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After riding my SW to town yesterday to run to the bank and check out a job, I realized that my SW is the perfect scooter for me and like it more than any bike or scooter I have ever owned. The aftermarket Saddleman seat is extremely comfortable, has a perfect fit for my height and body size, has Goldwing like storage and is equally adept at putting around town or running at highway speeds on state highways. I find myself using the SW nearly all the time as the BW isn't being ridden as much. My SW is a keeper and will be my primary ride into my golden years. My wife has also hoped for a horse forever as we've been clearing a pasture and soon to fence off a section for a horse. So I told Deb I was going to sell the BW and use the funds for a horse for her. Being the pragmatic soul she is, she said not until you get a hearing aid. Dang aging thang.

Summertime is here in Texas and man is it getting hot. Plumping your rear down on that all black vinyl scooter seat that's been heating in the sun can be downright painful. And then there's engine heat combined wafting through the seat cavity.

I found myself in a similar dilemma the other day and remembered my old wooden beaded seat cover. They look a bit uncomfortable but actually do a pretty good job over stock seat comfort. They're also much cooler as one is insulated from the nearly molten plastic seat cover. When riding I can actually feel a little bit of air under my backside and keeps it dry too.

What do you do about hot summer scooter seats that bake in the sun?

My oldest son, Christian (42) is graduating from UT Austin on Friday with a degree in RTF (Radio, Television, Film). Originally Deb and I were going to go but she's a bit under the weather as it appears it's just me attending graduation ceremonies from up our way. I have another son in Austin I'll be staying with and perhaps my son from San Diego will fly in too. I'm particularly proud of Christian as he went back to school as an old man compared to his contemporaries and maintained a 4.0 grade average and worked full time and paid his way 100%. Since Deb can't make it looks like I might take the SW for my 250 mile trek south on Friday. Bike is clean and ready.

For those blessed with more than one scooter; which one do you ride most and why? As some know I ride an 03 Honda Silverwing and despite the fact that I absolutely love my SW, the scooter I ride the most is my 05 Kymco BW 250. There's something irrestible about riding a smaller scooter that finds me going for the Kymco keys nearly every time. When I contemplated that I'd be riding over a hundred miles today , I considered that the SW was faster, more comfortable and has more onboard storage for clip board, overalls, flashlight etc., I still went for the Kymco.

I'm totally blown away by my BW. It's such a powerful little scooter as it can easily run down the road at 70, feeling very solid and planted at high speeds and is equally adept at in town riding at slower speeds. Think I found a true winner when I bought this 5 months ago.

This coming Thursday, I'm riding solo to Central Missouri to attend a motorcycle Meet and Greet sponsored by the Goldwing Owners Forum. I've attended these in the past when I had my Goldwing and just stuck around this bunch even after selling my GW and moving back to Maxiscooters. They're a good bunch and raze me some about riding scooters but it's all in good fun. They found out they can't outride me in the twisties on a scooter and have their respect but more, we've forged friendships like here on the Kymco forum. Would be cool to see some M&G's here too.

I've decided to ride solo even though I was invited to ride with a group of GW's from Texas. They'll ride mostly the super slap at 75-80 mph and even though my SW can easily keep up...It's not my cup of tea. I like a slower pace and stop along the way and take pics and look at the sights. Besides, we have a group ride planned for Saturday riding through the Ozarks.

My ride will take me up through SE Oklahoma, through Broken Bow, the Quachita Mountains and up through the Ozarks, thru Branson. May ride the Pig Trail again. On my return route I've booked a room in a stone lodge, the Queen Wilihmena Lodge at Queen Wilihmena State Park that sits on top of Rich Mountain. It recently underwent a major restoration that took over a year. It's a gorgeous setting with incredible vistas and a popular ride spot for motorcycling Talimena Drive that traverses from Mena,  Arkansas to Talihena, Oklahoma. Their restaurant at the lodge is incredible too for a great breakfast brunch. I plan to ride Talimena Drive on my way back.

I'll take lots of pics and keep this page updated as this trip unfolds.

Yesterday changed oil and filter and final drive fluid in the SW. Guess what showed up in the bottom of the oil pan.....After the job was completed?  Geez, what an idiot. Not sure Kymco uses these too but seems like most scooters do? This is the one behind the oil plug/nut. How critical is it not to have it installed or should I drain/save oil and install this little jewell?

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Long rides on larger Maxiscooters like the Burgman and Silverwing are very comfortable and real mileage eaters as far as scooters go. Not as comfortable as the air ride suspension like my prior Goldwings but still acceptable for touring. I'd like to try a 300-400 mile ride on my Kymco but not until I figure out how to reduce the engine heat making my seat so hot. Thought about taking the seat box out and gluing foil insulation to the engine side or just fill it up with ice water.