Possible new buyer

I am about to buy a Silver Wing. Been riding since 1966. What are the problem areas I should be concerned with? Are there any? Tom

Wife, girlfriend, or your job placing so many demands on you that you don't have enough time to ride.

x

The bike I would like to buy is a silver wing. The reason I am not riding is I just sold the Ultra Classic, so I don't have a ride. If I buy a silver wing, are there any problem areas I should know about? Tom

Being the cynical old bit I am, if you've been riding since 1966 and the Silver Wing has been out since 2001 you must have seen them in dealers showrooms, parked up, out on the road etc. You've probably read plenty of stuff in bike mags about them too, so you must have some idea about them if you're about to buy one.

tom1169 wrote:

The bike I would like to buy is a silver wing. The reason I am not riding is I just sold the Ultra Classic, so I don't have a ride. If I buy a silver wing, are there any problem areas I should know about? Tom

Main moan is the inadequate stock screen.

Not a biggy, most of us have changed it for something else. Just use the search function at the top of the page and type in 'screen', loads of solutions should appear.

x

Tom1169, welcome to the forum. Thanks for introducing yourself. Oh, you didn't do that; just jumped in and expected direct answers to an open ended question. Since you rode an Ultra Classis, I expect you need something to take you to the local watering hole to talk about riding and looking pretty. Silverwing can fill that bill. :lol!:

tom1169 wrote:

I am about to buy a Silver Wing. Been riding since 1966. What are the problem areas I should be concerned with? Are there any? Tom

Tom,
I researched this myself before buying my Swing. All bikes have some common pet peeves among owners. All the ones that I heard about have already been mentioned in this thread.

Windshield is a common complaint across the majority of bikes, and the Swing is among them. I went ahead and ordered a Givi windscreen for mine and it is a big improvement.

The next biggest complaint is the battery going dead because the seat wasn't closed properly. You can either take out the bulb, replace the light with a switched light, or just be careful when closing the seat. I just pay attention and close the seat carefullly, haven't had a problem except day 1 when I left it partially unlatched for about an hour.

The only other common complaint that I heard about was front shocks. I haven't touched mine, and don't intend to unless they act up down the road. You may find the ride a little rougher than the Ultra Classic ... or maybe not. I don't have any issues with my ride, its superior to most of the past bikes I've owned.

Some people don't like the linked brakes. I think its just a matter of personal preference on how much control they retain to their brake system. It doesn't bother me, I just hit my brakes as I normally would.

Oh - as a long-time motorcyclist, you will need to break your habit of grabbing the clutch when you brake (no pun intended). The left lever is the rear brakes, and many motorcyclists are so used to the way they hit their brakes that they can unintentionally lock up the rear wheel by grabbing a fistful of non-existant clutch. Be careful, it will take you a little time to adjust to this change.

All in all, the Swing is a very trouble-free bike, great storage, nice amount of power, easy maintenance.

Vic

Thanks Vic best answer I heard today. Tom

have to say thats why i bought mine , i have a few health issues creeping up, so i figured no gear changes and easy maintenance etc goes a long way to a good ride , i hope you enjoy the bike you buy i am loving mine .
And welcome to the forum i find most everyone on here is great.
Derelj

BUY ONE, YOU'LL LOVE IT.

Reliability is a Honda reputation that is well earned. I have ridden my 07
34,000 and just replaced the rear clutch bearing. The cost was $290 of which $140 was Parts. I have had no other issue. I have changed the oil regularly. Replaced the tires when needed. I have replaced the drive belt. All of which is just scheduled Maintenance. There have been Silver Wings documented on this site go well over 100,000 miles. They have been ridden to Alaska and back. A man in Australia rode on into China and Mongolia. There are several very respected contributors to this site who are daily rider. I find the pictorial Maintenance to be outstanding. If you get a Silver Wing you will feel better over time about spending the Money.

I bought a left over 2010 a couple months ago and love it. I have owned many motorcycles and believe it or not this is the best and for good reason . 58 mpg , easy to balance with wife an the back storage under seat. no saddle bags sticking out. all the weight is down low. Will go over 100 mph no trouble to keep up with traffic. Great on back roads Little maintance. Buy it you will not be sorry. I found that with a spacer under the rear shock spring will really improve the ride if you have a passenger. Our total weight is about 375 lbs.

One of the main problems that my Silver Wing has, besides the stock windshield, is that it can't seem to go the most direct route from point A to B. It, and I, like to roam/wander.

You will find that you spend a lot of money on gasoline - because you can not stay off it!

Thinkiing of buying Silver Wing. What is the difference between a bike with ABS and a bike without?

The ABS keeps the brakes from locking up when fully applied which in tests has show that it stops in a shorter distance. This is accomplished automatically through the ABS system that changes pressure on the brake where needed at near light speed. You will feel the pulsation then you apply the brakes at speed. Some consider the ABS system to be a major advance in automotive engineering.
The regular braking system on a non ABS Silver Wing is also engineered for Safety with a linked system where the two brakes front and back are linked so when you grab the front or the back brake separately you are activating the other brake as well but with less pressure.
Both systems are designed to keep you from locking up one brake only.
The linked system is good and the ABS is better. Both work well.

"Silver Wing is also engineered for Safety with a linked system where the two brakes front and back are linked so when you grab the front or the back brake separately you are activating the other brake as well but with less pressure."
Just to be clear. The linked brakes are only activated with the left brake handle, which is the rear linked to the front.

Thanks guys on ABS info, I will update on what I come home with today

Well I picked the 2012 Silver Wing with ABS, I traded my 2006 Rebel. What a difference.....so excited

Congratulations Latina Wing. Enjoy your new ride, but give yourself a little time to adjust to it. Don't pull in that clutch lever to switch gears.

I had to chuckle about the "clutch lever" advice.

For many years I've had both a motorcycle (long distance touring) and a scooter (daily use) and made both mistakes. I've accidentally pulled on the scooter rear brake to "change gear" & on the motorcycle, occasionally forgotten to use the footbrake: the most dramically memorable was almost standing my Harley on its nose when going "a bit quick" past a speed camera - it flashed but fortunately I'd got my speed down enough - thank heaven for twin discs...!!! :arrow:

Latina, I hope you enjoy your 2012 as much as I am enjoying mine! Going for a day-ride tomorrow! Can't wait! Need to change oil today; got the oil and filter now to do it!