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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 18, 2015 1:56:54 GMT -5
Well boyz and gurlz...
Fall just "fell" on Dallas... Woo-HOO! 80 in the daytime, 65 at night, and the BEST riding weather of the entire season.
I currently spend a lot of time as "mother-hen" to my missus while she recovers from a heart attack last month, so every little ride is a "treat". Plenty of short runs for meds and groceries, but those are just get it done and get back...
Tonight, I had to visit "Wally World" but THIS time, I took "the long way" down the freeway, around a couple of towns and back to the store 6-blocks from home... OK, I'm BAD!
The temp was 70, no wind, light traffic... Just right. I really relaxed and ENJOYED riding "Minnie Mouse" instead of hurrying to get the RX and groceries. Roll on her throttle at every turn and relish that satisfying push in the seat, haul her over until a gentle scraping of "whatever scrapes" around the sweeping turns... No hustle, just open her up until that almost "trademark" Kymco raspy exhaust bark tells me I'm past half-throttle and then let the old CVT do its job up to 70... then, lean back and enjoy the sights and smells for a few miles, and watch the scenery fly by.
For an hour or so, it was 1967 again, and I was riding my old Harley bagger down the local 2-lane, out in the country. To get THIS level of enjoyment from a SCOOTER is truly amazing. I could NOT have had THAT experience back in '67. By the time I eased into the Wally World lot, shut down the old teakettle and leaned the Mouse over on her side-stand, I felt 10 years younger.
I truly recommend riders to take a little time to just enjoy their bikes, no matter what they may ride. These 2 and 3-wheeled wonders are REAL therapy in an often, rather rotten world... We don't call the site "It Is the RIDE" for nothing!
Ride safe!
Leo (still grinnin') in Texas
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Post by spandi on Oct 18, 2015 7:14:05 GMT -5
Leo, I hope the "missus" makes a fast and full recovery. And you are right, this is PRIMO riding weather, Here in Palm Springs it went from a high of 115 to a blustery  and even to 57 at night. Your ride to Wally World points up the amazing fact that in addition to transportation scooter can be a time machine of sorts, taking you back as the Doobie brothers would say "To a world gone away" Who could ever forget living through such an incredible times in history  I'll never forget those days and still miss them. I don't care how many computer games they have now, they can never replace watching the Beatles or the Rolling Stones on Ed Sullivan. (or Topo Geegio) "I love you Eddie"  |
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Post by cato on Oct 18, 2015 8:37:01 GMT -5
sage advice!
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Post by wheelbender6 on Oct 18, 2015 10:56:47 GMT -5
I read a post on another forum where a rider was getting "burned out" on scooter riding. He was commuting every day. I think he had overlooked how important it is to take a fun ride occasionally, with no destination or appointed time to be there. Great post, Leo.
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Post by ricardoguitars on Oct 18, 2015 12:14:53 GMT -5
Have a bone for having fun riding  I can't wait to be able to ride again, first thing I'm going to do is take a long trip to the beach  |
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Post by SylvreKat on Oct 18, 2015 12:44:15 GMT -5
Oh sure, Leo, rub our noses in that you can just buzz off having fun while several of us are ground-bound.  Seriously, glad you got to have a bit of pure enjoyment amidst the caregiving. And give the missus my best for a full recovery. >'Kat, who's going to have her brother put Peej on his center stand today. Sigh. |
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Post by poppabear on Oct 18, 2015 17:32:40 GMT -5
HOPE the WIFE gets WELL soon .What Are You Riding? Had That Feeling On a 100 Plus Ride First Time At Peace Enjoy. See You Down The Road.  |
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Post by oldchopperguy on Oct 18, 2015 18:26:12 GMT -5
HOPE the WIFE gets WELL soon .What Are You Riding? Had That Feeling On a 100 Plus Ride First Time At Peace Enjoy. See You Down The Road.
Wow, thanks one and all for the kind posts!
So, for poppabear, I'm riding a well-used '07 Kymco 250 Grandvista, which I truly LOVE like I did my Harleys "back in the day". I loved my Chinese 150 for 7 years, but most local streets have gotten SO fast that I absolutely needed SOMETHING that could top 70 mph and cruise at LEAST at 65...
After nearly two seasons, I can ABSOLUTELY recommend Kymco quality, even at 8-years old and 15K miles on her clock!
As for my other "saddle pals" my sweet missus is doing great! 83 and working hard at cardiac rehab. She needs a lot of TLC at home, but like the old Kymco, she still has a LOT of life left in her!
And Kat, you said you're ground-bound? Are you OK?
For everybody who doesn't know "The Old Chopper Guy" I'll always be a big-bike guy at heart, but... after more than 8 years now on SCOOTERS, I've really fallen in love with them. Too much arthritis to climb aboard a Hog, or new Indian... Too BROKE for them, too... LOL!
Below, here is the "Old Me", and below that, the "Today Me and the Missus"... Below that, old Minnie Mouse as she appears today... I couldn't resist whitewalls, saddlebags and the fishtail exhaust... You can take the Hog away from the old geezer, but you can't get the old Hogger out of the scoot!
This old Kymco out-accelerates my 70's Harley baggers, cruises at 65 just as well, and I don't have to climb over the seat. And, tired, old "Minnie Mouse" is AFFORDABLE!... to buy, to insure and to maintain! I enjoy her as much as I did my old cruisers (maybe not QUITE as much as "Old Blue", THAT was a "Bike of a Lifetime") and the mix of "scooter-cute" and "Motorcycle-cool" can't beat that with a Taiwanese stick...
Heck, sometimes I even fall in with a batch of groty outlaws on chops, or kids on crotch-rockets for a ride. They get a kick out of my tales of long ago, and so long as I can keep up, we're all friends of the tarmac for a while... These scooters are OH-FREAKIN'-KAY in this old geezer's book!
Ride safe one and all!
Leo
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Post by SylvreKat on Oct 18, 2015 18:50:20 GMT -5
Leo, I figured all the regs here knew.
My feet are still healing from the double-surgery. Well, technically triple-surgery (two on the right, one on the left)
Left is doing pretty fine. I think it's reaction to this time was "That's it? No bone-cutting? Really? That's all?? WOOHOO!!!" Meanwhile the right which did have a bone cut is all like "I've been violated."
I'm still not allowed to walk far (although I blew that in the hospital after Mom's pacemaker surgery, sigh--didn't mean to). And must use my crutches outside the house. And no scooting 'til next Spring. As long as I wear boots and protection per dr's orders (I assured him I always do anyways).
>'Kat
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Post by rockynv on Oct 18, 2015 19:38:33 GMT -5
Finally got to take an unwind ride after my Mom's passing and made a run to the Prime Outlets in Ellenton taking the Skyway Bridge and detouring a bit to take in the scenery around the Manatee River while I was at it. With the sliders the Aprilia maintained 65+ with traffic (actually passing many cars and some cruiser bikes that could not keep with the flow) going up each arc of the Skyway taking the blast of the Seabreeze blowing hard to the West in stride.
Wilson Leather Outlet was having their store wide 50% to 70% off sale and I was able to pick up a new wallet and heavy belt for riding for a fraction of the regular price.
While I was at it I surprised a guy in a Lamborgini who was going.....
Yes I lost track and was just mindlessly motoring. Did I mention the sliders are working out very well?
Leo - You still need at least an hour of sanity time every now and then to refresh yourself and you should not feel guilty about it, be it on the scooter running errands with a few detour's or just sitting in a quiet spot in a park reading a book. Too many end up needing care themselves by doing it all themselves when caring for a spouse instead of accepting assistance from friends and family even if its only to allow you a few extra minutes just to recompose yourself so as to be able to hang in there more easily maintaining a cheerful demeanor which I am 100% certain you wife deeply appreciates about you even when she may not be feeling well enough to really show it.
Hang in there and you'll get through this. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you.
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Post by vader1701 on Oct 19, 2015 13:08:02 GMT -5
I agree this in my opinion is the best time to ride even spring isn't too bad if it's not raining. I like to stop and smell the roses, that's why I take a lot of small roads and don't look to get there via the highway fastness. If I have to ride highway so be it but my top riding priority is slow to go. I own a 2011 Honda Silverwing and love this scoot and she gets me where ever I want to go.
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Post by JR on Oct 19, 2015 13:14:13 GMT -5
HOPE the WIFE gets WELL soon .What Are You Riding? Had That Feeling On a 100 Plus Ride First Time At Peace Enjoy. See You Down The Road.
Wow, thanks one and all for the kind posts!
So, for poppabear, I'm riding a well-used '07 Kymco 250 Grandvista, which I truly LOVE like I did my Harleys "back in the day". I loved my Chinese 150 for 7 years, but most local streets have gotten SO fast that I absolutely needed SOMETHING that could top 70 mph and cruise at LEAST at 65...
After nearly two seasons, I can ABSOLUTELY recommend Kymco quality, even at 8-years old and 15K miles on her clock!
As for my other "saddle pals" my sweet missus is doing great! 83 and working hard at cardiac rehab. She needs a lot of TLC at home, but like the old Kymco, she still has a LOT of life left in her!
And Kat, you said you're ground-bound? Are you OK?
For everybody who doesn't know "The Old Chopper Guy" I'll always be a big-bike guy at heart, but... after more than 8 years now on SCOOTERS, I've really fallen in love with them. Too much arthritis to climb aboard a Hog, or new Indian... Too BROKE for them, too... LOL!
Below, here is the "Old Me", and below that, the "Today Me and the Missus"... Below that, old Minnie Mouse as she appears today... I couldn't resist whitewalls, saddlebags and the fishtail exhaust... You can take the Hog away from the old geezer, but you can't get the old Hogger out of the scoot!
This old Kymco out-accelerates my 70's Harley baggers, cruises at 65 just as well, and I don't have to climb over the seat. And, tired, old "Minnie Mouse" is AFFORDABLE!... to buy, to insure and to maintain! I enjoy her as much as I did my old cruisers (maybe not QUITE as much as "Old Blue", THAT was a "Bike of a Lifetime") and the mix of "scooter-cute" and "Motorcycle-cool" can't beat that with a Taiwanese stick...
Heck, sometimes I even fall in with a batch of groty outlaws on chops, or kids on crotch-rockets for a ride. They get a kick out of my tales of long ago, and so long as I can keep up, we're all friends of the tarmac for a while... These scooters are OH-FREAKIN'-KAY in this old geezer's book!
Ride safe one and all!
Leo
1962! Man that goes back, even I was around then Leo! Was in the 6th grade! Let's see that was three years before the famous little Piggies went to Texas in 65 and whipped them Longhorns back in the old Southwest Conference days! Hogs were national champs that year! You're looking good Leo and the lovely lady beside you for sure makes you look better! Hope Betty is doing well. JR |
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Post by JerryScript on Oct 19, 2015 14:24:00 GMT -5
...1962! Man that goes back, even I was around then Leo! Was in the 6th grade! Let's see that was three years before the famous little Piggies went to Texas in 65 and whipped them Longhorns back in the old Southwest Conference days! ... Never happened, no way! At least you'll never get a Texan to admit it! HOOK EM HORNS!!! |
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Post by JR on Oct 19, 2015 22:29:50 GMT -5
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Post by JerryScript on Oct 20, 2015 2:23:24 GMT -5
See, even that link shows nothing, 'cause it never happened, no way! (j/k, the URL is incomplete) |
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and even to 57 at night. Your ride to Wally World points up the amazing fact that in addition to transportation scooter can be a time machine of sorts, taking you back as the Doobie brothers would say "To a world gone away" Who could ever forget living through such an incredible times in history 
