It's Not About the Bike

Well, for me it is. Below is a picture of my Kymco 50 People scooter, purchased this past October. I love my bike, and I love scootering. Though it sounds cliche, it really is very Zen and freeing to ride a motor bike. Now I know why all those scooterists and motorcyclists are smiling at each other knowingly, slapping each other on the back and buying each other beers. It’s like combat bub; you’re not ‘in the club’ until you’ve had the experience.

Riding a bike is, like, so cool! You are ‘in the moment.’ You are aware of every bump/ pothole on the rode. The sun and the clouds overhead are expansive. You notice the subtleties of the wind and the temperature. Your speed feels like part of your body.

So I’m already plotting my next move regarding motoring. (shhh, don’t say anything to you know who↓) In April I’m taking the motorcycle safety course. Not that I plan to get a motorcycle… More than likely I will buy a faster scooter. It’s just wise to know the rules of the road. Also, if I get a faster scooter I will eventually need a motorcycle license! Here are some plusses and minuses (in my opinion) about my Kymco 50 scooter.

Boo-Hoos
--only goes 33 m.p.h.
--it is cream (butternut) colored. (good for visibility but kind of goofy)
--it has a brown seat. (yuck) (but I can get a nifty cover for it)
--the rear view mirrors are a pain in the ass (they keep falling off)
--the smell of exhaust is acute whilst on a bike
--it doesn’t quite have the chick magnet appeal of a motorcycle
--it challenges my inner femme (ie, lack of mechanical knowledge)

Yee-Hahs
+ it has big tires, so it takes bumps well (you can’t avoid them)
+most scooters are very small. This one fits my size (5’10”)
+it cost two dollars to fill the tank!
+I never have to think about parking
+it’s fun to ride
+the kids at school think I’m cool.
+it’s retro looking, but doesn’t cost as much as a Vespa
+it’s cute. people smile at me.
+I can squeeze through places where even angelic cars dare not tread