country.
Craig

crahar wrote:

The right for our Veterans to have a peaceful funeral without having pickets harassing the families. But then you may not think this is a right, you may think that the protesters have more rights than someone who has gave his life for his country.
Craig

AMEN TO THAT!. I'd love to see some of those wimps express themselves to a live combat vet in person .

hot shoe wrote:

crahar wrote:

The right for our Veterans to have a peaceful funeral without having pickets harassing the families. But then you may not think this is a right, you may think that the protesters have more rights than someone who has gave his life for his country.
Craig

AMEN TO THAT!. I'd love to see some of those wimps express themselves to a live combat vet in person .

And we know that wont happen!!!!

John,

Are you close to the AL line? I'd like to meet you before you move back up to the frozen north.

Hi John, I am going to cut you a little slack since you mentioned the stroke. That could explain some of your anger right now. Might just be this really bad heat we are having everywhere it seems. (Even up north).

Tennessee is a beautiful state. There have really big mountains and Dolly. (That may a repetitive description.) Great people and great music. Hundreds of places to go and relax when the heat relaxes a little. I have visited Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and other places in between. Never met an unfriendly group in any of those places. I would/am going again real soon. Haven't seen a bear in the smokies in a long time. Gatlinburg is very nice. Chattanooga is another great place to visit. SEC sports is big time in TN. NFL and NBA have teams there. There is a song "Dolly Top"... I mean "Rocky Top Tennessee" that is kinda a theme song there.

I suggest you check with your physician about some stress meds, wait until the fall colors and cool weather. Then decide if you really would gain anything about moving north again. There are idiot drivers there too.

Some of your criticism of the Silverwing might be a little true, but most is just an opinion of individual preference. For me, I love the Swing. Would not trade it for any other two wheeler.
I bet you that if Dolly rides anything she rides a Silverwing.

Relax my friend. I bet you are a really nice man, just having a rough time right now.

Gary
Spoken like a true gentleman.

Look people think I am angry----no just honest. I have lived in WA/TX/WY/WI/MN/OK/NM and Germany/Korea/Japan/Italy. So after 50 year career I think I am qualified to say TN sucks as well as some other places. Just driving here is enough to make you want to leave---stop means nothing, directional lights? Rude on the road, etc., no shoulders on some roads---the telephone. I am a traveler not tourist.


As to being critical of Silverwing---facts are facts---owners of 2 wheelers tend to be defensive of their purchase----when I had a Kawasaki Concours, which was reliable but an overweight pig, that gave off too much engine heat, it was defended. HD riders will tell you their bikes are fast---I had 4 big twins and know the truth


What I gather here is not many really go out and do the miles, just like to monkey and putt around, fine. Some even like car tires.

Road conditions in US are poor and getting worse period.

So I don't mean to upset anybody. I need no meds. Remember my life style allowed me to have/buy over 75 new bikes and that experience plus the hours of seat time may make my views different. I am not brand loyal, but think Honda usually has better idea.

Wish somebody would go out & report on the new Givi shield----like 2-5,000 mile trip...maybe Alaska as that ride presents a variety on conditions and need for weather/mud protection.

Riding is the deal--I wrench,too. And maybe different than most people do not care to drive cars.


John Grinsel


John Grinsel

John,

There is a fine line between what you call honesty and what appears to be righteous anger. And I am only using the term righteous anger in this instance because it seems as though you'd like the "rubber band" scooter community to view you as a god.

Go forth - buy the airflow - take a long trip then get back to us. Shouldn't take much more than a weekend for you to accomplish this feat given the long list of your accomplishments to date.

I appreciate your view point (based on your experiences) and encourage you to contribute. But, when your contributions are focused on telling us we suck because we are not you or don't agree with you... hard to take you seriously.

I've lived in HI, MA, WI, MN, MS, MO, AL, NC, WA, & IA. Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Nicaragua. Oh and I even lived out of a tank for a good bit of my adult life. What does that mean to you or anyone else on this forum? Bumpkis! I have stayed in a Holiday Inn Express though.

Seriously, I'd like to meet you - send me an e-mail by clicking on the e-mail button.

QUote:
There is a fine line between what you call honesty and what appears to be righteous anger. And I am only using the term righteous anger in this instance because it seems as though you'd like the "rubber band" scooter community to view you as a god.


I appreciate your view point (based on your experiences) and encourage you to contribute. But, when your contributions are focused on telling us we suck because we are not you or don't agree with you... hard to take you seriously.

End Quote

I agree, John, you come across as arogant and self important. I have read your posts on several forums. I am just scrolling past most now since you do not add to most discussions. You just anti everything.

When you change to adding something to a discussion, I may change my mind and listen to what you say.
If you where in front of me in a group I would just walk away.

I listen to lots of repeated stories in real life and on line. Most people and myself respond to informative and POLITE posts.
Try being less antagonistic. More people will listen.

MaxB ( who is usually laid back on this subject)

john grinsel wrote:

Look people think I am angry----no just honest. I have lived in WA/TX/WY/WI/MN/OK/NM and Germany/Korea/Japan/Italy. So after 50 year career I think I am qualified to say TN sucks as well as some other places. Just driving here is enough to make you want to leave---stop means nothing, directional lights? Rude on the road, etc., no shoulders on some roads---the telephone. I am a traveler not tourist.


As to being critical of Silverwing---facts are facts---owners of 2 wheelers tend to be defensive of their purchase----when I had a Kawasaki Concours, which was reliable but an overweight pig, that gave off too much engine heat, it was defended. HD riders will tell you their bikes are fast---I had 4 big twins and know the truth


What I gather here is not many really go out and do the miles, just like to monkey and putt around, fine. Some even like car tires.

Road conditions in US are poor and getting worse period.

So I don't mean to upset anybody. I need no meds. Remember my life style allowed me to have/buy over 75 new bikes and that experience plus the hours of seat time may make my views different. I am not brand loyal, but think Honda usually has better idea.

Wish somebody would go out & report on the new Givi shield----like 2-5,000 mile trip...maybe Alaska as that ride presents a variety on conditions and need for weather/mud protection.

Riding is the deal--I wrench,too. And maybe different than most people do not care to drive cars.


John Grinsel


John Grinsel

As to the "I'm a traveler, not a tourist", I do believe if you travel, you might be a tourist. Lose the attitude John, and you'll enjoy life more, and people will take you seriously. Oh, and you want somebody else to buy the Givi Air Flo and test it for you. My answer to that is if you want to know how it performs, just buy the *&$%# windshield like the rest of us did.

PS: Meds might help.

Wendell

John it may be that your just misunderstood, but it still sounds like you hate the world. I may not ride as much as you but it's not by choice it's due to having a family and other obligations. I ride at ever chance I get, I've put close to 7000 miles on my Swing as opposed to 1000 on my truck in the same amount of time. I've rode in good conditions and bad I try not to let weather stop me. I know the Swing isn't perfect, I try to make the changes I want to make so it will be the perfect ride for me. Will I succeed no but I will not whine and moan and try to take the joy out of someone else's ride due to the fact I'm so critical of life and unhappy. Life is one big ride relax take a deep breath and enjoy it while you can try not to let the anger destroy it.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold NiebuhrTake it however you want it, but it just might help.Craig

One last comment for me here.... I am reminded of some famous lines in history...

"I did not have sex with that woman"

"I am not a crook"

"Read my lips,,, no new taxes!"

Now I can add:

"I need no meds."

crahar,

That's the first time I have heard the entire prayer. Words to live by.

Hot shoe if only more people would read it, say it, and try to live by it, we might not have as much anger in the world. I try but fall short, but I can at least say I tried. Yes I still get ticked say and do things I shouldn't, I try not to make it a habit though.
Craig

Altho it has been more years than I like to recall, I have many fond memories of Tenn., specifically Chattanooga. As a very young boy our family would go down to Chattanooga to visit my Dad's relatives to visit the town where he was born. I still rember the trips to Lookout Mt. & Signal Mtn to see Rock City. My uncle who was a retired conductor on the Tennessee R.R. would take me on some explorations hiking around the sides of Lookout Mtn. and of course we'd always ride the incline before going back to town to GrandMother Sallie's place for country ham & biscuits and always peach cobbler.It has been over 70 years since then but the memories are still fresh as her biscuits were .

Hi everyone,

I think this topic has gotten somewhat heated so I would like to say a couple of things.

John,

Your comments on the SWing are your comments and you are free to post them, but you should word your thoughts in a more gentle way. When you talked about Tenn. as a 3rd world country you have to understand that this will really upset people. Maybe you were just on some roads that weren't in the best shape. And we all realize you have many miles under your belt on m/c's and scooters, but the rest of us aren't a bunch of inexperienced riders either. But please think about what you are going to write before you write and ask if these comments would upset you. You need to understand that the ones on this forum are a very laid back and respectful bunch. We know the SWing isn't perfect but it is a very smooth, comfortable bike that most of us really like. Most here can afford any scooter made but we decided on the SWing. So please try to use your words in a "nicer" manner.

All,

I think Gary really put it in a very respectful manner, in one of his earler posts. But let's let this topic rest for awhile. It seems John has different thoughts about the SWing than we do. But let's not do any name calling or make any deragatory comments ( hope I spelled that right). I'm sure John is a nice guy in person but maybe a bit critical, more than most of us.

I understand people wanting to stick up for the state of Tenn, and I don't blame you for doing it. But let's keep everything on a more respectful level.

It seems this is the first topic that has really got some of us upset. That's really not bad for a site that is about 1 1/2 years old. Thanks for keeping this a nice respectful site. But please continue to post and don't think that I'm trying to "censor" anyone but just trying to keep this from getting out of hand.

"deragatory"

It ain't spelt like that on this side of the Pond but that's normal!

"Two nations separated by a common language."

Mike,

It's probably not spelt like that on this side of the pond either. I wish this site had "speel-chick".

Jeff, I spent 30 years trying to teach 7- and 8-year-olds to spell so I automatically check what I'm reading.

What's really embarrassing is looking back on my earlier posts and finding spelling mistakes in them.

Not sure what operating systems you use but some allow you to enable spell check through the menu.I use Linux Mint and any thing misspelled shows up underlined and when you click on it you get a choice of words to replace the one misspelled. Also allows changing languages, my problem is I need one for thought process and correct usage of grammar.
My apologizes if anything I've said in any of my post were out of place.
Craig

Craig,

I use IE so I will see if they have spell check. And don't worry, you didn't say anything out of place. I was more concerned where this was all leading. Thanks.

I use Krome and it underlines in read all the werds that eye misspell. I usually egnore them because spell checks are like gps.s and honda speedomaters they all have a built in error persentage. Eye wood tern et off if I new how.

x

Em gled um net e Kewe eh?

Jest whale way are teking the puss, end chingeng tha sibjict heres a Kewe Juke.

I'll use Aus english cos Kiwi is just too hard to write phonetically.

This Kiwi kid was going for his drivers licence when the examiner asked him if he could make a "U" turn.

"Meck a U tirn? " he replied, "eff you guv me inoff teme Ay ken meck her ayes wetta!


Transation anyone?

Spell-checkers are OK until they start changing 'licence' to 'license'.

I have a well-used Concise Oxford Dictionary beside my PC.

KURT... sounds like coming from a man of experience....

MikeO then I'd have too learn how to use it. At least with the spell check my mistakes might not be the right word but there spelled correctly. Honestly that sounds like something I need to do, I never was any good with grammar, spelling and things of that sort.

Know what you mean.
I enjoy it for its own sake; I like to think my grammar has improved since I've been using my PC.

I do think it's not so relevant on a forum, though; we are chatting so there is a compromise between what is 'correct' and what one would actually say.
I know I use some punctuation incorrectly in order to put a spoken inflection in. It's necessary.

bigbird wrote:

I use Safari on a Mac. Anyone else using a Mac? (not to hijack the thread or anything)

Yup, a iBook and iMac, sometimes both together!!! Spell checker courtesy of the nice men at Apple.

Waspie wrote:

Yup, a iBook and iMac, sometimes both together!!! Spell checker courtesy of the nice men at Apple.

Yep, iMac and Firefox. I'm not sure where the spellcheckers hang out, but they are pretty good.