Okay, so folks have been asking me about my time with the Honda Silverwing 600. It’s been quite a ride, literally, and I figure it’s time I laid out my experiences with this big scooter.
Getting Acquainted with the Silverwing Idea
You know, I was looking for something comfy, something that could eat up miles but also wasn’t a pain for just zipping around town. I’d had my share of “proper” motorcycles, but the practicality of a big scooter started calling to me. Less faffing with gears in traffic, decent weather protection, and that sweet underseat storage. I looked at a few options, the Burgman was on the list, but the Silverwing, especially the 600, just had this reputation for being a solid workhorse with a bit of Honda refinement. Plus, I found a deal I couldn’t ignore at the time.
The Hunt and the Catch
So, I started my search. Wasn’t looking for a brand new one, mind you. I’m more of a “let someone else take the depreciation hit” kind of guy. Scoured the usual places online, checked out a couple that looked good in pictures but were a bit rough around the edges in person. You know how it is. Finally, I found one. A bit higher mileage, but the owner seemed to have taken decent care of it. We haggled a bit, shook hands, and just like that, I was a Silverwing owner. Loading it onto the trailer was the first little adventure, that thing is no lightweight, let me tell you!
First Impressions: Smooth Operator
Getting it home and finally taking it for a proper spin was interesting. First thing that hit me was the smoothness. That twin-cylinder engine is just so much more refined than the singles you find in smaller scoots. Power was there, plenty for highway speeds, and it pulled away from lights surprisingly quickly. Twisted the throttle, and she just went. The seat was like a sofa, super comfy. Handling was, well, it’s a big scooter. Not a sportbike, but stable and predictable. You just sort of glide along. I remember thinking to myself, “Yeah, I could get used to this.”
Living With It: The Daily Grind and Beyond
Over the next few months, the Silverwing became my go-to. Commuting to work was a breeze. Rain? No problem, the fairing and screen did a decent job. Needed to pick up groceries? The underseat storage swallowed up a surprising amount. I even strapped a bag to the passenger seat and did a couple of longer trips. The bike just ate up the miles. It wasn’t exciting in a “knee-down” sort of way, but it was incredibly competent and comfortable. Just a reliable companion, really. Fuel economy was decent for its size too, which was a nice bonus.
A Bit of Tinkering: That Pesky Parking Brake
Now, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Like any machine, it needed its share of TLC. One thing that bugged me was the parking brake. Common issue on these, apparently. It just felt a bit… vague. So, one weekend, I decided to tackle it myself.
First, I got the service manual up on my tablet. Always a good starting point. Then, I gathered my tools – socket set, screwdrivers, the usual suspects. The tricky part was getting to the actual mechanism. It involved removing a couple of plastic panels. You know how those plastic clips are, always feel like you’re about to snap one. I proceeded carefully, prying and wiggling until they came off. Then I located the adjuster for the parking brake cable. It was a bit fiddly, tucked away in there. I loosened the locknut, then turned the adjuster barrel bit by bit, checking the lever feel as I went. The goal was to get just the right amount of tension – not too tight, not too loose. After a few tries, adjusting and testing, I felt it engage much more positively. Then, I tightened the locknut back up carefully. Putting the plastic panels back on was the reverse, and thankfully, no leftover screws this time! It wasn’t a massive job, but getting it done myself felt pretty good, and the parking brake actually worked properly after that.
So, What’s the Final Word?
Overall, my time with the Honda Silverwing 600 has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s a supremely capable machine. If you’re looking for a big, comfortable, reliable scooter that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it, from daily errands to longer tours, it’s hard to beat. It’s not the flashiest thing on two wheels, and it has its quirks like any older bike would, but it’s got character. She’s a solid performer, and I’ve made some good memories with her. If you find a well-maintained one, I’d say go for it. It’s a lot of scooter for the money these days.
