G'day from Canberra

G'day, I'm Richard.
Me and my Silverwing live in Canberra, which is the capital city of Australia.
I started riding motorbikes when I was about 14 years old. I started with old off-road bikes and progressed to road bikes.
I bought my first scooter (an SYM Firenze, also known as a GTS Voyager) in 2007, and after not having a bike for quite a few years, it was a great feeling to get back on two wheels. Originally I bought it to save money on commuting to work (I was saving about $300AUD a month), but soon became an active member of a touring scooter group here in Canberra which myself and two other people rejuvinated from a rather dorment state. We started with about half a dozen members in 2007, to having more then 50 names on the email list now.
I've since handed over my part of the organizing to another member, but am starting to get involved a bit more again now.
I have done several long trips on my old Firenze (sometimes up to 2000km at a time), so I started to see the need to upgrade from a 250cc to something bigger.
I was originally looking at the Suzuki Burgman 650, but when I compared the horsepower and torque figures and the weight of the two scooters, I found the Silverwing was definately the better of the two (I have always loved Honda's as well).
I took delivery of my Silverwing on 3rd Septmber 2009 and went on a 850km trip straight away. I found it to be an absolute pleasure to ride, even when loaded up with all my camping gear, fishing gear, food and clothes to last me a week or so.
So far I have put a GIVI touring screen and my 46 litre GIVI top-box (from my old Firenze) on it.
I also have a pair of R-Jays Sports saddle bags and seat bag. These will come in handy when doing a short trip away, but the next thing will be a trailer to tow behind it for extended touring (plus I will have my 9 year old daughter on the back).
I was quite happy to find this forum, to be able to see other peoples views on what I think are an ideal touring scooter.
I'm looking forward to discussing all things "Silverwing" with other forum members long into the future.
Cheers for now "KEEP IT SAFE"
Richard

Hi Richard,

Welcome to the forum.

DennisB

Hi Richard welcome to the forum.

Bob

rmh067 wrote:

G'day, I'm Richard.
Me and my Silverwing live in Canberra...

Richard,

Hello! I live in Batemans Bay and yesterday (Saturday, 3rd Oct.) I put my deposit down on a new SW from Canberra Motorcycle Centre. They have a really good deal at present - AUD9,990 ride-away. I was looking at an SW-T400 and a Yamaha Majesty 400 but the SW was just too good a buy and I would not have been game to ask the "Minister for Fun and Finance" for the money at the regular price of the SW.

I am also a member of the Eurobodalla Branch of Ulysses. We do Wednesday rides, often to Braidwood or Araluen and beyond. You would be welcome to join us.

Regards,
Peter

Hope to see you on the road someday.

rmh067 wrote:

...soon became an active member of a touring scooter group here in Canberra which myself and two other people rejuvinated from a rather dorment state.

...So far I have put a GIVI touring screen and ... a pair of R-Jays Sports saddle bags and seat bag

Richard,

I test rode a SW last Wednesday and noticed that the wind noise is much greater than on my Hornet. I have a Shoie TZ-1 full-face helmet. I was thinking of a smaller (sports style) screen and/or an open-face helmet (Nolan N-42 or Shoie RJ-Air) to tackle the problem.

I was wondering where you got your Givi screen from and how much was it.

On the Hornet I can "tour" for up to four nights with a 40 ltr tank bag and a light back pack. I thought that what used to go into the tank bag would go under the seat of the SW and I could still use the back pack. I am interested in your use of saddle bags; do you have a rack for them? If not how do you stop them scratching the body work?

Regards,
Peter

G'day Peter,
Yeah' I got my 'wing from CBR motorcycles for that price. I had already decided on buying one prior to the price going down, and was actually going to go to Melbourne. There was one second hand for $8800 with only 738km on the clock, and the day I had contacted the bloke there, was when I walked into CBR MC and they told me the new price. So needless to say I rang the bloke in Melbourne and cancelled the deal, and I am happy to have a new one off the showroom floor with two years warranty.
The GIVI screen was from Motorini scooters in Phillip, $240 AUD and fitted it myself, an easy job. Nico at Motorini has been looking after me since I bought my Firenze from him two years ago. He will be doing all my servicing on the S'wing as they are scooter specialists and I live locally.
I found the original screen to be still rather quiet, but the new one is even better plus it gives much better protection against rain etc;
I haven't actually fitted the bags as yet, they only just arrived but I will be using some clear adhesive sheet to protect the paint.
If you are not doing anything tomorrow (Monday 5th), would you like to meet us at Braidwood at about 11:30 - 12:00. I am leading a ride from here to Braidwood, Majors Creek then back to Canberra via Captains Flat.
We are going to stop for lunch at the Braidwood bakery, if you'd like to have a look at my screen.
Cheers, Richard.

rmh067 wrote:

... The GIVI screen was from Motorini scooters in Phillip, $240 AUD and fitted it myself, an easy job. Nico at Motorini has been looking after me...
If you are not doing anything tomorrow (Monday 5th), would you like to meet us at Braidwood at about 11:30 - 12:00. I am leading a ride from here to Braidwood, Majors Creek then back to Canberra via Captains Flat. We are going to stop for lunch at the Braidwood bakery, if you'd like to have a look at my screen.

Richard,

I will try and come up tomorrow morning. I will probably drive rather than ride the bike, given its "part owned" by CMC I feel I ought to keep it off the road a bit till it needs to go up to Canberra.

Cheers,
Peter

G'day Richard and Pete, welcome to the Oz branch of the forum, (Just kidding, JeffR)

I suppose we will have to put up with you in March, Pete? I reckon the SWing would eat the paddock.

Kurt (Perth Branch Ulysses Club)

KurtPerthWA wrote:

...I suppose we will have to put up with you in March, Pete? I reckon the SWing would eat the paddock.

Kurt,

Hello! Thanks for the kind welcome.

Several of our members are making the trip but it seems a bit too far for me. When arrangements were being made I had not contemplated having the SWing and crossing the Nullarbor on a 900 Hornet was not something I wanted to do. Driving over might be an option.

Regards,
Peter

Thanks to DennisB & Bob the Cornishman for a kind welcome to the forum.
One day I'd like to be riding around your country and maybe we could meet up somewhere.

Richard,

Welcome to the forum. Had a great time in the ACT during a trip tio the land down under. Y'all have a great sense of humor.