Get Ready to Ride in 2009

I know it's still cold out, and we had snow last night, but it's time to start thinking about riding! What's 2009 going to be like? Will gas prices remain low? They've crept back up to about $2/gallon already, but that's still about a $1 less than last year at this time. The gasoline market is still unpredictable. If gas goes up again, will scooter sales continue to boom? Will the recession and the credit crunch keep people from buying? Or will more people consider a scooter or motorcycle a fun and frugal alternative to that second car? It's going to be an interesting year.

Another reason to start thinking about riding right now is that registartion is about to open for the spring sessions of the Motorcycle Safety Program (MSP). Pennsylvania residents are very lucky that the MSP is free... it costs $300-$600 in other states. They teach you how to ride a motorcycle, beginning all the way with how to turn it on. You graduate the short course with your license. The first sessions are in March. Registration opens next week, and usually fills up in 48 hours. You'll need a learner's permit before that, so get crackin' today!

Vespa Lebanon

I was up at the Vespa Dealer in Lebanon yesterday. Their spring inventory is coming in, and it is plentiful. The first time I was there, they had about 7 scooters. Yesterday, it looked like they had a choice of colors in every model. They have expanded past their little showroom and actually keep most of the models in the back.

One of the salesmen told me that they are in the process of trying to turn the rear parking lot into a rider training course where they will offer a class specificly for scooters! If they can create a Motorcycle Safety Program (MSP) for scooter riders where you get your license at the end... well, I don't know of anywhere elese in PA where you could do that. That would be a great thing for increasing scooter ridership in the area.

While I was there, I test rode a Vespa S150. It was obviously a lot peppier than my 50cc C3, and much taller. It jumped off the line as quickly as you'd like and accelerated with traffic up to 40MPH. Once it hit 40, it started to lag a bit. Its top speed is listed at around 70, but it's going to take a while to get there. It is still not something I'd take on the highway (well, maybe for one exit...). If I were to get one, I'd want orange. Ironicly, after riding all the way up to Lebanon they told me that their orange one is currently on display at the Park City Mall, in Lancaster, only a couple miles from my house. Doh!

.

Motorcycle Safety Program

You need a motorcycle license to ride anything over 50cc in Pennsylvania. So I'm working on getting mine. I've signed up for the Motorcycle Safety Program. It's free in PA and you finish with your license acquired. They even provide the motorcycles. It sounds like a great way to find out if a bigger bike is for you.
Having your learner's permit is a prerequisite. It costs $10, and you need to pass a written test (actually the test is taken on a touch-screen computer) at the DMV.
Signing up for the MSP is a pain. You need to do it online; the class are small and fill up fast; and registration only opens periodicly. I'm going to a session in Millersville. Registartion only opened last night, and it's already 3/4's full. But, I hear over and over that it is a valuable experience. It can even save you money on your insurance.
I'm hoping that the class will help me decide if I want a bigger scooter, or keep the little one and get a motorcycle.