maxine500 wrote:

stevew wrote:

maxine500 wrote:Congratulations Bornagain! And well done! I love a clear private road!!

It's me (stevew) that have got the new bike not bornagain
Never mind, and thanks anyway!

Haha! Sorry Steven, total brain slip. It's coz I am reading from so far away!

Should have gone to Specsavers Lizzie! Just joking!

maxine500 wrote:Haha! Sorry Steven, total brain slip. It's coz I am reading from so far away!

It can't be easy - when you're 'Down Under' - but when MjW posts photos http://www.maxi-muppets.co.uk/forum/vie ... 62#p172562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; at least they're the right way up for you!

stevew wrote:Hi,
Joined to try and see/learn a little about these big scooters as I currently ride a Kawasaki VN1500 cruiser but am hoping to trade it for a maxi Scoot at the end of the year.
Main use will be long distance touring in the UK.
Advice and opinions welcome !!

Well, it's me back again (OP) and I did indeed trade the VN cruiser for a nice 2006 Piaggio X9 evo 500. No doubt you can see by my signature
Took it out for a ride yesterday and did about 70 miles. My initial thoughts are that it cruises easily at an indicated 80mph but did I read somewhere that the speedo is very optimistic? Might only be doing 65 !!
Handles very differently to the VN. Less 'planted' and a little more subject to 'while lining' Feels very different so I think a long acclimatising time is needed. Means lots more riding
Like it though, but it's odd getting used to the engine noise ! Seems to go fast without any effort which bodes well for the long distance stuff I have planned.

Check your tyre pressures.

People commonly use the generic recommended pressures (36/41) instead of checking the actual tyre manufacturer's recommendation for their specific fitted tyres. Often meaning they run way too high, for instance the Michelin Pilot Sport SC pressures for my old Burger 650 were 33/36. This could help with tyre wear and white lining.

Usual estimate is +10% for speedo, so 80 indicated is 72mph, but if you have (or can borrow) a GPS and find a decent flat straight piece of quiet road, you can do some checking.