The One and Only Cheap Tourer - Honda Silverwing Review

In the 1980s Honda released a lightweight, small engine touring motorcycle that could handle long distance rides as well as run errands in the city as if it was a small commuter bike; this is the Honda Silverwing.

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Directed and Edited by Edwin El Bainou

A very long time in the 1980s, Honda gambled on releasing a lightweight touring motorcycle for those less inclined to purchase a Honda Goldwing, Harley Davidson Wide Glide or another liter engine touring bike. Enter the Silverwing, a 500c V-Twin powered, shaft driven fully dressed touring motorcycle. It weighed less, used less gas, could travel long distances with a shorter wheelbase and was lightweight enough to handle most city riding comfortably. It even came with color keyed panniers. The catch? With a 500cc engine you would be hard pressed to carry a passenger while maintaining high speeds and up long climbs. Touring stability and parking agility. This is the story of the little touring bike that could: the Honda Silverwing.

[ChazAndTubbs]

Ryan has this amazing ability to make me completely fall in love with a motorcycle I've never given a second thought to in a video under 10 minutes long. Time and time again

[spaceracer]

That opening is exactly the quality I've come to expect from this channel.

[NoTengoIlusiones]

This video it's a work of art : image, production, script, music. ... and I believe this Honda it's one Ryan's favorite bikes ever.

[JustinOliverMusic]

This is the only channel on the internet that can make me feel nostalgic for a motorcycle I've never owned. Truly a blessing. Never stop doing what you do <3

[adictedpunk]

My dad bought an ‘82 GL500 Silverwing in 1983. It’s June 2023 and that bike is still sitting in my dad’s garage, and still takes him around town. That’s also the bike that taught me how to ride a motorcycle, and took me to school a whole bunch of times. That bike has seen a lot of history and it’s only ever asked for regular oil changes and maintenance.

[seanmorrissey]

To give everyone an idea of what a terrific all-rounder this bike is:
I started riding in my early 50s, mostly to save on commuting costs, but also, motorcycle.
Saw a dirt-cheap GL500 for sale; bought it, then used it to learn about riding and servicing carbeureted bikes as I got it ready to ride.
She's been inactive for a couple of years, but my beloved "Imoto" and I racked up 20, 000 miles a year for 7 years.
To work and back (over 100 miles sometimes) in all kinds of weather; a few trips camping down the Blue Ridge Parkway, one time all the way to Key West, then up to New Orleans, then home to NJ...freeway, secondary roads, gravel, dirt, sand. Day, night, rain. No problems, even with a top-heavy load of camping gear or tools.
First time I rode into NYC, about 2 weeks after I bought her, I wound up riding to every borough except Staten Island, during both morning and evening peak traffic hours (long story; work-related). With full Interstate kit and some new tires, she performed wonderfully. Didn't overheat, took every nasty pothole in stride, always ready to zoom out of trouble, and superb low-speed handling even with the dorky factory "buckhorn" bars (which I replaced with Daytona-style bars).
Average high 40s in mpg, simple and rugged, plenty of parts still around... super-sexy 80s styling...and the sound of that quirky little engine is very nice.
Best advice I can give any first-time Twisted Twin owner: RIDE THE HELL OUT OF IT

[knerdrider]

You don’t have to give up the pillion. You could replace the trunk with a second seat. There was also a kit that allowed you to have both, mounting the trunk farther back above the tail light. This is how my Silverwing was equipped. Great bike! Not fast, but that’s not what it was for.

[harrison]

8:43 the most perfect squeak in cinematic history

[ymmotfour]

This is why I Tour on my Honda PC800...dead reliable, comfortable. Added 40L scooter box on the back and my wife and I can ride for days

[thereal_morxy]

I honestly just watch these videos for their humour and excellent production quality. I don't even like motorcycles, but I'm still super excited whenever I see a new f9 video in my feed.

[Jay-ehn]

As someone who’s been looking at the 80’s Silverwing. I am both estatic you’re covering it in the detail you do, and heartbroken that you’ll contribute to the prices to slowly rise now that people see ts 😭

[SophiepTran]

My first bike was a CX500C, a close cousin to this GL500. Even now I miss it. Shouldn't have sold it but the young fellow who pulled it away on his trailer has probably given it a good home. Ryan is right though. Honda should make another small tourer and not just throw bags on an adv. I'd love an inexpensive, low maintenance, fuel injected traverse V twin with shaft drive. It was such an amazing combination to ride.

[ukhan]

The opening and closing segment of video is no doubt cinema quality. Big applause to Fort9 team. Ryan and other crew are doing great work.

[firedog]

My dad had a SilverWing several years ago. Prior to that purchase I didn’t even know they existed. It’s the only one I’ve ever seen in person. Nice to see you’ve got one to cruise around on. Keep up the good work!

[jamesrichmond]

I bought a 1982 gl500 with 2k miles for $800 in 1998. I rode it the next 17 years and put 35k miles on it including a 1500 mile and 3000 mile tour with a passenger. Sold it to a friend in 2015 and he used it as a daily rider until he passed away in 2019. The GL 500 is an amazing motorcycle! Thanks for reviewing one of the best!

[tomedgar]

Last year I was looking for a cheap freeway flyer with saddlebags. Ended up finding a retired police ST1300. It’s as much fun as a minivan but gets the job done. The current prices on touring bikes will not assault my checkbook. Love the silverwing

Watched the intro a 2nd time, Epic

[nicolaithomsen]

Somehow the quality of the videos keep improving. Not by leaps, but steadily.
They are expanding the standard of a youtube review and merging with documentary, infographics and movies.
They are by now the reason i keep checking the channel to make sure i didn't miss a video

[SYKOKLLER]

4:42 That was a smooth commercial that didn't even feel like one. Even stepping on the doll and timing the squeak with the music was great. 8:43

[kitko]

Honda CTX700D was a great SilverWing successor, especially with automatic dual-clutch transmission. I had one and sold it recently at 34K kilometers. Never had an issue, could do 500 km in a day without feeling tired, and averaged 3.2 - 3.4 liters per 100 km. That's 70 mpg. The bike shared the parts with NC range.

[artfiend]

I hope it’s been said a million times before, but the production value of this channel is unreal. Easily 1 of the best channels on YouTube.