Actually, the biggest negative for me:
If I get one, the husband will get a big BMW motorcycle

It's better than his 2nd choice (an expensive Porsche),
but sounds pretty dangerous

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

or the both option
Did a 6 hour ride Saturday on the scoot and 4 hours Sunday on the Bonnie. I love this duo.

I'm not sure why but my confidence seems to have increased greatly since I got the Bonneville. Increased confidence has translated to greatly increased skills. Not saying I'm great , just that I am so much better than I used to be!

Dang! Those are lovely vehicles!
I'm jealous!!

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

Now you're talkin some wheels! He gets my vote on the Porsche!

Pftttt!! A lotta help you are!
That's all I need--TurtleDevo loose in SC
and driving a total chick magnet!

I hope he doesn't wander in & read this

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

WOW I don't log in for a week and look at all the stuff I miss! LOVE THE PIGGLY WIGGLY PLACE! I've actually been busy shopping for a BMW motorcycle myself.

The Triumph Bonneville "style" bikes are nice to look at but in my opinion not comfortable at all to ride. I've been on a bike sampling marathon for the past week. I'm 30 with a 50 years olds back . If your husband is considering a BMW I can't say enough good things about them after really comparing them to every other brand of motorcycle, they seem to keep rising to the top in all areas of comparison. New, you could pay as little as $10,000-$15,000 or you can find used ones, for the same prices as scooters $4,000-$7,000. The BMW F series would be more practical for the "rough roads" you described a few posts earlier. Obviously, they will be fine on the highway and believe it or not if you stick to a 650 or 800 engine you can still get 60-70 miles per gallon (according to many bmw forums I've been visiting)...better than most maxi scooters.

If you're still leaning towards a scooter. I can not recommend the BV500 enough. Plenty of power, no issues, big wheels...I love mine.

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Jess
PIAGGIO BV500 for sale!!!!

Hiya Catskill!

A BMW may well be in the husband's future,
but last I looked, they're all too tall for me (28.5" inseam here)

The BV500 has the same issue,
although the weight is lower and I could probably cut down the seat more easily
(My GT200 is too big for me, but much lighter)

There are many challenges, but I've got a few years to figure my way around them
I'm aiming for a solution in place by the time the husband fully retires

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

Are you taller Catskill? Maybe that is why you don't find the Bonneville comfortable? My back along with everything else is pushing 50 and I have had no back issues on the Bonnie. I certainly can't say the same for my scooters. I think the combination of my feet being under me (letting my legs absorb the shock instead of transmitting it to my spine) and a slight forward lean are the reasons.
I did add spacers to my bike to raise the bars slightly and had to train myself not to lock my arms.
I'm headed out for a long weekend up the coast in a couple of hours. This will be my longest ride, on the Bonnie, so hopefully I feel the same when I get home.

I am 5'10" which is guess is on the taller side but it's probably because I have a really LONG torso. My back issues stem from a prior snow boarding accident.

I found the BMW Fgs series felt perfect...like it was designed for my body.



Got that the BM is for the DH I meant if you still decide to go Maxi instead of the Bonne. I didn't realize your inseam, sorry for recommending un-practical choices. Some bikes come with many lowering options from the seat to the suspension now to make them more adaptable for every type of rider. Good luck. Keep us posted!

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Jess
PIAGGIO BV500 for sale!!!!

Actually,
if I had to choose right now, it would probably be the BV500
(I prefer the upright seating position)

It's not an un-practical choice at all

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

Exact opposite, I felt that way when I got on a Bonneville. I spent a weekend on a F650GS and was miserable.
Sorry to jack your thread Turtle.

Nah! You didn't
Loving it

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

On Easter Day,
the husband & I took a lovely ride
to the Edisto Gardens in Orangeburg

(The sign says "<-- Easter Bunny")

The "Gardens" are actually a string of gardens that lie along the Edisto River,
which is a "black water river" that contains lots of tannins from decaying vegetable matter,
lots of turtles , and perhaps some alligators (although we didn't see any)

The waterwheel appeared to be an irrigation device that was powered by the river

There was also a pleasant park where folks could picnic & stroll
and where the rhododendrons were in bloom

(Yup, that's Spanish Moss on the trees behind the fountain)

One of the gardens was mostly devoted to old Noisette roses
I've heard they are trying to collect one of each type that still exists
and preserve them there


Also,
I caught this humorous pawn shop advertisement near by:


All in all, a great trip!
I recommend it if you're in the area

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

Okay,
we took the car this time,
but I wanted to report on Edisto Gardens' big yearly event, the Festival of Roses:

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~

Yesterday, it was a lovely day for a scooter ride
The high was in the mid70s (it's been going up into the 90s here)
We went to the Shaw Fest at Shaw Air Force Base, in Sumter SC


They had some really spectacular air stunts going on
(too fast for my camera to get pictures)

They also had a number of displays/activities
that were brilliantly designed to recruit young folks to the armed forces

These are the people standing in line to get the "Virtual Army Experience"


And I'm not sure what this is, but it was very popular


They had impressive modern equipment on display--this is a Cobra helicopter


And best of all, were the cool historic aircraft


It was really a lot of fun!

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~~~~~ Linda ~~~~~