Silverwings And Burgies

So, I was at a meeting downtown Vancouver today, which meant I wasn't too far from Carter Honda on the way back. I stopped to see the new Veradero (which I noticed on Honda's web when researching for load-carrying capacity of the Silverwing). They had the new Veradero outside ... fantastic bike ... sort of a newer Trans Alp, but with a 1000cc engine (putting my insurance costs way up there, along with a V-Strom 1000, whereas I can get a V-Strom in a 650 instead). But my attention was caught by a Silverwing parked between 2 Majesties. The Majesties are tradeins (one grey, one red, some of you can tell me what year they are based on the color, I'm sure). Both had racks for mounting top-cases and no top-cases. Strange.
But the interesting thing is the Silverwing. I sat on it, and a Majesty, and was surprised at how much more room there is on the Honda. My knees don't hit the handlebars when turning sharp (I have a 38" inseam), there's more room, plus the seat is cushier.
The rear springs should be stiffer, because the engine, transmission, exhaust, etc. is supported by the frame and springs rather than mounted to the rear wheel as on traditional scooters.
This means that the springs have to carry more weight without riders, thus adding 2-up shouldn't bottom like the Majesty. Plus there are about 8 pre-load settings.
I didn't have my helmet along, so I'm hoping for good weather this week to head back with my wife along for a 2-up road-test.
These are new bikes that list at $10,300 Canadian. But they are new 2006 models, so they are selling them at $7000 each with full waranty (they have 3 of them).
My Majesty (with > 18,000 kms) will soon need a new belt, brakes and oil change.
If I could get the new Silverwing for $3k over the 2005 Majesty in trade it would be very tempting ... but first, a test-ride.

Has anyone else compared the Majesty to the Silverwing?

Hey bumpey, I had a 2006 majesty and got rid of it because of the rear suspension. On bumpy roads it was just to harsh for me, and I ride alone 95% of the time.

I traded it in on a 2006 Burgman 650 and the suspension on that was alot better, no problems whatsoever.

I have also owned a 2004 and a 2008 Vstrom 650 they are great bikes just alot different riding position and not as comfortable as a large scoot.

I currently ride a 2009 TMAX and The rear suspension even though is non adjustable is far superior to the Burgman, and I feel it is better than the Vstrom also.

My wife actually likes to ride on the back of the TMAX where she hated riding on the back of my VSTROMS. Even 2 up on the TMAX the rear suspension is great, never bottomed.

The suspension on the Burgman and the Silverwing is alot different than the TMAX as they have 2 shocks running verticle to the ground as the tmax has one large shock under the bike running horizontal. I have found the underbike shocks are smoother and are less "unsprung" if that makes any sence.

Go ride the Silverwing, Burgman and the TMAX and judge for yourself.

Just a little more info, the 2008 and 2009 Majestys have adjustable rear shocks now and I have heard that helps alot. Also you can buy aftermarket shocks that will be alot better than stock shocks anyday.

But it sounds like you are ready for a new ride anyway, and all the above bikes have larger tires than the Majesty which really makes ahuge differnce when riding on the highway.

Good luck on your test rides, Joel.

Joelmark said:

Hey bumpey, ...... My wife actually likes to ride on the back of the TMAX where she hated riding on the back of my VSTROMS.

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How tall is your wife? Mine is 6'2". She sat on the back of a vStrom at a dealer and thought it was a lot better (especially having real pegs instead of the molded foot-rests) but hasn't been on a ride yet.

Also you can buy aftermarket shocks that will be alot better than stock shocks anyday.

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I haven't found anyone in North America with aftermarket shocks, although a web search finds them in Europe. Do you know of any sources?

But it sounds like you are ready for a new ride anyway, and all the above bikes have larger tires than the Majesty which really makes a huge difference when riding on the highway.

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I commute on the bike whenever the weather's warm. 1-up the Majesty is great: it outruns all the cruiser/Harley-types, gets 70 MPG (Imperial), and the gov't insurance is reasonable for bikes up to 400cc. I'd love a mid-sized sport-tourer for 2-up or even an older r1100rt, but the insurance would be ridiculous.

Better spring/shocks on the back of the Majesty could be the simplest and cheapest solution, though.

PS: I checked the owner's manual on the 2009 T-Max at the dealership and the rated load carrying is identical to the Majesty. I also checked out the new Veradero at the Honda dealership, but its rated for LESS weight than the Majesty! What kind of a 1-liter touring bike is that?

If anybody is motivated enough to persue this, here are the specs for the stock (2005) shocks taken from the service manual. Having adjustable damping would probably help too. I'd be curious how the ride would change with linear rate springs.

Rear suspension
Suspension type Unit swing ----
Rear shock absorber assembly type Coil spring/oil damper ----
Rear shock absorber assembly travel 130 mm (5.12 in) ----
Spring
Free length 306.6 mm (12.07 in) , limit 300.0 mm
(11.81 in)
Installed length 290.6 mm (11.44 in) ----
Spring rate (K1) 6.22 N/mm (0.63 kg/mm, 35.52 lb/in) ----
Spring rate (K2) 11.80 N/mm (1.20 kg/mm, 67.38 lb/in) ----
Spring rate (K3) 22.50 N/mm (2.29 kg/mm, 128.47 lb/in) ----
Spring stroke (K1) 0 ~ 29 mm (0 ~ 1.14 in) ----
Spring stroke (K2) 29 ~ 90 mm (1.14 ~ 3.54 in) ----
Spring stroke (K3) 90 ~ 130 mm (3.54 ~ 5.12 in) ----

bempey said:

I need something that doesn't bottom-out on every bump riding 2-up (like my Majesty does).

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I had the same problem with my Burgman 400 K2.
Moved to an Aprilia Pegaso 650 and missed the automatic in the mountains but the suspension was good.
Now I got one of the rarest scoters/automatic touring bikes around: The Malaguti Spidermax.
16" back and front, adjustable rear suspension, space for 2 fullsize helmets, a seat I do not need to get of after an hour, 500cc and the most fun I ever had on 2 wheels my 1100 Virago included.