Perfection?

[ChipBeck_imp]

Chip, you're killing me. Lol.

Mick,

If you would use it, PM me your mailing address. Guth too. I'll send you both one with the hardware to install it.

Chip

[Cormanus]

Great pictures, Ferret. Hardly needs a bath though.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

With apologies to Mr. Ferret.

There IS no perfection. Certainly not in the motorcycle world, where what is good for one purpose is useless for another.

The CB1100 is true beauty. But it's a little big for a two-mile jaunt to get some fresh-ground coffee beans, say.

Which is why I'm buying that mini-me chopper.

It's a GREAT ride on the arterial streets, with 50-mph speeds and a few stoplights. I can smoke the traffic - the beauty of the Honda Four.

But there are times when I miss a faired-in front. And believe me...I really don't want to hang a lot of crap on the front of this machine, either. Always loved the look of a naked bike.

I'm gonna admit to apostasy here. A few of our number has spoken poorly of SCOOTERS. Well, my deep, dark secret...is that deep in my garage, sits a maxi-scooter; a Burgman 650.

And has been greatly used. I've taken it from Wisconsin, where I lived at the time, to Colorado's Four Corners region. It packed my gear like a mule. It kept me dry...the Givi windshield, the wind/splash shield, the running boards...perfect for long miles in weather that can get heavy.

It doesn't satisfy my love of machinery, however. It's a George-Jetson ride...press one button, the suitcase unfolds to be the jet-car; press another button, and you're rolling at 80. Nearly silently.

The Burgman is for sale but I doubt I'll find a buyer quickly. And since I have it, I'm going to use it.

Point being...there are times when you want fairings and automatic drive; times when you want six speeds and four cylinders; and times when you want light, small and cheap.

Beauty is, when the tool matches the need. But the needs are always changing, as are desires.

[Elipten_imp]

I have never driven a scooter, always wondered what it was like.


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[the Ferret]

No apologies necessary JPT, it is " MY " perfection, ie perfect for me, ie exactly what I want. Guys around here know I unabashedly promote the 14 DLX (and mine in particular with the painted bucket, chrome cups, gaiters and RLETs) as the perfect motorcycle. It is not said with absolutism but rather with unabashed enthusiasm for what I consider a wonderful motorcycle. It's also my way of needling those with the asymmetrical and unbalanced single piper 13's.( I also had one of those, but couldn't take the out of whack feng shui)

While on the subject of scooters, it may please you to know I also have a maxi scooter, a Yamaha Majesty 400. A virtual Civic on 2 wheels, and a total blast to ride.

[Lord Popgun]

Mine was a Honda Elite 110. Not a maxi scooter by any means. It was a HOOT to ride. Lots of fun, but NO respect from car drivers. After getting passed by a dump truck on a double yellow line curve, I got rid of it. And yes, I was doing the speed limit.

Wish I still had it sometimes. Was great for runs to the grocery store.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

I have never driven a scooter, always wondered what it was like.


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It's...different. Imagine a La-Z-Boy, bolted to a cruiser motorcycle frame. Now, imagine that motorcycle had a snowmobile transmission - or, in the case of the Burgman 650, an auto-style CVT.

No clutch, of course. Your two grips both work brakes, the clutch hand working the rear. Nothing to do with your feet, except keep them on the floorboards.

Now, imagine - as with the Burgman design - this is a well-balanced road machine capable of 90. With ONE problem - no gas tank to hug. You're sitting ON a seat, not straddling a saddle with your knees on the tank.

If you can get used to the feeling you might slide off, it's fine. The tall windshield keeps most of the blast off your face. Machine is silent and powerful. A parallel twin with balance shafts. Capable of 100 mph, although with those smaller wheels I wouldn't recommend cruising there.

If a Harley-Davidson is one end of the spectrum, and the quiet CB1100 far away...it, the CB, is close to the center. At the opposite end are the maxi-scooters, the Silver Wing and the Burgman.

Everything a Harley is, a Burgman avoids - noise, exposed machinery, exaggerated fork rake. Everything a Burgman is, a Harley owner would reject - smooth, ghostly quiet, automatic, no user-serviceable parts. Or at least not without a manual, tools to remove the plastic, and lots and LOTS of patience. Roadside repairs are not advised - fortunately a Burgman is nearly as reliable as a BMW.

Mine was a Honda Elite 110. Not a maxi scooter by any means. It was a HOOT to ride. Lots of fun, but NO respect from car drivers. After getting passed by a dump truck on a double yellow line curve, I got rid of it. And yes, I was doing the speed limit.

Wish I still had it sometimes. Was great for runs to the grocery store.

That's funny. With the Burgman, I get no respect from cage jockeys, either...except they don't know what they're messin' with.

I don't drag as a rule, but it's funny to watch one of them confuse the Burgman with a bling-laden slow-as-steam-off-dung Chinese scoot...and try to blow past me. I'd just open it up a little harder, and frustrated, they'd step on it.

One area in my town in Wisconsin where this would happen was also a notorious speed trap. I'd get up to exactly the speed limit and back off. Car jockey would keep on mashing it...and would sometimes find himself braced by the minions of the law.

[Guth_imp]

I doubt that I would purchase a scooter, but if my funds were unlimited I'd love to have a Honda GROM.

Chip, you're killing me. Lol.

Mick,

If you would use it, PM me your mailing address. Guth too. I'll send you both one with the hardware to install it.

Chip

Mick,

If you would use it, PM me your mailing address. Guth too. I'll send you both one with the hardware to install it.

Chip
Thanks Chip, it's an awesome offer and truly appreciated.

However, while I don't consider the stock unit to be a thing of beauty, I do appreciate the design from a functional standpoint (the reflectors in particular). In fact, the bolts that I used to attach my license plate have small reflector heads on them. While not everyone out on the streets is going to notice, it certainly can't hurt my chances of being seen. It's for the same reason I cover up my Langlitz jacket with a hi-viz vest every time out. Perfection? Definitely not from a style standpoint, but so it goes.

[ChipBeck_imp]

I have never driven a scooter, always wondered what it was like.


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Scooters are kinda like fat chicks. They may be fun, but you still don't want your friends to see you on one.

Chip

[CA200_imp]

I traded a D/S bike for a Honda PCX150 last year and have no regrets. Making runs to the hardware store or drug store it can not be beat. It starts and runs like a top. I turn it around in a very small area, has a great storage area and stops great.
Madison Wi. is a strange city when it comes to in town traffic.
I added a small GIVI shield.
It will go 65mph and gets 100mpg.