I have been trying to lessen my impact on mother Earth. I moved within a mile of where I work from Kent and cut my gas consumption and exhaust time to 1/20th of what it was. I’m two miles from the building I work in so I thought I’d walk and ride my 32-year old Trek bicycle. But it is up a steepish hill and I hate getting to work sweaty. So after two years I wasn’t walking (25 minutes) or cycling that much.
A number of my friends have gotten motorcycles. But that really isn’t an option because my family, emergency room staff, and I consider motorcycle riders by their nick names, organ donors. But I have been intrigued with mopeds and scooters. So I started thinking about that and recently got down to talking to some people who ride scooters. My daughter took one look at the scooter and asked me if I was having a mid-life crisis. I said, a Corvette is a mid-life crisis, not a scooter. :o)
After looking at the alternatives I finally decided upon the Schwinn Graduate 150. It has a one and a half gallon tank with a travel range of 120 miles or more. That should mean that once a month, if I drive to work on the scooter every day, I would have to fill up. And at 150 cc, it is a very peppy ride. I can go zero to 35 mph in about 4 seconds. The scooter has a top end of about 60 mph. But I’ve never gone faster that 45.
I purchased a 3/4 helmet, riding gloves and an armored coat. I am getting use to lugging this stuff around because if I ever get hit, I think it will help save my life. Nicely enough the helmet and gloves fit in the seat compartment so I don’t have to schlep it up to my office.
I’ve got to tell you, I’m really luving this little scooter. It is just so much fun. Suzy and I are insured for the scooter now and we plan on taking the learner’s permit test this Saturday. We went the day after I purchased and rode the scooter home. But there were over a hundred people waiting, no one on the written test computers, and only two desk people. Sometimes government just sucks. Oh, and they didn’t have any motorcycle rules books.
The Bis Key Chronicles 
I have never rode a scooter but always wanted one. Just for me. I hope you and your family are well. I thought I already Syndicated my space. Hmmm…I’ll double check that.
Have a great weekend!
Gandalfe and Suzy,
Nice scooter! When we visited Germany to see relatives, some years ago, many people rode scooters and it seemed a great way to get around the villages. It seems to be very popular and necessary in Europe. Really appreciated your input on the Graham blog. Got a chuckle out of your "blog posse" and will be using it…lol. Hoping that you and your family have a glorious week ahead!
Beth
nice space, wondering where to get some cool counter maps…
I had a bit of a chuckle out of your getting a scooter, since here it is really something for sixteen-year-olds. You have to take a test here as well, if only they used the lessons learned in traffic, it would be a wonderful thing altogether 😉
I hope you will have a great time exploring on the scooter!
love, daphne
In my adolescence and early adulthood I rode a few big bikes. I graduated into having kids and cars. I now consider them death traps. Every biker friend I ever had is either dead or badly damaged from the "accident". I live 60 miles from my job and travel down veryt busy freeways. A scooter won’t do so I won’t get one. I also won’t get one because my grandkids would try to ride it. I really would love to have on because they are fun but other drivers are the dangerous part of having a scooter. Be careful out there…
Cheryl, you, my wife and my mom are all over this. Be safe. As an ex-military officer, I really understand interval, awareness, and the fact that most likely you will never see the one that runs over you.
Daphne, that surprises me as the scooters were ubiquitous in Germany and France and ridden by people of all ages. But that was in the 70s and 80s. Maybe things have changed?
Beth, I created a new post because the term ‘blog posse’ tickled you so. :o)
Oh goodie.. I want a ride…smile…Wheee.
Have been looking for one for ages..just never got brave enough to get one.
Since so many people have pinged me this year about how I feel about this particular scooter two years later, here’s an update. The bike still kicks butt but I’ve removed the gas tank lock because using the ignition key to open it caused it to fracture. I’ve also had to replace the ignition system because it busted into a thousand glass-like pieces. The replacement was cheap and I no longer have to fight the steering wheel lock which never worked well and contributed to the key breaking. Finally, I don’t lock the seat anymore because wrestling to open it through the ignition system became a problem. Now every thing works and I’ve a total of $100 in maintenance costs invested plus one tune-up.
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