Author Topic: 500 Miles  (Read 2180 times)

TeeMon

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500 Miles
« on: December 19, 2012, 03:31:42 AM »
Well, today I finally passed the 500 mile mark on the odometer of my S250.   I've only been doing short rides due to this "cold" and mostly wet weather in our area here in Northern California. 

I have also been riding my Burg 400 for short trips.  I'm trying to keep the batteries charged by riding the scooters.  And also trying to use the crappy California winter gas so that I can refuel with fresh gas.
Tony M.
Rio Vista, CA (USA)
2009 Kymco People S 250
2008 Suzuki Burgman 400
US Army Vet

wordslinger

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Re: 500 Miles
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2012, 03:39:49 AM »
...sssso...what you think??

                  ;D
..every mod (action) necessitates a (reaction) mod..

TeeMon

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Re: 500 Miles
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2012, 05:20:28 AM »
I think that I need a Battery Tender to help me keep the battery charged.  So I ordered one.

But  I also think that this scooter has the hardest seat and suspension of any bike that I've ever owned - well, equal to the SH150i anyway.   That combinaton is not good for my bad back & I don't want another surgery.

It is tempting to trade it and my 2008 Burg 400 on a new Burg 400 ABS.  But I haven't convinced my wife yet that it is a good plan.
Tony M.
Rio Vista, CA (USA)
2009 Kymco People S 250
2008 Suzuki Burgman 400
US Army Vet

wrenchmonkey

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Re: 500 Miles
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2012, 11:29:55 PM »
I think that I need a Battery Tender to help me keep the battery charged.  So I ordered one.

But  I also think that this scooter has the hardest seat and suspension of any bike that I've ever owned - well, equal to the SH150i anyway.   That combinaton is not good for my bad back & I don't want another surgery.

It is tempting to trade it and my 2008 Burg 400 on a new Burg 400 ABS.  But I haven't convinced my wife yet that it is a good plan.

You know that you can adjust the suspension on the S250? I also have back problems. When I see a bump coming up, I tighten my leg muscles and push my feet against the floor board. That takes pressure off the spine (like partially standing up). It also helps to sit back. That way, a major bump will just lift your rear as opposed to slamming your spine from below.

I believe that bigger tires are better and safer. The S250 has 16 inch tires-the Burg has 14 and 13 inches. Why would I want a bike with more horse power and smaller tires?

I do like the ABS idea though- a lot..

 


TeeMon

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Re: 500 Miles
« Reply #4 on: December 26, 2012, 10:47:38 PM »
Yep, I know about the suspension adjustments - that's the first thing I did on it - set it to the softest setting.  I've also added a Butt Buffer seat pad to the seat.

  Unfortunately, the local roads here have been destroyed by the equipment and trucks that are constructing the hundreds of large wind turbines in our local hills.  So I'd have to ride standing all the time because of so many pot holes, ruts, and strange curvy deep gouges on the roadways.

I've added the electric grip warmers to my S250 to help keep my hands warm when I'm riding.  And I bought a Battery Tender to help keep the battery charged.  I alternate riding my S250 & my Burg 400 and ride both of them at least once a week for at least half an hour each.   

Actually, even with smaller wheels, the Burg handles very well and is very manueverable.  The suspension and seat are much much better than the S250's, so it's much more comfortable to ride.  The Burg is stable on interstates and freeways, although it gets blown around more than my Silverwing did. 

I also like & need the extra power for the times that I ride up in the Sierra Nevada Mts along Eastern California - some of the inclines can be challenging.  It was a breeze on my Silverwing but my Burg occasionally struggles.  I'm anxious to see how the S250 does.  It is fun to ride.
Tony M.
Rio Vista, CA (USA)
2009 Kymco People S 250
2008 Suzuki Burgman 400
US Army Vet

TeeMon

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Re: 500 Miles
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2013, 10:25:41 PM »
I did short rides on both of my scooters yesterday.  It was very cold (for this area).  I looked at the odo and realized that I still only have 560 miles on my S250.

The recent weather hasn't helped - first we had storm after storm and then the weather got cold and then I got sick.  Hopefully, the weather guessers are correct and this cold snap will end towards the end of this week so that I can start riding my normal amount.

Tony M.
Rio Vista, CA (USA)
2009 Kymco People S 250
2008 Suzuki Burgman 400
US Army Vet

bandit

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Re: 500 Miles
« Reply #6 on: January 14, 2013, 04:01:08 AM »
Are you having good luck with the grip hand warmers? What brand do you have? I was thinking if I installed them on my
250s I would blow fuses and/or kill the battery.

TeeMon

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Re: 500 Miles
« Reply #7 on: January 14, 2013, 04:34:05 AM »
Bandit,

The electric grip wraps I have are from Aerostich (Rider Wearhouse) and cost $45 plus shipping.  They plug into your Battery Tender battery harness for electrical power (but they come with their own harness if you don't have or use a Battery Tender).

For the "cold weather" that we have in this area they work great!  The wraps have an on & off switch.  I only turn them on for a short time to warm up my hands and fingers and then turn it off.  I keep doing that during the ride so it keeps from using too much battery power, although I don't think that it would run my battery down even if I left it on during the entire ride.

After I get back home I unplug the heat wraps and plug in the Battery Tender to keep the battery charged.

My Burg 400 has the first set of grip wraps that I orginally bought about 7 yrs ago for the Silverwing that I rode then.  The on & off switch on the new wraps is much easier to use than the switch on the old set. 

By the way, my "Winter Gloves" are from Aerostich also.  They are thin deerskin gloves that are lightly insulated so they offer great feel for the controls.

Tony M.
Rio Vista, CA (USA)
2009 Kymco People S 250
2008 Suzuki Burgman 400
US Army Vet

bandit

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Re: 500 Miles
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2013, 02:20:28 AM »
Thanks.  I swear by my battery tender. I got 9 years out of my stock motorcycle battery,Hopefully I will get that many out of my scooter battery.

« Last Edit: January 15, 2013, 02:27:53 AM by bandit »

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