Tag Archives: honda

July 16, 2012 · 7:56 am

Adios Comadre

My shiny silver steed rode off into the sunset on Sunday evening, with a new owner proudly sitting atop her well padded saddle. After three weeks in the classifieds I’d been offered a reasonable price that I could accept. So, so long Comadre. It’s been a blast. I miss her already. Not just the fun that comes with riding her. Although, truth be told, the constant rain we’ve had for the last three or four months isn’t always fun. But there’s also the ability to jump on and ride anywhere, anytime. The bus system isn’t so accommodating. And now, to top it off, I’m a Bus W&%$#@.

As far as selling Comadre goes, I have just one recommendation. Spending £40 on an ad with Bike Trader was a complete waste of money. Didn’t get a single call, even though the ad was up with them a week before I advertised it elsewhere. Elsewhere being eBay. Good old eBay. I had a number of leads and offers before accepting one. The eBay ad cost just £15, and as it was a Classified ad there was no final selling fee. Bargain. Here is the final photo of Comadre. Adios amigo.

6 Comments

Filed under Transport

Tagged as honda, s-wing, scooter

May 15, 2012 · 8:27 am

Honda Sunset

A year has passed, along with just over 7,000 miles. My Honda S-Wing just passed it’s first birthday. And she is riding as smoothly and reliably as the day I picked her up from the dealers. And yet I still don’t have a name for her. All cars and bikes that have found a way into their owners hearts should have a name. It’s not too late. I name thee, my dear Honda, Comadre. Sweet and simple.

Yet soon I must say goodbye to my Comadre. I took her for a special clean at a local jet wash, picked a spot on the drive on a sunny morning, and snapped away. Potential buyers will want to see a nice selection of photos. One of the potential buyers is going to be a very lucky actual buyer. I think, having studied the competition, that £2,650 is a fair asking price. I am throwing in a helmet, disk lock.

And a fabulous black Dainese motorcycle jacket. That jacket might be 15 years old, but it’s been well looked after and apart from light but expected wear around the cuffs and collars, but it’s otherwise good as new. It’s Gore Tex and boasts Kevlar shoulder and elbow pads. It cost £500 when I bought it. And to be fair, it has spent half of those 15 years on a hanger. You can have a looky see at my Comadre on Flickr.

5 Comments

Filed under Transport

Tagged as honda, s-wing, scooter

July 13, 2011 · 7:33 am

Honda S-Wing at 1500 Miles

I’ve had my Honda for a couple months now, and have racked up over 1500 miles on it. It’s run-in now, and performing sweetly. It’s not as fast as my old Honda Pantheon, which was the direct predecessor of this bike. The Pantheon could, with a warm engine and a long run, top 85mph whilst the S-Wing manages just 70mph. The Pantheon had a 2 stroke engine rather than the S-Wings 4 stroke, and was a bit lighter to boot, so this is to be expected. I wouldn’t swap the engines though – I like the greater reliability of a 4 stroke. It drinks far less oil too. One thing is for sure. Honda make better scooters than I make videos.

10 Comments

Filed under Transport, Uncategorized

Tagged as honda, pantheon, s-wing, scooter

April 27, 2011 · 8:37 am

Hi Ho Silver

Life is beginning to work out. I got a job, which was priority one. Priority two was to get my own mode of transport. A car was simply not on the cards. The cost of motoring in the UK is ridiculously expensive even before you factor in the ever increasing price of petrol – currently at 138p a litre. About $10 a gallon.

I’ve long shunned the four wheeled format in preference for the two wheeled variety. I’d rather save the extra cost and spend more money on holidays or gadgets. Sure, it gets chilly on a bike in winter, but I can suffer a month or three of frozen fingers if it means a week or two somewhere exotic.

I began biking with real bikes. But when one of my Cagiva’s broke down back in 1998, I got a little second hand 50cc Honda scooter to ferry me about until my Italian stallion was fit for the road. By the time the Cagiva was ready to return, I was sold on scooters. Not that I’d keep a 50cc as my everyday transport, but the weather protection, lack of maintenance, extra storage and general ease of use of the scooter was impossible to ignore.

I sold the Cagiva and went out and bought a Peugeot scooter. Like most French motorized vehicles, it was simply dreadful. We soon separated and a Honda Pantheon took its place. I kept that bike for more than five years, only selling it when I departed for Mexico. I loved that bike. Heated handle bars, caverous underseat storage and hugely comfortable. I was sold not only on scooters in general, but Honda in particular.

So my choice of bike this time round was simple. I present to you my brand new Honda S-Wing, which was the direct replacement for the Pantheon I’d sold in 2005. It’ll do about 75 to 80mph, which exceeds the maximum speed limit in the UK. Acceleration is brisk. Yearly Road Tax is just £15. Fuel economy is superb as well, capable of about 100mpg. It rides beautifully. Stable, sharp around corners and fun. Even my sister seems to approve. I have a couple more shots on Flickr – click here.