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Topics - PapaSoldTheHarley

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General Discussion / Sold the Scooter last week

« on: April 26, 2016, 09:23:04 PM »

While I enjoyed the People 300, and it was everything I said it was; I sold it last week. The Scoot went in trade on a new 2015 Yamaha 950 tourer.
I just found I missed the additional power. I have some overnight trips planned (the range and maintenance frequency were an issue). Also as strange as it sounds, I missed running through the gears.
Enjoyed interacting here, ride safe...

People GT 300i / Need to cut the new windscreen down about 3 inches...

« on: February 16, 2016, 03:35:25 PM »

The new PUIG windscreen is just too tall for me.The mounts seem OK. It appears sturdy enough, but I cannot hope to look over it. I prefer to look at the road over the screen in an upright seating position (and crouch down a bit if i feel like hiding behind the screen for a while).

So I need to lop off the top 3 inches or so on the screen.

I am no master craftsman, but I am not super picky either. if I can get a level clean cut and a reasonably smooth edge would be happy (as I want to look above the edge at the road anyway).

I have a coping saw with a round carbide cutting blade (supposed to be good with ceramics). I have a fine tooth hacksaw. I have a variable speed drill and 3 inch cut off wheel. I have a big old jig saw with a metal cutting blade (I think it's 24 teeth per inch). Also have a blade that looks like its made for tile (has the appearance of the carbide or diamond dated round blame the coping saw has). I also have old Dremel cutoff wheels, that I can put in the variable speed drill (the Dremel died ages ago

).

Question is which of the above, if any, do you think would suffice?

I don't care about how long it takes. I plan on using varying grades of sandpaper to finish the edge...

Note: The PUIG is a very thin windscreen! I would bet its not much more than an 1/8 of an inch thick...
Constructive thoughts welcomed...

People GT 300i / The Puig windscreen is here, but...

« on: February 13, 2016, 02:25:26 PM »

The Windscreen arrived, looks ok, but no instructions just a blow up with parts labeled in Spanish & English.

The Screen is on the Scooter.

The product is all fairness is certainly worth the money ($99.95 shipping included).

Well made, sturdy.

That said you can't tell until you ride with it on:

1) man is it quiet without the hurricane around your ears.
2) doesn't look bad,actually fits the look and lines of the scooter well, I think.
3) it is taller than I thought or wanted, maybe three inches above my comfortable eyeline; so I have to look through the screen at the road. not my first choice but I'll see if I get used to it; if not I have a good neighbor with a "Shop Master" and all sorts of cutting blades. he rides and has cut two screens down for himself (he already offered if I decide to make it shorter).
4) fitment is supposed to be for the People, but it requires a little nip and tuck; like the two small strips of old inner tube i cut out and installed in-between the screen and the factory's little black "spoiler".
5) the secondary support struts that lean against the scooters front panel may provide additional support, but think the strut's design and placement could have been better.
6) the mirror bracket placement could have use d the opportunity to move the mirrors up and out instead of just back. the end result is the mirror mounts very close to the light 7 kill switches. still functions fine, but very close.
7) The worst thing about the screen is the lose of both topped and acceleration. the scoot now topped out today at about 78 or 79 on the speedometer. I had it up to 87 or 88 prior to the screen being installed. play it was slower to get there.

All in all it does what it is supposed to and as I said it appears to be well made. The mirrors move a bit more that the did when mounted directly to the frame, but not enough to complain. If I keep it on the bike I will probably opt to take 3, 3.5 inches of the top (so as to allow for my eyes to look over the top at the road). Maybe the cut shorter gives me back a mile or two per hour at the top end. In the rain, in the cold bet this screen will be appreciated...

People GT 300i / Bought the Puig Windscreen...

« on: February 08, 2016, 07:37:41 PM »

As some here have already purchased, I too bought the Puig windscreen. Should be here next weekend. $99 shipping included (UPS ground).
I hope it comes with some instructions

People GT 300i / Update on y 2016 People 300

« on: January 16, 2016, 07:35:46 PM »

Hit the 3,000 mile lark. Not a hiccup form this scoot. No hard starting. No backfires, burps or strange sounds. Just flawless... I am still looking for a windscreen, but other than that this scooter has performed wonderfully (and I ride it aggressively when there are opportunities). It still amazes me how fast she can accelerate and how easily I can climb to the high side of 80 mph...

People GT 300i / Fuel, capacity and warning system...

« on: October 08, 2015, 10:41:17 PM »

The Like 200i had the same thin bar/tube across the neck of the fuel fill pipe; that was the mark to stay below when filling the tank.

The People GT 300i has the same thin bar/tube in the fill pipe. Is it also important not to exceed the height of the bar on the People?

The 2016 People has a digital horizontal bar gas gauge five rectangles is full. My question is how is the "reserve factored in.

Is the scooter bone dry when the five rectangles are gone? Or do I then have reserve? If so is it the .4 gallons and then it's dry?

I usually top off at about two bars/rectangles so I haven't seen flashing warning on the display. Just don't want to be surprised...

General Discussion / No Respect... Just no respect for scooters.

« on: October 01, 2015, 08:12:25 PM »

Checking in at the "ProShop" going to play a few holes of golf. Two guys I know are in there when I walk through the door. One short round guy that is usually pretty nice to chat with (lousy golfer) and another fellow, quiet reserved (former School System official from Ohio). The short guy waiting for his receipt asks if I am still sick over selling the Harley. He is grinning so this is the "I am going to try and make you feel bad or stupid" game...

I respond with I wasn't sick when I sold it. I explained: I had decided not to do any more highway riding. Long hauls into urban congestion were no longer fun for me. Just tired of the weight of the bike. The maintenance costs were a rip, etc. etc.

He pokes back with, "Well why the **** would you get a scooter then" He's laughing, as he continues, "For Christ sakes, you can't even get out of anybody's way on that thing..." and he just continues.

I was going to tell him to go @#%& himself, but I just smiled and said "The ride is good. It's faster than you think. Handling 360 pounds is a lot more fun that trying to manage 760 pounds"

Stereotypical view of the scooters (all the same, all slow, in everyone's way)...

Shame really. The same ass asked me about a year ago about how hard is it to get your motorcycle license (he wanted to get a used Harley). I explained the Florida process to him. He never did anything about it. Funny thing he is short, bad hips and knees and grossly overweight: the Harley would be heck for him to deal with and a midsize scooter would be perfect...

General Discussion / The realities of traffic flow...

« on: September 22, 2015, 07:36:13 PM »

A scooter trip to get "Hank the Pug" his special "Canidae, Chicken and Rice Formula" kibble at Petco.
Beautiful day in West Central Florida. Down US 41 and then West along Highway 54 to the plaza..
Just turned onto 41 heading South when a pair of Harley cruisers (extremely loud ones) blew by me, also heading South.
Ended up next to them at the next light. Lots of chrome to be sure (a Fatboy and a Dyna Wide Glide).
Two rather rough looking gentlemen aboard the Hogs.
I smiled (waiting for the light to change).and was favored with more of a smirk in return. That's OK, I am "Almost Old" and I am riding a scooter

The light changed and the two HD's took off fast; I am at 740 miles or so, still breaking in, so I won't just roll the throttle wide open (not going to impress anyone anyway). That said I accelerate steady up to about 65 (the limit there is 50).
Two more lights and I am still right behind the duo.
We turn onto Hwy. 54 (which has construction going on) and both of them open up their bikes. I already know the construction begins right around the bend so I am doing 45, with no one behind me (middle of the day), happy as a clam.
Caught up to them at the construction, nasty, dust everywhere, machinery throwing up clouds of it. I am wearing my Yellow "Minion Head" Shoei with full face shield, so it's note bad for me. The boys however have no helmets on and are wearing their sliver size sunglasses; they are not happy as we go through the cloud of road construction dust...
Two more lights it opens up for a stretch (no equipment working) and the Harleys reed up and must have been doing 70 or 75 (in a 55). I caught them again at the Suncoast Parkway and was to their left (waiting to turn into Petco's Plaza). The left turn signal lights up green and I gently twist the grip and roll past the two big cruisers into the shopping plaza. I was going to wave good bye, but thought better of it. No need to be a smart ass. As I am listing to them revving up and then screaming forward and I am pulling in to to poetics' parking area I realized; today's traffic flow will not permit anyone to "run away from a scooter". Well, not one over 250cc's... I don't care where you are. What kind of road. what kind of traffic. If your scooter is capable of reaching 75 or 80 mph nothing is going to leave you in the dust. They may be able to pull away momentarily, but given the realities of traffic flow 250, 300 cc's and you can stay with anyone. Most that ride scooters know this. Many that don't ride and have never ridden a medium size scoot have no idea of the facts. At $5,000 in change it wasn't cheap; but given the mpg's and the lower maintenance & insurance costs. It just makes me smile even more.

General Discussion / Out for a bit with the wife; a Zuma passed us doing well over 60 mph

« on: September 20, 2015, 11:24:21 AM »

Well I do not know what the kid did to it; but this gun metal grey Zuma passed us on County Road 56 doing well over 60 yesterday afternoon!
We were in the Miata (hard top up it was blazing hot) heading East to my Grand Nephew's 1st birthday party. Out of nowhere comes this lanky kid on a scooter in the left lane. I look to the left and he is already by us; I glanced down at our speedometer and it's at just over 60 mph. He passed us like we were standing still. I didn't see what he was riding until the next intersection where the traffic light had caught us both. The young man was six feet something, must have weighed all of 135 or 140 pounds, flip flops, shorts & a t-shirt, no helmet... some would say, "Super Squid".

The bike was a Yamaha Zuma. Light changes and he takes off. I hit the gas and followed but never caught up. The Miata was doing 55 + (that's all traffic would allow) as I watched Jr. weave I and out until he was in front and then gone as he blamed though a yellow light and we stopped...

I am pretty sure Yamaha only made a 50cc and a 125cc in the Zuma line; but this thing was doing over 60 mph and it appeared to be his normal riding mode. I wonder what the Zuma had done to it?

My wife asked if my scooter was faster than that, I said I am pretty sure I could keep up with him...

People GT 300i / Tire pressure in your GTI

« on: September 14, 2015, 05:36:03 PM »

I weigh 178-180, I want to get get the most out of my tires. Never ride off road, only on pavement; in hot West Central Florida.
What tire pressure(s), front and rear, do you run at?

General Discussion / Looking at Helmet Lights!

« on: September 13, 2015, 06:18:48 PM »

Looking at the helmet lights that are available (Lumenflex.com and others).
Any Florida riders have any experience with the legality?
I like the lights, and might put some (at least on my nighttime helmet); as long as I am not attracting a ticket or worse...

I know there are color restrictions and aiming restrictions in Florida for lights on the bike. I haven't found a source as to whether or not there are restrictions on helmet lights (Colors, brightness, direction of illumination)...

Helmet is the highest point visually; a light there would be seen more easily (I think)...

General Discussion / Your best cleaning regimen...

« on: September 13, 2015, 10:36:12 AM »

Used to use chrome polish, and leather conditioner and a bit of car wax on the Harley(s)...
What do you use on your scooter (I have a People GTI).
The shocks and the lower body are getting a little dirty (do you hose yours down? or just you a wet rag to wipe?). Seat cover, conditioner on grips?

People GT 300i / 1st service complete...

« on: September 09, 2015, 11:50:16 PM »

Home now (busy day, doctor's office, 110 miles round trip including rain) to get the People's first service completed.
My dealer, the small local family owned store performed well. Friendly conversation with the two brothers that own the place; while their "Head Wrench" did his thing. Ninety minutes from start to finish $48 total bill...

The Ownership Experience with this scooter is pretty much superb. It's performance is really better than I'd hoped for. The handling is flawless. It is both comfortable and stylish. The speed is yet to be explored (with just 500+ miles on it); but a gentle roll on the throttle has you moving at 70 mph in about 11 seconds. This doesn't mean it can out run all the cars on the road; but it does mean you aren't in anyone's way. Further if you choose to be in front of the traffic flow it isn't hard for you to get there.

If the ride is important to you, you should know the 16" tires do make a huge difference. The scooter runs smoothly throughout the power band. No shake, no shimmy, no squeals no rattles.

Couple this with a $48 bill for the first service and you just find it hard to wipe the smile off your face. The American market is missing something if they continue to pass over these machines, for 800+ pound cruisers with massive engines & questionable handling (not to mention huge acquisition and operating costs)...

General Discussion / Walking Hank the Pug, saw an interesting build going on...

« on: September 04, 2015, 04:38:03 PM »

Walking Hank the "Pug" got down to the middle of the next block the neighbor had his garage door open. He has a bicycle in a vise/clamp setup about two feet of the grounded he is there sitting on one of those roll around mechanic's stool...
I figure this guy is a serious bicycle repair type (whatever the heck that is).
But he was building something else. I said hello, don't know the guy real well, just to say hi. Didn't want walk up the driveway cause Hank is liable to pee on his project rather than just look at it.
Long story short he is putting together his "E-bike" (a kit he bought online). He said it's slow going as he has to adapt stuff to get through each step. Going to be interesting to see if he finishes it, how she performs. I did ask if cost a lot, he only said way too much

General Discussion / Took a nice 70 mile ride this morning... The "Shoei" is very quiet...

« on: September 03, 2015, 11:52:51 PM »

Before it got really hot (it has been scorching in West Central Florida of late) I took the scooter for a nice run around the County. Seventy miles or so. Still being "Babied" during break-in; no quick starts, no wide open throttle, no heavy acceleration. Have been up to 75 and 80 mph but got there slowly and only for brief periods. So far so good the GTI is performing flawlessly.

I will say this, "The Shoei is quiet!". The difference when wearing the off brand full face (it has a clear shield so I use that when I know it's going to get dark before I am going to get home) and wearing the bright yellow Shoei (with a jet black face shield) is night and day (pun intended)... The other helmet would appear to be OK. I mean compared to wearing the 3/4 white open face my cheapie full face seems to be a stout lid, with a reasonable seal around the visor and descent insides... However after wearing the Shoei for a 90 minute ride you can really feel/hear the difference. There is no air jetting by your ears wearing the Shoei. The padding is thick, but soft enough that you feel "Well Packed", not squeezed in. Overall the noise level seems to be a fraction of the less expensive lid.

Wasn't too hot either (and it was/has been brutal out lately).

I may just pass on a windscreen altogether.

I'm sure the other quality lids are quiet as well, but I am really pleased with my "steal of a deal" on the Yellow Shoei.