Scooters: knowledge base
Motor: 582 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin can accelerate the scooter to 180 km/h. The engine resource is quite long - about 100 thousand km. The engine consumes 5.5-6.5 liters of gasoline per 100 km.
Clutch: the motor located in the depths of the frame is connected to the variator unit by a centrifugal clutch. It is similar to a similar unit in “fifty kopecks”: the same bell, the same pads, springs, rollers, only everything with the “maxi” prefix. In a working Honda Silver Wing 600, the clutch should engage at 2500 rpm, that is, at these revolutions the scooter should start moving.
Transmission: A belt is used as the final drive.
Suspensions: simple and reliable, the suspensions have remained unchanged since 2001. The conventional telescopic fork (120 mm travel) is non-adjustable; a 5-step spring preload adjustment is available for a pair of rear shock absorbers (115 mm travel).
Rider and passenger seat: wide and comfortable, divided into rider and passenger areas. The first one has an adjustable back support, the passenger part is wider and is located 150 mm higher than the driver's, which guarantees good visibility while driving.
Wheels and tires: 14-inch wheel at front, 13-inch at rear. Typically, the Honda Silver Wing 600 is equipped with Bridgestone or Dunlop tires. There is an alternative - Italian Pirelli. It must be remembered that the Silver Wing is a very heavy vehicle, and if the front wheel skids, it will be almost impossible to keep from falling. So don't skimp on tires.
Wind protection: The wind shield on the Honda Silver Wing 600 is large, but not adjustable. If you are very tall or broad-shouldered, order a larger one from the list of factory accessories. It is 70 mm higher than the standard wind protection. It is also worth paying attention to a set of side deflectors that remove the flow of incoming air from the knees.
Fuel tank: designed for 16 liters of gasoline and located in the central tunnel, right under your feet. This helps centralize the masses and makes the tank easier to access.
Luggage Space: Capable of holding 55 liters of luggage and easily accommodating two full-body helmets. Under the steering column there are two glove compartments for small items. The rear luggage platform of the Honda Silver Wing 600 is ready to accommodate a 45-liter top case.
Tidy: quite readable, without any claims to being sporty. Controversial in all respects, the round LCD display displays engine temperature, fuel reserve and other data.
Brakes: All Honda Silver Wing 600s come with Nissin 3-piston front and 2-piston rear combo brakes. When you press the right lever, the two pistons of the front caliper are activated. By pressing the left lever, one piston of the front and two pistons of the rear caliper are activated. Since 2004, ABS has been available on Silver Wings. On the rear disc there is another cable-actuated caliper - a parking brake. It is activated by a lever under the right glove compartment.
I twist the throttle and after a slight “variator” delay I receive a noticeable push in the lower back - the scooter has begun to accelerate. The impressions are not at all motorcycle-like: firstly, the dynamics are worse than those of 400 cc choppers - 7.8 s to 100 km/h. Secondly, there is no connection with reality in the form of contact with the oncoming flow. I admit, I haven’t driven any other Maxis, but this Honda really struck me as having such a non-motorcycle feel. Once about seven years ago, when I first rode a Gold, I thought that the car was a good thing, and quickly mastered the four-wheeled achievement of civilization. Now I felt something similar. On the Silver, I would like to have side wheels so as not to expose my legs during low-speed maneuvering. Another thought that came to my mind after a short time: “And the scooter can be solid!” Yes, in general, this is not a scooter. You don’t have to worry about slalom between cars - the Silver is not really designed for that. However, you don’t have to worry about anything else. The power reserve allows you to completely forget about possible speed losses during maneuvers. Let me explain to those who are not familiar with low-power technology. Let’s say you’re driving in the left lane of traffic at 90 km/h (this speed is allowed by any “weaving” scooter) and there’s a traffic jam ahead. The cars stop, but you abruptly change lanes to the right without reducing your speed - after all, you don’t want to waste a whole 10 minutes gaining speed? There is a thrill in this, but not everyone likes it: in some situations it is safer to reduce the speed without changing lanes. Especially if someone fast behind you wants to do the same maneuver. There are no problems with the “silver”: I braked and accelerated. Everything is in order with its deceleration - the combined braking system knows its job perfectly. In a city ri, which you no longer want to call a scooter, it’s like a fish in water. Allows you to move with a slight advance of the flow. No one is surprised by this, no one tries to cut it - the silver thing with bright headlights looks expensive. You don't ride on it, you slide. I tried it and realized that it’s better not to experiment with sudden lane changes; the geometry of the chassis and the grip of the tires on the asphalt are obviously not designed for this. Soft suspension, long wheelbase, comfortable seating – everything allows you to relax behind the wheel.
The maximum speed exceeds 160 km/h (according to the speedometer - 170 km/h), but the car begins to frighten already at 120 km/h. Longitudinal and smooth waves of asphalt force you to slow down to the next flat section. But it’s not annoying to keep it at 140. The side wind doesn’t spoil the picture, the “silver” sails surprisingly little. Maybe it’s aerodynamics, or maybe it’s a low center of gravity. “Silver” is an excellent tourist; not only a pair of normal “integrals” can easily fit under the saddle into a 55-liter (!) container. An impressive set of travel gear for a decent hike can easily fit there. And if you also look into the front glove boxes, your head will spin – for example, in the left one, which is locked with a key, a liter plastic bottle fits.
You can’t go out into nature on this one - small wheels, a long wheelbase and low ground clearance, supported by more than 200 kilograms of weight, discourage any desire to leave the asphalt. But on the road, nothing will stop you from racing hundreds of kilometers without stopping, regardless of weather conditions! Such comfort on a long journey will make you close your eyes to the identified shortcomings and think about scooters differently. After spending several hours in the saddle, you notice other pleasant little things. For example, a very low level of aerodynamic noise. Everything is learned by comparison - I noticed this when I rode a motorcycle for a change.
Summing up the results of the test, I’ll try to understand what attracted the new “maxi” from Honda. First of all, a completely different ride quality. The Honda Silver Wing is capable of completely redefining the concept of two wheels. A motorcyclist is unlikely to ride such a machine, except perhaps one who wants to take a break from the excess power of a sportbike and chopper pseudo-comfort. The Honda Silver Wing is able to introduce people who are far from bikes, bikers and night rides with the roar of tuning mufflers through the city center into the motorcycle theme. Moreover, it should be fully introduced, opening up the same horizons for a potential maxi-scooter rider as for a motorcyclist. Unless it will impose light restrictions on driving on broken roads. Which, by the way, is not very pleasant to ride on a motorcycle.
text from MotoReview: Alexander Dmitriev
Motorcycle Honda SW-T 600GT Silverwing 2010 review
The Silver Wing combines ease of use, comfort and the power of a custom-designed 600cc liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine. Silver Wing provides comfort comparable to a car, but unlike a car, it easily avoids the problems of traffic jams and parking in the city. The Silver Wing is equipped with a modern and very compact engine with fuel injection and in-line cylinder arrangement, which provides an instant surge of power and acceleration. The rigid frame and suspension give the motorcycle ease of handling comparable to a sports bike. All this, combined with a modern and reliable braking system, brought the Silver Wing model universal recognition and a large number of fans who appreciate the pleasure of riding luxury scooters.
I can’t say that I have a warm attitude towards scooters - neither their small wheels nor the fairly fumes of two-stroke bikes inspire confidence. The absence of a frame in the normal sense, the sitting position as if on a chair - all this is specific and certainly does not contribute to good handling. Therefore, when flying to Novosibirsk to test the brand new Silver Wing, I did not experience any unusual feelings. Especially remembering the local roads, the quality of which is far from ideal. However, the scooter was intriguing in some ways - for example, the four-stroke two-cylinder engine with two balancer shafts driving the massive machine promised low vibration levels and quiet operation. And the 49 “horses” contained in its depths implied the presence of acceleration dynamics close to those of a motorcycle.
Luxury finishing, large luggage capacity and glass, behind which you can ride even in a light jacket - in everything, the continuity of a business class scooter with touring motorcycles. A combined braking system and the usual handbrake for a “maxi”, two backrests and a chopper position behind the wheel... Solidity emanates from everywhere. Quite an automobile dashboard successfully combines an analogue speedometer and tachometer with a digital odometer, temperature and fuel indicator in the tank. Modern design! Even on a sunny day, all readings and indicator eyes are perfectly readable - they are “recessed” in “wells”.
The driving position is close to a chopper thanks to the forward footrests and high steering wheel. The driver's mini backrest is adjustable back and forth. In a word, they took care of ergonomics. The passenger can also be envied - he is not deprived of comfort. Of course, the Silver Wing is not a Gold Wing, but I note that other motorcycles are not equipped with such “chairs”... However, there is something to be sad about. I respect Japanese auto and motorcycle manufacturers for the perfect fit of the plastic cladding. Silver Wing gets no more than a C plus in this parameter - uneven seams are unacceptable on a “toy” for $11,000!
Fuel injection is the norm on modern motorcycles, and no pre-start enrichers! The engine starts, I see on the tachometer that the idle speed is increased - warming up. Is it already working? A huge “can” suspended on the right muffles the exhaust sound so effectively that it is difficult to distinguish the characteristic two-cylinder “voice”. But here’s the problem: I’m sitting behind the wheel, carefully turning off the gas, moving away and... momentarily losing the sense of reality. Having decided to turn around on a small patch, I almost fell. The glass concave inward noticeably distorts the panorama in front of the front wheel, which in itself is very unpleasant. However, you get used to this feature almost immediately.
I twist the throttle and after a slight “variator” delay I receive a noticeable push in the lower back - the scooter has begun to accelerate. The impressions are not at all motorcycle-like: firstly, the dynamics are worse than those of 400 cc choppers - 7.8 s to 100 km/h. Secondly, there is no connection with reality in the form of contact with the oncoming flow. I admit, I haven’t driven any other Maxis, but this Honda really struck me as having such a non-motorcycle feel. Once about seven years ago, when I first rode a Gold, I thought that the car was a good thing, and quickly mastered the four-wheeled achievement of civilization. Now I felt something similar. On the Silver, I would like to have side wheels so as not to expose my legs during low-speed maneuvering.
Another thought that came to my mind after a short time: “And the scooter can be solid!” Yes, in general, this is not a scooter. You don’t have to worry about slalom between cars - the Silver is not really designed for that. However, you don’t have to worry about anything else. The power reserve allows you to completely forget about possible speed losses during maneuvers. Let me explain to those who are not familiar with low-power technology. Let’s say you’re driving in the left lane of traffic at 90 km/h (this speed is allowed by any “weaving” scooter) and there’s a traffic jam ahead. The cars stop, but you abruptly change lanes to the right without reducing your speed - after all, you don’t want to waste a whole 10 minutes gaining speed? There is a thrill in this, but not everyone likes it: in some situations it is safer to reduce the speed without changing lanes. Especially if someone fast behind you wants to do the same maneuver. There are no problems with the “silver”: I braked and accelerated. Everything is in order with its deceleration - the combined braking system knows its job perfectly.
In a city ri, which you no longer want to call a scooter, it’s like a fish in water. Allows you to move with a slight advance of the flow. No one is surprised by this, no one tries to cut it - the silver thing with bright headlights looks expensive. You don't ride on it, you slide. I tried it and realized that it’s better not to experiment with sudden lane changes; the geometry of the chassis and the grip of the tires on the asphalt are obviously not designed for this. Soft suspension, long wheelbase, comfortable seating – everything allows you to relax behind the wheel.
But not for long. As soon as smooth asphalt gives way to broken asphalt, you understand that Russia is not Europe, and Novosibirsk is not Munich. The chassis of a scooter is not designed for this: small wheels, thin frame tubes... Of course, the “silver” is more stable than its smaller brothers, equipped with 10-inch wheels and almost completely devoid of a frame (at least here the tunnel between the legs is high), but not so much to move confidently along our sometimes terrible roads.
Here it is correct to compare it not with scooters, but rather with choppers. To complete the picture, I rode a Honda Steed 400 and a Suzuki VS400 Intruder. Alas, the Silver Wing is more unstable on bumps than any of these Japanese “Americans”. Another trouble: “silver” is like a rattle. Plastic lives its own life, creaking on bumps. There is no perfection in the world... If Honda didn’t do it, then who did? However, we’ll forgive this shortcoming; I don’t think that other “maxis” have anything fundamentally different. Leave Silver Wing aside? No way, especially since they didn’t try to accelerate.
The maximum speed exceeds 160 km/h (according to the speedometer - 170 km/h), but the car begins to frighten already at 120 km/h. Longitudinal and smooth waves of asphalt force you to slow down to the next flat section. But it’s not annoying to keep it at 140. The side wind doesn’t spoil the picture, the “silver” sails surprisingly little. Maybe it’s aerodynamics, or maybe it’s a low center of gravity.
“Silver” is an excellent tourist; not only a pair of normal “integrals” can easily fit under the saddle into a 55-liter (!) container. An impressive set of travel gear for a decent hike can easily fit there. And if you also look into the front glove boxes, your head will spin – for example, in the left one, which is locked with a key, a liter plastic bottle fits.
You can’t go out into nature on this one - small wheels, a long wheelbase and low ground clearance, supported by more than 200 kilograms of weight, discourage any desire to leave the asphalt. But on the road, nothing will stop you from racing hundreds of kilometers without stopping, regardless of weather conditions! Such comfort on a long journey will make you close your eyes to the identified shortcomings and think about scooters differently. After spending several hours in the saddle, you notice other pleasant little things. For example, a very low level of aerodynamic noise. Everything is learned by comparison - I noticed this when I rode a motorcycle for a change.
Summing up the results of the test, I’ll try to understand what attracted the new “maxi” from Honda. First of all, a completely different ride quality. The Silver Wing has the potential to completely redefine the concept of two wheels. A motorcyclist is unlikely to ride such a machine, except perhaps one who wants to take a break from the excess power of a sportbike and chopper pseudo-comfort. Silver Wing is able to introduce people who are far from bikes, bikers and night rides with the roar of tuning mufflers through the city center into the motorcycle theme. Moreover, it should be fully introduced, opening up the same horizons for a potential maxi-scooter rider as for a motorcyclist. Unless it will impose light restrictions on driving on broken roads. Which, by the way, is not very pleasant to ride on a motorcycle.
“Silver Wing”... In the early 80s, this was the name of the “suitcased” touring version of the two-cylinder CX500, known in our country as the “Japanese boxer”, and in the West as the favorite car of motorcycle couriers. In the fall of 2000, this name was given to the largest maxi-scooter at that time. A year later, the even more “large-caliber” Suzuki Burgman 650 appeared, but to this day Honda retains its primacy in wheelbase (1595 mm), maximum speed (according to various independent experts, 161-164 km/h), and in some European countries ( and also in Russia) – and at retail price. The latter is more than strange: there is no trace of the electronic control of the variator, nor the “guitar” of the final drive gears on the “Wing”. Although the car is more complex than, say, the Majesty 250. The engine is two-cylinder, four valves per cylinder, injection. And most importantly, there is a clever connection with the transmission, thanks to which the variator is combined “scooter-style” with the pendulum, and the engine itself rests in the frame, like in motorcycles. Otherwise, it’s a typical “self-propelled sofa”, only very large: length 2275 mm, which is even longer than the mentioned “Big Burger”, and only slightly less than the “large-wheeled” Aprilia Scarabeo 500.
But what really makes Silver Wing valuable is that it is the only “hypermaxi” that can be quite freely purchased used. No other device of this class has taken root in Japan (and imports from Europe are expensive, like devices previously purchased in Russia), “little Golda” is a frequent guest in the price lists of salons selling second-hand goods. Moreover, the price is quite acceptable, especially considering that the official dealer is asking $14,900 for a new copy. However, the new versions have been equipped with ABS for the second year already, and the color range will be richer. And the 400 cc 38-horsepower version (its designation is NF-01) will not be sold under the guise of a “six hundredth” (PF-01). So look carefully at the VIN when purchasing. We got a 2002 copy for testing with a mileage of 24,000 km. “Fresh” enough (although it’s noticeable that it’s not new) so as not to make allowances for the technical condition of the car and get the most out of it.
I would never have thought that you could ride a scooter as fast as a motorcycle, and moreover, with comfort. And my friends: “Oh, you’re starting to get old…”, “It would be better for the same money to take a used 600!”... This is because they judge speculatively. But you need to “ride” a maxi-scooter to appreciate its advantages.
I went and compared. A sportbike is a provocateur, the word “evil” stuck to it for good reason. And then, he is a voracious gas guzzler. No matter how hard I tried to ride it “for pleasure,” I couldn’t get it. For me, driving something in between, and therefore the best, that exists between the clumsy “tourists” and compact “sports”.
One day, while “wandering” on the Internet, I came across an uncle’s diary, who sorted out the reasons for his decision to replace the 1800 cc Honda Gold Wing with the 600 cc Silver Wing. I was intrigued: what he presented turned out to be close to me. Having changed to a “silver”, the uncle, continuing to travel with his comrades, recorded mileage, fuel consumption, other costs... And described the thrill. Summarized: after a month of daily trips on the Silver Wing 600, a scooter with a CVT, with a seat “like on a stool” and a “plush” character, in his words, I absolutely did not want to return to the saddle of the venerable “Golda”... I believed what I read - and bought Silver Wing.
What is a buzz? This is what I discovered about the scooter's potential. But for this I had to drive it almost 3000 km.
The inline two-cylinder 582 cc engine with the PGM-FI electronic injection system never failed. It starts easily - from the first touch of the starter button, it runs smoothly, no extraneous noise. Two balancer shafts dampen all vibrations... Honda engineers have created an engine that is “not seen or heard.” However, this is an image. And if we talk about the real thing, the exhaust here is smooth, quiet bass.
I can’t imagine that driving a Silver will remain comfortable if the exhaust is equipped with a direct-flow muffler: they are incompatible! And I’ll add: the exhaust system is equipped with a catalyst, so the scooter meets the requirements of the Euro 3 standard.
After 16,000 km, I took it to a branded technical center for diagnostics. I was waiting for everything. However, the experts reassured us: the engine is like new, the valves do not need adjustment, the injector is clean, like a child’s soul, and synchronized. The experts gave important advice: do not lose the small black key to the anti-vandal lock - it is unique! You can only get a copy... with a new lock. I checked: you can close the lock with any hex key, but only “relatives” can open it.
Comfort vs reality
I had the opportunity to drive Silver cars of various years of production - from 2001 to 2007. There are no significant differences between them. The only thing that distinguishes those produced before 2003 is the absence of ABS. But even among the models of recent years coming from Japan, there are samples without an anti-lock braking system. But those that were supplied to the USA and Canada, and since 2003 to Europe, were supplied only with ABS.
The combined braking system is the chic feature of this maxi-scooter. If you press the left lever, both circuits are activated simultaneously, on the front and rear wheels. The forces on the brake discs are distributed approximately evenly: 60% on the front and 40% on the rear. The factory-set braking dynamics are sufficient to stop the 220 kg Silver Wing exactly where you want it to stop. But even without ABS, I only managed to skid the rear wheel a couple of times, and then only on slippery markings after the rain. All thanks to the large wheelbase -1590 mm and the location of the engine in the body of the device (it is lowered as far as possible and shifted towards the rear wheel).
The right lever controls only the forward circuit. If you press both at the same time, the brakes will bring the scooter down so abruptly that an unprepared pilot will be thrown from the “sofa” onto the dashboard. A “chopper” landing will help you avoid falling forward - this is when your legs are extended forward, with your feet resting on the stance (the manufacturer has prudently extended the rubber mats to the middle of its height). This way, chopper-style, it’s more convenient than simply placing your feet on wide platforms on both sides of the tunnel: sharp shocks back and forth during acceleration and braking are absorbed and are not annoying. And if you want to change your position, just move your feet to the platform - and you’re a traditional scooter rider again! And to complete the description of the seating position: the back of the driver's seat is also adjustable - it can be moved back and forth.
The instrument panel is simple and clear, with information on everything you need to know before, during and after a trip: tachometer, parking brake indicators, oil pressure indicators, CVT belt wear indicator, large yellow turn signal indicators and, finally, an easy-to-read dial speedometer in the center of the panel. The right side of the dashboard is the most valuable source of information. Here, fuel level, engine temperature, and mileage are displayed on one screen. There is also a clock here. The digital odometer has three independent memory cells: two temporary ones - with turning on and resetting the mileage counter and one - with the total mileage counter.
The centrifugal clutch “seizes” at approximately 1800 rpm. It’s not easy to “catch” constant thrust “from scratch” around 2000 rpm. The “uncertain” behavior of the Silver Wing at speeds up to 10 km/h will take some getting used to. The reason for this is not the speed, but the excessively soft suspension, especially the fork. At speeds above 20 km/h, the only thing that can affect the straightness of the ride is deep ruts in the asphalt. This weakness of the “silver” will be felt more acutely than others by those who switched to it from a motorcycle with its wide 17-inch wheels: those on this scooter (front - 14 inches, rear - 13) seem too small. And I advise you: it’s not worth experimenting with jumping onto longitudinal sections of asphalt. Regarding wheels for the practical rider, I’ll add: buying tires for the Silver Wing is easy, they are in stores.
V-MATIC: three gears as one
A traffic police inspector once stopped me to check my documents, and started asking: “Isn’t it scary on him?” - “Very scary, in first gear the acceleration is up to 160...” His eyes are wide open! I looked at the speedometer, and there was a marking on it up to 200 km/h. “And then how long will the second one be?!...” - “I don’t know, I haven’t tried it yet!”
I didn’t lie very much, but in the main, in essence, no. On the streets of the city, “silver” is king. I didn’t measure how many seconds it takes it to accelerate to “hundreds,” but up to 80 km/h it is capable of “making” any mass-produced car from a traffic light. Then the acceleration is no longer so bad. Honda has developed a very user-friendly “nearly continuously variable” V-Matic transmission. It seems that there is only one program, and it is for all occasions. The V-Matic actually has three modes: "city", "touring" and "full power". The engine control unit is connected directly to the gearbox and, depending on the driving mode, it calculates the quantity and quality of the mixture to be supplied to the combustion chamber. What this gives is illustrated by the numbers. On the highway, when the scooter travels for a long time at a constant speed (far from 80 km/h), consumption drops to 4.5 liters. In the city, where you often accelerate, unscrew the handle all the way, and then also sharply brake to zero, it increases to 6.5.
Slowly does not mean slow
The advantage of the Silver Wing 600 over 400 cc and 250 cc scooters of similar dimensions is the ability to comfortably (this is important) move at, mind you, 140 km/h. For a “silver”, this speed is cruising, at which the scooter does not strain or strain at all.
High glass provides excellent protection from wind blowing at any speed. Unfortunately, this grace does not extend to the passenger: the “second number” sits about 10 centimeters above the driver, and the entire flow of incoming air enters his helmet. Fighting the wind is tiring. Based on the results of the analysis, after several “non-stop flights”, the Formula of Absolute Comfort was derived (it is not necessary to create an abbreviation from the first letters) for the full crew: this is when the pilot, upon reaching a certain speed, is no longer bored, and the passenger is not yet blown away. So, if it’s just two of you, then you need to move at a pace of 120-130 kilometers per hour on the highway, and in city traffic - about 80 (if possible).
The Silver Wing 600 tank is spacious, 16 liters, and its contents are designed to last approximately 400 kilometers. This is ideal as described in the instructions for use. But the maximum I managed to achieve when driving “our” AI-95 was 300 kilometers. It’s a shame: every time they “break off” a hundred miles from what was promised.
A couple of years ago I had to urgently go to St. Petersburg on business (and therefore under my own power) on a heavy sports motorcycle. “Taking a quick flight” on an airplane would be much easier and, considering the collected package of receipts for paying fines for speeding, cheaper... After such trips, you understand why large touring motorcycles and even scooters such as the Silver Wing were invented. The recent trip on the Silver to St. Petersburg and back was like an easy country walk, and it took only half an hour more time than on the Sport two years ago. The explanation is simple: fewer stops along the way - higher average speed. If on a sportbike I had to stop three times to refuel and one more time just to stretch my stiff back and shoulders, then on the “silver” there were only two short pauses in riding. And there was no need to pay for exceeding the speed limit.
What does the new owner of Silver need to do?
The first thing is to equip xenon low beams - to improve your visibility in the dark, and so that the scooter becomes truly noticeable to car drivers. The operation takes no more than half an hour and requires virtually no electrical intervention. The huge headlight consists of two parts - low and high beam reflectors, containing H7 type lamps. It is most convenient to “settle” the control unit in the right “pocket” of the glove compartment. From here to the headlight in a straight line is no more than 20 centimeters, so there will be no difficulties with laying the wires.
Secondly, the program for preparing the scooter for everyday use should include light tuning of the fork. It is necessary to replace the oil in it with a thicker one, for example, with a viscosity of 15W, the “plushness” in the character of the maxi-scooter will decrease, and the handling will increase.
Third. Don’t be fooled by the volume of the trunk because it is intricately shaped; the 55-liter capacity can accommodate a helmet, a wheel lock, a raincoat or cover, a pair of gloves and, in fact, that’s all... So, I highly recommend installing additional panniers. Find them for the Silver Wing, complete with mounting platforms, in the catalogs of companies producing tourism accessories. The 40-liter, with a platform, is also included in the line of original Honda accessories.
Silver Wing – for the practical
Go to the entire range of Honda motorcycles, on this page you can find Honda SW-T 600GT Silverwing motorcycles of other years and information about them
Honda Silver Wing
The flagship of the Honda scooter line, which appeared in 2000, became the largest, fastest and most expensive maxi-scooter. But, despite the price tag, the car has become extremely popular all over the world.
Story
In 2000, Honda presented to the public a completely new model of the Honda Silver Wing maxi-scooter with two versions of two-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 400 and 600 cm3. “Silver” differed from its predecessors and competitors not only in its unprecedentedly high level of comfort, but also in the engine installed in the frame, with a variator on a separate “rocker” (like the Yamaha TMAX that debuted in the same year).
This design provided not only greater chassis rigidity, but also lower unsprung masses, having a positive effect on handling. In 2002, the relay-regulator “moved” from the back of the scooter under the fairing, and in 2003, a “MODE” button appeared on the steering wheel, allowing you to slightly change the injection mode, adding power to the engine, for example, when overtaking and on climbs. That same year, optional ABS was added to the standard combined braking system.
By 2004, the entire Silver line had undergone minor changes: the design of the glove compartment lids was redrawn, and with it the reliability of their opening mechanism increased, the headlight reflector housing began to be finished “in chrome” instead of painted black. The material used to cover the seat and the instrument lighting have changed: now it is illuminated with bright white light instead of dull amber. From the same year on all “Silvers” the wheels and fork cups began to be painted black.
This coloring lasted until 2007, then the wheels began to be painted “silver” again. In 2006, on the 600 cc versions, the ignition switch received an immobilizer, sidelight bulbs were added to the headlight, and the backlight of the LCD display on the tidy became blue. The cut of the seat upholstery has changed and gray leatherette inserts have been added.
By 2008, Honda prepared the next version of “Silver”, which can be distinguished by wheels, brake calipers and nameplates painted in golden color, as well as by a seat finished in a carbon fiber look.
Officially, Silvers were sold in Russia until 2009. The maxiscooter did not set sales records due to the inhumane price list, and the secondary market added fuel to the fire, offering “lightly worn tuxedos” at almost half the price.
In 2009, the design was radically refreshed: the plastic and optics were completely redesigned. The engine has changed slightly: a lambda probe (oxygen sensor) has appeared in the exhaust system, due to which fuel consumption has been slightly reduced. Otherwise, it’s the same “Silver” with a dimensionless “toilet”, comfortable and soft.
For what
For life. "Silver Wing" is perfect for moving both short and long distances. Excellent wind protection and seat capacity for two helmets contribute to long-distance performance, and a very responsive engine will allow you to start first at any traffic light.
By the way, in terms of dynamics, the 400 cc version is not much inferior to the 600 cc, but the presence of a passenger changes the picture significantly, so for shared trips it is better to choose a “six hundred”.
“Silver” is not conducive to active movements: considerable weight, a “cotton” scooter fork (with one traverse) and a “liquid” frame do their job. The brakes are the opposite: the combined system allows you to abruptly stop a heavy car from any speed, and coupled with ABS, you don’t even have to think about the grip properties of the asphalt under the wheels.
Where to look
The first, pre-restyling generation of “Silvers” can easily be found on Internet portals, in private advertisements or in salons selling second-hand goods. They were also sold here, so it is quite possible to find a device purchased and serviced from officials, with a service book and a clear history.
It won’t be difficult to bring your favorite copy to order from Japan or America, since there are plenty of companies providing such services. The second generation of Silvers is much less common, and they were not officially sold in Russia. It is for this reason that it is difficult to buy a used device from us; there are very few offers. The easiest way out is to bring it to order.
Choice
In general, “Silver” is reliable and simple, like a Kalashnikov assault rifle, but when choosing a used device, and especially one with mileage in Russia, you should pay attention to several points. Firstly, when driving with a passenger on a rough road, with a strong impact and “punching through” the rear suspension on the variator housing, the mounting location of the left shock absorber comes off. Cracks or welds will indicate that the “ear” will either come off soon or have already come off.
The second “sore” of the car can be called the fuel pressure valve, which “dies” from bad gasoline. When it fails, the engine starts to pull worse and stops idling. The parking brake has its own separate caliper.
Often the sensor for turning it on “glitches”, which is why the indicator on the device does not light up, and many “users” hit the road, surprised that the scooter “does not go”. The pads burn out quickly from driving with the handbrake, so the sensor should be kept clean and in case of “death”, replaced as quickly as possible.
As for the plastic, it covers the Silver from head to toe and has a lot of fasteners and latches. Fasteners break both from driving on broken roads and from crooked servicemen. It can be treated by soldering or replacement, and you can recognize the problem by looking at the gaps between the parts and how the part fits. This especially applies to the front fairing and the rear cladding. The only exceptions will be where the floor (driver's footrests) adjoins the lower part of the fairing: all Silvers have an uneven and rather large gap there.
It is also worth looking behind the front wheel and assessing the condition of the radiator. It is located low, and dirt flying from the front wheel partially remains between the plates, impairing cooling. If an inspection of the device does not reveal any problem areas, it is still worth taking it for a ride before purchasing. A slight wobbling of the steering wheel will indicate the “death” of the steering column bearings, and a transmission whistling when starting from a stop will indicate worn-out springs of the centrifugal clutch pads. The problem is trivial and, as they say, “does not affect the speed,” it’s just that the pads touch the clutch drum a little earlier, or even at idle, making a characteristic sound. Springs are inexpensive, and replacing them is not difficult for an experienced mechanic.
And one more thing: when choosing a device produced from 2003 to 2007, white, blue or silver, you should not pay attention to the fact that the plastic “pallet” of the floor covering is not painted in the same color. These are factory paint options.
Tuning
They don’t like it, and there’s not much to improve in it. With the exception of the transmission, you can replace the variator with a “Multivar” from Malossi, and the centrifugal clutch with a kit from the same manufacturer. This will help to slightly improve the acceleration dynamics and slightly increase the maximum speed.
As for travel, the picture is somewhat better here: a windshield (for example, GIVI) and a set of deflectors for the fairing and handlebars will improve the wind protection of the driver. Heated grips, for example, from Oxford or Saito, will add comfort. You can increase the carrying capacity by installing a central case, since there is a platform for attaching it on all Silvers.
There are no hard side cases for this maxi, so the problem can be solved either with textile side bags, or you will have to take up a grinder and welding, inventing fastenings yourself, or contact an office that manufactures such devices.
On the outside, the “six hundred” differed from the “four hundred” in the color of the fork stays, wheel rims, the rear passenger handle and the brackets for the passenger footrests: on the “four hundred” they were painted in dark gray metallic, on the “six hundred” they were painted silver. The frame numbers also differ: for “four hundred” they begin with the letters NF, for “six hundred” they begin with PF.
You can try to turn “Silver” into “Golda” with the help of light bulbs, diodes, foglights and music installation, fortunately there is enough space for everything. But this is a matter of taste.
