Wow, 2009 was quite a ride both on and off the two-wheels.
I started looking for scooter in mid-2008 with the intention of moving up to a motorcycle someday. So I started off with a low-cost Chinese Scooter (Big Red) just to see if it was a good fit for me. Taking the MSF was a smart move and 3 months later, is now required in TX to get the M class on your license.
Mishi Powersports was a great first experience for me in purchasing Big Red. I went with the 250cc and really had no idea what I was doing, but Suneel is a great help and I recommend Mishi for a first scooter buying experience. Big Red got some accessories and I started to ride to work daily. Funny thing is, in Dallas, you don't ever enjoy the drive to work or the store or downtown...but on Big Red, I did. The Faith Riders had a small ride from Wylie to Plano for breakfast one Saturday and I felt honored that a 250cc scoot guy was welcome to ride with the Harley's and the Yamaha's. Sense of community. My uncle and aunt were very supportive along with my wife. That started weekend adventures riding around Wylie, North Dallas, and finally the big ride around downtown...at least that was big to me at the time. Accomplished my goal of knowing it was a good fit and enjoying it. Even put a ride together of meroplex riders to a great lunch at Babe's in Roanoke, TX. This was just the beginning simply 3 months after the initial mount-up. :)
As a rewind, I lost my brother Jerry on 7/1/2007 while he was riding his motorcycle. Never wanted to ride one and got to the point of despising them. The light bulb came on and part of my healing in the loss was to start riding and find that connection to him and why he enjoyed it.
In October, Kelli took Big Red for a spin and told me to get another scooter...she was keeping Big Red. So, I acquired Blue Thunder (2007 Suzuki Burgman 400) which notched up my cc's a bit but kept me on a scooter, albeit a maxi-scooter.
The weekend after getting Blue Thunder, Kelli took her MSF and got her "M" class. Now we take weekends to scoot around town and even to a ride to Mexia to visit friends. That was a monumental day for us...2 hours each way! It's such a bonding thing for us to fire them up early in the morning on a Saturday and hit the road...to wherever we want to go.
The most scenic ride was to Tioga and riding over Lake Ray Roberts Dam. All water on the right, all farmland on the left...and enjoying Clark's BBQ. That was a fun ride day to repeat!
A pet project we are currently working up is Scamping. Packing what will fit on the two scooters and hit the road to camp for the weekend. The first time we tried, it had rained most of the week, so we camped in the back yard. Next time, it will be at a campground!
In closing out 2009, scootering has been incredible therapy for me. I enjoy it as I ride home from work or along country roads to bridges and at times, being able to experience something my brother loved to do. I enjoy it with Kelli because it is OUR time together and we're still young enough to enjoy it. With the Burgman 400, I don't see any need or reason to go to a motorcycle. I enjoy the CVT auto-transmission and how well it rides...so I'm set.
Thanks to 2009 and here's to a great 2010!
Ride Safe, Y'all!
