Did it yesterday

Bought a new left over 2013 SilverWing....my second new one, last one was red...I forgot which year.

Bike was still in crate, yesterday, deal ok, today 15F so may take delivery tomorrow. Given that a 650 Burgman would have cost about $3000 more min----- and what would I have gotten on trade??? My 2011 Burgman 400 ABS leftover---34,000 miles----not worn out but loaded for trip its handling only worked with Bridgestone Hoop front and Michelin SC Power Pure rear....and then not so good. Belt Change coming up soon.

I let selling dealer, Southern Honda, order up proper GIVI stuff---Adjustable Windshield,Passenger back rest and Rear Rack for Monokey Box-----my 500,000 mile plus E-46 GIVI box will go on the new bike------I install all junk myself, knowing it will put on right....including drilling the proper holes for windshield mounting!
Based on now over 300,000 rubber band drive scooter miles----I will change belts at max 20,000 miles and use only OEM belt and rollers.

Trying to get rid of my Suzuki TU250, too----having only one bike to ride is best. At one time living in Germany had 8 registered bikes/scooters/sidecar outfit

Cruise control/throttle rocker, front mudflap, etc., all transfer from Burgman.

With luck the new SilverWing will have IRC tires, which have worked well for me in past.

Have purchased at least one new bike from Southern Honda Chattanooga in the past. Do not use them or anyother dealer for service. Only Warranty work goes to them.

Expect no trouble from SilverWing based on past experience-----ride it don't monkey with, likes Wal Mart 10-40 oil

Good for you John, make sure they tighten all nuts and bolts, and tyre pressures are correct. It's the little things they miss, that that we as riders, always check, that can be dangerous at the least.   

Got it today----glad Burgman is gone.....tomorrow it goes on my lift for complete check by me......in order to be min. rideable I installed my old CB750 mirrors, got seat backrest positioned right---both mirror nuts and underseat backrest bolts over tightened......locks lubed, I like keys to slip in.

As this is my second SilverWing, I know how rides, etc.......price class difference it is improvement over 400 Burgman. GIVI parts coming.

John,

Congrats on the new SWing. Do you have any rides planned for this year?

My rides for 2014 year----do all states but HI----have done it before, but will keep me occupied and alert-----May run some of the rides on my TU 250 as it appears to be worthless on used market....so why not try to wear it out.

And I ride everyday, use bike/scooter for all transportation needs----short runs in today's 15-20 degrees F, no snow workable. And I am lucky....maybe my age group (1939) are the last to have decent pensions----but I worked until I was 71 and put up with a lot of BS and idiots.
Secret in US....have federal pension?? They take in my case 40% of my social security=sucks.

Do more camping as the old style motels are disappearing...the kind you can park bike in front of door......I don't care if bike is stolen, but like the convenience of walking right in with my junk, etc.

I ask about pArking before check-in and even the best hotel will let you park under cover at enterenc. If not I go up the road but only once did they tell me no.

Magoo Triker

Congrats on the new scoot! Hope you did get a good deal. I am sure your choice of colo(u)r was BLACK! LOL

[quote="john grinsel"]---but I worked until I was 71 and put up with a lot of BS and idiots...quote]         As did your coworkers.             Good luck with your 2014 plan.             

Way to go John, congrats and keep on riding....

John, congratulations on the new bike!!! How you plan for a 48 state tour would be an interesting thread if something like that has not been posted before.

Hey John,

Congratulation on the new scooter.

I was told 2013 New $9,500. I think is way to much but may purchase as my 04 is at 12,000 Miles and 10 years old. The Silver Wing is the best touring machine for the money and with the Voyager Trike kit it fits me perfectly. I guess I should get on line find the best price as can travel to any state and ride it home.

Magoo Triker

I don't travel to find cheapest deal----town you are living in best deal when you have problem period...I have purchased more than 75 new bike since 1955 so have some experience.

Chattanooga has Southern Honda, supposed to be largest Honda Dealer in US---I have bought there before, seem to have lowest prices, you do well on trade in---mine always have lots of miles----2011 Burgman 400 ABS leftover on trade is supposed to have 4,000 miles, mine had 34,000--they took it. Right now they have no 2013's but 6 2012 still in crates.....mine came right out of crate that way only the guy that set it up and I are the only ones who have had chance to screw it up. 2012 are about $7800

To cover 49 states=no plan, just go----Hyder AK being farthest away---try it in spring and of course getting there lots of states will be touched----New England will come as snow goes, FL in coming weeks, that trip will get SC. Already done local states, TN, AL,NC. I log it on my daily calendar. Before starting in Midwest, ME, WV, RI were last I went to.

John thanks. I will call them a new 2012 is fine, just do not want black... warranty will be ok as I will be in the Arkansas, Oklahoma area a few months and put 4,000 Miles on it before I come back to Florida. Will take it to them cor warranty. I will not let none of the Honda dealers here work on none of my scripts. Think I will give my son this Wing if I get new one, low mileage on it but I do a lot of states.

Magoo Triker

Congratulations John on the new Silverwing. I hope you get to fulfill all your traveling plans this year. Keep us updated with  your experiences with the new bike. By the way, I enjoyed meeting up with you at Southern Honda a couple of months ago. I tried out the new Forza and used Burgman 400 that day. Keep the shiny side up.

Magoo Triker wrote:

John thanks. I will call them a new 2012 is fine, just do not want black...

Magoo Triker

Uh good luck with that. I am pretty certain that you can get ANY colour as long as it is BLACK. I have a 2012.

Hi, John. Congratulations on the new SWing. Sounds like you're a SWing veteran, so you probably are aware of this, but if you got a Givi AirFlow windshield for your new machine, you won't need to drill any holes to mount it-it uses the original holes and rubber grommets. Don't lose those...but if you do, you can get replacements from Honda.

Congrats on the new SWing! What did you pay for the 2013 in terms of Honda reduced MSRP and what was orignial MSRP? Thanks.

Boy, I wish I could replace my bikes as ofter as you do John.  I am one of those where the wife is trying to get me to quit riding.  Had an accident about 8 months ago and she immediately declared that I was not getting another bike.  So I went around her request and repaired the one I had.  The Honda shop estimated $5k, yet I repaired it for about $1,800, including shipping to Hawaii.  
Good and safe riding to you John and Aloha.

Congrats on your new wheels.

Way to go, John. You are too well-informed for any dealer to get a leg up on you.

New bike in service---lots of little things done:
Tool kit built so I can take both wheels off.   Rear axle nut overtightened=it took dealer service manager and me with 3 ft breaker bar!  now back to where if should be.  I checked all nuts/bolts I might have to use underway--many over tight.  Oil drain plug same.

Front fender long mud flap installed---took from Burgman and it has been on many bikes.  Best to remove front fender to drill holes---I bolt on!

"Ride On" I will put in tires in the AM----the stuff works---IRC tires appear to be a little out of balance either cold problem (nylon??).  

Givi rack and passenger back rest installed----could have saved $90 by not buying the rack and bolting the box directly to the rear wing!  Box may be on its last legs---over 500,000 miles, E-46 one of the first----with hole great for dog. I drill  holes in box and rack for "security bolt"---don't not want anything falling off underway

Givi adjustable windshield not here yet.  $16 extra mounting kit ordered---I WILL drill the necessary holes as I do not want problems 10-20,000 miles down the road----did same on last Silverwing.

Next winter will probably try Hippo Hands from Canada----I have and use their work gaiters---no need to take anything apart!  and they work! Function is what I am interested in, period.

As US model SilverWing does not come with plug,working on solution---so I can use my Aerostich Bib....which works well when water has run down your neck---ride a lot and it will happen.
May look for OEM plug and OEM heated grips----that way I only have to take off plastic once in installation process!


Some questions I  ran into:   The grommets are "Well Nuts"   I have supply ---so I don't worry about pushing them thru----got mine in Hardware store in WI=proper price.


Oil---bought 2 qts of Shell Rotella 15-40 real oil to get MA-----second change will probably go to WalMart 10-40 which has worked for now over 500,000 miles on various bikes/wet and dry clutch and 2 Miatas.  Stay tuned.

AND---I try to get new bike each year---2013 TU 250 Suzuki and 2014 SilverWing, etc.  As I didn't get married until 65, never had to ask anybody how I spent my money or free time!  Married now and realize BS many put up with----My younger wife spends money that I would never think of. Note I stay with lower price bikes/scooters, ride most under warranty and never take bike back to shop except to trade or warranty work. Reg gas only!!Bottom has fallen of TU 250 market so ride the miles out of the TU 250?   I worked in same system for 50 years---active duty AF, 20 years, DOD Safety Manager for 30 years (USMC and ARMY) I am one of the blessed, born 1939, grandfathered in CSRC, 1980 hire, system done away with 1984 for new hires, as it was good----paid $15,000 for my military time and all was put in one pot---been out of retirement a couple of times---skillset I have--but at 71 had enough----never want to go to another idiots meeting...unless I can sleep.

Good for you John , though I wouldn't consider the Silverwing a lower priced scooter unless compared to the BMW or Burgman 650.
I thought about getting another bike myself this year but decided to wait at least another year.
My Silverwing has only 10k miles on it so it's just broken in.
Now I only need some warmer and drier weather.
Hope to get out Saturday before another snowstorm hits Sunday

Congrats John, I love the smell of newness!!!!!