A few posts ago I mentioned that , after nearly 65 years of riding "proper" motorcycles I had joined the dark side and bought a new "twist 'n go" scooter .
However all those years have so much engraved themselves on my riding that I found the scooter bored me solid. Everything worked, nothing to fettle and the ride was about as involving as a kitchen chair on wheels! So I sold it and bought this "barn find" (6 years at the back of an old garage). A 1997 "classic" with a bit of a difference. Uncommon in the UK but very popular in the USA and OZ. A Suzuki TU250x with 20,000 miles on the clock. Just surface rust on chrome, paintwork good, sounds and goes like a MOTORBIKE. And something with which to get my hands dirty again.
So I fitted a couple of new tyres (old ones cracked with age) and while the wheels were off new chain and sprockets (adding an extra tooth to the front sprocket to drop the revs a bit) and new front brake disk and pads.
It will chug along sweetly at my preferred 50 mph around the lanes and cruise easily at a legal maximum 60 mph on country main roads with enough in hand for brisk overtakes (it's top speed would be around 80 mph). Motorways I avoid as totally boring.
Yes, that left foot gear change gives me a challenge since my stroke left me with neuropathy in left leg and foot, but at least it is a challenge and something to practice and smooth out. That scooter felt to me like one step away from an invalid buggy.
It's wonderful to be back! As long as I can hold it up I'll ride it.
