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General Discussion / I got a little torxed off today.
« on: April 06, 2023, 05:15:36 PM »
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17
General Discussion / Am I old enough for a tricycle?
« on: April 04, 2023, 02:19:42 AM »
I don't remember the last time I rode a tricycle. I don't know if I even had one as a kid. I think I started on a bike with training wheels.
Now I am getting old. I see a lot of riders going to trikes, Spyders and slingshots. They just don't appeal to me. If it doesn't lean in the curves I am not interested. But then I have never tried any of these three wheelers. Is it fair to judge something I have never tried.
Last weekend the local Can Am dealers was doing Spyder demo rides so I decided to take advantage of it. This was the demo "fleet".
They had three different models, the RT, F3 and Ryker. the Ryker is their entry level, less expensive model. The F3 and RT are their "cruiser" and Touring models. They share the same engine and tranny and I think the same basic chassis.
The Demo ride started with about a 30 minute brief to explain how these things worked. The throttle is the same as a scooter or motorcycle but everything else is different. A brake pedal controls all three brakes. There is a paddle shifter on the left handlebar. There is a button for the parking brake.
I would be riding an F3.
Despite being a "cruiser' model, it had side bags, a tail trunk and front trunk. These were all smaller than the ones on the RT but still pretty big.
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After the brief we did a few laps around the parking lot just to get used to how these things worked. It felt fine in the parking lot and was easy to ride and control. Then it was time to get out on the road. We followed the ride leader on a ride that was somewhere between 5 and 10 miles long. It was mostly straight roads. The first thing I noticed was that this thing wanted to wander all over the road. It was a windy, gusty day but my on my scooter it wouldn't have been an issue. On the spyder it just felt like it didn't want to go straight.
The engine and tranny were fine and easy to used. the brakes worked fine but I had to concentrate to use the pedal instead of a lever(s).
On the few curves we rode I could really feel the g forces. A spyder would likely be a lot of work on a curvy road and not nearly as much fun as a two wheeler.
I am glad I had the chance to ride a spyder but I have zero interest in owning one. Good thing because these things are not cheap.
I guess it is an option for those who have a physical disability preventing them from riding a two wheeler or those afraid of two wheels. It does give the same sensation of being out in the wind as opposed to being enclosed in a car but it does not feels remotely the same as far as handling.
Now I am getting old. I see a lot of riders going to trikes, Spyders and slingshots. They just don't appeal to me. If it doesn't lean in the curves I am not interested. But then I have never tried any of these three wheelers. Is it fair to judge something I have never tried.
Last weekend the local Can Am dealers was doing Spyder demo rides so I decided to take advantage of it. This was the demo "fleet".
They had three different models, the RT, F3 and Ryker. the Ryker is their entry level, less expensive model. The F3 and RT are their "cruiser" and Touring models. They share the same engine and tranny and I think the same basic chassis.
The Demo ride started with about a 30 minute brief to explain how these things worked. The throttle is the same as a scooter or motorcycle but everything else is different. A brake pedal controls all three brakes. There is a paddle shifter on the left handlebar. There is a button for the parking brake.
I would be riding an F3.
Despite being a "cruiser' model, it had side bags, a tail trunk and front trunk. These were all smaller than the ones on the RT but still pretty big.
.
.
After the brief we did a few laps around the parking lot just to get used to how these things worked. It felt fine in the parking lot and was easy to ride and control. Then it was time to get out on the road. We followed the ride leader on a ride that was somewhere between 5 and 10 miles long. It was mostly straight roads. The first thing I noticed was that this thing wanted to wander all over the road. It was a windy, gusty day but my on my scooter it wouldn't have been an issue. On the spyder it just felt like it didn't want to go straight.
The engine and tranny were fine and easy to used. the brakes worked fine but I had to concentrate to use the pedal instead of a lever(s).
On the few curves we rode I could really feel the g forces. A spyder would likely be a lot of work on a curvy road and not nearly as much fun as a two wheeler.
I am glad I had the chance to ride a spyder but I have zero interest in owning one. Good thing because these things are not cheap.
I guess it is an option for those who have a physical disability preventing them from riding a two wheeler or those afraid of two wheels. It does give the same sensation of being out in the wind as opposed to being enclosed in a car but it does not feels remotely the same as far as handling.
18
General Discussion / pre-running the 2023 scooter cannonball
« on: March 22, 2023, 02:06:06 PM »
I have a friend who is planning on riding the scooter cannonball this year. This will be her fourth cannonball. She decided to pre ride most of day seven and all of day 8 on her way to a scooter rally in Jacksonville, Fl. I joined her yesterday for part of that ride.
On my way to meet her I stopped and grabbed the ADV scooter tag.
I stopped and took a pic for the new tag but didn't post it because there was no cell signal.
I got to the meeting spot early so i continued up the road she would be coming down. I stopped to take some more pics.
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On my way to meet her I stopped and grabbed the ADV scooter tag.
I stopped and took a pic for the new tag but didn't post it because there was no cell signal.
I got to the meeting spot early so i continued up the road she would be coming down. I stopped to take some more pics.
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19
Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / NSR, Out riding with my friends
« on: March 17, 2023, 09:54:01 PM »
I have three scooters and two motorcycles. I ride all of them. One of my friends often makes videos of our rides. This was a local ride we did last fall.
20
Roadcraft / Trail braking.
« on: March 09, 2023, 01:28:47 AM »
I'm just curious. Who understands what trail braking is and who here uses it?
21
General Discussion / LIKEing Alabama in the winter.
« on: February 13, 2023, 03:20:46 AM »
I had somewhere to go this morning. It was 41, gloomy and had just stopped raining so the roads were wet. Drive or ride?? Now that's a stupid question. Which of my five bikes to ride? For around town I like my Like the best. Despite the weather it was a pleasant ride. Coming home a couple of hours later it was a pleasant sunny 49 degree day. Perfect for a ride.
I felt like getting high so I briefly got on the interstate to get to this overlook.
It wasn't very high but still has a good view.
I felt like getting high so I briefly got on the interstate to get to this overlook.
It wasn't very high but still has a good view.
22
Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / LIKEing the sunset last night.
« on: February 07, 2023, 02:29:32 PM »
Over 60 degrees yesterday in Alabama. I rode to the Tennessee river to check out the sunset.
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23
General Discussion / 2023 Spring is here already.
« on: January 03, 2023, 01:35:31 AM »
About a week ago we were having single digit temperatures. Today it was a round 70 so I took advantage of it and rode both of my 150cc scooters.
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General Discussion / How much did you ride in 2022?
« on: January 02, 2023, 03:40:50 AM »
My mileage in 2022 was down from previous years. Both my wife and Mom had medical issues that resulted in my cancelling trips and rides and reducing my mileage from what I expected. As I do every year I read the odometers on all my bikes and calculated the mileage. Here are my totals for 2022:
Kawasaki Versys 650: 3389
Kymco Like 150i: 2860
Honda ADV150 : 2739
Kawasaki KLX250: 2570
Yamaha Majesty: 1581
Total: 13,139
The Like was my top mileage bike the previous 3 years but reliability issues cut down on the miles and resulted in my buying the ADV 150. I have no doubt If I had the ADV for the whole year instead of half the year it would have been number one. If the Like had been reliable I think I would have ridden over 5,000 miles on it and I wouldn't have bought the ADV. My total scooter mileage was more than my motorcycle mileage 7180 to 5959.
I'm hoping to get back to ride 15,000+ miles in 2023 as I did the previous few years.
Kawasaki Versys 650: 3389
Kymco Like 150i: 2860
Honda ADV150 : 2739
Kawasaki KLX250: 2570
Yamaha Majesty: 1581
Total: 13,139
The Like was my top mileage bike the previous 3 years but reliability issues cut down on the miles and resulted in my buying the ADV 150. I have no doubt If I had the ADV for the whole year instead of half the year it would have been number one. If the Like had been reliable I think I would have ridden over 5,000 miles on it and I wouldn't have bought the ADV. My total scooter mileage was more than my motorcycle mileage 7180 to 5959.
I'm hoping to get back to ride 15,000+ miles in 2023 as I did the previous few years.
25
Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Final ride and sunset of 2022.
« on: December 31, 2022, 11:13:02 PM »
The weather today was about perfect for riding with temps in the 60s but I had out of town guests so I only managed to sneak out for a short ride to catch the final sunset of the year.
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26
Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Vintage Club Small Bore Ride.
« on: November 03, 2022, 03:34:06 PM »
The local vintage club set up a small bore get together and ride. I don't have a vintage bike but my ADV150 certainly qualifies as a small bore bike so I rode it to the event.
There was another scooter there:
We went for a short ride.
Taking a break.
More riding.
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There was another scooter there:
We went for a short ride.
Taking a break.
More riding.
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27
General Discussion / NSR??
« on: November 03, 2022, 03:20:01 PM »
I have seen "NSR" in many thread titles so I googled it.
Lets see
Normal Sinus Rhythm
No Shipping Required
No Stolen Report
National Skills Report
?
Anyone else here confused.
Lets see
Normal Sinus Rhythm
No Shipping Required
No Stolen Report
National Skills Report
?Anyone else here confused.
28
Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / Fall Colors, 2022
« on: October 26, 2022, 10:43:49 AM »
I went for a ride a few days ago and caught some nice fall colors.
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Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / I finally got a nekkid woman to pose with my scooter.
« on: October 09, 2022, 10:58:10 PM »
30
Eye Candy | Videos and Pics / 2022 Maggie Valley Beat the Heat Scooter Rally
« on: August 10, 2022, 08:50:59 PM »
This was the fourth year for this rally and I think it was the best yet. We had people come to North Carolina from Canada, Michigan, Texas, New Mexico as well as many closer states. For those of us from the South it was great to get out of the heat with temperatures mostly in the 60s and 70s. It was great getting together with old friends from the previous rallies as well as making new friends.
Here's some pics from the event.
Here's some pics from the event.