Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650
Puzzling over Risk, Safety, and Economics After several years of thinking about the wisdom of having a reliable way to reach out in case of emergency I made a purchase. The question turned over in my head for a couple years is do I really need a Garmin InReach Mini 2? While I don’t normally […] The post Do I Really Need a Garmin InReach Mini 2? appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .
Indecision and Extended Searching for Tires At the last Pennsylvania Safety Inspection for my 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycle the mechanic pointed out cracks in the rubber and let me know that next year they wouldn’t pass. Two trains of thought immediately ignited. The first, driven by a sometimes irrational frugality, urged me to keep […] The post New Tires for the Royal Enfield Himalayan…
The Mental Merry-Go-Round Over and over I’m reminded that there’s little profit in holding too tightly to my plans. It was demonstrated again as I prepared for a long ride with my friend Paul and proceeded to rip the tire valve from a rear tire of my W650 before even leaving the driveway. Hugely frustrating […] The post Frustration and Gratitude appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .
Boots for Every Ride Whether on a scooter or motorcycle my rides begin the same way by putting on boots and other riding gear. Then checking out the machine to make sure everything is working as it should. I’ve met more than a few scooter riders who believe a scooter is inherently safer than a […] The post How is a Scooter Different from a Motorcycle? appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .
A Chain of Unfortunate Coincidence My poor Kawasaki W650, tied down to the ambulance on its way to Bestline Powersports for surgery. Many thanks to my friend Dave for driving the bus. How awful it is to be saddled with an aging man as a riding partner. A guy who can strike a blow to […] The post Learning Via Boneheaded Moves appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .
I’ve Been Here Many Times Before Expectations can trip me up if I cling to them too strongly. Thinking a ride has to be some sort of exceptional adventure is the sort of thinking that can rob me of opportunities that are anything but an adventure. Those days when I only have an hour to […] The post An Ordinary, Mundane Ride appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .
An Unfortunate Incident The 2001 Kawasaki W650 still looks pretty despite an unfortunate fall in the driveway. Clearly a result of a misstep on my part though I am still a little perplexed at the chain of events. The bike was idling on the side stand, choke out for the initial start, and I was […] The post Call Me Mr. Bonehead appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .
The Honda Trail 125 Drivable Trail signs make me a little nervous when I’m riding my Himalayan. Unless I’m certain of what’s ahead, and especially if I’m alone, I generally don’t ride on past those signs. That’s not the case with the Honda. I almost can’t conceive of a road or path that I won’t […] The post Confidence Inspiring Motorcycle appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .
Why We Ride A fine marketing slogan that swept through the Moto-world a few years ago with the predictable declarations of freedom and escape. I don’t deny those things for they are certainly present, but there is something larger at work as I ride. On the surface, I rolled the Kawasaki W650 motorcycle out the […] The post Riding and the Meaning of Life appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .
Powerful Motivator Fog still has power over me. Awakening at 5:30 AM and catching a glimpse of that magical murk drives the sleep from mind and body and I am ready to ride. Or more precisely, ride so I can document the world I seldom see. The one shrouded in fog and stripped of the […] The post The Power of Fog and Riding appeared first on Scooter in the Sticks .