Silverwing test ride

[ollie]

Hi everyone,

I have a test ride booked on a 2010 honda 600fjs A-7 silverwing this week the bike is from a honda dealership and has circa 12k miles on the clock. i have read various posts on forums about the suspension being very soft and the odd quip about the bike being lardy and hinged in the middle, but overall comments appear favourable, that aside I will hopefully find out if the bike suits me on the test run. Apart from the obvious what items/areas should I be looking at on the silverwing do they have any weak points?
The dealer informs me that there is no service book but there are receipts for the 4000 and 8000 service from Chiswick Honda and the 12000 mile service will be done prior to sale. The bike is priced at £4k and he has offered a fair part exchange price does this seem a reasonable deal to you guys. I have seen a 2012 one at £5000 which I am tempted by but have an even bigger difficulty in justifying that as the bike is for pleasure only. I should add it my intention to keep the bike long term.
Your comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[horobags]

The silverwing isnt hinged in the middle and the suspension is fine. Some reports get a bit nit pickey ollie, im sure hyper pro fork springs would be an improvement but remembering that the silverwing is a big comfy scoot and not a sports bike, id not take too much notice of every report and go and have a test ride yourself.
My opinion on the silverwing is that they are a great scoot, well built, fast enough, great weather protection, and good luggage capacity, comfy and running costs arnt too bad for a 600cc, no upgrades since 07, so the one your looking at is the latest model, the best mod is a givi airflow screen. If youve got service recipts cant you contact the dealer and get a replacement service book off them?.
I think silverwings are brilliant maxi scoots, ive had 3.

[Bluebottle]

Horobags has owned pretty much everything so he should know what is good and what isn't

[burgerman]

The silverwing isnt hinged in the middle and the suspension is fine. Some reports get a bit nit pickey ollie, im sure hyper pro fork springs would be an improvement but remembering that the silverwing is a big comfy scoot and not a sports bike, id not take too much notice of every report and go and have a test ride yourself.
My opinion on the silverwing is that they are a great scoot, well built, fast enough, great weather protection, and good luggage capacity, comfy and running costs arnt too bad for a 600cc, no upgrades since 07, so the one your looking at is the latest model, the best mod is a givi airflow screen. If youve got service recipts cant you contact the dealer and get a replacement service book off them?.
I think silverwings are brilliant maxi scoots, ive had 3.

What he said (but I've only had one!!), and definitely get a Givi AF214 airflow screen - best mod you can do.

[MrGrumpy]

The silverwing isnt hinged in the middle and the suspension is fine. Some reports get a bit nit pickey ollie, im sure hyper pro fork springs would be an improvement

Isn't that a bit of a contradiction to say that the suspension's fine, but then say that new fork springs would improve it?

A Silvering wasn't for me - didn't like the suspension and it felt amazingly cramped for such a big scoot - nice engine though! However, as you suggest, its up to the original poster to ride it and see if how he finds it.

[MrGrumpy]

Hi everyone,

The bike is priced at £4k and he has offered a fair part exchange price does this seem a reasonable deal to you guys. I have seen a 2012 one at £5000 which I am tempted by but have an even bigger difficulty in justifying that as the bike is for pleasure only.

I've seen reports that brand new ones could be obtained for around £6K not long ago, so £4k for a 12,000 mile one isn't a bargain.

[Sylar]

Ollie, if the bike you ride does not have mirror extenders fitted, you need to keep a sharp lookout as they are pretty hopeless without them. I ride my Silverwing every couple of days, and have done 37000mls in three years. Be wary of the weight differance, it is a heavy bike. If it feels a bit bouncey in the bends, it just needs the rear shocks adjusting a bit stiffer. Hope you enjoy the ride and like the Silverwing

[horobags]

The silverwing isnt hinged in the middle and the suspension is fine. Some reports get a bit nit pickey ollie, im sure hyper pro fork springs would be an improvement

Isn't that a bit of a contradiction to say that the suspension's fine, but then say that new fork springs would improve it?

A Silvering wasn't for me - didn't like the suspension and it felt amazingly cramped for such a big scoot - nice engine though! However, as you suggest, its up to the original poster to ride it and see if how he finds it.

The ride is fine, but can be improved/upgraded, as in a honda fireblade engine is fine, but can be upgraded (by all bsb riders). Most accomplished bikes/scoots however good, can always be improved, not really a contradiction.

[pikey]

Its a tourer not sports scooter thats it end of .Bit short on leg room compared to tmax .£4 and getting good trade in so its cost off swap is bottom line cheap adverised deals will give you lower trade in . 12 K on a silverwing is nothing miles wise

[ollie]

Thanks for the responses which I will bear in mind on the test ride. As you are all aware the test run is only a snap shot so it is good to have peoples long term impressions. Certainly these days I am after comfort more than out and out performance as I want to undertake longer ride outs so a comfortable riding position rather than speed is my priority, although from some of the comments I gather legroom may be an issue
I had not realised the silverwing has not had any upgrades since 2007 so if the 2010 one is in good nick the 2012 model will offer me no more. The reason I was keen on this particular deal is that the part exchange deal is good considering it is not from a Sym dealer.