Thinking of next bike/scooter

Now that I am 6-12 months from new bike/scooter purchase, at that point my current 2013 will have approx. 50,000 miles and that always in the past ha been about as long as want to keep bike/scooter.

I am sure SilverWing would last 100,000 miles, but I hate fixing little things and prefer riding under warranty.

Some choices for me: No cruisers!!

Motorcycle: Yamaha R400, had new SR500 1978. Right now only negative, no Givi Luggage/saddle bag racks available. Bike would be nice with E-21 top opening bags and my Givi E-46 box. National Cycle windshield---provide buffet free,look over ride.

Scooter: Burgman 650 too heavy or BMW both expensive.

Burgman 400=dull colors. Had 2 new ones, work well for me.
Positive about 100 lb loaded for touring lighter than SilverWing,
Non linked brakes=great for slow speed control/balance. Still plenty of dealers. Good tire selection.


Vespa: had 4 in past, when they were cheap, preferred my PX150 over PX200E, both US models. 150 smoother running.


Positive: about the only scooter you can obtain buffet free ride...and hand rain protection by proper windshield selection/cutting. Light weight. Lots of luggage racks available including front.Non linked brakes, but ABS.



Negative: no parking brake, 10,000 mile belt change






Negative: no dealer Chattanooga, weak national dealer net work
Slow Italian parts service
Not cheap. Prem. fuel, goofy and expensive key, funny oil requirement (something from Shell would work).

And then Honda Forza: ABS/Givi adjustable shield,rack available. Not real cheap, but Honda and big dealer can handle my SilverWing trade.Lighter than SilverWing

Time will tell---I do not buy used as I use them up quickly.

Must haves for me CENTERTAND!

Obvious question:  Why not another (new) SW?  They're still out there and might be for a few more months, especially as the riding season is ending (or advance your timeline a little??).  I bought mine with a 4-year, unlimited mileage Honda warranty.

Or, do you just want something different? (Nothing wrong with that, of course.)

3rd new SilverWing for me----too heavy/top heavy loaded

Only downside to the Burgman 400 is color? Seriously? Paint the thing!

Ever had a new one? Painting not something I waste time on...or money.....scooters/bikes are transportation to me....not toys. Again Burgman 400 fine a scooter, maybe more buffeting than SilverWing with Givi adjustable screen. 5 MPG better.

Have you considered a motorcycle like the NC 700 lines?

I would say buy a very low mileage used Swing and put the difference into having the shop make it pristine and add an extended warrantee.

Kymco looks interesting.

There really isn't a lot of difference in weight between the Burgman, SW and 650GT

Wet weights
Burgman 650  621lbs   $10,900  (2015)
Silverwing       548lbs     $9,270  (2013)
BMW C650GT  587lbs   $11,000  (2015

Pricewise the Burgman 650 and BMW C650GT are close in cost. The Silverwing the lowest. Due to the Silverwing not being imported to the US now the left overs will probably be quite a bit lower because dealers will be wanting to clear their floors.

If one is planning on two up riding then the B650 and the BMW GT are the best bet because both of them have around 100lbs more payload than the SW. When It comes down to it all three are excellent bikes one can't go far wrong with any of the three.

john grinsel wrote:

3rd new SilverWing for me----too heavy/top heavy loaded

Took 3 to come to that conclusion?

exavid wrote:

There really isn't a lot of difference in weight between the Burgman, SW and 650GT

Wet weights
Burgman 650  621lbs     $10,900  (2015)
Silverwing       548lbs     $9,270  (2013)
BMW C650GT  587lbs     $11,000  (2015

Pricewise the Burgman 650 and BMW C650GT are close in cost. The Silverwing the lowest. Due to the Silverwing not being imported to the US now the left overs will probably be quite a bit lower because dealers will be wanting to clear their floors.

If one is planning on two up riding then the B650 and the BMW GT are the best bet because both of them have around 100lbs more payload than the SW. When It comes down to it all three are excellent bikes one can't go far wrong with any of the three.

I don't suppose Mr Grinsel is planning much two up riding but I really noticed the weight difference between a Burgman 650 and a Silver Wing riding on my own and two up. For me the Silver Wing is far better, it's still a heavy bike but not excessively overweight like the big Burgman.

I'm more comfortable being out on the Silver Wing in heavy rain than I ever was on the big Burgman, and it's easier to ride in crosswinds too.

Let's be honest here, heavy bikes and scooters slowly become a problem as you get older and that's the reason that why a lot of members are now riding Silver Wings instead of Gold Wings.

Downsizing to a smaller capacity scooter from a Silver Wing shouldn't be a problem if you find one suitable for your needs and there's a good range of accessories you can fit to it.

As for the BMW C650 GT, you read forum posts that it has all sorts of problems and issues, not from current or former owners of course it's usually from someone who's never owned or can't afford one.

Anyway there's a whole raft of improvements and additions BMW have made to the C650 GT for 2016, so it makes sense to buy one of these and not a current model.

dalehazelton wrote:

Only downside to the Burgman 400 is color? Seriously? Paint the thing!

Do a wrap. Get whatever design you want and it can be easily removed when you sell it or want another design.

Seriously, if I worried about color I never would have bought a SW. Only comes in black, which is my least favorite color for a bike. However, if I want a SW ....

Black is the fastest color. Everyone knows that.

Not at all. A consensus of 97 scientists have proven by computer model that RED is without doubt the fastest color.

That's only because scientifically and technically black is not a color. 

It's because the red shift indicates increasing speed.

Red is for speed and black is for stealth but blue is the only colour for sheer class...
I thought everyone knew that!

No one knows that!  

Well, I know it - and that's the main thing...

"Ever had a new one?" (Burgman 400) - no, I never had a new one. I had a used one, 2004 model I bought in 2005 and kept for 4 years. I loved it but as a bit cramped on it. Newer model of the 400 has more legroom than first generation. I sold it hen I got a good deal on an Executive. The 400 had a bigger underseat area and the glovebox was bigger inside. It was much easier moving it around the garage as well. I have never bought a bike and obsessed over color. I prefer a neutral color anyway so my hi-viz jacket doesn't clash.

One thing I prefer in a bike is at least two cylinders. So that does cut out a lot of bikes like the Burgman 400. I just don't like the vibes of a single jugger.

"I just don't like the vibes" - there were none. Very smooth.