SBF Silverwings / HOM Cafe 2012

[CommuterBiker]

Oh hi Scarab. I notice your name coming up, when I read the old posts in the Burgman thread.

 

You've owned both the Burgman 400 and the SW before? Are you riding the Burgman 400 currently?

[Scarab]

Rode the 400 and 650 burgman before. And rode my friend's silverwing too on trips North. Now riding NC700XD. I felt that the silverwing front is too light for my taste. Front light rear heavy.

[anodise57]

Rode the 400 and 650 burgman before. And rode my friend's silverwing too on trips North. Now riding NC700XD. I felt that the silverwing front is too light for my taste. Front light rear heavy.

 

 

Lai Chek opinion must value ...... ^_^

 

I agree with him on light front for SW....

On the other aspect, I think because of Burgy is single shock ... diff from SW which is dual shock absorber

 

 

Any single shock will handle better in cornering compared to dual shock.

Just like Hornet Vs Super4.

 

Some like executive feel of SW..... some like the bulky front Burgy feel...

There are few questions you should be asking yourself and you will roughly know what you want.

 

What is your riding pattern?

What is your requirement?

What is your pocket size?

400 enough or something bigger?

Sports? Touring? Executive?

Space bigger better?

Better FC?

etc...

 

Bottomline don try, don know....

 

I been on Swing600/Yp400k5 & now AN650L3 currently.

Even now I do not ask too much question... just enjoy the ride....

Just like woo-ing gal....some might strike you immediately.. .but after spending some time.... feels not right...

Some might ya ... so so.. .after a while you feel so comfy and blah blah blah... u know..

[CommuterBiker]

Lai Chek opinion must value ...... ^_^

Some like executive feel of SW..... some like the bulky front Burgy feel...

There are few questions you should be asking yourself and you will roughly know what you want.

 

What is your riding pattern?

What is your requirement?

What is your pocket size?

400 enough or something bigger?

Sports? Touring? Executive?

Space bigger better?

Better FC?

etc...

 

What is your riding pattern?

Not aggressive. Not a speed demon. Not an acceleration demon too. But on clear expressways in SG, I want to be able to go to 100-110km/h without the bike feeling like it's going to fall apart. My current Pulsar 180 DTS-i, 90km/h already feels like want to die jialat-jialat.

 

What is your requirement?

In a nutshell, the smallest bike possible that can go 2-up touring comfortably, with the largest storage possible. Looks don't matter. Price don't matter.

 

• Easy 2-up touring up north, as far as Hat Yai in 3 days. Which means can sustain 120km/h for long periods. I don't plan to go faster than that.
  
• Comfortable for pillion.
  
• Storage. The bigger the better. I'm already planning on fixing a 58L Givi Trekker, an an additional soft bag on that topbox, and a tunnel bag between the legs - this on top of the already large under-seat storage of Burgman/SW. That should give an idea of the priority I give to storage.
  
• FC. It cannot be outlandishly high. I'm currently consistently doing 650km for 18L full tank on my Pulsar. That's just over 36 km/L, so I'm a little spoiled by the Pulsar. I know I can't get that kind of FC on a 2A bike, but I aim to get the best I can with aforementioned storage requirement.
  

 

What is your pocket size?

I'm looking for good value. So it's not a static price limit. E.g. 20k for a new SW is good value, 7k for a 5-year-old SW that's still good is good value.

 

As it is, I'm willing to tolerate first-hand price of SW - provided I cannot find any good value deals in the second-hand market.

 

400 enough or something bigger?

400 is enough. One, I understand that going higher will mean worse FC for little more gain i.e. I need just enough power/performance to do 2-up touring at 120km/h. Anything more is superfluous and it'll mean I'm taking cons for no additional pros. Two, I currently only have a 2A - no class 2. Three, even if I had a class 2, I prefer naturally progressing up the food chain.

 

Sports? Touring? Executive?

Agnostic. Style of ride matters little to me. I looked for the best-in-class bike for storage and touring capability, and the search naturally led me to maxi-scoots. Also, I don't think I know what is meant by "executive". I know the "sports" is the look of such bikes like the Tmax. But as mentioned elsewhere, looks don't matter all that much to me. I'm practicality all the way. If the Tmax had been the one with the best storage, I'd be in that thread instead.

 

Space bigger better?

Most def. I like me some storage, sir.

 

Better FC?

Yes. Storage and FC are on a tie when it comes to requirement.

 

Give me a bike that can store 200L but FC is crap like 15km/L, forget it. I'm losing the economical advantage a bike has over a car.

 

Give me a bike that can do 36km/L (my Pulsar) but to compete with Burgman/SW is forced to pack on side panniers so large it makes my ass as wide as a car's, forget it. I'm losing the squeeze advantage a bike has over a car.

 

So balance here is mandatory.

 

 

Hope I answered your questions. As you can see, everything is centred on this being the most economical (OPEX only, CAPEX can be large it's ok) touring bike.

[cupfan]

Just to check how much would a 2010/2011 silverwing cost?

Reading the commotion in the trend comparing burgman and silverwing, I would go for a silverwing, but not to forget there is sym400i also considered as a competitor in the 400 range scoots?

I'm also enquiring for a 400cc scoot

Looking for one now actually.

Cheers!

[CommuterBiker]

Just to check how much would a 2010/2011 silverwing cost?

Reading the commotion in the trend comparing burgman and silverwing, I would go for a silverwing, but not to forget there is sym400i also considered as a competitor in the 400 range scoots?

I'm also enquiring for a 400cc scoot

Looking for one now actually.

Cheers!

 

But why would you go for a SW (versus the Burgman 400). That's the bonus question. My engineer sensibilities need something objective to grasp on.

 

To share my thought process, I didn't look at the Kymco and the Sym, due to them losing in the storage department. This is an assumption - I don't know hard specifications numbers - based on just seeing the bikes in real life. They look very modern and sporty and far cheaper than the Burgman/SW, but at the end of the day... I'm after storage. I must hold fast to objectives.

 

From what I know, the SW's under-seat is 55L. The Burgman 400's is 62L. Experts, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[abcdef]

Felt my bike handle bar vibrating quite jialat. ... changed tyre, front wheel bearing and now bike very smooth but i felt bike tend to swerve left and then right sometimes. .. tyre pressure too high? I haven't pump air though after tyre replacement.

[Chubb]

hi bros, odometer there hav 2 light in e middle.. 1 left 1 right.. when i on my bike (haven start) e left red light is on, but after start e light gone..

i tink its engine oil light (lamp lookalike symbol)

izzit normal?

[SW9000]

Haha. It shouldn't be specs. This is my 3rd SW. All reached Thailand before. 1 to Hatyai. 1 to Kanchanaburi and current bike to Northern Thailand twice. The trust is there.

Rode a 'better' spec Tmax only for 2 weeks and 1.4k km. Sold because it just doesn't felt good.

Pls decide slowly.

[SW9000]

Felt my bike handle bar vibrating quite jialat. ... changed tyre, front wheel bearing and now bike very smooth but i felt bike tend to swerve left and then right sometimes. .. tyre pressure too high? I haven't pump air though after tyre replacement.

 

Check tire pressure. Sometimes rear suspension pre-load too low might affect profile. Set at 4 or 5.

[SW9000]

hi bros, odometer there hav 2 light in e middle.. 1 left 1 right.. when i on my bike (haven start) e left red light is on, but after start e light gone..

i tink its engine oil light (lamp lookalike symbol)

izzit normal?

 

Other than speed and rpm, all other light should go off.

[abcdef]

Check tire pressure. Sometimes rear suspension pre-load too low might affect profile. Set at 4 or 5.

 

 

 

Changed to hagon rear shock together with tyre that time. There's only 1,2 and 3?

[C.S]

Yoz. If batt just changed. . But voltmeter only goed up when riding m. But in jam and slow moving traffic. The volt drops. ..iss it rectifier? ??

[yogi]

Wah sai.. suddenly so many lao chiaos surface...

[SW9000]

Stock battery:

Switched on Bike = 12.3v +/-

Idling = 12.5v - 13v +/-

Moving/charging = 14.1v+/-

 

Roughly about there bah....

 

Yoz. If batt just changed. . But voltmeter only goed up when riding m. But in jam and slow moving traffic. The volt drops. ..iss it rectifier? ??

[SW9000]

Changed to hagon rear shock together with tyre that time. There's only 1,2 and 3?

 

Hagon... I use setting 1.

Some people may use 2.

 

Anyway, go check tire pressure first. Usually SW will feel very light at the handle bar.

[scoobydoo]

Haha. It shouldn't be specs. This is my 3rd SW. All reached Thailand before. 1 to Hatyai. 1 to Kanchanaburi and current bike to Northern Thailand twice. The trust is there.

add on from David's points...

 

the burgman and tmax have many pluses over the SW indeed, especially handling.

for me, my personal deciding factors to choose the "not so spectacular" SW are:

 

* feet's reach to ground when seated

although specs say seat height of the burgman is lower (710mm) than SW (740mm), i find that my feet have more reach to the ground on the SW (although both still have to tip toe). i guess SW has slimmer recessed sections at the rider's legs area (see pic below)... very important for fellas with short legs like me

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=58212&d=1207731561

 

* engine music

imo, the SW's parallel twin engine sounds like sentimental music while those from single cylinder engines sound like rock music.

i prefer the smoother and softer music from the SW, on stock exhaust and not leo vince or arrow.

 

* easy maintenance, reliable and certainty

some say the SW is 10+ years old tech, but i like its simplicity, proven engine and reliability... attested by Tourmaster David.

maintenance is simple, relatively inexpensive and good mechs are available for repairs.

[CommuterBiker]

Many thanks, scoobydoo and SW9000. Your opinions are valued. I will take them into consideration.

 

Perhaps one day I'll join the Thu sessions, to hear this sweet SW twin-cylinder music.

[tthiang]

Many thanks, scoobydoo and SW9000. Your opinions are valued. I will take them into consideration.

 

Perhaps one day I'll join the Thu sessions, to hear this sweet SW twin-cylinder music.

 

listen already sure wet...

[scoobydoo]

listen already sure wet...

where? where wet arh?

 

go songkran with the gang next Apr lah... in/outside the room also can get wet

[SW9000]

Next year... going Koh Samui and Krabi... 9D8N.

5 days leave required.

From 11 Apr to 19 Apr 15.

Hotel only, twin share = $260 each.

My closing date: 31 Dec 14 or if the 10 slots are filled, whichever early.

 

HOM Executive Members priority, followed by Associates.

Associate membership applicable through walk-in TCSS at Rail Mall. Pre-requisites = personality must include a H. The more the better. i.e. Honest, Humorous and Holy, etc.

[MaIkEr]

@CommuterBiker:

I took my stock an400k6 on one long tour, a 20hrs no stopping over ride to phuket, a malacca trip via trunk road and had numerous trips on the swt400, even a 12hrs solo one to hatyai. Each time I am on the swt, I always wish tat I had the torque, handling, storage and better fuel eco of the an400. But at the same time I an glad to have the swt on trips, coz the engine is just so super silky at all speed, nevermind tat the swt feels like a buffalo yet more stable, underpowered, less storage/ compartments, blah blah blah. Its just so comfortable to ride, which is critical for touring, ensuring tat u still have enuf energy left to enjoy. So the swt should be a good call based on your requirements. The an400 would be ideal for local use with occasional short tours.

The swt also has better spares support, aftermarket parts as well as a few ready tourers here, not that we won't welcome other makes hehe.

Since money is less of a concern, get a new one should ensure peace of mind. I got mine with a slight discount for full cash payment back then With abs a personal choice. So cheers, have fun hunting and do join up in future.

What is your riding pattern?

Not aggressive. Not a speed demon. Not an acceleration demon too. But on clear expressways in SG, I want to be able to go to 100-110km/h without the bike feeling like it's going to fall apart. My current Pulsar 180 DTS-i, 90km/h already feels like want to die jialat-jialat.

 

What is your requirement?

In a nutshell, the smallest bike possible that can go 2-up touring comfortably, with the largest storage possible. Looks don't matter. Price don't matter.

 

• Easy 2-up touring up north, as far as Hat Yai in 3 days. Which means can sustain 120km/h for long periods. I don't plan to go faster than that.
  
• Comfortable for pillion.
  
• Storage. The bigger the better. I'm already planning on fixing a 58L Givi Trekker, an an additional soft bag on that topbox, and a tunnel bag between the legs - this on top of the already large under-seat storage of Burgman/SW. That should give an idea of the priority I give to storage.
  
• FC. It cannot be outlandishly high. I'm currently consistently doing 650km for 18L full tank on my Pulsar. That's just over 36 km/L, so I'm a little spoiled by the Pulsar. I know I can't get that kind of FC on a 2A bike, but I aim to get the best I can with aforementioned storage requirement.
  

 

What is your pocket size?

I'm looking for good value. So it's not a static price limit. E.g. 20k for a new SW is good value, 7k for a 5-year-old SW that's still good is good value.

 

As it is, I'm willing to tolerate first-hand price of SW - provided I cannot find any good value deals in the second-hand market.

 

400 enough or something bigger?

400 is enough. One, I understand that going higher will mean worse FC for little more gain i.e. I need just enough power/performance to do 2-up touring at 120km/h. Anything more is superfluous and it'll mean I'm taking cons for no additional pros. Two, I currently only have a 2A - no class 2. Three, even if I had a class 2, I prefer naturally progressing up the food chain.

 

Sports? Touring? Executive?

Agnostic. Style of ride matters little to me. I looked for the best-in-class bike for storage and touring capability, and the search naturally led me to maxi-scoots. Also, I don't think I know what is meant by "executive". I know the "sports" is the look of such bikes like the Tmax. But as mentioned elsewhere, looks don't matter all that much to me. I'm practicality all the way. If the Tmax had been the one with the best storage, I'd be in that thread instead.

 

Space bigger better?

Most def. I like me some storage, sir.

 

Better FC?

Yes. Storage and FC are on a tie when it comes to requirement.

 

Give me a bike that can store 200L but FC is crap like 15km/L, forget it. I'm losing the economical advantage a bike has over a car.

 

Give me a bike that can do 36km/L (my Pulsar) but to compete with Burgman/SW is forced to pack on side panniers so large it makes my ass as wide as a car's, forget it. I'm losing the squeeze advantage a bike has over a car.

 

So balance here is mandatory.

 

 

Hope I answered your questions. As you can see, everything is centred on this being the most economical (OPEX only, CAPEX can be large it's ok) touring bike.

[CommuterBiker]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply, MalkEr.

 

Me and the missus was at AS Phoon just now. Checking out the SW in the flesh. Heard that legend of an engine purr. Indeed, very smooth.

 

Made a friend there too. And he made the point that if you're riding bikes like this, FC shouldn't be the deciding factor. Ride experience should. It's a valid point and I'm glad for the perspective.

 

Just before that, I went to Autobay to check out a Burgman 400 in the flesh. Specifically, to see and compare just how much of a difference does the storage delta of 7L makes. Turns out, not much. The shape of the storage cavity in the SW seems to be more useful than that of the Burgman's.

 

The missus also sat on the both bikes. Her vantage point is higher on the Burgman 400, which she doesn't like. She feels more secure when positioned more in line behind me, like that of the SW.

 

There's also a pillion backrest on the SW, which the Burgman doesn't have. She likes the backrest. Though this won't matter much after getting a top box.

 

She also made an observation that it seems a more natural posture seeing me on the SW. Said she understands why the Burgman is popular in the states; it's big and roomy, ideal for the larger westerners.

 

So net effect? After today, the scales just tipped heavily towards SW.

 

For me? It's the community. A livelier community means more readily available help when facing problems. Available documentation is a huge bonus.

 

So yeah. Unless something changes, looks like I'll be a fellow SWinger one day.

[zenl]

Hi SW bros,

 

I am so glad to have joined the SW group!

 

Just brought a new SWT400, and the engine is super smooth..and the music +bass from the engine is amazing - truly a big engine scoot.

 

Previously tried Maxsym400 (the seat are higher and the engine is loud and cranky), and Burgman400 (handling is good but the engine sounded very mechanical, similar to 2B scoot),- just personal opions to share, not mean to offend any riders.

 

Feedback from my pillions that the rides feel stable and comfortable.

 

Btw, need some advice from senior bros here;

 

1. There are locker latches underneath the seat, sometime there is problem unlocking the latch under the rider seat, while sometime there is problem to lock the latch under pillion seat (need to push very hard to engage the lock).

Is there a technique to lock/unlock the latches? or any shop can fix this? has anyone experience similar locking problem?

 

2. Does anyone tried startup the bike after returning from a long holiday (eg. 5~6 days never start bike), any problem with the battery or startup the bike?

I notice the IU is not powered until the key is turn-on. Can i assume that there is a electronic switch to automatically cut-off power supply when the key is turn-off?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Jupiter9002]

I tried 1 to 2 weeks no riding, still able to start up. 2 weeks a bit risky, prepare to dismental battery for charging.

 

IU depends on ur mechanic ... some connect to ignition, some connect to battery.