Allwalk, thanks for the response. I had to duck out for a meeting, and hadn't really finished the composition so I deleted the post with the intention of resubmitting it later on when polished. Everyone either thinks I'm mad for deleting posts willy-nilly, or indeed thinks that you are mad for replying to a post that doesn't exist... :lol:
Interesting thoughts that you have expressed. I think it all sounds logical, and can really empathise with the comments on ease of riding. I love my geard bikes, but once last year when I took the Reflex in for a scheduled service I was preseted with a CBR929 as my loan bike. Joy for some, nightmare for me - how do you get to work and meetings in a suit and with A4 breifcase on that? In all weathers? How do you get across town to your dinner date, and whisk her off to a night viewpoint on that? OK, the latter isn't really a geared bike vs scooter comparison, and more of a replica vs scooter - a cruiser would do the second pretty well. However, try travelling by 929 or Harley in the rain to a meeting. Not fun.
The expansion of female riders here too has seen a increase in the number of big scooter riders, too. As you suggest, they are so easy to ride that they are even easier and more comfortable to get around town than public transport or the car. Note that I wrote 'easier and more comfortable' as opposed to faster - as (despite the fact that they are fast) that's not always the point of travel, and these thigns have a habit of chilling you out. You can't get a seat on the trains in the mornings here, you are stood shoulder to shoulder for 45 minutes. Going by big-scooer gives you an armchair-like seat reserved for you every morning and evening. v.attractive.
Anyway, thanks for the input.
Lycheed