KymCojones

Laundry Day

2012-02-12T19:37:00.002-06:00

The pickup truck of the two-wheeled world. Also useful for transporting large bags of cat litter, cat food, pizzas, and beer.

Third

2012-02-04T18:41:00.001-06:00

... scooter in the condo complex! A Lance (SYM) Cali Classic 125, sold at East Side Scooters. I have a sneaking suspicion I know this young cat, but I'm drawing a blank on his name. Apparently, he's a new neighbor. So that's him, Dagmar and me.
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Waze And Mean(Ass-Bastige)s

2012-01-31T17:04:00.001-06:00

Footage from Wiley Pardue Road that I shot, today. If ya look closely, you'll see some chickens.

Now, as to the topic at hand... I am here to try to point y'all to some Android-specific applications that can help you to plot the Next Great Ride.

My Tracks (click image to enlarge screenshots): The best free GPS tracking/mapping software out there, bar none. Turn it on when outdoors, tell it to record your track, and at the end of your ride, you can export it to an easily-sharable Google Maps page that not only outlines your route, but reports your average speed, average moving speed, distance traveled, elevations... you name it. If you have a general idea where you want your ride to go, My Tracks will help you record it so that when you get home, you can refine it and research aternate routes further using Google Maps. And since it records the route, others can follow it (or lead the ride when you're not around). Also, if you're just out exploring, use My Tracks, and it will show you where you rode even when you aren't sure. Lots of great ways to use it to plan a future ride.

Waze (click image to enlarge screenshots): Another handy app I just tried out for the first time on Monday's ride. What Waze can do is not much different than your run-of-the-mill GPS for a car, except that it has social networking capabilities. That is, the more people in your area that use Waze, the more it can tell you about traffic conditions, as it automagically updates on traffic slowdowns based on users' (recent) histories on a given route. But it also does the ordinary GPS stuff -- turn-by-turn voice direction --which is why I wanted to test it, yesterday. I knew where I was going; I just wanted to see how Waze reacted to my ignoring its recommendations. :) It did a pretty good job, only failing to tell me in time that I needed to take a right from Little Pond Creek onto Sam's Creek (it spoke up as I was making the turn, heh). Overall, impressive... and it might suggest a route to you that you hadn't thought to take, before, as well.

I'm kind of a safety-nut, so I only put in one ear bud to hear Waze's female voice give me the turn-by-turn, but I could hear it clearly, and it was somewhat intuitive what the few sound effects meant (such as, "you chose to go a direction I had not anticipated... recalculating").

Anyway, I want to encourage y'all to start putting together and leading some rides. I'm honestly a little tired of doing quite so much leading, so I'm looking forward to doing some following for a while.
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Neil and Jack and Me

2012-01-09T21:28:00.000-06:00

Melissa and I met up in Centennial Park on Sunday at the appointed time. A few minutes later, Tonya arrived, and we waited to see who else might show, but it was just the three of us. So, we rode to the Loveless Cafe to see if anyone might meet us at this announced pause-point.

Tonya and her kickass Yamaha...

Melissa and her kickass SYM.

Other riders? It was not to be. It was clammy, cool and cloudy, so we didn't have high expectations. So, Tonya and Melissa and I headed down the Natchez Trace to Leiper's Fork to meet with the other group of riders at Puckett's Grocery.

X-Ray Dave was there to greet us with a hot cup of coffee. Several others were there -- Norm, Vic, Richard, Glenn. Not a bad turnout for a day that looked about ready to piss down the rain, all day.

The grill at Puckett's.

Bad live music, whoa. Love the hairstyles.
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Another Day In The 50s

2012-01-07T20:14:00.000-06:00

Fahrenheit, I mean... not 1950s, where tax rates were more progressive, and we we able to build an interstate highway system, rather than argue about mooching grandma sucking up too many Medicare dollars, right?

Ed had posted a ride invitation to Percy Warner Park and Franklin, which sounded like a fun time. We started the ride from The Turnip Truck in The Gulch. All of the Taiwanese "Big Three" were represented: Genuine/PGO, SYM and Kymco.

Ed pauses prior to entering Percy Warner Park to attach his Hippo Hands to his Buddy.

Michele makes a helmet adjustment, and then we're into the park!

scootnashville.com... REPRESENT.

Ooooh, ahhhh.

Hippo Hands not quite what Ed had expected. Some modifications will be made.

At this point in PWP, Michele spied one of her clients riding her bike up the path. After some exchanged greetings and an incident involving bodily secretions, said client invited us to come have a beer and hear some live music at her bike shop, later.

What a neat shop, this Gran Fondo, yeah. I had no idea you could get a bike that shifts gears wirelessly, electronically... no cables! Or that many of today's serious bicycle wheels feature fewer spokes, and they're shaped like little blades that slice the air. I did know you could buy a bicycle that cost over $5000, but I did not know where, exactly... until today. And I have owned guitars that weighed more than said bicycle. It's a whole different world, but one I was happy to graze against long enough to be curious; Ed can help me figure this stuff out, as he used to work in a high-end bike shop, at one time.

Great ride, folks... and thanks for the awesome lunch at Mellow Mushroom!

UPDATE: Oops! Forgot the map!

View 1/7/12 12:04 PM in a larger map
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Hoppy New Beer!

2011-12-31T21:27:00.000-06:00

As The Man himself once said, "Are we gonna ride, or are we gonna talk about riding?"

Well, today we rode. Eight of us set out to do the West Side's Best Ride from Thorntons, 20 minutes late (as usual -- but we were waiting for a motorcycle guy who's name I think is Allan; he discovered that he had no headlights, and left Thorntons to check at NAPA for a solution... alas, that was at 12:45).

Here's Dan, Michele and Ed, on our first stop @ Old Charlotte and Sam's Creek.

Michele and Norm with some of the scoots lined up at Grumpy's (Wiley Pardue & TN-250).

Richard was pretty happy with the ride.

Michele stowing or un-stowing something at Grumpy's. That SYM Fiddle II is their family's 4th scooter! How cool is her GoGo Gear jacket?

Franck does some Twittering...? :)

The fire tower across from Grumpy's.

Have a Happy, Safe New Year's!
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Merry Xbox!

2011-12-25T18:21:00.002-06:00

Okay, now the narrative for the previous two video posts, etc. ;)

At 53°F, how could one not ride on Xbox Day? I had found on Google Maps a way to cut a couple of miles off the more boring parts of the "West Side's Best Ride," which meant taking Old Sam's Creek Road instead of Gibbs/Old Charlotte to (new) Sam's Creek. It's a damned good thang I decided to ride and check it out before inviting anyone else to try that ride with me, as you will see, shortly.

I started this ride today about 2 p.m., leaving from Thorntons, as I usually do. When planning a ride, a gas station is an excellent place to start, so people with tiny gas tanks can fill up before starting the adventure. ;) As you can see, we're flirting with $3/gallon gasoline, here.

I picked up where the last video left off, on Sears Road, after descending into the gorgeous valley into which it leads from Old Charlotte Pike, early on. I'll skip the maps unless someone in comments asks for them -- I was going to add them in the videos, but opening Photoshop while also running the video editing software was risky, and would have at least required another reboot or two.

Here's where we left off, previously, so this is the starting point for the first video.

Ah, my poison of choice! 24oz. Busch cans... 2/$2.50 at the Daily's. Most of last year, Pilot had them 2/$2. I think I have seen this particular style of can before, but never for purchase... maybe blaze orange for hunting season? Ha. This happened to be discarded in the grass right next to the bike on Gibbs Rd. as I was prepping the camera. Damned litterbugs. I picked it up and stowed it for proper recycling.

Anyway, I rode the ride, and shot the two videos in the last two posts -- Sears Road, and Gibbs Road. That gives you a general feel for how fun the overall ride is, but at the end of the Gibbs Road shoot, I checked, and the camera was complaining of low batteries. So, I shut it off, packed it up, and vowed to come back with more batteries and a fresh SD card to try to get the Wiley Pardue Road bit at some future date.

I decided to double back, and check out the piece of the ride I wanted to see about as a potential improvement to the "West Side's Best Ride" -- Old Sam's Creek Road (new Sam's Creek is pretty danged boring, if more efficient). Holy crap:

The end of Old Sam's Creek that empties onto new Sam's Creek looked to be a little rough -- lots of asphalt patching, pretty narrow, etc. So before commiting it to the official route, I wanted to ride it to make sure it wasn't going to be more trouble than it would be worth for a group ride. I'm glad I did -- less than a mile from turning off Sam's Creek Road, I encountered the above.

The left side looked passable from the first photo's perspective, so I rolled down the obviously washed-out road to get a better look. Nope -- there was at least 6" of water covering various bits of creek detritus, among a bed of broken asphalt, hard limestone and shale. I pondered for a few minutes, laughing, and decided against trying to ford the ersatz creek. Even as close to home as I was, and as warm as it was, it would suck having to ride back home with wet feet, even. Not gonna risk it. So, back the way I came:

An important lesson for those who want to plan an awesome group ride: Ride the route first, always.

On the way home, I encountered a downed Honda crotch-rocket of very recent vintage (an Xbox present, perhaps?) at the intersection of Little Pond Creek Road and Pond Creek Road. I stopped to ask if they needed help, but the squid and his riding partner (always a good idea) had it all in hand -- no injuries, except to the squid's pride. He had good gear on, but was going too fast to stop for the stop sign and/or negotiate the turn, apparently. Laid it down; lots of expensive plastic to replace. Be careful out there, folx... especially on unfamiliar back roads.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my little Xbox Day travelogue, and I hope you're having a wonderful time with family and friends this season.
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Xbox Day Ride, Pt. II: Gibbs Road

2011-12-25T18:05:00.002-06:00

More explanation of this one too, in the next post.
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Xbox Day Ride, Pt. I: Sears Road

2011-12-25T17:42:00.001-06:00

Part of the "West Side's Best Ride." Further explanation coming forthwith. ;)
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The Gauntlet

2011-12-14T19:04:00.002-06:00

Throw down!

Many of you have cages. All of you have Google Maps.

Between now and warm weather, go find the best rides possible in the Nashville area. Make them under two hours (90 minutes of riding time + 30 minutes of stops is, IMO, optimal), so we can do a nice group ride on a weekend day without cutting too severely into Family Time. Ending near somewhere that sells beer is a plus. My entry is depicted in the graphic, above. It's one hell of a ride, btw, and 125cc-friendly, too. If you've done the River Road ride on a 125, and felt like you were pushin' it, you'll like this ride better. It's not as boring, and my average speed on it is under 40MPH.

This is a challenge. Maybe someone will step up and offer incentives. I would, but I am too poor, presently.

UPDATE: Were I scoring, here's how that would work:

40% = Curviness
10% = Elevation changes
20% = Scenic
20% = Time between 60-90 minutes of riding time
5% = Two stops
5% = Ends near a place to get beer
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Shorter Days

2011-12-08T15:58:00.001-06:00

Longer shadows, colder winds.

Are you riding, still?
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Winter Fethival!

2011-12-04T19:53:00.001-06:00

Yep. Thanks to Richard, we were invited to participate in the Donelson Xmas Parade, and we did! Here's some photos.

Steve talks to Franck (out of frame). In the background, the building where I once worked.

Bluedog Jim Cooper stopped by. No, I did not speak to him or shake his hand. Bastid.
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Requiem In Pacem

2011-11-30T21:58:00.001-06:00

We will miss you, Tara. She is as positive and fearless a soul as I have ever known.

Wherever there is laughter, Tara will be there with us.
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Sky? Falling.

2011-11-30T17:17:00.001-06:00

I have just learned that the Senate is about to pass a bill that allows peaceful American scooterists to be detained indefinitely by the U.S. military, so I am alarmed.
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Photo Pr0n From Saturday

2011-11-27T02:12:00.001-06:00

A paint, and another horsie, near the top of the ridge on Sears Road.

My plastic/metal steed, where I stopped to take the photo, previous to this one.

Steep hill? No shit. You can't even see the steepness from here.

Good tea. Nice house. I will try some of your burned replicated bird meat.

'Nother horsie!

Horsie and burro, with heavenly light!

I was taking a break at Lakeview Market & Hardware, and decided to review the raw footage. Noice.
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Best Ride on the West Side

2011-11-26T18:51:00.001-06:00

(electric neon purple light saber effects!)

I have found it! If Ross decides to ever run the ride contest, I have the winner. :)

The video is just a piece of it, from just west of the intersection of Old Charlotte Pike and Buffalo Road (I pulled off onto Buffalo Road to set up this clip) to a bend on Sears Road that starts back northeast, just after descending several hundred feet into the valley.

This is the map for the whole ride. Yes, there's some doubling back, but that is to avoid the more boring parts of Sam's Creek Road and River Road (while some of both are unavoidable, the parts those routes get you to are worth the price of admission).

About 90 minutes of riding, and I added 20 minutes to take photos and generally dick around. Details:

1.) Wiley Pardue Road. Home of "The Duck." Norm thinks it's too rough, and on 10" wheels, maybe it is! But on 16" wheels, no problem. The longest, most-fun road I know of, locally. It's in Cheatham County, btw. I was introduced to this road by Matt Barker.
2.) Dry Creek/Gibbs Road. New route for me, today. A great way to avoid some boring Sam's Creek/River Road riding. Man, this is a nice ride!
3.) Little Pond Creek Road. It doesn't last long, but it's an exciting ride.
4.) Sears Road/Old Charlotte Pike. Another new route for me, today, and it's a twisty, hilly ride. Awesome!
5.) Old Charlotte Pike. Mini "tail-of-the-dragon" riding, and between that and the southernmost end of section #4, what made up the video above, riding east to west.

Trust me: #2 and #4, y'all are gonna thank me for finding. :) The Trace has nothing on this stuff.

I can't tell you how jazzed I am to have put this one together after only three attempts at finding "the best ride on the west side." I think most of you will agree, this is a good way to blow a couple of hours when the weather's nice.

Tech details: Camera was a Canon Powershot A1200, mounted on a cheap tripod, mounted horizontally with bungee cords at the front of my P250's floorboard, with the camera sticking out to the port side about 12". I was cautious on left-hand curves, as I was really afraid of losing the camera. :) Map by MyTracks for Android.

Bike tech: Around 2:23 in the clip, I realized I was having vapor lock issues, as I slowed for that gnarly curve. You can really hear it as the bike nearly stalls at exactly 6:00, as I turn right from Old Charlotte Pike onto Sears Road. That's why I ended the clip where I did -- I had to shut the scooter off to pop the fuel cap, and that's what I did right then and there.
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Black Ride-Day

2011-11-25T17:24:00.001-06:00

So, @rubygirl asks if anyone's gonna ride. Sunny? Check. 64°F? Check. Guy with two thumbs? You know it.

I now think I have a damn near perfect 90-minute ride. It's a bit boring, but if you think River Road's fun, you'll like it, as we do all of River Road (which to me is about the most boring part of the ride) on this ride. One of the most fun parts to me is the little section of Little Pond Run Road leading up to Sam's Creek... and then of course Wiley Pardue Rd, through the Cheatham Wildlife Management Area (where The Duck was first awarded), and the stretch of TN-250 north to TN-49. Oh, and we started with that section of Old Charlotte Pike that rocks and rolls so very well.

The ride's about half roller coaster, half boring. Something for the whole fam damily!

UPDATE: Oh, right -- WTF? Gas is getting near $3/gallon, again? I filled up today for $3.069; last fill-up was $3.229, I think.

The Seriously Important Shit

2011-11-19T22:40:00.001-06:00

Someone thinks killing pigs with birds is not enough to get you through the waiting room time you and your smartphone have to endure on a daily basis, so some dumbasses are making a scooter jousting game. You can read all about it over at Modern Buddy.

Don't wake me until we have the Klingon targ hunt game bagged and tagged.
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Hey, Kerry

2011-11-18T19:51:00.001-06:00

Is this guy related to you? Or is it just the hat and the 'burns?

Apparently, he likes to fix old Italian stuff, too.
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73°F. Ride Day.

2011-11-14T17:25:00.001-06:00

A nice, ~35 mile, ~1 hour ride near the home place. An adult rollercoaster. Watch for leaves and sticks!

This is on Old Charlotte Pike, just west of Buffalo Road, looking west. Man, this is a nice stretch of road for two-wheelers.

UPDATE: Looking east from the same spot. Just a nice, twisty, hilly, couple of miles of well-maintained asphalt.

Laundry Night In America

2011-11-13T21:02:00.001-06:00

I hope I have enough quarters.
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Five Years

2011-11-10T01:39:00.004-06:00

Without a car. Yeah, bud.
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Today In Scooting

2011-10-22T20:23:00.001-05:00

... I encountered this Sewage 50, chained to a pole (by its easily-removed rear rack) at the corner of American and Charlotte. $50cc says this is where it broke down, and the owner lives under a mile away.
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84°F

2011-10-16T18:22:00.002-05:00

Click to embiggen -- this is just a stone's throw from Soprano's house.

I had to go get in what I suspect is the last ride of 2011 in short pants. I took a nice, long ride around the western part of the area. It was pretty glorious, but got pretty damned cold back in those hollows (or "hollers," as my people say). Riding along, there were 20-30°F changes in temperature.

A soul-cleansing ride.
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Leaves Are Falling

2011-10-16T15:56:00.000-05:00

... and when they're wet, they are dangerous. Keep this in mind when you ride the twisties near you.
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Dark Day, Heavy Heart

2011-09-27T21:48:00.001-05:00

I've known for some time, but had hoped that it would not come to this. Unfortunately, I failed to win any lotteries, and no investors or partners stepped up to make it happen, so... East Side Scooters @ 718 Gallatin Avenue is closing for the final time at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8th, 2011.

It's a real blow to the whole Nashville scooter community, I think... maybe not as much as it is to James, Josephine, Chris and me personally, but... it hurts, and I don't mind saying so.
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Temporary Wheels. Demonic Temporary Wheels.

2011-09-17T18:26:00.000-05:00

Many of you automobile-only people have never seen a right-angle tire valve stem. That part is normal, and are not completely uncommon on scooter tires. What isn't normal is where about 25% of the business end of the soft, brass valve stem appears to have been ground off with a Dremel tool. This caused a problem with the valve's structural integrity, making Jeff ride a few miles at very low speed to an air compressor that costs $1.00 to use, and was very nearly useless in getting atmospheric pressure into said tire due to said valve stem.

Finally getting enough air into the tire to ride safely across town on it, I headed to the shop to open it today. Rooster had the day off, but we spoke on the phone, and he had to admit that the 90° valve stem was probably a bad call on his part -- he recently changed my rear tire, you might recall. Yes, it probably rubbed the reduction gear casing, causing what you see, above.

So, I'm riding the boss's Demon Buddy until Tuesday.

It is a wikkid bitch of a fish.

And Tara and Tonya brought me Cuban guava cake bars!
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Not At All Common

2011-09-17T17:44:00.002-05:00

An early 1960s Fuji Rabbit Touring 150 ("touring"... heh, right!).

First one I have ever seen.

Ross tries to get an artsy angle with his superior iPhone camera.

What tickled Ross was that the shifter was the reverse of the Vespa shifter -- 1st is one forward; neutral, 2nd, 3rd, 4th back.

What tickled me was that Ross had never seen a vehicle that had the hi-beam/low-beam switch on the left floorboard, as the Rabbit has. :)
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20th Century Vespa

2011-08-23T13:22:00.000-05:00

That's the best I can do. At Antique Archaeology, today.
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Derestricting A Metropolitan

2011-08-20T12:50:00.000-05:00

Well, that's what Ed was doing at Kerry's last night. I was drinking beer, and talking e-cigs with Ethan.

Norm and Jason were there, too. Jason had some pretty cool news to share (and I now notice that someone from the store posted over at the blog, too, so maybe their interest is genuine).

Kerry has a lot of cool stuff, including bicycles. That's why his location is a closely-guarded secret (and his security system is pretty spiff, too).
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Oh, Deer

2011-08-19T11:56:00.001-05:00

Photo used under Creative Commons license. Photo by Wyarr.

Yes, I encountered one, in Nashville, about a week ago. A doe so big, I thought she was a buck until I got close enough to note the lack of antlers.

I was riding back from the motel my brother and his family had procured last Thursday night -- actually, Friday morning, about 1 a.m. local time -- on Cabot Drive. I was about 600 yards from Annex Avenue where I saw her. I slowed considerably, and after sauntering across the road, she stood motionless in someone's front yard as I passed. My bigger concern was that she would get spooked, and either jump on me or directly in my path, but she didn't really get spooked until after I passed her.

What's so odd is this section of Cabot Drive is about 40 yards from Interstate 40, and about 200 yards from the Cumberland River, two boundaries that would seem to make it an unlikely hangout for a deer.
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Fell Off At The Turnip Truck

2011-08-16T22:08:00.001-05:00

Kerry and Oliver catch up. Kerry was on his Ducati, recently restored to running condition after having problems related to last year's flood.

Dagmar explains something while waving a muffin, as Ed and Andy listen.

Oliver's Bajaj Apé.

Andy smokes a butt (yes, I gave him a card!), as Two Old Hippies and high-rise, luxury condos lurk in the background. Odd stuff happening in "The Gulch."

A bald manservant/chauffeur carries a load of groceries to the master's waiting Town Car behind Kerry.
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Back Shortly

2011-08-11T02:05:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: Nothing bad -- spending a couple of days with family in from out of town.
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Photo Of The Day

2011-08-08T00:19:00.001-05:00

Click to embiggen.

The Purple Pimpala and the Official Scooter of ScootNashville. Cousins.

More photos from today's ride.
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Come Rain Or Shine

2011-08-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

Meet on the other side of this, today at 1:00 p.m. for a ride, y'all.
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AggressiVee

2011-08-04T21:19:00.005-05:00

Vee Rubber VRM-224. Thai. Looks softer, grippier than the OEM Kendas I have used up until now... which means it'll be replaced sooner. Hey, you gotta try stuff on sale, especially when the mechanic says you should.

Thanks again to Rooster, who volunteered his time to do the tire change, and to ESS for being the best scooter shop in Nashville.
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The Unbearable Flatness

2011-08-02T11:50:00.002-05:00

So, yeah. I ordered a Vee Rubber 140/70-16 for Bad Penny from Scooterworks last week (or at least I hope I did... I left a voicemail for Adam on Friday, but didn't hear back from him). The tread was getting thin, KymcoUSA is being a syphilitic goat's penis, so I didn't want to re-order the stock Kenda, and everything else seemed more expensive than what I wanted to try.

That said, I wanted beer last night, as I often do every time my former political party loses its ever-loving mind and doesn't let the National Lampoon editors go ahead and shoot the fucking dog on national TV. So, I hop on Bad Pen', and off I go. Oh, there's someone backing out of a space around the corner. Boy are they slow. Hey, is my tire low? Feels like it.

Two miles from home, it's obvious there is zero above atmospheric pressure in that tire. I end up walking the bike while it is running, giving it just enough throttle to make it semi-self-propelled (while I jog to keep up), as sitting on it is going to further ruin what's left of the tire, and cause some serious control issues, as well. Just another mile to the Shell station, where I will have the privilege of paying a dollar for use of the air compressor.

Which seems like a deal, if it keeps me from walk-running this beast back home another three miles... but the tire has broken bead, so I am cursing. And pounding. And cajoling. Finally, I hear the *pop!* *pop!* that lets me know the bead has been re-established, and I put a whole lot of air in that puppy.

Let's see if it can get me around until that Vee shows up.
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While I Worry, Worry, Worry

2011-07-28T21:23:00.001-05:00

... a select few were invited to the Honeycomb Hideout for beers and scooter scuttlebutt.

Out host, and master of festivities.

The host's impressive Lambretta Servetta Jet 200, with a kickass seat.

It's he, it's he! It's Michael T.! Willy made a valiant pitch to sell this P200E to him, but... it's nowhere near a done deal now, izzit, fellas?
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Woman of Mystery

2011-07-13T23:18:00.000-05:00

It was no dinner and a show, folx... it was all show and ride. And some good coke, of course.
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Stop Light Conversation

2011-07-11T23:27:00.000-05:00

Photo used under Creative Commons license. Photo by sun dazed.

After leaving the scootnashville.com meet-up tonight, on the way home, I was sitting in the left turn lane at 46th Ave. and Charlotte. A newish Harley Sportster pulled up alongside me in the straight-right lane; a guy with a full-face riding, and a woman in a 3/4 helmet riding pillion. He blipped the throttle, trying (succeeding) to make noise, and I could see she leaned into his helmet to have a bit of convo.

She turns to me: "Wanna race?"

"Sure! Up to 60 (MPH), you're only gonna see my taillight."

She laughs. "Whaddaya wanna bet?"

Having had a beer, I say, "Who you go home with, tonight?"

She laughs uproariously! "Okay! So, what do we get if you lose?"

"Who I go home with tonight?"

The light turns green, but I still hear her laughing. I think her male friend was less than amused...
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"Hot As Balls."

2011-07-10T19:30:00.000-05:00

This was today's key phrase, and it was muttered many times.

Willy had summoned a ride via faceborg, so I showed up at his doorstep at 1:00, ready to ride. I could see from his lawn the grass had not been cut -- his prerequisite for riding, today. So, we had a chat, went out and hung out in his shed, and he showed me "what remained" of his collection of Vespas, an odd Stella and Bajaj, and a Lambretta Jet 200. Then, Ross called to say he was on his way, to see if he could get a jet from Willy. He arrived, and Willy re-diagnosed his Stella difficulties: Some dumbass installed the wrong spark plug!

So, off we went to Advance Auto Parts to secure some odds and ends.

Later, Norm met up with us, and we rode out River Road. Here we are at the green "S" on the map, below (near the westernmost yellow dot), having some tasty beverages and cooling off after two assholes decided to unsafely pass us.

Norm, the fire tower I know about is where the blue "X" is on the map. As you can see, Wiley Pardue Rd. isn't the only way to get there -- we could have gone north on River Rd., west on TN-49, then south on TN-250. It's right across from this place.
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Well, I Missed It. I Missed It All.

2011-07-06T01:58:00.004-05:00

... except for Friday night's screening of Larry Crowne (which I keep wanting to call "Larry Craig," for some reason, which makes me larf momentarily, inwardly). Yes, I have been in a fiercely antisocial mood for days, and avoided all human contact, preferring the company of cats, online (play-money) poker and the open road. Who can say why? Probably some fucked-up shit about serotonin that no one really understands very well, I'm guessing.

At any rate, I really want to apologize to all my scooter people for being a complete non-participant these last few days. Working the shop today really snapped me right out of it, but not enough for me to remember that we had a meetup scheduled for tonight, apparently. My first clue came when Ross texted me, and it didn't sink in until I saw his post about the meetup some minutes later, online. D'oh! So, I apologize to him, 'cause I was just bitching to him about the lame-ass levels of participation we've been getting lately... and then I forget to show up, altogether!

And really, big apologies to Jason, who is so sharing of his time, and to whom I owe small money (and larger debts of gratitude for his free advice and support in regards to my starting The Business) who put together the ride to Antique Archaeology for Saturday morning, and for which I was a no-show. And also to Willy, who, along with his enchanting wife and awesome infant son, hosted a cookout Saturday night less than three miles from my place... and again, I stayed home in my black cloud of "Piss Off, World"-ness.

Anyway, it's all temporary, and I'm getting back on track getting this demon stuffed back in its little box. So, I'll see you soon.

In the meantime, the graphic above is meant to piss off the oil companies, who despite record fucking profits -- and I mean profits that have never been seen in the HISTORY OF HUMAN EXISTENCE -- still seemingly have the support of Republican legislators to suckle at the taxpayers' collective tit, in case you haven't been following the news (which might explain in large part why I am so fucking pissed at the world... maybe I need to be ignorant, and maybe bliss will follow).
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Holler Day!

2011-07-01T12:03:00.001-05:00

A lot is going on this weekend, and it's all anarchy, all the time! No central planning!

First, Junior is spearheading a group ride to see the 7:20 Larry Crowne screening this evening at The Hollywood 27 in 100 Oaks. Tomorrow morning, Jason is gathering the gang at 9:30 a.m. at Bongo Java Belmont, for a ride to the new Antique Archaeology store opening in Marathon Village (the guy from American Pickers owns the store, and is apparently a big scooter fan), and from there to the Saturday cookout at Bloodworth Motorsports. Then, a ride down the Trace, and back to Sylvan Park for Willy's backyard cookout.

Whoa.
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Speaking of Ed...

2011-06-29T22:45:00.001-05:00

... I think this is one kickass photo, and it would have won an SMS helmet, had Ed found his camera cable about nine days earlier! :)
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Thanks, Ed

2011-06-29T20:07:00.000-05:00

... for sharing this photo of me being a bad example to all riders, everywhere. :)
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Big Phone Cam Photos of New Lid

2011-06-28T13:00:00.001-05:00

Click to embiggen.

This is the Fulmer AF-MB MaxViz, size 2XL, as the L nearly caused my skull to implode, despite the fact that my Fulmer AF-655 is a large. It's still very tight.

Can you see me now? Good!
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Just Another Meet-Up

2011-06-28T01:19:00.001-05:00

I pulled into Cafe Coco at 6:30, and Norm was waiting on me. We started talking, and he noticed my seat cover. Well, yeah. A couple of days ago, it was 1/4"... now, you can see. The donor bike has a perfectly cromulent seat, though.

After Ed and Andy showed up, it was 7:10, so we headed out. We went to Ed's house to peer-pressure his wife Michelle into riding over to Las Palmas with us. This is a found kitteh that is now attached to Michelle's Honda Metropolitan's rear rack.

The lineup, including Steve's Vespa GTS250 (he met us there).

We took a nice ride up to the hill off of 33rd Ave. to see the skyline, and then downtown to terrorize the tourists around 2nd Ave. and Broadway. That Stebel horn really gets a Nebraskan's attention. ;)

Anyway, on the ride back, I stopped long enough to get this shot in Centennial Park.
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Armor, Er... Otter

2011-06-25T13:36:00.000-05:00

Looks like protection that might withstand the courier business. I haven't thrown it at a wall, or dropped it off Birdsong Hollow Bridge... yet.
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Meet Ruk

2011-06-23T13:51:00.004-05:00

Ruk may be the second pony in FastCat's stable, shortly.

More tonight.

UPDATE: Here's another photo.

UPDATE: Yep, it's mine, now. OMG, what have I done?
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Impressive

2011-06-22T18:28:00.000-05:00

I went looking for this case for the new HTC Incredible 2 I got last week, but it was not to be -- Griffin Tech doesn't make a case for that phone... yet. So, I ended up with an Otterbox Defender, which I am told is as good.

Check out the Allstate Vespa and a ride I am (and many Nashville scooter people are) all too familiar with (although I have never dropped anything off the Birdsong Hollow Bridge, nor do I intend to).

h/t to Jason Hancock, co-admin of scootnashville.com.
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100 Fuel-Ups

2011-06-22T01:30:00.002-05:00

... recorded at fuelly.com, and the first one recorded via SMS. On 6/21. My birthday, btw! Here's what I got me.

And, I turned 48 on my scooter. At 10:01 a.m. CDT, today, I was turning onto Robertson Avenue, from Annex. HBTM.
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Dead Jawa Storage

2011-06-21T21:58:00.001-05:00

Me, on the phone to Josephine: Listen. If you come in tomorrow morning and find the shop full of dead Jawas, I can explain.

Yes, there is a story here. I'll have to tell it in person, though.
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Changing of Games

2011-06-17T23:03:00.001-05:00

There's about to be another scooter-centric business in Nashville, Tennessee. Owned by a guy with two thumbs. More details to follow.
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The Baddest Belt Buckle In Nashville

2011-06-13T13:39:00.002-05:00

Movie Night

2011-06-09T19:20:00.001-05:00

Never seen it before, and gotta get in the Mods Vs. Rockers frame-of-mind.

Oh, and Bad Penny rolled over to 25 megameters on Tuesday night, right as I was rolling up to the meetup at Cafe Coco. Serendipity.
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This Week's WTF Moment

2011-06-08T21:35:00.000-05:00

I understand the space blanket in the windshield, but not sure what's up with the two that're bungeed to the tires.
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Buddy 170i

2011-06-04T23:34:00.002-05:00

It's here! East Side Scooters got its first Genuine Buddy 170i, and man, is it sharp. Unfortunately, I had to nick its battery to sell a seafoam Buddy today, but we'll prep another one. :)

Btw, you know if this were a Kymco, it'd be called a "Buddy 200i." :-/

500 Posts? Make Some Noise!

2011-05-26T23:59:00.000-05:00

Life In The Rear View

2011-05-25T00:37:00.000-05:00

On my way to meet the gang.

The gang!

Maybe Las Palmas will be our new Tuesday night alt-hang.
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Legality

2011-05-21T18:03:00.002-05:00

Another year, another wheel tax paid.

UPDATE: It may sound like I'm bitching about paying over $77/year to have the privilege of riding my poverty-cycle, and I am, but just to put this in context: What I pay the state every year accounts for about 30% of my total costs of operating the scooter. How about that?
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Donor

2011-05-05T20:14:00.002-05:00

This bike died so that mine may live. You can't really tell from the photo above, but the rear wheel is about 10° askew, towards the camera. The scooter appears to have been hit by a car right at the muffler. The mount that attaches the swingarm to the engine is broken in half; the swingarm itself is in three distinct pieces.

This had to be a low-mileage scoot, too, as it has the stock Kenda tires on it, and they look brand-spankin' new.
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A Pleasant Sunday Ride

2011-05-02T13:09:00.000-05:00

The day was The Sux, mostly: Rained almost up to ride time (3:30). So, it was damp and a bit chilly. Still...

Steve loans me his compressor, after noting that my rear tire looked low. We fuel up at Thorntons, and head out River Road (again).

J.T. and Ross get prepped at Thorntons.

Norm and his BlackJack.

Steve's Vespa GTS250ie and awesome motocross helmet.

J.T. surveying the collection. Note that the orange 2T Stella is scootnashville's Official Scooter.

Here we are at Puckett's, Leiper's Fork, TN, after a Trace Ride.

This General Lee has seen better days!

Here's how you should look after a good ride!

I pulled into Kroger at about 8 p.m., so we had a good, long ride, fo' sho'.
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I Like It.

2011-04-27T00:40:00.004-05:00

"I've seen you on a blog, right?" he introduced himself to me.

"Um, yeah, quite likely! I spend a lot of time on the Internet," I replied, shaking his offered hand. Thus was I introduced to a new member of scootnashville.com (or prospective member, I should say... we're not really a formal organization, anyway). R. is just now in the research and shopping phase, and we're so glad to have people like him stopping in!

Flying the flag. Come one, come all!

Ed passes The Duck to Jason. I will let them tell you why and how this happened.

Susan came by to meet up with us, and brought samples of her wares (electric scooters that have a 55-mile range and a top speed of 30-35MPH, with a full charging time of 90 minutes); we'll be talking with her soon to get more details. I'd link to her web site, but it seems to be Flash-based, and doesn't display anything to me using Chrome 10.x. I could probably fix that for her.

J.T.'s schweet Lambretta, all washed and waxed for the cameras.
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The Saturday Evening Post... Delayed Until Sunday Afternoon

2011-04-24T13:18:00.000-05:00

The second pull-off-cool-down session as I rode to the shop Saturday morning to reattach the wing on the plane in mid-flight (read: fixing QBPOS so that people could transact business on the busiest day of the scooter shop week).

One of the three happy new Buddy owners we helped create on Saturday.

Scooter Guy has a near-tearful goodbye moment with the Blur SS 220i. I was there until 6:15 completing the paperwork for this sale. Steve and I stayed behind and had a beer after the customers left, so it was nearly dark by the time we pulled out.

Hot enough to make a stop at Wendell Smith's Lucky Corner. Rest, smoke, love.

Bobbie's Dairy Dip is doin' booming business near closing time on a warm Saturday night in April.

Where I get my Powerball tickets: Lucky Corner! Heh.

Some guy mixin' up some drinks (in a 1 gallon plastic jug) after a visit to Wendell Smith's.
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No Rides To/Through Brentwood

2011-04-22T23:22:00.000-05:00

... until the many good people and business owners in that town put a stop to this extremely un-Christian, un-American harassment of the homeless. Done, said, finished. Not a dime until, Brentwood. Not. A. Dime.
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Tales From The Shop

2011-04-20T20:37:00.003-05:00

Yes, folks -- it's time once again to tell you about strange or humorous happenings at my local scooter shop.

Photo used under Creative Commons license. Photo by Jeremy Page.

I wasn't there today when the man brought it in, but he had a nice, new-looking Genuine Buddy 125. Rooster described it thusly: "So, the guy comes in, and he's got electrical tape all over his turn signal lenses, front and back. He says, 'The thing's actin' all crazy! I can't get the blinkers to stop!' So, I pull off the electrical tape, start it up... reach over and turn off the 4-way flasher switch, and the guy cusses, and walks off to talk to James. Next thing I know, he's stormin' out of the shop!"

James was with a customer while Rooster was telling the tale, but he later explained that the gentleman is an attorney in town, and was about to be late meeting a client, so he left in order to make that appointment. Yes, the poor guy felt like an idiot, and he later came to retrieve the scooter, carrying a six-pack of Miller Lite tallboys as payment, which James gladly accepted. Funnier than the n00b who forgets to set the kill switch to run, and wears out a leg trying to kick start it? I'll let you be the judge.
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Another Successful Meetup

2011-04-19T13:40:00.002-05:00

Eleven attendees, several beers.
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Wheelies... on a Buddy?

2011-04-16T18:16:00.001-05:00

Hell to the YEAH.
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More Scooter Queen

2011-04-15T05:43:00.005-05:00

Click images to open videos in a new tab.

Episode Four

Episode Five

First three episodes... 2 and 3 have B( . Y . )BS! :)
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Now It Can Be Told

2011-04-13T23:44:00.003-05:00

All that secretive "Project X" crap I was talking about a year ago? I was involved in a project to pitch a reality TV series. Turns out they aren't going to be pitching this version, but I thought it turned out pretty nice, anyway.

The production company has set "no embedding" on the clips, so these stills are links to the episodes, in order.

I'll post the other two episodes as soon as they become available.

UPDATE: Episodes 4 & 5.
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Another Great Meetup

2011-04-12T22:38:00.001-05:00

... although Jason missed seeing the banner and the fine goblets he had made up for us, tonight. Eleven people (twelve if we count Michael T., who stopped in for a minute -- he was there with his work gang) showed up, and although we didn't fly the banner this week (no one had twine!), we will next week, for sure. Thanks to all who came out!
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KymcoUSA 2012

2011-04-11T21:34:00.011-05:00

Out of the U.S. lineup for 2012 (although new old stock purchases will be around for a while):

* Sting 50
* People S 125
* People S 200
* People S 250
* Grand Vista 250
* Xciting 250
* Xciting 250Ri
* Quannon 150 (motorcycle)
* Venox 250 (motorcycle)
* All 2-stroke versions of 50cc scooters -- they're gone, gone, gone

In the U.S. for the first time in 2012:

* Two new "LX" versions of the Like -- 50 and 200i (no news on the 'tubes about these, but they're pricier, so maybe they're Taiwanese rather than mainland Chinese)

* Two (of the three available elsewhere; U.S will not see the 125i) displacements for the Downtown -- 200i (new) and 300i (300i not new; both models having identical body styling and dimensions)

* Two (of the three available elsewhere; U.S. will not see the 125i) displacements for the new (to the U.S.) People GT -- 200i and 300i (both having identical body styling and dimensions)

Now, I just have to decide which to buy first when I win the lottery. I love the Downtown, but they have really sexed up the fugly cousin of the Kymco brand, the People, moving the radiator behind the front wheel like the rest of the civilized world... that GT 300i is giving me slight wood (or the model is, one). I should also mention the U.S versions of the People GT will have the idiotic bug-pod turn signal indicators under the handlebars (which should be immediately removed by people of taste, and the actual, beautiful, huge honkin' indicators on the front fairing wired in, ASAP). Fuckin' NHTSA and DOT.

UPDATE: ... to reflect additional pissage: People 300i not available in white in U.S.! WTF, KymcoUSA? Y'all are really clueless, aren't ya?
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Enemy Camp

2011-04-10T17:46:00.003-05:00

My first brown t-shirt ever! I like the design -- a Vespa GTS 250ie (just like my buddy Steve's) in front of the Ryman... very classy, IMO.

And I'm joking about the "enemy" shit -- Bloodworth serves a different clientele than ESS, really. Although I have had a few customers tell me they would never return there (for whatever their reasons -- I won't go into it, as I have no bone to pick), they have been nothing but very nice to me whenever I've had to order parts for a customer's modern Vespa or Piaggio, and have dropped in to chat or pick up said parts (I live very nearby the dealership). I suspect too that scooter sales make up a very small segment of their business, which may be why they're trying to cultivate some scooter rides and activities presently. Seems most of their business is in selling and servicing the rather nice BMW and Ducati motorcycles, but they have a very decent selection of Vespas and Piaggios, as well.
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Idiocy.

2011-04-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

The thangs some people will do to win a slow-as-hell, 50cc scooter.
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WANT.

2011-04-08T21:23:00.002-05:00

Hey... gonna have most of the body panels off when I replace the engine... I wonder if there's a kit.
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As Of Today

2011-04-06T06:54:00.001-05:00

... there is an official scootnashville.com scooter, and this is it. As of today, scootnashville will have three very active members who own a 2-stroke orange Stella. In a town filled to the gills with Buddys, whodathunkit?
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I ♥ scootnashville.com

2011-04-04T23:19:00.002-05:00

These fuckers are all really fun to hang out with. If you're riding a scooter in Nashville, and not hanging out with Ross, Jason, Steve, Tara, Tonya, J.T., Matt and me, you're really missing out and just don't know it. Come find out -- nothing says you have to come all the time, but give it a shot. I think you'll have a good time!

The gang, ensconsed on couches and loveseats at the Flying Saucer, tonight (well, a lot of the gang, anyway).

Jason and Ross, two of the founders.

Matt and Steve have an animated discussion about rides and video.

Most of the food contained bratwurst, tonight.

Ross and J.T.

Put Your Scooters Away

2011-04-03T21:28:00.000-05:00

Photo used under Creative Commons license. Photo by Happy Monkey.

That's right, Middle Tennessee. Next month comes the re-emergence of Brood X of the 13-year cicada. In 1998, I recall the roads being slick with them, so they will likely present some challenges to we who ride scooters... expect to suit up with some tough faceshields, too, as goggles are not gonna get you through this. BEWARE.
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Good Ride, Bad News

2011-04-03T17:25:00.002-05:00

The ride route.

Gathering at East Side Scooters.

The end of the ride: Lewis Country Store, Scottsboro, TN.

Norm and Jason wax philosophical about hot dog carts. Jason should have some video of the twisties, soon.

Thunder Roads, the premiere soft-core pr0n biker mag, produced locally! Always free and available at Lewis Country Store.

The bad news: Big Red Ugly is overheating, again... third spring in a row. New name: Bad Penny.
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Spring Freshening

2011-04-01T02:23:00.000-05:00

I did some minor facelifting and tweaks at the ESS site, so I thought I'd poke around a bit here, too. I first posted the photo over two years ago, but to refresh everyone's memories, it was taken on 7/20/1969, at Camden Park, in Huntington, WV. That's me in the middle, btw.

As for the astronaut thang... Google the date.

Oh, and be sure to visit JohnnyScoots, a new Tumblr by the newly-repatrioted-to-Tennessee-by-way-of-California guy, Prentice (also in the blogroll to your right).
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You! In Nashville! With The Scooter!

2011-03-23T15:45:00.006-05:00

Get your fine, froggy ass to Cafe Coco tonight at 7:00 for our semi-monthly scootnashville.com meet-up!

Jason is bringing some of the patches you see above ($3/ea., or 2/$5), and we're just gonna have a beer or a coffee and a chat or 19 about rides, plans for the spring, and general scooter geekiness. So, if you have a scooter, or you want a scooter, and want to pick the brains of those who live and breathe them, tonight is a very good opportunity for stop in and introduce yourself. If it's nice, we'll be outside, so look for the loud people and the helmets.
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Yes, A Museum

2011-03-19T19:52:00.004-05:00

The scootnashville.com gang was hankerin' for a ride, as the weather is ass-kicking, the trees are blooming, etc. So last night, Ross made and executive decision, and we went to Lane Motor Museum, today.

Today was one of the rare event days, where they give out the "basement tour" (the museum only has enough space to display about half of the available collection at any one time), and they fire up some of the old cars, too. Lane tries to keep all the vehicles in running condition, which I think is pretty awesome.

UPDATE: Here's me, Steve (face obscured by rearview mirror) and Tara in the one "photo car" that you can touch and actually get inside, a Citroen 2CV of indeterminate vintage (probably 1970s):

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Winning The Big Lotto

2011-03-11T18:51:00.003-06:00

Yes, the big jackpot games are definitely a tax on the mathematically-innumerate, but it's still fun to dream (and throw an occasional $1 at). Two scooters I'd pretty much get right off the bat:
Kymco Downtown 300i. This would replace BRU for all intensive porpoises. The "get from A to B quickly" bike.

Honda PCX125. The everyday grocery-getter, errand-runner. Gets fantastic gas mileage, and I bet it's really fun to ride.
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I Thought It'd Been A While

2011-03-07T00:24:00.002-06:00

... since I had been on a date. Well, maybe, but...
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Mardi Gras Parade

2011-03-06T18:30:00.004-06:00

Simultaneous posting on the cat blog and the scooter blog... unpossible? No! MAGIC.

It was a cold and miserable day, and I'm glad Ross was out of town, 'cause if he hadn't been, I likely would have kept my comfy ass indoors all day. 37°F all day, so not the ideal for a scooter ride. The kids loved the scooters, the beads (oh, the beads) and the horsies. I nearly fell over several times, trying to liberate beads from my mirrors and the bag I had tied to my curry hook.

If you get a minute, here's the full spread of photos I took, today.

This was the first time Alton had put together something like this, so we hope we're invited back next year. It was fun!

SPECIAL KYMCOJONES UPDATE: I quack me up.

DAY AFTER UPDATE: Here's the only photo that appeared on The Tennessean's web site that showed some scooters during the parade action. I just happened to be in the foreground.

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Intuit (maker of QuickBooks, et al) Sucks, And Here Is Why

2011-02-23T23:05:00.005-06:00

Intuit are extortionists.

The shop calls me early this morning, saying they're unable to complete a sale using the QuickBooks Point-of-Sale software they've been using since the shop opened. I'm their computer "go-to" guy. Their accountant -- who normally deals with All Things Intuit -- is unavailable.

Why might this be? Well, the new payroll tax exemptions put through by the Obama administration (to avoid doing the hard work of pointing out that the richest fuckers on Planet Earth need to pay a perfectly-justifiable little more) means that the FICA withholding on poor folx is going to be 2% less than it was last year. That meant the QuickBooks server software needed an upgrade, which the accountant has just dutifully performed in the last few days... huzzah! $187, and life is good... right?

NO. $187 for one computer, $997 for the other computer that does the actual cash drawer functions. Yay, free market! Or, as I like to call it, extortion.

See, the computer that actually sells people stuff now needs a software upgrade too, to be compatible with the new server software. Two computers -- one acting as server/database manager; one as client/sales/cash register.

One computer works. The one that makes it possible to open the cash drawer? Not so much! UNTIL the $1000 ransom is paid!

So, the quest begins. After an hour, both computers have the necessary software downloaded from intuit.com. After 90 minutes, both computers have the software mostly installed (after a lengthy refreshing of Micro$oft's .NET framework, anyway). Then, the software asks the $1000 question: Have thee a license number and product code?

Well, fuck NO, we don't have that -- there was never an option prior to this to allow us to PAY for such a privilege!

So then the online chats and phone calls start.

(to be continued)
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Edward James Almost

2011-02-21T23:00:00.007-06:00

... as in "almost bought the frackin' farm."

We had an epic ride goin' on, this past Sunday. And I will say right now, this accident was no one's fault -- nor will I identify the person who wrecked, other than to say he really does resemble Edward James Olmos... in a helmet, anyway. Anyway, here we are, cruising along too fast on a curvy rural road in the middle of nowhere, when BAM! Down he goes.

We're a group of six. He's #3 in the pack to my #6, so I saw the whole thang, and I was scared. This did NOT look good in any sense. We were going 35-40mph, and he drifted towards the shoulder, got caught up in some loose gravel, went sideways, and over the handlebars into a ditch. OMG.

After everyone got stopped or turned around to check on what had happened, it was obvious his remaining problems were more with his scooter than his bones or internal organs, so that was a big relief. The forks weren't perfectly aligned with the handlebars, any longer, but it wasn't so far out as to think "Gee, this is gonna kill me if I try to ride it back to the country store," so that's what we ended up doing. In fact, it was okay enough that our low-speed ride back to country store convinced the rider that we could limp it all the way back to town, so I followed him all the way back, successfully.

Now, I'm trying to write up some basic "Here's how we ride, and here's what you can expect" rules so people will never feel like they have to ride faster than they're comfortable in riding to keep pace with the gang. 'Cause that's not how we roll! We just wanna have fun, and we're very good about making sure everyone makes it from Point A to Point C (and we really WILL come looking for your bleeding-at-the-side-of-the-road ass if you don't catch up with the rest of us in 5-10 minutes). It is NOT a competition. We're just having some fun, y'all.
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I'm Alive!!!

2011-02-18T14:57:00.005-06:00

Oh, hello there! You don't remember me? I wouldn't be surprised! I haven't posted in a long while due to both life and laziness. I blame winter. Now that the Nashville weather has been cooperating lately, I got my Grand Vista (whom I call Hoss) out of sleep mode and hit the streets. She cranked right up and we were on our way. My, how I missed riding that thing. Scooting is the best way to spend a warm day. So on to the real reason for my post- I've recently been looking at the new KYMCO Like 200i. I can hardly imagine riding another scooter other than my GV but I sure do like the idea of something a bit smaller. I'm interested to see how it fits me because my GV is a perfect fit!! I plan to go by ESS tomorrow and check one out in person and see if the love translates when I hit the road on one! Of course, in saying that, I'd have to sell the ol' Hoss before I could buy a Like. Anyone have any thoughts? Pros? Cons? I'm all ears!

Interesting Customers

2011-02-14T15:30:00.000-06:00

Photo used under Creative Commons (photo by Rickydavid).

The walkers. They tend to fall into three camps:

• Folks who live nearby, and are having their scooters serviced;
• People who one can easily suspect do not have a driver's license (and usually their first question is some derivation of "Do I have to have a license to ride one of these?");
• The interesting customer.

Some of that third group are just trying to bum a cigarette, some money or even some work. Some of them are just walking around town, and killing some time -- they're like the Patels, from Glengarry, Glen Ross: They just like talking to sales people. I can see that. Some people probably rarely exchange even the slightest pleasantry with others. It's a pretty safe bet that a sales person (a professional one, anyway) is not going to berate, demean or be rude to you on purpose, I suppose.

The main thing is, you know with this third group within the first minute or so (and in most cases, with the second group, as well), there's not even a possibility of conducting any commerce with them -- definitely not now, nor likely in the future. But sales is a service industry, and I like to treat everyone with respect (as I also like to be treated), and I answer their questions, and try to be helpful, friendly. You never know who someone talks to, and it may lead to someone else's business down the road.

Then there are the ones you can't categorize, such as this gentleman.

Interesting Customer: Are you guys open?
Me: Absolutely! Come on in. What can I do for ya?
IC: Oh... [mumble-mumble]
Me: [pause] Well, take a look around. We're kind-of down to the winter stock levels, but we have new stuff arriving in the next month or so. If you have any questions, just let me know.

After a few minutes...

IC: [pointing at a customer's Genuine Stella, in for repair] How much you take for that?
Me: Well, sir, that one's in for repairs, so it's not for sale. I do have a new one right here [points at new one], and it goes out the door for [price]. That's tax, temp tags and everything.
IC: But how much for THIS one [again, pointing at customer's Stella].
Me: Sir, that one belongs to one of our customers. It's here for repairs.
IC: How much you want for it?
Me: It doesn't belong to us -- it's not for sale.
IC: I know! But... how much you want for it?

This goes on for a while, until I finally offer to take down the customer's phone number, and tell him I'll put the owner in touch with him if he should want to sell it. "Don't got no phone." Really? I am shocked.

IC: You got any of those Honda-style scooters?
Me: We don't carry Honda as a brand, but we have plenty of automatic, "twist-n-go" scooters, yes sir.
IC: [Looks around... comes back to the customer's Stella, in for repairs] Where's this one made? Mexico?
Me: No sir -- that model is made in India by a company known as LML.
IC: This is made by the red man?
Me: Um, no. This is made by a company in the nation of India. LML.
IC: How much you want for it?
Me: [Mentally smacks head against hard surface]
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Al Gore's Fatness Is Local

2011-02-13T17:59:00.002-06:00

Photo used under Creative Commons (photo by jbitzerjr)

Yes -- Al lives but a few miles from me, and today, Nashville actually got up to 65°F. Just this past Wednesday, we had snow. Early Friday morning when I got up, it was 8°F.

I wish I could say I got out on some epic ride, but I ran some errands and took a nap, instead. I haven't been sleeping well at all.

Fear not -- this whole week is supposed to be very pleasant. I'd be thrilled if that fat ol' groundhog Gore was right for one February in his life. We shall see!
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Yes, I Am Industrious

2011-02-06T18:21:00.004-06:00

Not only did I get kitty litter, groceries and get in some riding on this 51°F day, I also used the last little bit of daylight to change the oil in Big Red Ugly. 21330.5km. I figured this would be the warmest day this month to lay on the pavement. The service indicator just turned yesterday, so... why not go ahead and ger 'er done?

Shit's gettin' expensive, though -- $7.99/liter? Seems I paid less than $6 last time I got it at an auto parts store.
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In Kymco News...

2011-02-04T18:29:00.002-06:00

... I was surprised to discover that Kymco is the world's 5th-largest manufacturer of powered two-wheeled vehicles, behind Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Piaggio.

How about that? Bigger than Yamaha.

Then again, Yamaha makes everything.
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Also Found

2011-01-30T15:41:00.004-06:00

... on the side of the road, out River Road, near Lillimay. QUACK!

Also happy to report that out of the scores of Harleys I met on the road today (64°F!), only one failed to give the wave.

BTW, shitty photo quality = result of using extent of optical zoom from the balcony. No, I do NOT have digital zoom enabled.
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Found

2011-01-29T17:24:00.003-06:00

Ross and PatROCK were walking next door (from the shop) to Burger King, when Ross called out something unintelligible, and made a throwing motion over the fence towards me.

I believe this once belonged to Big Red Ugly, and so did he.
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Winter

2011-01-17T09:48:00.002-06:00

... and the scooter blogs and forums are all but dead.

One notable exception: Orin's excellent Scootin' Old Skool. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have temperatures in the 50s°F... dammit. I remember when Nashville had winter weather like that, but then Al Gore had to go and get fat. Y'know, he lives less than 10 minutes from me.
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Rep. Giffords

2011-01-09T22:16:00.002-06:00

As most of you probably know by now, Arizona Democrat Gabrielle Giffords survived a horrific gunshot wound to the head on Saturday in Tucson at a public event. Many others, including a 9 year-old girl and a federal judge, were not even that fortunate, if you can call it that. I'm sure Rep. Giffords has a long, difficult recovery ahead.

What you may not know about Rep. Giffords is that she is co-chair of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus (I didn't even know such a caucus existed!), and rides motorcycles and scooters, and she owns a 1963 Vespa GS with sidecar that she parks in her living room.

In the spirit of wishing her a speedy and full recovery, I'm going to send her the small scale model pictured above, with my best wishes. It's no GS, for sure, but hopefully she won't be offended.
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Hoppy New Beer!

2010-12-31T19:37:00.004-06:00

It's not Chinese New Year, but... I thought I should show one photo of the detail of Josephine's Demon Buddy that I first mentioned back in October. It's a screamer... it even has a crankcase breather. Danged compression is so high, the starter barely turns the beast over! :) It's a blast to ride, I tell ya, and I know Ms. Josephine is going to be Hell On Wheels this spring.

Be safe, and whatever you do, call for a ride if you get out a-drinkin', please. I've lost three friends in the last six weeks, the latest a DUI fatality -- her own fault, apparently, but it hurts, nonetheless. Please be safe, and conside the safety of others.
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The Cold

2010-12-20T01:55:00.003-06:00

When we've undergone a couple of weeks of mostly sub-freezing weather, it feels good to get out at 39°F.

Smell the smoke from wood stoves... dodge the remaining patches of ice on the roads...

Comments will be restored shortly, btw.
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Yes, I'm Riding!

2010-12-12T01:47:00.001-06:00

... but I discovered tonight that my headlight was out. Thankfully, the high-beam still works.

How about you?

Oh, you can't answer -- my comments are all fucked up! I'll fix that in coming days.
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Hiatus

2010-11-04T12:58:00.004-05:00

Sorry for the hiatus, folx, but the neighbor with whom I had a connection-sharing arrangement has moved, so my access is limited. I'll be around, just not as much for a while.

The graphic above is a proposed graphic for a potential local scooter club, the "Y'allkuza." :)
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