Wear the gear! One summer evening years ago it was hot and humid so I went to the harbor for a sail and left my armored mesh jacket on the arm of my sofa. The arm of my sofa remained fine. I, on the other hand, fell on some gravel in a turn and shattered my radial head. It was not very painful but required $35,000 in surgeries and rehab and put me in a rental car for two months [made the "saves gas" argument silly]. At least I had my brain bucket on (took a lick to the head which rendered me unconscious), gloves and boots.

When I see folks with hardly any gear on, especially feet shod with only dress shoes or sandals, I just hope they don't have a mishap because those feet and hands are so vulnerable.

Yes, it's hot down here but I wear all the gear all the time (don't have a car) and bring a change of clothing for work and have a whole drawer full of shoes there. Once you get accustomed to riding with gear, you'll feel naked without it. I even went from a 3/4 to a full when I added a Harley and wear it 100 percent for riding even when on the Piaggio.

Ginnie "Scooter Crone of Cayman"
Cayman Islands
7/11/2009

Just read about your site on the Genuine scooter site. I own a Buddy 125cc and love it. I've always wanted a scooter since I was 16 and when I turned 41, well I was very disappointed that I didn't get one sooner. I've had my Buddy for a year now and pretty much ride it all the time
I stopped this winter around late January. Too much ice and started back up again full steam in late March.

I love your site. Also I've met some pretty nice people for tips an chats on modernbuddy.com

Neil Kennedy
Manchester, NH
4/23/2009

Thanks for SRN

I'm so happy to see an online scooter magazine. I have a Diamo Velux 150 and love it. It would be great to meet with other scooter riders and enjoy some rides together. The Velux is the only scooter in the U.S. with a canopy. Don't know if Diamo is still importing them. The scooter is popular in the rest of the world, and everyone loves mine. I've met a lot of people who want to know more about my scooter with a convertible top.

Best of success to you. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your 'zine.

Marilyn
Huntington, WV
1/12/2009

Thanks for your enthusiasm and support. We are still in the beginning stages of populating the site with content. Eventually content will be updated every day so please check back and be sure to sign up for our mailing list as we will soon be sending out an e-newsletter with lots of great information.

Genevieve Schmitt, Editor

Realizing a Scooting Dream

In October, I realized a lifelong dream to own a scooter! While serving in the US Army in Germany from 1958 to 1961 I saw thousands of scooters and mopeds in use by civilians. The Vespas of course were the most interesting because they seemed to be quick and always being ridden by happy people.

After I sold my airplane in February the old dream came back to the surface. I began looking at the market. I found the local community college was offering a weekend motorcycle beginning riders course. After graduation I surveyed all of the online and local sales outlets. It soon became obvious that the then price of gas had ignited a firestorm of manufacturing, marketing and sales activity throughout Europe and Asia.

Long story short, I found a CF Moto scooter being marketed by QLink under the name Pegasus 150. These Chinese scooters are the high end of manufacturing quality from that country. For the $2300 I paid, the scooter has many features desirable for the person wanting to use the scooter for transportation. Other cheaper scooters seem to have no usable manual or reliable spare parts source. The Pegasus is used to ride to work and for short trips. I find the 16 inch wheels, 12 hp engine, water cooling and dual disc brakes make it roadworthy for most any on road surface. 350 miles on the odometer and still very happy.

Don Miller
Oak Ridge, TN
11/17/2008