Silverwing or TMax

[Jonathan Jo]

Not long ago I bought a Silverwing 650. I needed something offering the best comfort possible, and it certainly does that. So I'm pleased with it.

A few years ago I had a test ride on a T Max, and as I recall it handled more like a conventional motorbike than the Silverwing. For one reason or another I bought a bike not a scooter after that test, but since then seating comfort has become a higher priority.

Now much as I like the Silverwing, which is excellent on main roads, it's less well suited to minor roads than my bike was. I get about OK, but it requires quite a lot of rider input on bumpy twisty roads. So I'm wondering if I should have got a T Max.

I still have a bike to sell, so another idea might be to get something smaller such as an X Max 400 for tooling around locally, and keep the Wing for crossing continents.

[Sylar]

I'm on my second Silverwing 600 and mainly ride on country lanes and B roads. did you convert the "butt rest" on the Silverwing to a back rest? Comfort when riding is a big issue for me also and the backrest makes a big difference.

[bn1966]

just sold my T Max 530, nicest scooter I've ever owned, more than i need now & didn't fit in my shed, replaced with a Vespa 300 for local rides. T Max was my second car until I purchased something reliable.
If I had the money & need I'd have another Max tomorrow..stylish, fast & comfortable

[Mister Paul]

It's the wheels. You need bigger wheels.

[Taipan]

I've had both, albeit an older 2001 Silverwing and 2 mk1 and 1 mk3 tmax. I mucgh prefer the Tmax overall, but loved the extra power of the Silverwing.

The Silverwing drove me mad with the rattles from the bodywork, which I could never cure. I also hated the grabby clutch when filtering through traffic at slow speeds. It was also one of the thirstiest bikes i've ever owned and if riding enthusiastically, i'd get it into low 30s mpg! I gather later ones improved though? Loved the bike out on the motorway though and had an enjoyable thrash on it from Essex to Bristol and back one time. The Silverwing really came into its own out of town.

The Tmax, whilst down on power to the Silverwing was, for me, a much better bike overall. The centrally mounted engine and gearbox makes it a much better handling bike without that lump hanging off the side the Silverwing has. The Mk3 Tmax has sublime brakes, great balance and is much more agile. If i had both I'd use the Tmax every time unless going on a longer journey.

[MrGrumpy]

As you & others have said, the Tmax's USP is its fantastic chassis and suspension design so that it handles really well, and its great fun - and it performs excellently on back roads as well as main roads. Of course, the 'wings effortless power is nice - though the latest Tmax accelerates like its got a hidden supercharger or something!), and it has more space under the seat. As for comfort, it depends. Tmax is much more spacious for the rider (I found the 'wing cramped). It also depends on which model Tmax you are thinking of - the mk3 was very sporty but a bit bouncy at the rear, whilst the mk4 was smoother. In general, I think that whilst the Tmax isn't a 2 wheel luxury limo, the quality chassis design of the Tmax does give a relatively stable platform and means that everything keeps being under control when the roads get poor - I've found that the smaller scoots with more primitive engineering give an OK ride round town where the roads are relatively smooth, but can't handle bumpy country roads at all. The 'wing's suspension didn't impress me at all on a short ride, though that was in Darlington where the roads are simply appalling!
If you want one bike that does everything well, then the Tmax is probably the best 2 wheeler of any sort (OK I'm a Tmax fanatic) - sell your bike and the 'wing and buy a mk6 Tmax!!!

[The Bern]

I like my SilverWing granted it's old & a bit scruffy, it's a 2001 so is a bit heavy on fuel if I get 'enthusiastic' newer models are far more frugal, it doesn't handle like a sports bike but it's not a sports bike so no real surprise there
On the plus side, it's as reliable as a swiss watch & all maintenance tasks are easy, peasy, lemon squeezy

[Jonathan Jo]

Thanks for all the input. Very helpful. The comment that I lack experience on big scooters is correct I'm sure. The weather recently hasn't helped. Looks like I need to forget the 400, get to grips with my silverwing, and have another test ride on a Tmax! Sorted

[XP500FUN]

Hi Jonathan I am about to buy some YSS twin shocks for my Silverwing 600 £350 posted with preload and damping adjusment, to help on the Bumpy bits. I am hoping to move to a newer Silverwing soon too, funds allowing, so they will move over as well.

A T Max does cope a LOT better on the poor rural roads, I`ve had both, but the Silverwing has other great virtues.

I never had any Christ !!! up my spine moments on the T max in 6 1/2 years, but I have on the silverwing. I am 15 stone though.

I am hoping a pair of these shocks makes a big improvemnt as they do apparently on other bikes.

I`m a bit short so the Silverwing is far better for getting on and off and moving about. Though you need to be careful on slow moving powered turning manouvers.

On going from a T max to a Silverwing it was a bit of a shock as I had no idea how good a T max was as my only maxi scoot before that. Sort of besides a Sym Joy ride 200 ( 171 cc ) for 2 months, and the least said about that the better really apart from the engine.

Funnily enough I prefer the look of the Silverwing over the T-Max. mine is Black.

I will be honest I would love to match the silverwing Motor to the T Max swinging Arm.

New belt about to go in so may fit different rollers too 24.5g Polini`s and my son will buy and use use it for work if I pick up a newer one. Hello Barclays again.

Have faith the silverwing is a cracking Scooter. The T max is a cracking Bike though.

Best Mark.

[Dave Weller]

Silverwing gets my vote, mines a later model. fuel economy is now good.