Consumer Reports blasts the MP3

Mike Leung of Consumer Reports did a post on his blog about the MP3 and ignorantly tore it apart. 

 

Leung states "I still feel less confident riding [the MP3] than a motorcycle. Plus it is less comfortable, agile, and entertaining than a motorcycle..."  

 

Well, it isn't a motorcycle.  Perhaps that's why it seems different.  I would argue that a scooter...even a hoss like the MP3 is just as agile or more agile than a motorcycle.  And since we're in the habit of comparing apples to oranges today, I think a maxi scooter like the MP3 (or my Yamaha Majesty) blows a motorcycle out of the water in entertainment value.

 

Mr. Leung goes on to say "I found riding on local roads more aggravating due to the constant need to shuffle forward to get my feet on the ground. This is all very different than the Can-Am Spyder, which supported itself fully all the time and even had a reverse gear."

 

So he starts by apples to oranges, and now its apples to bowling balls?  This can't be something that is actually connected with Consumer Reports, can it??  Mike admits he is a shorter fellow.  Perhaps his discomfort and lack of satisfaction would be the same with a unicycle or a 4X4 monster truck?  I man comfortable on a cruiser might not be comfortable on a sport bike either, so it make most of his observations mainly ridiculous.  And please everyone...let's just not compare the Spyder (which is more like a open-top, one-seater car than a scooter) to anything like a scooter.  Its not.  There is no step-through design on the Spyder.  It is monsterous in size.  And there is a reason it has a reverse gear...because all cars need a reverse gear.  

 

"...it still wasn't nearly as fun or reassuring as being on a motorcycle."

 

For Leung, this is true.  I know many who ride MP3's that would argue this point with him.

 

"On our test track, I found the center stand scraped on the ground when leaning, making me nervous each time I heard it."

 

Oh for Pete's sake.  Let's complain about wind noise, no air conditioning, or no revers....oh wait.  He already did that.  The problem here is that Consumer Reports chose the wrong guy to evaluate this machine.  It sounds like he made up his mind before, and that was based primarily on the discomfort associated with his inseam.

 

His full idiotic article is located at:  http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/12/one-more-ride-piaggio-mp3-scooter.html

 

One last thing: Mike, you should practice ATGATT. Kahkis won't help you in a 'test track' accident.

Contenders for Next Year - Shoei Multitech

Our next contender for 2010 is the Shoei Multitech modular. Sure, it
doesn't come in wicked graphics, but that leaves the helmet open to
individualization via reflective stickers which I am prone to adding.
What is does have, is the lazy ease of a modular, plus these awesome
features:

- Removable Cheekpads
- Lightweight, Advanced Integrated Matrix (AIM) Shell
- CX-1V shield
- Preset shield opening lever with locking mechanism
- Integrated breath guard [!]
- Chin curtain [!]
- Neck outlet
- 3D Comfort liner
- Adjustable upper vent
- Quick release base plate system
- Cheek pad slits for eyeglasses [!]
- Shell integrated spoiler
- Sleek and aerodynamic design and combined with strict manufacturing
tolerances reduce turbulence and wind noise [!]

So we have the anti-fog of a breath guard, plus the lever locking
mechanism. You have the anti-noise features of the chin curtain, and
the aerodynamics designed for just that purpose. You have the added
feature of cheek pad slits for eyeglasses which should come in very
handy, but I'm not sure how much that would affect comfort. This bad
boy only comes in black for me. The red color is a "wine" and I'm not
having that. The price is a bit more...four and a quarter Franklins
on this one. Besides the price, it bothers me that the site I'm using
to compare (jafrum.com) does not list "5 year warranty" on this beast.
I will definately research that fact on Shoei before I decide. If it
doesn't come with a good warranty (perhaps too many moving parts to
deal with) then I might decide for the RF-1000...

Contenders for Next Year - Shoei RF-1000

This past year, I spent some good money at Cycle Gear for a modular
helmet. I have not loved the KBC modular that the bloke at CG sold
me. It has been comfortable, but slides around a little. It has been
louder than what I wanted, it fogs easily, and the shield is loose and
wobbly (and this is after replacement of shield itself and the little
side gear bits). It does not lock into that 1/4 inch opening that
allows you to defog but not eat rain. It has been easy-on-easy-off,
but for what I paid, I am fairly disappointed.

The first helmet I consider for (hopefully) the next many years is the
Shoei RF-1000. I love the features it has:

- Aerodynamic Shell Design through thorough wind tunnel and rider testing
- Greatly reduced rider fatigue and increased performance
- Semi-Dual EPS Liner System for effective ventilation
- Lightweight AIM+ Construction
- Anti-fog system [!]
- Removable Cheek pads available in different sizes for a custom fit [!]
- Removable/Replaceable chin strap
- Standard Chin-Strap clip
- CX-1V Shield and Lock System
- Face Shield De-fogging vent [!]
- Shield is Scratch Resistant
- Shield offers optical clarity and also protects from UV A & B rays
- Quick Release Base Plate System allows for tool-less shield replacement
- Preset Shield Opening Lever With Locking Mechanism
- Aero Wing Spoiler
- Chin Curtain [!]
- Breath Guard [!]
- 5 Year Shoei Warranty [!]

I really like the anti-fog measures on this helmet. It has the
de-fogging vent, the breath guard, and then if all that doesn't get
it, you can use the shield lock system to lock it into that 1/4 inch
groove to get just the right amount of air. All the venting will help
tons in the summer, and the 5 year warranty is awesome. To boot, it
comes in a mother of a graphic, the Strife TC1, which features my
favorite colors (red, and black) and an evil looking dragon!!!! The
only thing that bothers me is it's not a modular. The price on this
beauty is a little over three Ben Franklins. That is not ungodly more
than what I paid for the KBC.

Vespa South Africa has launched a stretch scooter.

This thing is just not right. The folks in Asian hard-core scooter
lands like Taiwan already ride like seven people and two slaughtered
hogs on a scoot. I wonder if this would be equivalent of a Scoobus.
I bet I get a lot of hits for the words Asian hard-core...

Every single time!

Every time I end up having to take the cage to work, it ends up sunny and warm! This is why I generally ride to work unless it is rain, snow, or ice. Ask just about any scooterist and they will tell you...driving a cage in nice weather just completely sucks the life right out of you...

Dear Scooter-Santa

Dear Scooter-Santa,

 

I have been very good this year.  I went to the WKRP Scooter Rally in Cincinnatti.  It was a lot of fun and I got to ride up with some good folks, and met many more nice people while I was there.  I did the Iron Butt Association Saddle-Sore 1000 Mile ride, completed it with all documentation, and I am now a proud member (#387788).  I also went to the Gasoline Rally in Indianapolis.  I rode with, and met up with a lot of great people there too.  The singular exception being the tall dyed blond guy with the leather trench coat from the George Lucas Scooter Club or whatever it was.  He was an a-hole...  I was also happy to ride to Vonore Tennessee with my new scooter-pal Vince so we could ride US-129 and "slay the dragon".  I have also been good this year by trying to keep the Louisville Scooter Group running, and providing opportunity for the scooterists of Louisville and Kentuckiana to group ride if they want.  It has been a labor of love, but a labor nonetheless.  I have really enjoyed the friendships I have made in the Louisville area with other scooterists.  There are a bunch of good people, many who I have known and ridden with for two years now.  Scooter-Santa, they especially, are good folk, and deserve something nice under the tree.  I appreciate each yard of every mile we've shared together.

 

So I guess what I'm saying is, since I have been very good this year, here's my list:

• a set of black Cortech saddlebags for when I go to rallies or travel
• a Givi or Yamaha trunk (with attachment plates, etc.)
• a new Garmin GPS
• a communication system so I can speak with other riders (or my passenger), use my cell, play music, hear the GPS
• a set of electric glove liners, or gloves
• a Power Trip Dakota II Jacket
• a SPOT tracker
• an Arai Vector full face helmet
• a new pair of summer gloves
• highway pegs
• Louisville Scooter Group patches
• a new pair of riding boots

Ok Scooter-Santa.  I'm not going to BS you.  I probably have not been THIS good.  I just wanted to give you plenty to pick from.

 

Merry Christmas to you, and all Scooterists (even if you're not in the Kentuckiana area)

[and thanks to Ms. Becky for sending the cool picture of you!]

 

Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Shopping with Kat

I am hoping to get some Christmas shopping done this weekend with my girlfriwnd Kathy. If you see us, wave and honk!!

Not the best weather for scootin...

Today it was overcast in the morning, but not too cold-it was only in the 40's! I thought that even though they were calling for some rain later in the day, that I would still ride to work. The ride in was not bad, and when I got there, I put the cover on Lois, which almost always insures that it will not rain. Well...when I got out about 5:30pm, it was pouring! I had my chaps and my jacket liner (the one that the zipper has lost a couple teeth on and is getting a little wonky). I was about 85% covered. I was supposed to go over to my girlfriend Kathy's, but I went straight home instead, got out of my wet motorcycle gear and switched into my cage. My pants were wet in such a way that made it look like I'd lost control of my bladder, but other than that, no biggie. I missed riding this weekend due to holiday stuff and less than happy temperatures, and missed yesterday because it snowed some. In retrospect, since the snow wasnt on the street, I probably would have done better riding yesterday and caging today! I can deal with cold on the bike. Pouring rain and either snow or ice on the road usually does me in. I can live with getting caught in it, and I don't let the weather forecast affect my decision on whether or not to ride-mainly because that has screwed me numerous times. It will be calling for rain, but it is dry in the morning. Invariably on those occasions, it is like 70 degrees and sunny when I get off work... If I dont ride I am grumpy most of the day, and pissed when I get off and see how perfect it is outside! So my plan is to ride to work unless I cannot bear the start weather, or unless I have to be somewhere after work and dont have time to change.

Already regretting

Today is one of those borderline days where I probably could ride to work. There is not much rain, but I have an excuse...I have to pick up something thay will not fit on the scoot. *sigh* its still a bummer.

Hot Hands

These chemical hand warmers are definetly not the $100 heated grips or gloves that some folks use, but they seem to work ok. It was in the 20's this morning and I felt comfortable enough for my meager 20 minute commute. The cool thing I learned is if you take the reactant, air, out of the equation, it puts the heating into stasis, and so I can probably use these one or possibly two weeks!