Monday, August 20, 2012

Isabelle's First Longish Rides

Last Saturday I took Isabelle, my new 2010 Kymco People 250S, out for our first longish ride. It was a getting to know each other ride. I took her out to the Covered Bridge at the end of Old Lemay Ferrry Road. I've been there a couple of times riding Billie, my 100cc Symba. It was a much more enjoyable ride on Isabelle. On Billie I would usually have to pull off the road after some of the hills to let the parade pass. Today there were no lines of cars building up behind me.
 
You can see how dry it is by how brown the grass is.
At the intersection of Old Lemay Ferry Rd and Old Hwy M in Antonia I saw Steve from the St. Louis Scooter Club out on his trike. I waved, but he didn't know who I was. How would he. He didn't know I had a new bike. I detoured and followed him. Eventually he wondered who the guy following him was and stopped. It is a small world. He oohed and aahed over Isabelle. We chatted briefly and he continued on to his friend's place and I made my way back to the Covered Bridge.
 
I, also, rode the length of Rte.141 from Lemay Ferry to Marine. Recently the last link in this outer loop was completed. This is a highway I would have avoided if I were riding Billie. It was no problem for Isabelle. Isabelle performed exactly like I'd hoped she would. Can you tell I'm smiling.
 
I liked the reflections off the water.
Creve Couer Lake is a favorite destination of mine. Isabelle and I made our first visit there. I just had to get a photo of the Bonnie parked in the background. I asked the nice dragon to keep its tongue in its mouth, but it just wouldn't behave. I'd forgotten light dragons had forked tongues. Oh well.

When it was all said and done we traveled a little over one hundred miles. Some impressions. I really love the hook for securing a bag/backpack. Very handy. Actually, the only thing didn't like was the mirrors. I see way to much of me and not enough of the road behind me...and, they are ugly.
 
Sunday was another day, and another ride. This one of a little over 60 miles.
 
The sky on Sunday was filled with a cloud show.
One of the major reasons for bringing Isabelle into my life was to be able to ride more safely to St. Peters to visit my son, daughter-in-law, and grand-daughter. Sunday afternoon I headed for St. Peters. She did great. A couple of times when I glanced down at the speedometer it was registering a bit over 70mph. The reviews I've read about the People 250S say the speedometer is surprisingly accurate for a scooter. Most scooters are rather optimistic in their speed readings. Although I don't know how accurate Isabelle's speedometer is, I do know this, I stayed up with traffic just fine, which is all I ask.

Isabelle and I plan to visit often.


20 comments:

  1. So nice that you're getting to know Isabelle. It sounds like she will be a nice scoot for the longer, more challenging rides.

    This weekend we drove over Santiam pass (4800 ft) and saw a group of scooters out enjoying the ride. I wasn't sure how big the scooters were, but I was impressed that they took on the pass. They looked like they were having a great time!

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    1. Kari,
      It amazes me where people go with small displacement scooter. There is a couple that rode their Symba's around the world. The started in Portland and ended up in Portland. The blog of their adventure is over in my favorites: Underboning the World. Great folk.
      ~k

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  2. All this "scooter talk" on the blogs got me looking for a scooter again. I think that one would be perfect for commuting. The road out of our subdivision is 50mph so I'm thinking that a larger displacement one would be a better choice than the plentiful, cheap 49cc models. It sounds like you got the kinks worked out of your new ride.

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    1. Richard,
      I think 150cc's is a really sweet size. Let's you keep up with traffic but is very agile, easy to maneuver, small enough to park almost anywhere, and easy on petrol. I talked with Mike tonight and all my replacement parts are in. We've just got to get a time. It is running great.
      ~k

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  3. Visiting your granddaughter, and excellent reason to buy a new scooter (if a reason is needed). Both are beautiful.

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    1. Thanks for you comment. I believe you are absolutely correct on both counts--good reason and they are both beautiful.

      A while back in one of your posts you mentioned how there is so much to see in every kilometer on the road. You were so very right about that, too.
      ~k

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  4. Ow, Richard.

    Good to hear your new ride is just what you hoped.

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    1. Martha,
      The really cool thing is I'm appreciating Billie more. Now that I can concentrate on what the Symba does well and let Isabelle do the "heavier lifting", Billie is even more fun.
      ~k

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  5. Yay. Isabelle opened up a world of new scootering roads. It is nice you can visit the family easier and safer.

    I think you and Isabelle will be very happy together and Billie should be jealous since you'll still be commuting on it.

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    1. Brandy,
      I think you meant to say, "Billie shouldn't be jealous." Hopefully, soon Billie will be getting some new farkles that is no question how much I appreciate the "little bike."

      Yes, I don't feel like I have a target on my back as I ride over the river. That is a very good feeling.
      ~k

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  6. Keith:

    glad everything is working out and you are bonding very well with Isabelle. A larger scooter expands your range and I think the extra power makes it safer, and also you can concentrate on riding, rather than the cars bunched up behind. Makes for more relaxed riding


    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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  7. It is so much easier to keep up with traffic if you have just a little bit mour umph! I wonder where else your future trips will take you now that you have the mighty new scooter.

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    1. Sonja,
      Where might I end up? Only the scooter gods know :)
      ~k

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  8. Keith-I think your scooter is awesome! Being able to ride it longer distances to visit with your sweet family is just wonderful! I can feel your delight in riding Isabella as you tell us of your adventures!

    Kymco has some pretty neat scoots and it looks like your steed is going to be a reliable, long-term friend in your garage. So happy for you!

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    1. Deb,
      I am delighting in the different ride Isabelle brings. As I mentioned before, and I suspect I will mention it again, having the larger scoot has given me space to really enjoy my daily commute on the Symba.

      From your lips to God's ears on the long-term reliability. I hope to have both these bikes for some time to come.
      ~k

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  9. Well, at least you said the mirrors are ugly, and not what you see in them. ;)

    I'm so happy she is living up to expectations and desires.

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    1. Lori,
      Full face helmets took care of the "what you see in them" problem. :)

      It still isn't completely real to me that I have Isabelle, I guess I need to be riding more, yes?
      ~k

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  10. Nice to see that you're enjoying the new ride, Keith. What about the saddle? Do the handlebars clear your knees? All the best, David.

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  11. David,
    Yes, they do. It is funny how so many scooters are so close to the handlebars, isn't it? Genuine imports a scooter they've named the Blur. It is really tall, yet it had no leg room. I've had no problem with slow speed maneuvering.

    As far as the seat goes, I haven't gone far enough to have an opinion, but I suspect it will need some help for longer rides...maybe a sheepskin.
    ~k

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