I think I read $28,000,000 has been poured into the company that makes Segways and not many have been sold. The company spent a lot of money convincing city councils it was ok to let them use the sidewalks. It's generally not legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk, so why should a motorized scooter, no matter how cool it is to operate, be ok on a sidewalk? I think the Segway people knew the thing wasn't street capable and saw the only way to sell them was to get them on sidewalks. The only place I've seen them was in Annapolis, Md., down at the waterfront. It didn't feel any more comfortable to have a Segway whiz by while we were strolling along than someone whiz by on roller blades. The difference in speed: most people walk at 2 mph and 3 mph is a brisk pace. A Segway at 12 mph is 4 to 6 times faster. That's like being on a Segway on the highway and the cars go by at 48 to 72 mph a foot or two away. If they won't travel on the highway and take their chances, why should walkers have to take their chances with Segways on sidewalks? They are very quiet and as a result, you can't hear them coming. A walker suddenly changes direction, and blam! They seem like a very clever and expensive toy and undoubtedly have some uses, but should stay on quiet streets and bike trails. I'm sure people are curious about them and want to see how they work (I'm curious too, but wouldn't ride it on a sidewalk or through street), but lots of people don't like them too.
I guess a gang of Segwayites in their leathers will be coming to my house soon to terrorize me.
I hope this is just a photo-op, because no matter what your riding if you go down at more than 10 mph with what y'all are wearing y'all will be very sorry. It always pays to wear full protective gear when riding on two wheels on any paved surface.
Yep that was just a posed picture, if you notice the scooter is up on its stand. I'm still studying to get my permit, I'm enrolled in a safety class the beginning of September and I don't have my plates yet. I've got a helmet ordered and Patty's is being shipped. I've got a set of gloves and today bought a bright orange and lime safety vest with reflectors. We are still looking at clothing.
So right now our longest trip has been from the driveway into the garage. Yeah, once we go out for real, our gear will be a little more safety oriented.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.
'03 GMC Savana 2500
'08 Vespa GTS 250
Yep that was just a posed picture, if you notice the scooter is up on its stand. I'm still studying to get my permit, I'm enrolled in a safety class the beginning of September and I don't have my plates yet. I've got a helmet ordered and Patty's is being shipped. I've got a set of gloves and today bought a bright orange and lime safety vest with reflectors. We are still looking at clothing.
So right now our longest trip has been from the driveway into the garage. Yeah, once we go out for real, our gear will be a little more safety oriented.
Jack
Smart man! If not for protective gear I would be one big scab after all the years of riding.
__________________
Different strokes for different folks!
I never learned from a man who agreed with me. Heinlein
Hi, well if I have to post a picture of my scooter too, I will. I bought my scooter to take with us on Airstream trips, but really have no good way to bring it. So we plan to take our tandem bike instead. I used the scooter to drive 2 miles to work every day. [5 days a week] I drove it 8 miles a day because I drove it to work, drove it home for lunch, drove it back to work, and then home after work. It averaged 52 MPG. You do need a motorcycle license to legally drive it. My scooter is a 2004 Aprilia Mojito Custom 150. It is powered by the exact same Piaggio 150cc engine that Vespa used in it's ET-4. [wife wants me to sell it now that I'm retired and no longer drive to work.]
So right now our longest trip has been from the driveway into the garage. Yeah, once we go out for real, our gear will be a little more safety oriented.
Jack
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
Jack here is a suggestion for ya that should give you some enjoyment as well as experience. If you have a trailer or could borrow one, tote your bike to a store parking lot that is fairly large during closing time or when it is near empty and ride around the parking lot. This will give you some experience as well as get you used to the bike.
I rode Ruby to Boise and back yesterday. The previous owners provided Corbin seat is a god send. Passed a Safari headed east on I-84. I waved. Anyone here? $30 in gas for the motorcycle. $125 if I took the truck.
__________________
Michelle
If you think you are having a bad day go to the hospital and visit the children.
Sarah
Ruby, (05 BMW R1200RT)
Daisy, (06 Turbo Diesel F-250 w/Tow Command, the perfect TV)
Butter Cup, (06 Classic 31 w/dinette, solar)
45,000 miles in two years! http://Michelles-Adventures.US
I would like to know how many others in here have bikes and bring them with them and how when they are pulling their TT???
I am searching for an idea of how to bring mine along with me, right now I am looking at making a lift to load and unload from the bed.
I would like to know how many others in here have bikes and bring them with them and how when they are pulling their TT???
I am searching for an idea of how to bring mine along with me, right now I am looking at making a lift to load and unload from the bed.
Sarge
I'm considering a folding ramp that will allow me to roll the scooter up into the rear of the van. The next step would be figuring how to secure it.
We also have situations where in a non camping mode, we might want to transport the scooter to a destination point and ride from there. In this case we could use our Honda CRV as a tow vehicle. Here's a link to a small trailer that I am looking at.
I always take the bike with me when I travel. I would normally ride it in to the Sprinter, but with just 2" of clearance between the bike and the tool boxes at the sides, the winch/dolly combo works very well. It's a simple one person job to winch it in/out. The bike weight about 450 lbs.
I always take the bike with me when I travel. I would normally ride it in to the Sprinter, but with just 2" of clearance between the bike and the tool boxes at the sides, the winch/dolly combo works very well. It's a simple one person job to winch it in/out. The bike weight about 450 lbs.
I've been wanting to see the inside back of that van, Lew, it's as nicely laid out as I thought it would be. So, with the bike, full fuel, driver/pax/bike/supplies, what does the CAT Scale say the TV weighs, solo?
On topic, I like the scooters, too. But drivers and municipalities have a long ways to go to change their ways (attitudes and street usage rules), and I have no desire to be an early adopter for in-town use. I am seeing more and more motorbikes used for commuters, but . . $3500 still buys 740-gallons of diesel. About a year of all driving, or, 3-years of all towing. Probably more like 5-6 years of vacation travel fuel usage for us at this time. (At $7/gl, it would still be 500 gls, or, 7,500 miles towing).
A recent article in The Economist states (not suggests) that some of the promising lab work underway now could result in a custom diesel blend, non-petroleum, that would cost a GREAT deal less than the current stuff. I'll wait and see on that, as one bad accident on a scooter more than negates any "saving" of fuel.
That said, I'm poised to study folding bikes this next year for travel companions/exercise in controlled areas.
Actually, the winch IS solar powered, as the batteries that it pulls from are wired directly into the solar charge controller. Unfortunately, you still have to push the button on the winch control with your finger.
Rednax,
I haven't weighed the van solo without the extra loads, but I did hit the scales at a local fruit packing plant in Hood River as soon as I dropped the trailer, and with the bike and all of the other gear that was in it (the rear section behind the bike was loaded to the roof with Rubbermaid tubs) it tipped the scales at 8410 with me on the scales too. That's just shy of the 8550lb listed GVW
Still no problems with stopping and climbing the long 6% grades around here...it just eats tires.......only getting around 45K from the Michelin LTXs. In fact, I just switched to the Michelin XPS highway tires, and they still look new with 6500 miles on them.
it tipped the scales at 8410 with me on the scales too. That's just shy of the 8550lb listed GVW
Still no problems with stopping and climbing the long 6% grades around here...it just eats tires.......only getting around 45K from the Michelin LTXs. In fact, I just switched to the Michelin XPS highway tires, and they still look new with 6500 miles on them.
Don't feel bad, my diesel dually weighs right around that with a full tank of fuel and nothing in the back, and I can't even get a bike in the back with my cab height camper shell.
__________________ AIR #8891 1969 25' Airstream Tradewind Overkill Tow Vehicle of the Year Award:
1997 Chevy C3500 Crew Cab Dually 6.5L Turbo Diesel
I haven't weighed the van solo without the extra loads, but I did hit the scales at a local fruit packing plant in Hood River as soon as I dropped the trailer, and with the bike and all of the other gear that was in it (the rear section behind the bike was loaded to the roof with Rubbermaid tubs) it tipped the scales at 8410 with me on the scales too. That's just shy of the 8550lb listed GVW
Still no problems with stopping and climbing the long 6% grades around here...it just eats tires.......only getting around 45K from the Michelin LTXs. In fact, I just switched to the Michelin XPS highway tires, and they still look new with 6500 miles on them.
__________________
Thanks for the info. I really admire the Sprinter (don't really know enough, yet, to respect them; have only talked with service men driving them and to the local Dodge/Chrysler dealer servicing them, the admiration comes from having ridden in one a half-dozen times with a thoroughly unskilled dealer driver returning me to my home. The van more than handled well), and I have been wondering what it was like for someone who has loaded it heavily, and, you really have.
I hear nothing but good about the XPS tire, would have put them on my truck, but no 17" sizing (went with the LTX A/S that wears well). Had my truck been fitted with 16" wheels, I'd have converted the Silver Streak to the same size and bought ten of the XPS. Figure THAT tire rotation pattern and schedule.
Looks like a Sprinter with a drive-in rear and some amenities up front could be a slick dual-purpose RV. A pair of scooters, a fold-out, stove/sink/bath would be one slick way to tour from a base for limited distances.
Quick Links
Hi, well if I have to post a picture of my scooter too, I will. I bought my scooter to take with us on Airstream trips, but really have no good way to bring it. So we plan to take our tandem bike instead. I used the scooter to drive 2 miles to work every day. [5 days a week] I drove it 8 miles a day because I drove it to work, drove it home for lunch, drove it back to work, and then home after work. It averaged 52 MPG. You do need a motorcycle license to legally drive it. My scooter is a 2004 Aprilia Mojito Custom 150. It is powered by the exact same Piaggio 150cc engine that Vespa used in it's ET-4. [wife wants me to sell it now that I'm retired and no longer drive to work.]
Linear Mode
