Riders getting older, making a switch

[Grey Thumper]

I don't get the whole anti-scooter attitude either. I think they're far more appropriate than my bike for maybe 90% of the trips that I do. I'd get one, except I find the "sitting on a chair" position a bit frightening and less secure than wrapping your legs around a motorcycle.

[a_hippie]

HI Bart:

I have seen some really amazing little scoots around here. I have had so much fun on my old little 90CC bike that I felt bad when I sold it. I mean, I felt great for the chick that bought it, but I built that bike twice over and just had this bond with it. Anyway, I think a scooter is just as much fun as a big road bike. You also get to enjoy a zillion miles per gallon--read WINNER--as to my 30 something per gallon.

BTW, I'll still give you the wave when you drive by

regards,

[totalmotorcycle]

There were a few scooter "renaissances" in North America in the past, the 50/60's the 80/90's and now today. Will it last?

I think it'll last as long as the high gas prices do. We here in NA aren't as used to the higher prices on gas as the Europeans are--many of those countries never dropped the high taxes they put on gas during WWII, so people just accept the prices being high. I know quite a few of my friends have either bought 650 dual-sport thumpers or mid-sized scooters (125-250cc) for commuting because they use so much less fuel, plus the 650 dual-sport thumpers are good fun on the weekends. One friend started riding his weekend toy to work and is saving so much money on gas that he's making double payments on his car so he can drop his insurance bill sooner. I'm also seeing a lot of quads on the streets here in Tucson, especially during the hotter months. Not sure if that's a Tucson thing or related to the gas prices thing, but I'm noticing them more and more lately.

I agree, high gasoline prices are going to drive scooter, small motorcycle and small car sales like it did in 2008/9. Interesting how when gas dropped in mid-2009 suddenly SUV's and trucks were back in fashion when GM couldn't sell a Hummer or SUV before then.

I really loved my Suzuki V-Strom DL650 for it's amazing fuel range, 700km on the highway! Good engine and great comfort, I can see it as an excellent choice for a commuter.

That aside, nothing beats a scooter for gas milage.

[gsJack]

Respect is earned not given.

What does some a insecure idiot yelling out derogatory comments to a total stranger about his/her choice of motorcycle have anything to do with respect?

This is hardly anything what I would consider something that one need to "earn". It's called common courtesy to another human being. I extend it to other riders and I expect the same from them. I would never think of insulting a stranger and I expect the same in return. Quite frankly, it is a normal expected behavior for a person to function normally in society.

Nor would I ever think of shouting out insults to a stranger, I read Marvins post as referring to comments from friends and/or aquaintenances both in person and online meant in a kidding sort of way rather than an insulting sort of way. In my case I was refering to the bikers I knew from the coffee shops and not from the biker's bars around the corner. Retired for many years now I have a lot of hanging out time available. Maybe there's something to that old saying "if it's too loud your too old" after all because I quit riding with the thundering herd a couple years ago doing it solo most of time now and enjoying the peace and quiet.

The only form of transportation I look down my nose at is someone driving a “Smart” ...........................

I've always liked the smaller cars and my first new car after a couple of old jalopies was a 1960 VW beetle that I thouroughly enjoyed rowing down the road with the shift lever. That was decades before I got my first bike at age 52. And I recall getting the business over my little car much the same as over my small bike now, that was the era of the grossly oversized American car.

[jaskc78]

I really loved my Suzuki V-Strom DL650 for it's amazing fuel range, 700km on the highway! Good engine and great comfort, I can see it as an excellent choice for a commuter.

That's actually pretty impressive...but we don't have any kilometers on our highways!

[HYPERR]

Retired for many years now I have a lot of hanging out time available. Maybe there's something to that old saying "if it's too loud your too old" after all because I quit riding with the thundering herd a couple years ago doing it solo most of time now and enjoying the peace and quiet.

I think it's the other way around Jack. You are the young one riding around and putting all those miles on your bike solo because the herd can't keep up with your pace.

[dirt dobber]

i made the switch But, from a yamaha tmax 500 to a HD sportster 1200 custom. i'm 75, been riding 3 yrs. next mo. started out on a 250 1yr. then to tmax. i really liked the tmax,(tires has a short life). But evertime you wanted to do something to it you had to take a panel off strip off the whole nose to get to battery and evertime the dealer done so they screw something up and let me leave cause it was covered up and i would descover it later. i didn't have to worry about starting off on a hill, got 1200 miles on HD now still having trouble doing that. i like the twist & go. got 50mpg with tmax & that's what i get now, hiway. was told 60mpg. i susprised riders with tmax, run freway 80-90 mph. really all i got was upper body & head wind not so with a motorcycle. didn't have to wear chap unless it was cold. i could go on. some time i wonder if i made the right decision, especiality when i kill it on that darn hill starting off.

[ceemes]

Came across an old fella (around my own age damn it) on one of those 600 CC scooters today during my commute home. Damn thing was pretty quick off the line and kept up with me (I cruise at 140kph in the 80kph zone on highway 17 between Ladner and Tsawwassen) on the highway, I was impressed.

[gsJack]

Retired for many years now I have a lot of hanging out time available. Maybe there's something to that old saying "if it's too loud your too old" after all because I quit riding with the thundering herd a couple years ago doing it solo most of time now and enjoying the peace and quiet.

I think it's the other way around Jack. You are the young one riding around and putting all those miles on your bike solo because the herd can't keep up with your pace.

Here's a pic of poor little old me surrounded by the thundering herd just a few years ago down in the Smoky Mtns. Too much noise for an old man now.

[totalmotorcycle]

I really loved my Suzuki V-Strom DL650 for it's amazing fuel range, 700km on the highway! Good engine and great comfort, I can see it as an excellent choice for a commuter.

That's actually pretty impressive...but we don't have any kilometers on our highways!

LOL!! Where is that smilie...

Km's vs miles. Gotta love that debate.

Mike