[davidmdahl]

How could two inches be a margin of safety? I would think that two feet would be more like it.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

When I eventually replace my own helmet, I plan to take my hammer and bash away until no one would think to use it, and then just toss it into the garbage. I would not want to count on a used helmet, and would not want the responsibility of letting someone else use a helmet I suspect could be unsafe.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

All three bikes, Virago (VSTAR) 250, S40, and Vulcan 500 are popular and well-respected bikes for beginners. The S40, despite having almost three times the engine displacement over the Yamaha, is only about 60 lbs heavier. The Vulcan 500 is about 90 lbs heavier than the S40.

Vstar 250 324 lbs
S40 381 lbs
Vulcan 500 472 lbs

The best choice will be affected by the mix of highway to urban riding you will do, as well as your comfort with the weight of the bike. Butt-test each of the bikes to see what fits.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

There is a lot of information on riding on this website, as you no doubt have found. You might also check the Team Oregon website for information on riding and the MSF courses they sponsor.

http://teamoregon.orst.edu/to_web/index.shtml

The last part of the Basic Rider Training (BRT) course include the written exam and skills test. If you pass both, you will get a certificate that you can use to get your motorcycle endorsement. You will not need to take any tests at the DMV unless you fail the BRT course.

I suggest holding off buying a motorcycle until after you pass the BRT course.

Good luck!

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

It depends on the jurisdiction, zone, and maybe how busy the LEO is. We have some communities in Oregon that feast on the fines from speeders passing through. In other places merely speeding by 5 or 10 mph is not going to attract much attention. When you get to the point where the speeding is 20 mph or more above the limit then reckless driving is the risk. The consequences get really expensive for those caught speeding above 100 mph.

Several times I found a LEO in my mirror while driving 65 mph (in a 55 zone), and he merely passed me. I have been most often nailed in residential areas where the limit was 25 mph and my car or scooter ‘wanted’ to go 35 or 45 mph. There is probably more leeway in a 45 zone.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

I went to one of the Wall of Death shows this afternoon at the Harley-Davidson dealer in Gladstone, Oregon. It was a lot of fun! Here is a video of what looks to be the same company:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S02L7yKrYdU

Cookie Crum was there signing posters, but at 77, she has retired from riding.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

If you’re planning to ride in Italy, you might enjoy the book “Vroom with a View”, about a tour of Italy on a vintage Vespa.

[davidmdahl]

Sounds like quite an adventure. Lights and stop-and-go riding doesn’t light my fire, but my Vespa is right at home in the city. I prefer to be moving but at least I won’t get a sore or strong left hand riding.

Thanks for sharing your story, Ranette.

[davidmdahl]

It is not hard to find information on Kymco. They have been around since 1963 when they split off from Honda of Taiwan. Apparently they started out making parts for Honda motorcycles, and then branched into scooters, and recently into motorcycles. Their scooters are highly regarded at least. The fit and finish is in a much higher category than those made in mainland China. I was considering both Kymco and Sym when I happened to get a good deal on a Vespa.

The Kymco bikes are good, so the main question is going to be about the quality of the dealer. If you have a reliable local dealer, then I would think a Venox could be a good choice. Otherwise, I suggestion considering other options.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

LOL! That should be entertaining.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but while I enjoy the camaraderie of the wave with other bikers, it does not make or break my day. All riders are of course free to wave or not for whatever reasons they have. I don’t think I can tell from the bike if the rider is a mensch or a jerk, so I tend to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes a jerk is a mensch having a bad day. There are really all sorts of people riding these days, on every kind of bike.

Mr. Big, I do find it ironic that you apparently consider all scooter riders effeminate pudnockers riding glorified skateboards, while you object to those of us who find the attitude mildly annoying.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

The interesting thing about basing respect and membership in one’s own “wave club” on the size or type of motorcycle, is that it ignores the experience of the other rider. The scooter rider may have thousands of miles in all sorts of weather. The cruiser or sport bike rider may have dozens of miles in sunshine on a pristine bike.

I find that watching out for other motorcycles helps me keep my head in the ride and helps my general attitude.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

In the Portland, Oregon area, I usually exchange a wave with all motorized two-wheelers that I encounter while out and about on my Vespa. Last September when I started riding, there were not so many motorcycles on the road, and the number decreased a lot during the Fall and Winter. It was fun to see and greet a fellow rider on cold days. Now that the weather is considerably warmer and drier, the fair-weather riders are on the roads. On weekends, there are sometimes so many riders in the Portland area that the wave is a distraction.

On occasion I encounter an old-school HD rider with full beard and leathers, and a well-worn bike that has apparently traveled many miles. Those waves are a thrill.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

In Oregon, driving 120 MPH is way over the top. Getting caught and convicted of driving over 100 MPH will result in a 30 to 90 day suspension plus a fine of $1,103. I am sure that the LEOs will do their best to add on enhancements like eluding whenever possible. If sport bike rides typically speed so flagrantly, that would be a risky group to join.

Best wishes,

David

[davidmdahl]

Take the MSF beginner’s course first before buying a bike. This is the place to find out if motorcycles is really going to be your thing, and you will learn what you need to know to get your motorcycle endorsement. It really is fun! Get signed up soon, since the classes fill up quickly in the spring and summer. If the schedule is too full, you might also check with a Harley dealer for their class schedule.

Best wishes,

David

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