Hi from Lancashire, UK

Hi all, Today I traded my Burger 400 for a Swing so I thought I'd better join as I've been lurking and gleening info off here.

Changed because I was missing the power of a (dare I say it ???) real motorcycle. I should explain that I've had bikes all my life (63 now ) and due to problems with my left hand I struggle to operate the clutch lever for any length of time so went auto. Last bike was a 900 Hornet so you can understand why the 400 Burger just didn't do it for me but I like the comfort so here I am. Swing comes next week hoope the sun stays out!

JB

Hi Bodger,

Anywhere near Morecambe?

Also, try the LancsBiker.co.uk forum. We have a couple of scoots on there and midweek rideouts for the shift workers/retired/skivers, etc., e.g. some may be going to Preston Patrick bike night on Monday eve. (last of the season).

I nearly "settled" for a Burg 400 'cos I couldn't find a decent Swing. One popped out of the woodwork for me at the last minute.

Just getting the wheels powder coated with new tyres and fitting new brake pads all round. Also upgrading the front suspension with Hyperpro springs, so I should get it put back together by the end of the week.

Welcome to the forum, Bodger. Thank you for your introduction.

Tim

Welcome to a great forum

Welcome Jolly Bodger, we seem to be getting more Lancashire folk on here. You may see me around and about, I am a lone wolf so no groups for me. Just watch out for the Dark side people from Yorkshire mentioning no names

thanks for the greetings, I'm based in Adlington near Chorley so not that close to Morecambe. But I like Morecambe in my teens I used to fish off the Stone Jetty every other Saturday night, happy days.
JB

Adlington, ah yes. There's a few around that area on the LancsBiker forum. Twist Grip clothing is a shop I've visited and worth going back to... good for repairs, I believe. There's also Fredericks ice-cream shop - yummm!

Of course, Rivington Barn is THE most popular spot in that area and I've been there many times, weekdays as well as Sundays.

Funny thing is, the LancsBiker site is down this morning - no idea what's happened !

I came across quite a strange bunch of Lancastrian bikers a few years ago over in the Harz in Germany. They were members of something called MBEAM, one couple were friendly enough but the rest of them were really up themselves, (a lot of Advanced riders are IMHO) and their wives who were just dead weight on the passenger seat even worse.

They spent a few nights at the biker pension I've used for years. I got the feeling they were resentfull I'd made it there on a 400 Burgman using home made route cards, when they were all on 1000cc plus tourers fitted with sat nav, intercoms, video cameras etc. In fact on the morning they arrived I watched most of them ride straight past the large sign posted entrance.  

One morning at breakfast they were complimenting the British owners about the properly made tea they were enjoying, and were told that it was me that had brought over the Tetley tea bags they were using.  

Presumably you have started using Yorkshire tea now Meldrew !

Go through Chorley every Wednesday on my way to Southport, On that outer ring road they built, then again on my way home on a different route. Rivington Barn is for posing, people usually travel about five miles and then stand around telling each other that they have done a thousand miles this week or rebuilt a 1930's Harley. :lol!:

Five miles to Rivington Barn! I'm only half that and I hardly ever go. You're right too many posers but some interesting bikes the odd time I have been.
JB

A very big warm welcome to this excellent site..Jolly Bodger..  !!

Whilst you will find members from all corners of the globe, there are still quite a few from the UK still staying very happy and loyal to their wings !!
According to DVLA..UK government statistics show that there are still around 85  Silverwing riders still riding up and down the highways and byways of this green but crowded Island...!

You will find lots of help and info on all matters of topics on the site.

So all the very best and enjoy your wing !

Stuart Walker

Only 85 SW's on road in U.K.? Realy,thought there'd be a lot more than that

Welcome Bodger from down here in Essex. Hope you enjoy your bike - there's some great riding up where you are, I'm sure you'll make the most of it.

Welcome from the USA to the best forum on either side of the pond. You will find a wealth of information here. Howard

Davefirestorm wrote:

Only 85 SW's on road in U.K.? Realy,thought there'd be a lot more than that

There are a lot more, I've just looked it up. You have to add together the different models (e.g. A3, A7 etc). It comes out at around 1,150 or so with another 224 on SORN (owned but not taxed for the road at present).

They are registered as FJS600-xx.

FJS 600-A7 are the most numerous at 614 which isn't surprising since it's the latest designation.

Thought there'd be more,where did you find that info?

I found it here by searching 'Honda FJS 600'.

https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk

I suspect there's more though that were registered under different names (allowing for missed or transposed letters etc). These wouldn't show up unless you searched appropriately.

For example, I had a couple of Royal Enfields. One was registered as 'Royalenfield' and the other as 'enfield'. I've also seen them registered as 'Royal Enfield'. You can see how easily a good number can be missed when searching.

Also, the search facility on that site is not the best. I searched for 'Silverwing' and got pages of cars that had the word 'Silver' attached to them usually referring to the colour!

Meldrew wrote:

I came across quite a strange bunch of Lancastrian bikers a few years ago over in the Harz in Germany. They were members of something called MBEAM, one couple were friendly enough but the rest of them were really up themselves, (a lot of Advanced riders are IMHO) and their wives who were just dead weight on the passenger seat even worse.

I won't disagree with you there. I have come across MBEAM (Morecambe Bay Estuaries Advanced Motorcyclists) and wasn't enamoured by them. Many new BMW GS riders amongst them and too snooty on the whole. As you were on a mere "scooter" I can easily imagine them turning their noses up.

That's one thing I've noticed a lot since I got my Swing... most bikers and car drivers treat you with disdain.

Welcome Jolly Bodger, Enjoy Andy.

Welcome from The UK City of Culture 2017 (otherwise known as 'Ull!)

I think you'll like your Swing and find it a lot more powerful than the Burgy 400 and smoother too. Mine's good for well over 100mph on the clock but I rarely take it more than 70 as it just seems happy and relaxed at that speed.

I had a Burgman 650 before my Silverwing but found it to be very heavy and difficult to push around the garage (you can't push one backwards without the engine running). Although it was a tad better than the swing at very high speeds and the movable screen was definitely better.

You might find fitting a Givi or Kappa adjustable screen improves things but I guess it's a personal thing.

Anyway I'm absolutely sure you'll love your new bike as it's one great feature going for it - it's a Honda!

Again thanks for the greetings - The Swing comes next Friday, the previous owner has already fitted a Givi adjustable Airflow screen so it will be interesting to see how that performs. I found the standard screen on the Burger to create quite a lot of wind noise.

Riggers wrote:

Welcome from The UK City of Culture 2017 (otherwise known as 'Ull!)

Proper pronunciation that is! Really annoys me when people say "Hal" They should learn to talk proper!
(Says he, a Hornsea lad doing missionary work in Lincolnshire! )

The best advice you will ever be given Bodger, take the bulb out of the underseat light, if the other chap hasn't already done it.  The light is useless in any case,  but leaving the seat  even slightly open will flatten the battery.

Hello & Welcome

I agree with OldLimey I fitted an updated seat strut that flexed the seat so once miles from anywhere with the seat not properly closed I flattened mine. No phone signal to get help I was stuck for ages.
Next best bit of information get out and ride it lots!

Oh and also, Hello and Welcome!

Welcome from o-HI-o.