On Saturday, I rode to the motorcycle shop to look at a new jacket. I rode the main road at the 50 mph speed limit. On the way home, I stopped for gas. The performance seemed to be strained. When I turned from the main street into my neighborhood, it felt like the rear end was on a swivel. I drove to the stop sign, then turned. From a dead stop I turned right, the scooter decided to fish tail and swerve. I stopped immediately at that time. I put the bike on the center stand and shook everything. OK? I guess.
It wasn't until I brought it down and checked it on the side stand that I realized that the back tire was completely flat. I ran over a large construction staple, a two pronged nail. I consider myself lucky that the tire survived until I was close to home, and riding at very slow speeds. I was around the corner from home and was able to push the bike home.
I had previously never experienced a flat on a motor bike. It was definitely a "what the heck was That? " feeling, followed by a sigh and a Thank you.
I ordered another tire. It should be here soon.