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Found an interesting thread which I thought I would share in full here as I know many do not like the sign up at Yahoo hassle:
The response is to a a question on the relative merits of the Big Burger and the Honda Silverwing is provided by Paul Blezard a UK motoring journalist, whose articles appear in the 'Twist N Go' scooter magazine and others.
Enjoy!
The response is to a a question on the relative merits of the Big Burger and the Honda Silverwing is provided by Paul Blezard a UK motoring journalist, whose articles appear in the 'Twist N Go' scooter magazine and others.
Enjoy!
On 5/9/04 4:39 am, "kellykay_10" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> Hi All,
> I am new to this group and I am considering purchasing a Burgman or
> Silverwing. I am wondering if any of you could tell me why you chose
> the Burgman over the Silverwing and what you like or dislike about
> your scooter. If any of you own or owned a Silverwing can you tell
> me what you liked or disliked about it as well? Problems to expect
> with either one etc. Thank you in advance for your help.
> Kelly
Hi Kelly, >
I rode a Silver Wing a thousand miles from Barcelona to London when it was
launched in Spring 2001, and I recently did several hundred miles on the new
ABS model, complete with top box and high screen, and I also compared that
scoot with a modified Silver Wing with improved front and rear suspension.
(The old Silver Wing with Fournales suspension was much better).
I also bought the Burgman 650 that I had as a long term test machine from
Suzuki GB, which has now done 15,000 miles. 3,000 of those miles were
clocked up riding it from London to the South of France and back to compete
in the Moto Tour de France against some other Burgman 650s, a lot of hotted
up Yamaha TMAXes and a solitary Silver Wing, on both closed public roads and
3 racetracks, one of which was Le Mans.
The best ridden Burgmen could stay with the more nimble TMAXes, while the
poor guy on the Silver Wing had to fight his wobbling steed all the way in
high speed corners. Braking in turns is a real no-no on the Silver Wing,
while the other two machines don't object to it at all.
I still can't believe that Honda did not fit twin yokes to the Silver Wing's
forks, and that they fitted such crappy rear shocks - they really are
appalling.
(I also own a TMAX, which I've also raced in France, BTW)
In most circumstances I much prefer the Burgman to the Silver Wing. Although
it's heavier, it's much better balanced and the chassis is much stiffer.
The Burgman handles like a proper motorcycle, while the Silver Wing handles
like an overgrown, overweight, Honda Helix. I'm a big Helix fan, but taking
it to the limit on a bouncing weaving, Helix at 70mph is a lot less
life-threatening than doing the same with a Silver Wing at 100mph.
The Silver Wing's stability is also much more upset by the fitting of a top
box, than the Burger King's. The Burger also has more luggage space.
The Burger just has the edge on acceleration but top speed is identical at
104 mph (genuine - 114-118 indicated) Fuel consumption is similar, although
the Silver Wing tends to be a little thirstier. 38mpg imperial compared to
42mpg for the Burger, when ridden with gusto. (c.35 and 39mpg US).
Where the Silver Wing scores over the Burger King is in really heavy
traffic, where you can squeeze between the cars more easily. I would not
like to do a daily commute into Central London on a Burgman 650, but it
would be OK on a Silver Wing. It's also lighter to push around in and out of
the garage and so forth.
Then again, if you're in the USA outside of California, an ability to
squeeze between the cars with a couple of inches either side is probably
academic, since for some bizarre reason it seems to be illegal and frowned
upon.
So, in the USA, I'd go for the Burger King every time unless you are a
small, light and not very strong. The Burger's better with a passenger too,
especially big ones.
Having said all that, lots of owners of all shapes and sizes are very happy
with their Silver Wings and if you're not in the habit of scraping the
undercarriage in turns, or cruising at 90-100mph, then you might be very
happy with one too. And for all its bendiness, you can still have a lot of
fun on a Silver Wing.
I would certainly have bought one if the Burger and TMAX weren't available.
Most women would probably find the Silver Wing less intimidating than the
Burger King, at least initially. It does, after all, weigh a quarter of ton
with fuel!
I wouldn't dream of buying either without getting a test ride anyway, and
would advise all to do the same.
HTH,
PNB in London, England
PS All my scribblings on all the above mentioned machines (and many more
besides) are available from the publishers of Twist & Go scooter magazine at
http://www.twistngo.com
I must have written a dozen long articles on them over the last four years.