Low-macho transportation

I’m now the owner of what can only be identified as “low macho transportation” in the form of a Honda 125cc PCX. The 2020 Indian Scout Bobber that claimed a comfortable spot in our garage has moved to a new home. I think my already rapidly descending levels of testosterone did a nose dive on the day I sold that Indian Scout. Or is it just my imagination? It’s a red scooter. Bright red. I am not crazy about that color. It might be a more noticeable color to others, sharing the road but I would have preferred black, to be honest. There’s a certain hand signal that bikers exchange as one passes another. For years, I never knew what it meant until I discovered that this “peace sign” flashed upside down actually means “keep two wheels down on the pavement”. But as a scooter rider, I suppose you are not entitled to this by the average motorcycle enthusiast. It’s like you don’t deserve that kind of respect. Funny, as it appeared to me, I passed a motorcyclist, who started to give me “the signal” but once he realized what I was riding, he pulled it back. Now, that really hurt my feelings. It was actually more funny than hurtful.

So, just how is the experience different between the two modes of transportation? What did I lose and/or gain with this choice? The wind in my face feels the same. With a smaller motor than the Scout, the scooter speed probably tops out at about 60mph.. Just cruising around town, I won’t need to go faster than 40. Miles per gallon between the two is very good, with the scooter having a slight advantage. The hot exhaust on the motorcycle, which has fried my leg on more than one occasion, is no longer an issue with the scooter. I had a single seat on the Scout but now this larger an longer seat allows my spouse to join me on my rides. A rack on the back allowed for an addition of a vintage milk crate, mounted and modified to allow me to take Maggie, our youngest………dog, along with me, something that she enjoy. There was something about that Scout that drew a lot of complimentary remarks. It was beautiful, while not being flashy I suppose. So, with the sale, I dropped the monthly payment, the heat (from the exhaust), the noise (also from the Vance-Hines aftermarket exhaust) and gained a quieter, albeit slower two-wheeler and the opportunity to share the pleasure of the ride with spouse and dog.. I miss that Scout but I’m slowly getting over it. Slowly.