Silver Wing

[DarcyJames]

Let me get this straight - The Atlantic is bigger and less powerful than the Silver Wing, which is not a plus in my book. Tha Atlantic is the aesthetics winner, and also has an onboard computer, which is cool, but not really necessary. The Silver Wing has 55 litres of storage space, and I read here that the Atlantic has more than that? A parking brake is a nice thing to have, so the Silver Wing has that. I also read that the Solver Wing is uncomfotable, but other reviews say it's very comfotable.

I like the smaller wheels, because I require more maneouverability in traffic than I need stability. Silver Wing wins that one. I want the most power in the smallest package possible, and the Silver Wing wins that one too. I prefer the smoothness of a twin rather than the single, so Wing again. I need a local dealer who can perform tuneups and maintenance, so Wing again.

I like lots of storage space, so if posts here are right, the Atlantic has more - but it's a bigger bike. I also hear that Aprilia is more refined and better looking. Passengers seem to prefer the Aprilia.

My quandry could be easily solved if the Leonardo 250 were offered. That bike is good and small, has good power, and most of all, it's the only really good looking high-cc scooter I've seen. Sure, the Atlantic and S. Wing are ok, but they still look like full-sized bikes and are unnecessarily large.

I wish there was a niche between moped and 500-600 cc scoots. Honda has a really ugly 125, but nothing handsome around 250. The reflex is hideous and huge. Aprilia has its own 150s, but I want 250. The leonardo would be perfect, but for some reason, the market for something normal sized and powerful isn't here in north america yet. This market only demands power AND size, but not power and convenience. I used to be able to park my Elite 250 at bike racks at university. You need a whole parking space to park these new mega-scooters, and there's nothing less than them that can cruise a comfortable 100km/h without being monstrous in size.

I must be well ahead of my time, or maybe I should just move back to ireland....

[zilla8]

Those are some exelent observations regarding the SW.I liked the silverwing and the Atlantic but I finnally decided on the Scarabeo 150 because it fit the bill for my intended riding plans.I wanted something to just have fun riding around town and a occasional jaunt up the coast.The styling of the Atlantic is top notch and the SW is also sharp IMO but they are both rather large scoots.What I dont have in power and gadgets is made up with economy and agility.If the atlantic was available at the time I started looking to buy a scooter,I might have bought one but since it was'nt I narrowed my choices to Beo 150,Reflex,SW.I've only put 150 miles on my new scoot but I can honestly say I made the right choice in a scooter for my type of riding.Good luck with your decision,I think the SW is a great scooter even if it's a little expensive compared to the others.

[ebetzs]

Don't understand your comments on the Silver Wing.
Have you checked the specs? The Silver Wing is slightly longer than the Atlantic and almost 50 lbs heavier. How then is the Atlantic bigger??
The Silver Wing is also bigger is in the price department. $1800 more and for what?
I'm sure it's a great scoot but I'm hanging in there for the Atlantic.
Also don't understand your comments about the tires.
Both scooters are capable of speeds in excess of 100mph. The smaller tires lack stability and if you hit any kind of pothole at these speeds, good luck.

[DarcyJames]

I thought I read in this forum that the Atlantic was larger - guess it wasn't true. I really haven't done a good side-by-side comparison of the two machines yet, and you can bet I will before spending so much money. It's just that if I'm going to have to ride a huge beast of ascooter, I'd best get the power to go with it.

It may come down to the test ride.


As for the Scarabeo 150 - I really like the looks of those. Just add another 100 cc's and I'm happy. I rode a Honda Elite 150 for a couple of summers, and it was awesome. Problem was, the average highway speed here is about 110 km/h, and the 150 could handle 100 at redline. The 250 Elite I had was perfect. It had a short wheelbase and small wheels as well, which meant that I could get everything I wanted from a scooter - maneouverability in traffic, parkability, and easy to transport/store.

I'll do my homework, of course, and I'll keep posting here.

If I sound too critical of any bike here, it's only thinking aloud, and I wouldn't bash anyone's bike. I just like to get past the collective oohs and aahs and find what the best deal is -

And so far in this forum, it's overwhelmingly the Atlantic.

The only definite facts I found on both Honda/Aprilia sites:


Engine Type: &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (W) 582cc liquid-cooled four-stroke parallel twin
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (A) 460cc Four-stroke, single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, 4 valve head
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp with single overhead camshaft.


Tires: &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (A) Front: 120/70 x 15”
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Rear: 140/60 x 14”

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (W) Front: 120/80 x 14''
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Rear: 150/70 x 13"

Dry weight: &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (A) 425.5 lbs
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (W) 476.0 lbs

Tank Capacity:&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (A) 3.7 gal
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (W) 4.2 gallons (inc. 0.9-gallon reserve)


Price:&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (A) $ 5,699
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp (W) $7,499

[ebetzs]

Good job on your research! With the difference in actual weight, favoring the Atlantic, the power to weight ratio of the two is probably pretty close.
Add the that the price difference, the engineering advantage and the looks it still comes out Atlantic. Although Honda makes great products, their scooter history is not. The Helix, their flagship, was a long awkward, underpowered scooter. Not very pretty either.

[DarcyJames]

Agreed. back in the 80s, they had a good thing going with the Elites (125, 150, 250). They had small wheelbases, had plenty of cc's, and weren't that bad looking for the time. I remember selling my Elites for almost 100% of their cost new, since the models were in such high demand yet weren't being made anymore.

Aside from the students' and hobbyists' markets, I see scooters taking north america by storm. I lent my scoots out to anyone who wanted to use them - each and every rider said they would buy one. Scooters are automatic, fun, and practical. Plus, you can take your motorcycle license on them, which is much easier to get without having to shift gears.

What drives me mad is that Honda found the market niche for over-125 cc scooters, and they puked out that abomination called the helix. Now, don't get me wrong, I would ride one, but the size and appearance of it took almost all the allure of riding scooters. I was checking out Aprilia's leonardo 250, and I can say I've never seen a more appropriate product for the market. Odd how only the superscooters are coming, and not the smaller, easier-to-ride and park 250 class European scooters.

I wonder how red the tape would be if I were to buy a leonardo 250 in Europe and brought it back.....

[Desert Bug]

Darcy,

I have to agree with you...The Leonardo is one sweet-looking ride. What a shame it's not here yet. Oh well, one can hope.

[Leo250rider]

I am carefully reading all about the new "maxi scooters" as I want to upgrade my Leonardo 250. I traded my Leo 150 in for a Suzuki SV650s but found the power too tempting, and the in-town handling annoying and lack of storage frustrating. So I traded it for a Leo 250 (2001) model. Great! I initially test drove one when I still had the Leo 150 and found it strangely heavy in comparison, and with the engine turning alot lower rev's. Felt strange then, but am fully accustomed now. It's quite economical, good 2-up(although reduced in pull) and good for 75mph. Trouble is, it's flat out then, so no passing power, and the handling is good, but doesn't match a true bikes. Awesome in town, plenty of power. We all start to look further ahead...long distance. Then I start to consider the Tmax with it's excellent handling(ouch! the price!). Recommend the Leo 250 as a mid size, as is same engine as the Yamaha Majesty with a more sporty chassis/body.

[DarcyJames]

Where do you live? I assume Europe somewhere, since you can't get the Leo 250 here in North America. I would do anything to get one here, tho - it's my ideal scooter. Guess I'll wait for the spring and then get the Silver Wing - unless I find a way to import the Leo 250 before that.

[Leo250rider]

Actually I live in New Zealand, about as far away as possible from everyone! I spent time in the States, and find prices here horrendous! As I was living in Alaska at the time, the pay was good, but here is pretty much similar rates of Pay, and I forked out $8500 for the Leo250. Now, converted to US$ its not much, but hefty if you look at average hourly rate! The 500 Atlantic looks like it could be good value here if I can get one through my dealer. Otherwise, the Tmax IS available from him, at the price of $16,000(NZ) but is the handling worth that, when the Atlantic is probably about 12K-13K?

[DarcyJames]

I find it really frustrating that in Canada, you can't get a scooter worthy of buying. I have to go to the States to buy even a Reflex. Plus, to tell you the truth, I find Honda's price for the Silver Wing to be way too high. It would be worth it for me to actually import the Leonardo 250, since I would be getting specifically what I want.

I don't want to wait a full year just to have the privilege to buy what I want, so I'm really considering importing one home after my vacation in Ireland this year. Problem is, the Canadian gov't will tax me to death. So, I may go to Maine and buy a Silver Wing before the mess is dealt with.

I am really considering opening a scooter shop that deals only with higher-cc import scooters. I think the market is on the edge of a real explosion as far as demand is concerned. Once people ride them, they're hooked, and there seems to be a real hole in the market between 150cc's and 500cc's. A 150cc scoot is great until you get to the highway, whereas 500cc's, to me, seems to add way too much weight and bulk to something that's supposed to be nimble first. No offense to Reflex/Helix riders, but the bikes, IMO, are way too large and not attractive. The Leonardo 250 seems to be the ultimate blend of small and nimble to powerful enough to ride highways.

Don't you just hate being ahead of your time?

[Motorscooterwoman]

The Honda Helix is not the most beautyiful one,but 5 years ago I could shoose between the Yamaha Majesty 250 and the helix felt a lot better,it's very long and riding on the highway nearly no wind in my face,the hands keep warm and the footbreak is also great(wich at first I thougt would be bad)And I did build a radio in(sorry for the englisch...I'm Dutch)So....drive one and maybe you will change your ophinion or maybe I'll mine ,soon I'm gonna test the Atlantic 500 and the Silverwing(if it's not already sold(occasion))

[Leo250rider]

Sure, I think the mid-range is probably the best compromise between the 125-500cc models. You get extra power for dragging off the traffic, reliable 2-up carrying, and highway cruising. Most 180-250cc models are still not too bulky either. Probably the sticky point is the price I guess?? Style is definately not lacking, even the Japanese are starting to get the hang of it....

[helix enthusiast]

I am a proud owner of a 2001 Honda Helix, and granted it may not be the most pleasing to the eye, but that 244cc engine carries me and a passenger along on the highway at 72 miles per hour easily with 21 horsepower to boot. The Atlantic 500 is a mean looking machine though. Dont knock the Helix until youve ridden one Ok Darcy James Im not not knocking your bike!

[Roller]

Love my Helix,waiting for the Burgmann 400,coming Spring 2003.