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Honda beefs up with macho scooter

The scooter has come of age. Long favoured in European cities like Milan and Paris for its combination of nimbleness, economy and convenience, most manufacturers have been offering large displacement models for years. Not so in SA. 

Fortunately this picture is slowly changing.

Meet the Honda Silverwing, a 582cc traffic busting scooter with optional combined-ABS. Until now Honda SA has only dabbled on the entry-level side of the scale with two scooter models of 100cc and 125cc respectively. Now the Silverwing is hoping to shake things up.

With a liquid-cooled four-stroke parallel twin beating under the saddle, the Silverwing has ample of power and grunt (37kW and 54Nm). As a result this scooter is not just limited to city boundaries and can effortlessly cruise at highway speeds – making it a worthy option for commuters. 

The beauty of larger scooters like the Silverwing (and competitors like Yamaha’s 500cc TMAX) is that you get the stability, performance and pleasure that comes with owning a big bike in a package that is accessible, handles easily and isn’t ever intimidating. And it goes perfectly with suits or skirts. 

There is no getting away from the fact that scooters like the Silverwing aren’t cheap, mostly because of a general perception that scooters should slot into the lowest end of the market.

With the Silverwing, however, it is worth remembering that you get a very capable machine which essentially competes with models like the CB600F Hornet and which is backed by Honda’s reputation for reliability. 

Here's Honda's PR take on the newly launched Silverwing FJS600:

Aerodynamic, full-bodied scooter design provides exceptional wind protection and riding comfort around town or at higher speeds.

Powerful liquid-cooled fuel-injected DOHC parallel twin engine pumps out breathtaking surges of acceleration with an easy twist of its throttle.

HECS3 oxygen-sensing catalytic converter system minimises harmful exhaust emissions, ensuring full EURO-3 compliance.

Large underseat carrying compartment holds more than you ever thought possible on a scooter.

Combined disc brakes provide a smooth balance of performance for easy, controlled braking operation.

Deluxe ABS version offers the smoothly confident braking control of Honda’s advanced Antilock Brake System.

The Honda Silverwing is available in three colours – Digital Silver, Pure Black and Delta Blue Metallic – and retails for R79 999.


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