I started riding late (age 58), and at first only to save on gas on my daily commute (50cc scooter). Two wheeling proved to be a whole lot of fun so I wanted something bigger, something I could safely ride on the Interstate. Trips around the state. (The entire state of RI is about the size of Marion County, Indiana -- that's the
city of Indianapolis.) Trips to Cape Cod, trips to New Hampshire and Maine.
I really can't even picture myself on a motorcycle. I don't fit the HD stereotype by a long shot. A
very long shot. Besides, as a kid and into my 20s I had enough boats with outboard motors that I've had my fill of noisy, vibrating rides. Outboard motors from the 60s were pretty primitive compared to the technology in today's engines.
Sports bikes? My back aches just looking at 'em.
And then one day I saw... and heard... a Burgman 650. The silence amazed me, the styling wowed me, and the storage capacity blew me away. I didn't know anything else about it, but I had to have one.
Now there's something really perverse about a
scooter that will do 100+ MPH. And I love the way people react.
"Oh, you ride a scooter?"
"Yeah, it's lotsa fun."
"One of the 50cc jobs?"
"No, a little bigger."
"I used to have a Vespa. I loved it. I could go up to 60 MPH."
"That's great. Mine goes a little bit faster than that."
"Oh, really? How fast does your scooter go?"
'I don't know. I don't plan to find out for myself, but depending on who you talk to, somewhere between 105 and 115 MPH."
***Dead silence*** followed by, "A scooter?"
"Yup. Well, gotta go. Nice talking to ya."
