Sold my Swing, tonight

Well, I put my Silverwing on Craigslist and thought I'd be riding until Spring. But, a few days ago, a guy contacted me and asked if it was still available. The ad had been on CL for over a month and only tire kickers responded. But, this guy sounded serious. So, he came out yesterday and took her for a ride. I was sad to see her go down the street, without me. He came back and made me an offer. I tried to stick to my price, but I knew it was time to agree and let her go. I loved that scooter, but noticed that my hands were falling asleep on my commute and with only hand brakes, feared that I wouldn't be able to stop my scoot, if I had an emergency. So, I made the decision to put her up for sale.
I won't be without a scoot...I have a Helix and Reflex in the garage, but it won't be the same as riding the Silverwing. That power and comfort is unbeatable.
Ride safely, everyone.

Sorry to hear your sacrifice. I did the same with my beautiful 1800 Goldwing a couple months ago. My legs and ankles are getting too iffy for a 900lb. bike. So I got a SW. Kinda the same thing.

Sad story. Getting old isn't difficult, but having to live with a decaying body is (I speak for myself).

I think most of us will reach those crossroads. My purchase of the Silver Wing was a concession to age. Wanted the comfort of the scooter plus the ease of the CVT and storage space galore. 40 years ago I would have turned my nose up at such a ride... Now I am convinced it is the best two-wheeler for my purposes! Eventually even the Wing will have to go, I suppose, but hopefully not anytime soon. :flower:

I was sad to see it go. But, with my hands falling asleep while riding and having two close calls in one week, I am sure that the right decision was to sell her. I still have the Helix and Reflex, but they aren't as cool or as fast as the Silverwing.
And to be honest, Las Vegas is NO place to ride, especially in traffic.

Dreamrsmom wrote:

I was sad to see it go. But, with my hands falling asleep while riding and having two close calls in one week, I am sure that the right decision was to sell her. I still have the Helix and Reflex, but they aren't as cool or as fast as the Silverwing.
And to be honest, Las Vegas is NO place to ride, especially in traffic.

You could have left Las Vegas out of that last sentence and just about covered the world. At least you still have your other scoots to keep your grin going.

Yeah, I could have left out Las Vegas, but honestly we lose at least 1-3 riders per week. It's just not a safe place to ride. I rode in Seattle for many, many years and never had a close call. But, here...it's like they aim for you. I was run off the road by some little old lady that thought she should share my lane. It's crazy. Anyway, like you said, I have my other scoots...they're not as cool, but they'll do the trick.

I'm considering a 2006 Swing with 6k miles, Prime condition, no accessories for $5k. KBB says $3650 retail. Also, 2005 Reflex Sport w/ABS 77 miles, prime condition for $3300, KBB says $2370.

Which one is the better buy? How do you justify the difference between KBB values and sale price.

Some members here have owned both models, will appreciate your input.

Newbie here, thanks!

Blue book values for motorcycles and ATVs often have no real connection to market values. I believe they're mostly for insurance values or dealer's purchasing. Also there's often a very different value between Edmunds and Kelley. I'd think a pristine low mileage '06 SW ought to be worth close to 5k to someone. For used bikes it just depends on how much someone is willing to pay. Most sellers overprice a bit and then come down until the bike is sold. Book values really aren't valid for buyers.

XLS wrote:

I'm considering a 2006 Swing with 6k miles, Prime condition, no accessories for $5k. KBB says $3650 retail. Also, 2005 Reflex Sport w/ABS 77 miles, prime condition for $3300, KBB says $2370.

Which one is the better buy? How do you justify the difference between KBB values and sale price.

Some members here have owned both models, will appreciate your input.

Newbie here, thanks!

IMHO you can not lump a Reflex and a SWing in the same category - the only thing they have in common is 2 wheels. You first need to decide if you want the performance and capabilities of a SWing or a Reflex - then you go buy. Do you want a Volkswagon Bug or a Corvette? Both are great cars but clearly fit different needs/desires/wants. Likewise for the SWing/Reflex - the SWing is called a scooter - but it is awesomely so much more!

Yes, a Silverwing might be worth $5K to someone, but realistically, with no extras, I think that's too much. I bought my SW for $3600, plus shipping and sold it for $3300 and it had about 4700 miles on it. I miss my SW, but I'll settle for the Helix, I think. The Reflex is too chattery coming off the line and is really bouncy. Not sure if there is a shock issue or ???
Anyway, ride safely, everyone. Happy New Year!!!

I'd quite happily settle for the Helix too, they're a bit long in the tooth nowadays but so am I.

The guy that bought my scoot said it was for his mom, but I think secretly, it's for him. He just didn't realize how cool he is going to be riding a Silverwing. I'm sure I'll see it on the road.
I love the Helix, it was my first scooter. I rode it for six years and sold it for twice what I paid for it. I could probably do the same with this Helix. Everyone asks me what it is when I ride the Helix....they are so use to seeing the little cheap 50cc scoots about town.

XLS wrote:

I'm considering a 2006 Swing with 6k miles, Prime condition, no accessories for $5k. KBB says $3650 retail. Also, 2005 Reflex Sport w/ABS 77 miles, prime condition for $3300, KBB says $2370.

Which one is the better buy? How do you justify the difference between KBB values and sale price.

Some members here have owned both models, will appreciate your input.

Newbie here, thanks!

The swing is overpriced by $1000 or so.

I got my 2003 in 2009 (also six years old). It had 3800 miles on it, a givi screen, givi 46 liter color matched, lighted trunk and a new battery from the original owner for $3600 - I paid him what he asked for it.

Look elsewhere. There will be others available that are more reasonably priced.

I don't know where this is going but-----having owned both new SilverWing and Reflex----#1 here is my take both are ok---So while Reflex is fine handling, easier to work on.....but both are old and if you cannot work on yourself, finding somebody to work on who remembers ReFlex, could be problem. SilverWing is still current, so somebody in Honda shop may have worked on one in US. 250cc to 600 is also apples and oranges comparison...either is ok.

AND we are talking machines as old as 8 years---I usually don't worry about Honda Engines-----but old tires/batteries need to be replaced, regardless of miles....drive belt is weakest link and would require replacing on either. Price I would pay....ReFlex no more than $2000, SilverWing no more than $3000....and that is for perfect machine, stored in side, no power washes, maint. records available.

Then I see Helix came in the conversation----having had 4 new Helix for total of approx 175,000 miles, most on one 50,000 at trade time----they are the ideal scooter, easy to work on, reliable as a Timex, belt change can be done at roadside---danger with them J rated tires---62mph---and the bike goes much faster...so riding wide open on Highway you are always exceeding design limit of tires, especially rear which tends to run hot anyway. I had only one high speed rear failure (in Japan). Helix still available today----I would buy another new one for 2013.

How about 2012 SW ABS showroom floor condition 600 miles for $8500?

Thanks!

My book=way too much for used----Chattanooga, Southern Honda leftover 2012 in still in box=$7800 their first offer

I think it likely that Dreamersmom could have a touch of carpal tunnel going on that caused the hands to go numb. My wifes silverwing also tends to want to do the same thing to me. One thing that can help is to install a set of Kuryakin grips, that help with the vibration in the silverwings bars. I think it too bad that a company such as Big Red won't consider rubber mounting the bars to get rid of most of the vibration that we encounter on these otherwise pretty decent rides. Come on Honda, you're better than that!

I made longer handle bar end weights. They allow me to shift my hand position a lot more than before, and the numbness is lessened significantly.

Sometimes the numbness can be caused by gripping the handlebars too tightly. ('Gripping on for grim death' is a phrase often used here in UK).

Cheers,



8796480000 miles traveled since March 1954

I believe tarmacburner is right on the problem. Tenseness and a deathgrip on the bars does cause problems. There are some things that help without changing the grips. One is to put a Crambuster on the throttle grip, that way you can hold the throttle without tightening the fingers on the grip. Another thing I do on long rides is to droop or drop my shoulders by relaxing the muscles. If your elbows drop when you relax your shoulders you're riding tense. One other method that works on a motorcycle but I haven't tried on a scooter is to grip the tank with your knees. A tense rider will find his elbows want to drop if he's tense. Once you can recognize that you're not riding relaxed it's easy to control and correct. Riding with tension makes it hard to be comfortable for any length of time, causes excessive fatigue and can cause poor riding technique.

I forgot to mention i also use a cramp buster. I use it in the normal way when on motorways or long unbroken roads (long dual carriageways) - resting / pressing down with the palm of the hand. Other way i have of using it is having it at the extreme inside of the throttle grip, pointing downwards and pushing it with my thumb. Both positions allow you not to have to grip the throttle for grim death.

Cheers,