New California member

I am a NM 4 owner and am on the verge of purchasing a Silver Wing. LOVE the NM but think the Silver Wing will work for some of my riding if the rain ever lets up. Blain

Hello Blain. Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your introduction.

Tim

Welcome Blain, yes you sure have got the rain lately! Sorely needed in CA though.

Hello Blain and welcome to the S/W Forum.I guess it has been feast or famine with the rain out your way. The S/W does a pretty good job in the rain.Just make sure your tires are Ok and ride with common sense. Howard

Welcome Blain,
I first learned how to ride in So. Calif. in the 60`s....and continued into the early 80`s before leaving that region, and I know that there is little rain there, however, when it does start it continues for a while along with the Santa Ana winds in the fall. Riding might be flat area`s for the most part, but, between the occasional rain, wind and (usual) traffic, that area has it`s own challenges, but, the S/W can handle it all pretty well...except for the heavy winds of Santa Ana. Enjoy your S/W and the usual warm winter driving their in CA.

Welcome to the forum from Washington State.

Welcome Blain to the best Silverwing forum on the web. Lots of good riders and writers here. We look forward to your posts and photos...if it ever stops raining!

Welcome from o-HI-o

Welcome!

Purchase update.
Sales gal in SF Moto found me a 0 mileage 2013 Silver Wing still in crate from Japan in Honda's warehouse in Florida. Thinks single shipper move will cost about $600. Soon as she has complete work up, will call for me to give ok plus a deposit and come in to sign sales agreement. The 2013 has all the changes done to the model including ABS and exhaust oxygen sensor. Did discover info that 2013 was last year shipped to the US. Continued till 2015 to overseas.
Boy I'm really excited. You'll probably read more about this than necessary.
Thanks for your friendship and information.
Blain

I think there are still plenty of leftover SilverWings around, either on dealer floor or still in box.
My left over 2013, my second new SilverWing, bought early 2015---was $6800. Just make sure you don't get too much in leftover, used maxi scooter market in US is dead and their used prices are way down...I surely would not pay $600 to have it shipped to CA.

SilverWing is nice scooter, even though old design and provides good service and breaks very seldom, I do not make many changes to my bikes, just ride them---but Givi adjustable windshield is necessary for comfort, Givi rack and box, work well.

Thanks John for the good information and suggestions. I could have cut the overland shipping cost by half if i didn't mind a few hand offs from one long hauler to another. Didn't want to add that risk.
Boy, I'm on pins and needles.
Blain

John,
I forgot to ask, where did you get your adjustable windshield? Not sure if I will need it but, if so would like to know how yours worked out.
Thanks

Givi adjustable windshield is available from Givi USA, direct, or from dealers who normally stock Givi stuff. Same for Monokey rack.

if yoou're used to a good shield, you'll likely need it, the stocker gets no love on this Forum
I don't even like it, except in comparison to my Savage with no windshield

The stock Silverwing windshield is so bad that I would prefer no windshield at all. The stock one directs all air flow directly into my eyes and ears. Very poor!

Welcome. I hope you will enjoy the Swing, it's a bike meant to last. Eventually the rains will move on, so open that throttle and enjoy the ride.
Thomas/East Bay

Thomas,
Thanks for the positive thought.
Blain

Welcome to the site from Arizona.

Thanks all for the greetings.
Blain

Still waiting on my new SWing and reading all the forum posts. Have acquired loads of very helpful suggestions and information about my new ride. Got the message on the stock wind screens inadequacy. What I'm curious about now is how effective are the leg wind deflectors. I installed a pair on my NM 4 and, it really hit the mark on cold weather protection and hot weather airflow.

As usual, thanks for any shared experiences.
Blain

First ride your SilverWing 5,000 miles or so before your make any changes other than windshield. Wind Guards on legs are not really necessary on SilverWing--design----I have had them on my first SilverWing....really not needed. Pants flapping, tuck then into boots...my case Aerostich Kombat Light----works really great----less tiring on long trips.

It's interesting, I've had wind deflectors on from new so I don't know any different, some members would like to fit them and complain about them not being available from US dealers and the cost of importing a set from the UK/Europe. Others that have taken plunge seem to think it's money well spent.

Then there's the strange few that have paid good money and butchered the Silver Wing's bodywork to fit highway pegs to deliberately ride with their legs outboard and the wind whistling round their nether regions.

As they say in Yorkshire "There's nowt so queer as folk".

welcome to the forum from a newb from Texas

John, thanks for the good advice, think I'll take it. It fits with change timetable on my Vultus.
Blain

Meldrew,
I appreciate and see myself in your descriptions. Think it's mostly delivery impatience feeding my need to do something like, planning modifications to a cycle I haven't even ridden.
I did enjoy the lyric Welch quote.
Blain

I think the 'leg deflectors / no leg deflectors' depends a lot of geographic location / prior riding experience
I came off a small cruiser (650 savage) and to me the weather protection on the S'wing is phenomenal, as I've never owned a step through
Also first bike I will willingly ride down into the 30s (f) except when i was young and really determined to own nothing with 4 wheels
Others have come off step throughs with even more leg protection and the wind flapping trousers bothers them more
then there's the temperature diference between where i live and where they live
In hot /humid Texas, wind on the legs isn't such a bad thing
I agree that you should put miles on before making changes, aside from the windsheild, which you should change ASAP, though you should ride with it at least once, so you can appreciacte just how much better the replacement will be :lol!:

Thanks Art,
Appreciate your insights about the leg wind deflectors. I had such good luck with them on my NM 4 that I wondered if needed on the SWing. I'm convinced that, wait and see, is best.
I'm also convinced about the inadequacies of the stock windshield so will make a move on that. Did you install the Givi FT with adjustable blade?
Blain

Bairdb, I haven't changed mine yet, I haven't been riding much so it's been hard to justify the expense vs other needs
Contrary to what some say, I find the stock screen better than riding my Savage with no screen at 70 with the hand of god pressing on my chest, but the wind from it hits me on the crown of the helmet and at the ears on the side, except in cross winds
That's really the down fall of the stocker; it doesn't manage air well
At one point i had a Dakota Tall screen on my savage, and while that was too much screen for that bitty cruiser, it sure made it nice on the freeway
Sadly, the Dakota sacrificed itself for the good of the Savage while riding the 3 twisted sisters, here in Tx when I lowsided at 30 mph in one of those wicked decreasing radius turns
Busted the screen and messed up my throttle cable, and busted a turn signal, but that was it
I've had two drops with the S'wing, a parking lot lowside due to gravel (just a few scratches) and I hit it with a trailer I was backing into my yard (busted mirror)
It's a really good touring / daily rider type bike, not as much fun in the curves as my old Ninja 500, but much better for everything else i do on 2 wheels

Art,
Really appreciate the rundown of your shield experiences. I'm gon'a get my bike the first week of March so, think I'll hold off on the shield change till I get a few miles stock. The wallet will appreciate that.
Blain

Weather delay transporting my SWing, should be here around March 17th.
Blain

Blain,

I had the stock, Givi, Clearview XL, and the Givi AirFlow and in my opinion the Givi AF was the best. I have a review of the Givi AF since they sent me one for free if I would post a review on this site.  I think you will really enjoy it since we have 'micro-climates' here in California.  When I rode around the coast (cooler climates) and the interstate I had it all the way up and when I went riding in Fremont and east (Livermore & Central Valley) I would lower it to get some nice air.  It is about $250 but it is the only screen you will ever buy IMO.  

Also, if you are coming off a NM4 I would wait on the leg deflectors.  Your NM4 is like my CTX700 and the SWing has great weather protection and you may find you don't need them.  I never really thought about installing any since we don't get a lot of rain in my area.  But since you are on the coast you may find they may help some.  I just know that if I was riding in the rain, the only time I would get wet on my SWing was when I had to stop at a stop sign.   You may want to get grip puppies for the grips since the SWing has some very small grips.  They were way too small for my hands and as soon as I bought them I was so much happier.  And mirror extenders too.  But both of these things are only $15 each.  

Congrats on your new bike.

Jeffr, thanks for the real life experiences. I appreciate the tips. The delivery delay on my bike has me in a strange situation. This is the first time I've ever had the shop manual before I got the bike. Boy, the winter storms have nearly destroyed my favorite ride. Highway 35 south to 19 west to highway 1 and North back home. 3 complete lane washouts and one destroyed bridge. Guess I'll have to explore north till they rebuild.
Later, Blain

Blain,


  Exploring is good. Some call it being lost, but I call it exploring.  

Hi to
Got'a remember that next time someone says, "Are you lost?"
Blain

Hi Yo wrote:

Blain,


  Exploring is good. Some call it being lost, but I call it exploring.  

Sometimes call it an adventure. LOL

Three more days till I hear status of SWing transport but, I did receive the beautiful, well built Givi 124 windshield. I am very impressed with the design and construction but, not the installation instructions particularly the little package of mounting screws and two pre-drilled metal mounting templates. Hope that confusion clears up once the bike is here.
Later, Blain

Found the great PDF of Givi after 124 shield install and read it. Answered all my questions. Is this the greatest SWing forum board or WHAT?

Bairdb wrote:

Found the great PDF of Givi after 124 shield install and read it. Answered all my questions. Is this the greatest SWing forum board or WHAT?

Yes !

Got a question, final tune and setup of my new in-the-crate 2013 will be done this coming week at SFmoto. Should I ask them to replace the drive belt? I don't know what the shelf life of an unused belt from 2013 to 2017 might be. Thanks
Blain

Bairdb wrote:

Got a question, final tune and setup of my new in-the-crate 2013 will be done this coming week at SFmoto. Should I ask them to replace the drive belt? I don't know what the shelf life of an unused belt from 2013 to 2017 might be. Thanks
Blain

You can ask.

But if they say no need, I wouldn't be worried. The belt is made of Kevlar and I don't think it would hurt it in storage, but I'm not sure.

Thanks Hi yo
Knowing the belt is made of Kevlar reassures me a lot.
I will ask but they are a little poor advising when they start work and wanted to try to catch them while they had it in the shop. Before they button it up.
Blain
ps please excuse the double post.

Givi windscreen conversation split off from this topic. See "Givi AF 214 Cautions"

Picked up my "new" 2013 with .7 miles on it. Rode all over the city then, home to a crowded garage. Love it and know I'm going to really enjoy riding it a lot. Thanks for all the advise and well wishing.
Blain

Bairdb wrote:

Picked up my "new" 2013 with .7 miles on it. Rode all over the city then, home to a crowded garage. Love it and know I'm going to really enjoy riding it a lot. Thanks for all the advise and well wishing.
Blain

Glad to hear you now have taken possession of the Swing. Enjoy the ride, but watch out for sand and gravel deposits the recent California rains washed into the streets. How does it compare to the NM4?

Know what you mean, I went down hy 35 and was amazed at the road conditions. The Swing feels really great main difference is the smaller wheels and different steering gives it a more nimble feeling. Guess that even though both bikes have similar power, the Swing feels like a commuter with occasional longer trips and the NM4 feels like a comfortable long distance cruiser. The DCT, great tires and low end torque is a clear winner for longer rides. Must admit, the new bike makes me really appreciate moving the NM4 rear brake from the right foot to the unused left handlebar.
Later, got'a go for a ride.. somewhere.
Blain