It is normal for people who enter the world of two-wheeled transportation, after a short period of time, to desire more power. In the scooter community, buying a motorcycle is referred to as going over to the Dark Side. It is a good-natured joke, but it is a good analogy.
Motorcycle and scooter riders are both members of the same “religion”. Their fraternity is illustrated by the wave that riders give each other as they pass. It is an acknowledgment that we enjoy the same experience: the joy and freedom of the ride. If riding is the Force, and a 50cc scooter is the ride for a padawan, then motorcycling is the Dark Side. Power comes easy. Perhaps too easily for the inexperienced. And that easy access to power can be corrupting. A young Sith may find himself with a prosthetic limb… or worse. I recently stumbled upon a great site (without bad Star Wars metaphors) for new motorcyclists. If you are thinking about getting a motorcycle for the first time, check out http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/index.html. The site is intelligent, well-written, and humorous. It includes tips and recommendations for those considering their first motorcycle, and reviews of many models.
After shopping bigger scooters and beginner motorcycles, the right bike at the right price happened to be a motorcycle: a 2006 Boulevard S40. Yes, it is one of the bikes listed on that site for beginners. It’s a lot of fun being able to go faster, but the gears and the weight make it a very different animal. One that’s not as well behaved as a scooter. I have a couple hundred miles on it, and I heartily endorse all the warnings and recommendations on that website about starting with a beginner’s bike.
I kept my scooter, and I‘m glad I did. Riding the motorcycle to work on the highway in rush hour traffic made me appreciate the nimble, light scooter on slower, lightly-traveled back roads. You can’t beat a scooter for practicality, economy, and storage. For these reasons, I’ll still use the scooter for commuting the majority of the time. And the newness of the motorcycle hasn’t diminished the fun of the scooter. I look forward to getting on each, for different reasons. It’s possible to enjoy both sides.
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2 comments:
Congratulations on the motorcycle purchase. I too believe that one can't really replace the other, unless you only do one specific type of riding. (see my latest couple blog entries at Pullin G's)
Suzuki makes fine motorcycles at a fair price; just like scooters. If you haven't done it yet, consider getting a windshield for the motorcycle; it is a lot more enjoyable that way. A Givi topcase helps a lot too, so you don't always have to choose between locking storage and power. If you choose the size appropriately, you can get one topcase, and a mounting plate each for the scooter & motorcycle, and just switch the case between the bikes. (one key turn detaches it) Have fun & be careful!
Do post some photos of your motorcycle. I think 650cc is about the ideal size for a one up motorcycle. I had a 2000 Suzuki SV650, which I made into a fine sport-touring bike.
Pullin' Gs
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