finally figured out what is wrong with scootering in N America/US

Figured out problem with scootering in US=nobody really rides, except maybe a few commuters.

How many here took a long scooter/bike trip this year?

I have had scooters as prime or reserve since 1968---enjoyed them for trips (Vespa) 1990 or so bought first Helix (Fusion in Japan) in Japan....really enjoyed it.

Have used Vespa for Stella Alpina in Italy, Elephant @ both Austria or Germany locations. Vespa goes well in snow.

Early Scoot Tours rally in Arkansas---Helix, most were ridden in, trailer bikers laughed at. People were really enjoying riding these things. My favorite observation from those days---trailer biker couple unloaded their two Helix---trying to ride on the gravel part of the grounds----both dumped right away--- Guess they needed practice.

Anyway 2019 I will be touring on either new scooter or my CB300F----recent car trip turned me off on car trips. Hope others do. Hopefully going back to camping----just getting tired of India owned/managed motels.

john grinsel wrote:

Figured out problem with scootering in US=nobody really rides, except maybe a few commuters.

Don't think it's much different here,& only the likes of forums such as this that draw the die hard.

other than trad scooters, maxi scooters are taboo in UK.

As for long trips, France twice this year on the scoot

I started the year thinking I would take a long trip, maybe to Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. But I ended up doing long day trips, mostly by myself because my buddies are becoming more and more reptilian as they age. They wait for the sun to warm the air and then they venture out.
By this time I am long gone but being by myself I stay within 2-3 hours at most from home. I'd call it a stayathome tour. I took quite a few of these this season; I must say I still enjoyed myself tremendously, made new friends in neighbouring towns.

Jay

Gotta face the fact that the weather here in the US has been miserable and not at all encouraging to multi day adventures.

I had hoped to ride to Glacier National Park but it burned down this summer. Even at that every other day brought torrential rains. And as much as I enjoy LD riding I couldn't even scrape together enough clear days for another ride to Iowa.

And at 75 I'm beyond needing to prove that I'm a hard core biker.

Living in Hawaii does not allow me to do long trips. A hundred mile trip ends at where you started. My wife and I did a 350 mile trip in late September. Even with good gear, not used to the cold. Mornings we started out in 40 degree weather. Mid day the temperature would warm up to low 60s. Rode from Idaho thur Montana then north to just below Canada then back to Coeur d'Alene Idaho. This was my first trip after doing a lot of maintenance and repairs to the bike/trike. Did not want to get too far away from home. Bike and trike handled great. Had a new front tire installed in Spokane Washington at a Powersports dealer. He said that the tire was perfectly balanced w/o adding weights. Bike had head shake so I added Rido-On and that improved the head shake by 90%. Playing with the tire air pressure and pre-load for the trike. Wheel and head bearings are ok. If we tour again with the trike next year, we will start earlier in the year, maybe late July or early August.

I learned long ago do not let weather bother me.....but I hate to start trips in heavy rain, but usually you do ride out of it.

After Nov 20th or so in the north I do not start 2 wheel trips----snow. South doesn't matter, once got caught in ice storm in TEXAS---waited it out in motel.

The whole secret, young or old, to touring/trips is proper riding clothes---nice fitting/non flapping and warm stuff under when temps drop....after 65 years of riding I am still working on the glove/mitt problem---heated grips would be nice---just bought another cheap pair of WalMart ski gloves, they, under Aerostich rain overmitts keep me warm and dry. Trips I do carry many pair of spare gloves. AND rubber over boots should never be forgotten....they over regular riding boots do keep feet dry and warm----my Wolverine waterproof Wellingtons do work well keeping feet dry and warm....but need to be replaced every 2 years or so as the leather breaks down and they become soft and floppy.

Living in the South and riding in the South presents another problem.....summer, it is just too hot for many motorcycle clothes.


Asking friends to go with----doesn't work, most do not want to go.

Next summer hope to do cheap camping again---in south food is so bad, think I am going to carry MRE's, they worked well for me when I rode to NorthCap in Norway.....that trip, not many eating places along the way, anyway.

Another thing I need to learn//work on....do not hurry----really I get "there" just as quick not rushing.

Head shakes on trike----you need to alter "trail" to prevent head shakes best would be adjustable trail fork----works with sidecar, too.

john grinsel wrote:

Head shakes on trike----you need to alter "trail" to prevent head shakes best would be adjustable trail fork----works with sidecar, too.

Sorry John, I do not have an understanding about the "trail" when it comes to trikes. Can you or someone explain how to "alter the trail to prevent head shake" to me.
Thanks

trail---standard on two wheelers/sidecar out fits. good reference, PHIL IRVING BOOK---name of book I forgot-----BMW used to have adjustable trail fork, 1955-69, Harley offered trail adjustable trail fork and may still use it on their three wheeler.

Trikes in US seem to meet no safety standard---done right no head shake, better steering, no or little head shake. Expensive conversion.

IIRC The angle of the triple tree is altered by one or two degrees. That changes the angle of the forces on the wheel relative to vertical. Magic happens and it reduces or eliminates tank slap.

I dont think that an adjustible "triple tree" is available for a Silverwing. But then there are aftermarket manufacturers out that who do that sort of stuff.

For most self-proclaimed bikers there is a weather window in the summer of about 4 weeks when the temp ranges between 70-88 F. Outside of that, the bike sits. Not much bike traffic outside of those temps. But, as mentioned above, proper clothing does wonders. Wind circulation in warm temps and wind protection in cold temps makes a big difference. More fairing, more wind protection; bigger wind screen, more wind protection; hand guards will increase your ability to ride deeper in winter temps at least 10 degrees colder.

I usually avoid riding in rain, but this soggy summer, I resigned to do some short trips in rain because the Swing would sit most of the summer if I didn't venture out. And it's pretty amazing how much rain protection the Swing gives vs so many other bikes. Also, it's amazing how little the rain dirt affects the looks of the SWing. Plastic protection helps it still look good even after days of rain riding, compared to other bikes I have owned.

A light nylon/polyester shell will give you at least 20 degrees F more comfort in cold weather. The other day I was riding in about 45 degree weather and was wondering why I felt cold with 4 layers of clothing. After stopping, I noticed that my nylon shell was UNZIPPED. What a difference that light piece of material makes!

Thanks to the "sunshine patriot" bikers out there, you can sometimes find a nice used bike with low miles at a pretty good price.

It's not really a scooter thing many who buy them are not planing to ride long distances. Many just want something to cruise around or use for commute to work save some gas.

I like to ride solo and have put in a few 300+ days. There are serious riders but most would never ride a scooter.

No trips last two years for me only have 15k in last three seasons on SW. Weather this year was bad and I only ride weekends or vacations.

Like has been discussed, some people are just not motivated to take long trips. Money also can be a factor. Weather is another. I have ridden at temps from 30 degrees F to 110+ F. Optimal? No but it can be done.  Years ago I found that if I want to take a major trip I better plan on a solo trip. Other people always come up with excuses just before the trip starts. Had two group trips cancelled at the last minute do to the leader pulling out for whatever reason and the ride collapses. One I turned into a hasty solo trip the other was not able to.

In the Ride section there are some of my major trips posted. But unfortunately Photobucket gutted them and killed the pix.  Thanks PB. Way too much work to move them to another site.

UPDATE: if you want to view any of these wait until after Nov. 1st. The pix are supposed to be reinstated.

As I approach 80----most of my friends who I could ride with are dead----recent trip to James Bay road with Andy Goldine=fine, inspite of mis-matched bikes, CB300F/BMW R1200R---I am 15 years older and had to stop to pee more often----As bike clothes manufacturer, he thought about getting cold or was cold, we stopped at WalMart for feather jacket liner for him. Both wore Aerostich Darien jacket and pants, as it rained just about everyday, he had Aero boot covers over his Kombat Lite boots, I wore my Wolverine waterproof Wellingtons, feet stayed dry and warm. Both had Aero overmitts, which are great in big rain---not so good in dry conditions.

Andy Goldfine would be a fun guy to take a trip with. He once told me about a ride he and a friend did across Lake Superior when it was frozen over in the winter. Said the biggest problem was maintaining the horizon, because everything was white and it was hard to define "level." Musta been strange.

Everytime I crawl into my Aerostitch suit,I think of him. Great company to buy from if you like good stuff.

I'm down in Warm Springs Ga and don't ride as much as I should be. I'm 73 and have some Arthur itis so don't like cold. I do wear a pair of Carhart overalls when it starts getting chillier and some insulated gloves. If it gets really cold I have some insulated overalls to wear. DOn't have anybody to ride with and really don't like taking trips by myself.