How did a YANK end up on a SCOOTER?

[SkuTorr]

Actually, both my brothers and I all ride scooters now! How did this happen? Unintended consequences of my Honeymoon in Sicily five years ago. While in Taormina, we rented a Piaggio 150, I think it was, and rode around.

First Scoot.jpg

Here I am as a Scooter Dweeb...

On our anniversary I thought it would be "Romantic" to rent one and ride it to lunch down along the beach. News flash; unless you have an M-1 license ("Unrestricted Motorcycle") you can't ride anything...so they don't RENT any scooters here. Instead, I went to an Aprilia (!) and Piaggio dealer and found a Mojito 150. Bought it to surprise the Mrs., and to use commuting to work as a teacher.

My UNIQUE Mojito... - Copy.JPG

Here it is after I tricked it out...

scooter.jpg

Both my brothers gave me nothing but GRIEF about riding a "Scooter", assuming that it was an experience like THIS!

Then, my brother Roy surprised me by buying an Aprilia SportCity 250. We took our Motorcycle Safety Course together and that triple rotor Aprilia outbraked EVERYTHING there! Fun! After farckeling my Mojito we put a FABBRI screen on the Aprilia and he loved it...except for being blown around on the freeway by every gust while riding in the carpool lane at 70 mph. And???
He traded it in at a dealer straight across for a used 2005 Majesty 400. Nice bike, I LOVED the riding position, but didn't need such a "BIG" bike to pop over to school on.

Now he starts bugging me to get a bigger ride so we can travel places...and shows up with a BRAND NEW 2009 Burgman 650, which he traded the Majesty in on....Eventually I found a deal I couldn't resist, a 2009 Majesty 400 with 700 original miles and only owned 5 months. Now I could ride with him!

MEANWHILE, our other, MUCH younger brother Mark got the bug, and "to save $ on gas, etc." bought a PAIR of slightly Smoke Damaged SYM 200's from a BOAT DEALER. (Our brother Roy picked up a NOS CityCom300 there also, for pennies, to complement his Big Burg). They started riding them around, one for him, one for the Wife. Eventually, HE got a Maxi, a used 2003 Burgman 650, the week before I got my Majesty, and then a Burgman 400 for the Wife)

We Three did some local rides in the hills, etc., and I realized the Majesty needed help. 15gm Dr. Pulleys later it could keep up with the Burgman 650s and away we went, up and down the state and through the mountains. Started modding the Majesty; changed mirrors, upgraded to HH pads, installed BIONDI Touring Screen. I thought I was done...

THEN Roy test rode a used Tmax, and GOODBYE 2009 Majesty, 2009 Burgman 650, 2009 CityCom and HELLO two new 2009 Tmaxes!!!

Mind you, that's TWELVE SCOOTERS purchased in a Three Year Span...all because I rented one it Sicily...and they can't seem to find a market for them here...

[SkuTorr]

Wait, I FORGOT the 1200-mile 2009 SILVERWING 600 Roy recently got, as it was "too good a DEAL to MISS!" Upgraded to HYPERPRO front springs and HAGON rear shocks so he wouldn't DIE in a 80 mph Tank-slapper on the freeway, put in Dr. Pulley's so it would GO and HH pads so it would STOP.

That's 13 SCOOTS. What have I done???

[StephenC]

All you're missing now is the three wheel experience. Off you go, then.

[spaceprobe]

Do be carefull south those mad car drivers you have over there, I always find motoring in the US stressful.

[StephenC]

And is true that if a driver sees you filtering (lane splitting) they might shoot you?

[Funkycowie]

Its legal to do so in Cali if I remember correctly, still likely to get twatted I think especialy during busy times on the 101 or 405 in LA they can be a nightmare near downtown during rush hour. Doubt you'd get shot unless you were riding through an dodgy area.

[SkuTorr]

I'm SOUTH of Lost Angeles and that insanity. Here it's not too bad; I love lane filtering past all cagers, I just REALLY pay attention and ASSUME they are trying to HIT me. Our newest Freeway is a new North/South route a bit inland that has a DOUBLE separate dedicated commuter lane down the middle in both directions, which all two-wheelers over 150cc's (!) can use. It moves at an average 70-75 mph all day (posted 65) and the Highway Patrol passes you at 80. As they chase the Sport Bikes!

About 20% of the traffic in those lanes is Bikes!