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April 15, 2005
scootering 
Bless me, readers, for I have sinned. I didn't go to Pilates last night, and I didn't go to the gym or walk either. I am even more sore this morning than I was yesterday (!!), I'm assuming from the allegro. And I'm still feeling a bit wonky from whatever I'm fighting off. So I'm trying not to feel guilty for taking some down time.
Which isn't to say that I'm not running around like a crazy person. I have the numbers jotted down for my taxes, and now I need to just file them. And, I test-drove scooters last night.
Folks, promise me if you're looking at buying a twist-n-go scooter, that you consider the Kymcos. They have a great warranty, they look good, they're totally reliable, and they're great fun to ride. Oh, and the price is right too. Hollie, I'm talking to you in particular—I know you have the fever!
I test-drove the Kymco People 150. I couldn't believe what a tiny scooter it is—not tiny like pocket bike tiny, but very compact. But it was responsive, and peppy. Really cute. I loved riding it! And if I was really even considering 150s, this would be the one I'd choose.
Then I rode the Kymco People 250. In comparison to the 150, this is a hulk of a scooter, but it drove beautifully, cornering well and with lots of zip. A nice ride! Unfortunately, it's a smidge big for me—I could get the balls of my feet on the ground, but not stand flat footed. That's not a big deal, I thought.
Then, really as an afterthought and part of not wanting to leave the scooter shop, I rode the Kymco Grand Vista 250. I didn't want to ride it because I didn't like how it looked. But once I was on it, I couldn't ignore that I felt like a little kid all giddy with joy. I can stand flat-footed on it. It rides like a dream. I zipped through the neighborhood, testing the brakes, leaning into the traffic circles, all the while thinking, I really don't like the way this looks, but I really like the way it rides.
It has all these goofy features like a digital dashboard and retractable mirrors, and all these smart features like a heater that supposably actually heats, a seat design that gives some back support, and conveniently placed "oh jebus" hand-holds. Every one of the scooter guys spoke excitedly about how cool it is to drive at night with the digital dashboard glowing, casting an almost neon shimmer to the windscreen.
The fact that one of the mechanics bought a Kymco for his wife is reassuring, as well as the fact that they say that they almost never see them in the shop except for regular maintenance. My Riva was a workhorse, and I never had to take it in except for maintenance or when someone would hotwire the ignition, or otherwise injure it in trying to steal it, and that's what I want again.
I'd love to have the indie-cred to have a vintage scooter and do all the repairs myself—but who am I kidding? That isn't me. I like the fashion of it, the idea of it, but it's not going to be happening. I don't want a scooter that I'm constantly going to have to be hauling to the shop to have them adjust something or tweak something or fix something. I just wanna ride!
So I gave them a call this morning, and I'll be taking it home, g-ds willing, tonight. Oh, and it's blue (!!).
Posted at April 15, 2005
Comments
The decision is made, then? Happy riding:)
Posted by: susan at April 15, 2005 4:07 PM
Congratulations on the purchase! It looks really cool. I love the way scooters look. Hope you enjoy it!
Posted by: Rachel at April 15, 2005 6:29 PM
sweet!
Posted by: brent at April 15, 2005 10:53 PM
Oh man that looks like fun. While I was driving home the other day I was thinking about how easy it would be for me to take a scooter to work. I could do all back roads. I think I could justify the expenditure by all the gas I would save since I wouldn't be driving the truck. They get what? A million miles to the gallon? The truck gets 20 on the highway when the wind is right.
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at April 16, 2005 4:57 PM