It was bound to happen

[montmil]

After the R65 moved into the garage last Spring, my bride continued to mention the need to buy a helmet for her... so she could tag along with me on Sunday morning rides.  

I held her off for months with excuses about needing new tires (safety issue), front fork overhaul (handling issues), questionable ignition coil (reliability issues), hydraulic brake line (won't stop issue) and blah, blah, blah.

I really do not enjoy two-up riding so, as you can see, I did a pretty good job of gently discouraging her... Until she told me she wanted her own "scooter". The commute to her office at Denton High School is exactly 0.50 mile from our garage to her parking spot. "Sweetie, these little scooters get 80 mpg," she says. One-half freakin' mile to work and she's wanting to buy a scooter to save gas! Chic logic at its finest.

So yesterday, Saturday, we go pick out a 50cc scooter that meets her specifications: "I don't want rearview mirrors that look like insect antenna." More chic logic. Oh, yes... color is of vital importance.

Bought her a helmet that afternoon. I pick up the scooter Monday afternoon. The good news is that I'm still riding the R65 solo. Thank God for chic logic.  [smiley=thud.gif]

And to any female that may be reading this... I'm not chauvinistic, I'm profiling!

[Ed Miller]

.5 miles?  I would be walking.  Instead, this Greenie is running 100 + miles per day, averaging 40 mpg.
I need to be flogged.

[msbuck]

   It's  just too bad you can't understand 'chic' logic ...   [smiley=chairshot.gif]

You actually should be thankful for this turn of events.  Now she may discover the joys of riding two wheels and may move up to her own bike.   Then you will NEVER have to worry about riding two-up again...

Yes, I would be walking as well, but I think it's great she wants to share in your passion.  

Your punishment for this dastardly chauvinistic (profiling, yeah, right) thinking will be when next time you decide to go for your morning solo  ride, she says, "Wait, let me get my scooter and we'll ride together!"  How does 30 mph sound to you?  Two-up or too slow, take your choice...  [smiley=beehive.gif]

[montmil]

OK, MsBuck, I am sufficiently chastised. It's the whole Mars/Venus deal. Or as we males say, "It's a guy thing".  

The scooter may or may not catch on with my lady. That's why I bought her a low priced throw-away machine. See absolutely loves her Northstar-powered Cadillac with it's cooled and heated seats. She calls it her, "thoughtful car" as the computer reminds her when I should take care of certain maintenance items. So thoughtful, she is...

Unfortunately, the half-mile commute eventually toasted the catalytic converter and its related electronic components. Something about not getting up to proper temps and all. The part alone was $2500.00 at the Caddy house without the install fee! Did I mention I love my vintage VW Cabriolet and Ford pick-em-up?

Besides, she couldn't possibly walk to school as her Imelda Marcos-style shoe collection would most likely suffer.

I see a real scooter, like a Vespa, in our future.

Monte



 

[Ed Miller]

Get her one of those "halfabusa" scooters, the 650s.  If you can stand seeing a scooter run away from you.

I couldn't.  

[Justin B.]

I see another R65 in y'alls future!  

[MrRiden]

I also like to ride solo and it won't be long before SWMBO will want to go along. A nice 650 schooter may be the ticket.
http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m70/mrridden/Tortilla%20Flat/?action=view&current=ScooterBurnout.flv

[Melena]

Okay, I can't just sit back without putting in my  [smiley=2cents.gif] on this one.    

I'm really glad my partner not only didn't mind, but liked to take me for rides on his Beemer.  Started out on a /5 and then he bought a bigger one - a K100 - so we could go farther together.  Then I decided I wanted to ride my own.  And here I am.  And really glad I have my own bike.  But even now I still enjoy riding pillion every once in awhile........................but not for very long!  

But if you don't feel comfortable with a passenger, you really shouldn't do it.  I know that I wouldn't want a passenger wiggling around back there.    And it doesn't have anything to do with a man/woman Mars/Venus thing.  It's self preservation.  

Profiling?  Isn't that the same thing as discriminating?  You do have discriminating taste, don't you?  

[drewboid]

I hope you have room in the garage for another bike - she won't be happy with hte scooter for long! Now that she can ride two wheels your R65 will look good to her!!!
I made the mistake of send a picture of my newly purchased R75/6 to my girlfriend - next thing I knew there was an R65 sitting in her garage! Now she won't ride pillion or in the sidecar. Topping up two bikes cuts my gas milage in half!
ps - I love it.

[SCJJR65]

Just be thankful your gal wants to ride!  I'd give anything to convince my wife to get back on her bike once more, but since her accident, she says she has no desire to get on a bike again, even after more than two years. (sigh....)      When she and I were riding our bikes together, they were some of the happiest days of my life.....

[Ed Miller]

Dunno what to say, John.  I can see both points of view.  

[Yikes]

Monte,

Hows about a pic of your bride's new ride?

[montmil]

Monte,Hows about a pic of your bride's new ride?

Will post one in a couple days.

We plan to do a modified "Ride Safe" style program on Sunday at the school district's athletic facility; after Lynn returns from a business trip to Austin, Texas. She did run the scooter up and down the street this evening but we need to do some "real world" training before she really takes off on the thing.

 

[Justin B.]

Are you afraid she'll want a "real" motorcycle if you put her through the MSF course?

[Altritter]

When I purchased my bike, my loving spouse made two comments:

1.  Double your life insurance; and

2.  Don't wear a helmet. (I don't want to have to cultivate a vegetable

She was joking -- I think.  

She refuses to double. Though I'd enjoy the company, I'm relieved in a way, because I never liked having someone doubling behind me on a bicycle when I was a kid. The possibility of a doubler shifting weight suddenly is something I find disconcerting.

Also, I'm not sure how much I'd like having driving instructions given into my ear at extremely close range.