Yearlings

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:30 am

It's hard to believe that two weeks ago was my one-year anniversary for getting my scooter and my motorcycle permit. When I got to campus today, the odometer was at 12,600 miles. It's been fun so far, and I'm still enjoying (almost) every minute of it! Bonegirl's award got me thinking about me and scootering: why I got into it, why I'm still here, yada yada. It's been rocky at times, but I'm glad I discovered this.

This time last year, my family was mortified I'd gotten a scooter. Most of my friends just kinda looked at me funny and shook their heads, chalking it up to "yup...he's a nutter, but we love him." My dad kept insisting it was a phase that I'd regret sinking money into. My brother, who has a motorcycle, would tell me I would regret not getting something with a bigger engine. My sister flat-out told me I was stupid for wasting my money and if I got killed it'd be my own **** fault. I'm so glad I ignored them.

I've ridden this thing all over the place. On my way home, I noticed I've gotten much more relaxed in my riding behaviors. While I'm still cautious and alert, I'm not as paranoid about the cars around me, not jumping out of the gate or at shadows. I'm seasoning nicely, I think.

November and December, I was starting to burn out on scootering. I'm not sure exactly what changed, but I got my second wind. Today was my first ride when snow's still on the ground. There was sand and salt in patches, but the commute went smoothly. My family (except for my sister) seems to have gotten used to me riding. As I've been tinkering on the motorcycle I got used, I realized: I really, really like my scooter, and I think it's become part of my life. I guess I just had to share. No, it's not a motorcycle. It's a scooter...and I'm having a blast.

How are some of you other people coming along? Who else is still relatively new to scooters, and what are your thoughts? Good, bad...let's hear it!

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:16 am

Great story. Glad to hear the fam is lightening up. Your sister will come around and before you know it, they'll be talking in a more positive way about your scooting. Relaxed but alert is the way to go. Just keeps getting better and better doesn't it!

You've come a long way. I remember some of your newbie posts from last year. Pass it on.

I do love scootering but still can't sell the motorcycle. It just sits and begs me to ride. Once in a while, but that's it. Scooters are the way to go.

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:28 am

Congrats Cheshire! Here's to many more Buddy Birthdays!

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:23 am

Nice post!

I bought my scooter in the Summer of '08 and I have about 11K miles on it so far.
We have had a pretty cold spell here in Denver so my scooter sat in the garage for about 2 weeks straight

. I ride year 'round and what I notice is the following: If I go for even a few days without commuting on my scooter, I get really moody! When I'm forced to take my truck, there is a bit of convenience like drinking coffee and listening to the radio. Plus, just getting in and driving off without "gearing up". But once I get back on my scooter, I re-discover the joy of riding. Tomorrow, we have a chance of rain/snow mix so I will be stuck in my cage again and I am really dreading it!

As for my family, my wife can get pretty worried. She is a nurse and has taken care of many patients post motorcycle accident. She also knows about my bad accident I had when I was 17 (car pulled out in front of me, I hit it on my motorcycle and flew over said car, landing on my face. Not pretty.). I have 3 teenagers and they just sort of shake their heads but they love having my truck to drive to school!

I occasionally want something a bit faster/bigger and am drooling over the new 220i from PGO. The 4T Stella is also in the back of my mind; metal bodied beauty with a 4-stroke! But then, my Buddy is such an absolute blast to ride!

OK, enough from me....

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:58 am

Tocsik wrote:Nice post!

I bought my scooter in the Summer of '08 and I have about 11K miles on it so far.

I always find it interesting how many miles other '08 bikes have. I got mine in March '08, but didn't really start riding it till June. I've got 26.5k miles on mine.

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:27 am

Kaos wrote:
Tocsik wrote:Nice post!

I bought my scooter in the Summer of '08 and I have about 11K miles on it so far.
I always find it interesting how many miles other '08 bikes have. I got mine in March '08, but didn't really start riding it till June. I've got 26.5k miles on mine.

Part of what keeps annoying me about the repeat snow dumps my area is getting: every day I have to drive is another day I'm falling behind on catching up to your mileage!

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:37 am

I've had Flash for a little less than a year now. I've ridden a little over 4K on him. In comparison, that's about how many miles I've put on my car in the same time period... but Flash is in hibernation right now, and Solomon Hyundai is getting used 5 days/week probably for the next month or so, so the big boy will end up with more miles than the new kid by the end of the 12 months.

My family and friends took it in stride when I first showed up on a scooter. They were surprised, but quickly chalked it up to me being a bit of an Oddball, like they did with riding my bike across the UK after high school, the pagan boyfriend, going to art school at 32, and occasional solo backpacking. And then scooting across the Mighty Mac.

Having the scooter has been good for my mental health. My life has taken a turn away from fun and toward ordinary in recent years, and the scooter gives me a chance to still fly my Oddball flag a little a couple times a day. A scooter road trip was a new kind of vacation last summer, and that helped too.

The scooter hasn't been so good for my physical health, as I've been putting on weight from not riding the bicycle as much (and other reasons).

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:44 am

Cheshire wrote:
Kaos wrote:
Tocsik wrote:Nice post!

I bought my scooter in the Summer of '08 and I have about 11K miles on it so far.
I always find it interesting how many miles other '08 bikes have. I got mine in March '08, but didn't really start riding it till June. I've got 26.5k miles on mine.
Part of what keeps annoying me about the repeat snow dumps my area is getting: every day I have to drive is another day I'm falling behind on catching up to your mileage!

Heh, I'm glad Genuine gave Bonegirl a new scoot. Now I can catch her milage

Wonder if that makes mine the highest milage Buddy still on the road?

cadillaczac · Post by **cadillaczac** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:47 am

I got my scooter In October of 2008, and I haven't regretted a minute of it. When Tricia got her scoot I was contemplating a motorcycle (which I later got) but when I rode her scooter home I was hooked. I now have almost 7,000 miles on it, and the thing still runs as good as the day I got it. I just completed a ride to an elevation of 4,500 feet (hey I live at sea level) and even with the prima pipe, modified air box and heavy throttle hand my scoot never skipped a beat. I ride it everyday I can to work, and at first the guys there thought I lost my mind. When they finally realized 1) I could afford a motorcycle 2) I could actually ride a motorcycle 3) I had a motorcycle, they realized I rode a scooter for other reasons other than the automatic transmission and low price. The even started realizing the thing was reliable, good on gas and great around town. Now, they complement my scooter and thats a pretty big thing, coming from guys who mess around with cars well capapble of over 150 mph.

ScooterTrash · Post by **ScooterTrash** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:05 am

This makes me laugh, going on 3 years with under 3k on it

damn 8 month winters and fast cars

pyrocpu · Post by **pyrocpu** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:28 am

Me... well... not doing so well... bought 'Jack on Labor Day Weekend, and stopped riding it in November since it's been kinda cold (for me) with temps in the 30s. About 900 miles now, and ended up buying a motorcycle two weeks ago. Two different tools for two different purposes; I'm not sure I'm going to keep 'Jack! I'll see, but I'm just not sure...

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 2:11 pm

Mine was my 49th B-day preasent to myself last year, I put 4000+ miles on it from April to November. Not too much since then due to cold weather.
My Doc said it was the best thing I couldda done for my blood pressure, there's been NO need for meds!!

WHAT do I do for my 50th this year?? There's no topping getting the Buddy.

Howardr · Post by **Howardr** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:29 pm

I don't remember seeing this article on MB. But this seems to be as good a place as any to put this. There was a recent study from Japan, that indicates that riding 2-wheeled vehicles activates brain function.

Here's a link:
http://www.yelp.com/topic/austin-ride-s ... n-function

So keep on riding. I KNOW riding my scooters makes me feel better

Howard