[bechtoea]

Hello all. I currently own a Burgman 400 which replaced my Helix about a year ago. I researched this purchase and even had a few folks that owned a Silverwing tell me go with the Burgie (Thanks ROY!!). They also told me if I wasn't doing "two up" that the B400 would get the job done. I have never regretted the decision.

My justification was I could buy a B400 for the price of a used Silverwing.

Now my father is looking and kicking tires. He is a Honda man, like me, and is looking at the Silverwing. Now he is about 60 and I am a kid at 36. He ain't gonna listen to me.

His riding is mostly in rural areas and, in fact, the Helix does what he needs 99 percent of the time. What he does lack is passing speed with two aboard and Interstate cruising speed.

So, for you folks that have owned or ridden both, how would you compare the Silverwing to the Burgies?

My opinion has been that a B400 new would be a better buy than a used Silverwing, even if he is riding two up. The folks I talked to told me that the Silverwing has more power, but on EVERY other comparable criteria, the B400 beats the Silverwing. I never even entertained a B650 since the 400 was right in my price range and I never ride two up.

 

[Randy]

If your dad will be riding 2 up most of the time then the 650 is the way to go, not that the 400 could not handle it-it's just less of a strain with a 2 cyl. engine. The most important point is what type of riding will he be doing most of the time -And I don't mean what type he thinks he will be doing, we all love to think of touring and two up , but most of us use our bikes as transportation over 85% of the time-even if it is a most enjoyable form of transportation - in which case a 400 is more then enough
As far as a Burgman V Silverwing -the specs speak for them selves, and this is not the most impartial group you will ever find. (rightfully so )
But I think the bottom line here is if the Helix does what he needs 99% of the time then the 400 will do it 105% of the time.

 

[wrecruiser]

My wife has had both the 400 Burgman and the now has the Silverwing. We found that the Silverwing feels alot the same as the 400 burgman but with about 50% more power and accelleration. The Silverwing will cruise all day at 85+ MPH with no problem. It has a little more legroom than the 400 Burgman and a little higher seat. It weighs about 70lbs. more than the 400, but carries it very low, so it feels much lighter than it is. Over all, I think it is a much better long distance tourer than the 400 Burgman. Nothing against the Burg, I currently have a new 650 on order for myself. The Silverwing was just a better fit for my wife when she wanted to step up in size from her 400.

 

[Lapine Rider]

I don't have any long-term experience with the SW, but I test-rode it within minutes of both Burgies. I might have ended up owning one, but there was something about the way the SW "felt" that simply did not fit my anatomy, something odd in the ergonomics that I can't quite define. Otherwise I liked everything about it, save the price. Indeed, I liked it better than the 650. (Special note: I also had an issue with the dealer and that individual SW, which should not apply to your case but which edged me towards the Suzuki dealer next door.)

At any rate, I went with the 400 for both price and comfort. It's taken good care of me since, in pretty much every way.

 

[Jim]

wrecruiser, question

How is the speedo in the SW vs. the Burg ?

Are they both equally bad ? (off 10%)

 

[wrecruiser]

Jim,
I haven't had my GPS on it but it seems to be just as far off as most bikes (close to 10%). My wife was following me last week on it and after the ride she aked me why I was going 65MPH, which is what my speedo also said, and I know mine is off about 9%. The only bike I have had in the last few years that was close to accurate was a Kawasaki Concours.
By the way Jim, I see you live in the same great state as I do. I know that I will be down that way in August. We will have to try to get together. I always like to meet fellow riders.

 

[wrecruiser]

Lapine,
I know what you mean. I don't feel comfortable on it either. Both the Silverwing and the Burgman 400 just feel too small for me, maybe its my big butt. I guess that is why I have decided to get the 650 Burgman, It just feels right to me, we are all different. The wife likes the Silverwing though, so that makes us both happy. My wife and I tend to do ride a little fast at times so the extra power of the bigger scoots just seems more suited to us.

 

[chiefkeefe]

I owned a SilverWing for 6 months last year. At the time, I also owned a Piaggio X9 500. It says a lot, I think, that I invariably chose to ride the Italian beauty in preference to the SWing because it was a peachy handler and altogether more manageable. It was big enough for my large frame, similarly commodious under the seat, more economical, equally nippy up to about 90 mph and IMHO better looking.

Interestingly, the SWing has the same load carrying ability as the smaller-engined X9 - 180kg total, tops - so would simply not be good enough for me and my needs. In fact, that's one of my considerations when I sold them both and bought my AN650.

On the plus side, the SWing was a luxurious companion on long rides, but in comparison with both the X9 and the AN650 it really wasn't very accomplished around the twisty bits. I also had issues with its screen's aerodynamics - the standard screen made the windflow too turbulent for my (admittedly tall) stature, and the optional taller screen was too ugly, too difficult to fit (though I managed it in the end), very expensive, and less than successful in cutting down the buffeting and noise.

I would say that for long distance cruising, the SWing might have something going for it but for general use it might not be what you're looking for.

I'm afraid that I can't comment on the Svelte, having never ridden one.

(I know ... inconclusive ... sorry :? )