KymcoForum.com

I'm in Tampa, FL, and have already had some wiched-hot rides this year.  A mesh jacket is a must.  I also ditched the windscreen for more air-flow at speed.  I'm not sure that was smart actually.  It cost me a good amount of top speed, and the real problem with the heat is when you're stopped anyway.  I hate red lights in the summer (even more)!

I just completed my ME course on Sunday.  I passed the driving skills test with fairly little difficulty, riding one of their 250cc Suzuki baby-Harley knock-offs.  I tell you, one of those Can-am 3-wheelers would avoid the main reason for failure (dropping the bike), but it might be awfully difficult to make the 2 U-turns within the 20x40' box that the test required (that's 6x12 meters).  That was the only really difficult part of the test (and the only place where I lost points- for putting a foot down ).

Honestly, other than how to drive and shift a standard motorcycle, I didn't learn anything at the course that I hadn't already learned in 6-months of riding my 50cc out on the road (things like lane position, situational awareness, braking in a curve, proper cornering, etc.), OR learned from an internet forum (things like wearing proper gear, pre-ride inspections, basic maintenence).  I could see that others in the course (the true Newbs) were learning more, and if you want to jump straight from 4-wheels to 2 (especailly with a 150++ size motor), it could save your life.  But so can common sense and a healthy respect for the risks you're taking.

You mean just the rubber gasket that sits on the top?  Good question.  I need a new one as well.  Mine was pretty crusty when I put it back in on the last oil change.  My plan: wait until it needs changing again, then walk into the dealer with the gasket.  Of course, I should probably call ahead and make sure they have both...  I wouldn't want to be scoot-less fir a week while they ordered it.

Hmmm.  The temp gauge on my '06 P250 move around a lot.  It hovers near the top of the "lower braket," if you know what I mean while I'm scooting normally.  A 20min WOT blast up the freeway yesterday brought it to the top of that bracket.  When idling at a light (in 90* weather) it climbs well into the "higher bracket," then drops back again once I get some air through the radiator again.  Is it just my hot climate that causes these wider swings?  Or should I consider some cooling system maintenece?  (3200km)

I was out for a long ride yesterday, and fell in with a couple of Harley riders winding though a fun part of downtown.  They both had super-bright, pulsating brake lights that strobed on and off when they first hit them, then settled down to constant-on after a few seconds.  They looked like LEDs, but were awesomely bright.  I'm going to try and find something like that for my scoot.  Sould help a bit to wakeup the "accidental tail-gaters."  Won't help with the just plain aggresive ones.  I'll still be getting out of their way.

I haven't had to change out the tires on my Vitality yet, but the folks over at another forum I frequent speak very highly of the Michelin Boppers.

http://www.scootertrap.com/Tires.htm#12_Tires

I've bought other things from these guys.  Great service.  You may find a better price if you hunt around enough, though.