Wilsons Sandbox

----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Criswell" To: "Stuart Mumford" Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 5:31 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re: New generation of KLR's (NKLR) > Ah Mumford, you don't know the thrill of getting all the way back on > the passenger seat of a 1960 Vespa in true racing ..... crouch looking > between the handlebars and the front plate for ...... a vision > .......or vision ...... and then suddenly ...... high speed (er low > speed 55 mph) wobble ........without a helmet. Scooters forever! > > Criswell > I survived Vespas and Cushmans with most limbs intact. Big wheels are > better. > On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Stuart Mumford wrote: > >> >> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> On Aug 23, 2005, at 8:40 AM, Michael Silverstein wrote: >>>> The biggest mistake manufacturers have made is to >>>> classify these things as scooters instead of the motorcycles that >>>> they >>>> are. >>> >>> But, if you call them motorcycles it implies that you need a >>> motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license--something that is a >>> strong disincentive to many. Maybe manufacturers need "a third way"-- >>> some other, new term that connotes the performance of a motorcycle >>> but the ease, comfort, convenience and fun of a scooter. >>> -- >>> Blake Sobiloff >>> San Jose, CA (USA) >>> >> >> >> What kind of mpg are these things getting? >> >> I mean, with KLRs routinely getting over 45 mpg, how much more can a >> scooter >> get? >> >> There is a relatively big, relatively new Vespa dealer/boutique in >> downtown >> Riverside, they seem to be doing well. Lots more scooters around in >> downtown. >> >> Thanks >> CA Stu > >> >> >> Archive Quicksearch at: >> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > >

----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Criswell" To: "Stuart Mumford" Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 5:31 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re: New generation of KLR's (NKLR) > Ah Mumford, you don't know the thrill of getting all the way back on > the passenger seat of a 1960 Vespa in true racing ..... crouch looking > between the handlebars and the front plate for ...... a vision > .......or vision ...... and then suddenly ...... high speed (er low > speed 55 mph) wobble ........without a helmet. Scooters forever! > > Criswell > I survived Vespas and Cushmans with most limbs intact. Big wheels are > better. > On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Stuart Mumford wrote: > >> >> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> On Aug 23, 2005, at 8:40 AM, Michael Silverstein wrote: >>>> The biggest mistake manufacturers have made is to >>>> classify these things as scooters instead of the motorcycles that >>>> they >>>> are. >>> >>> But, if you call them motorcycles it implies that you need a >>> motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license--something that is a >>> strong disincentive to many. Maybe manufacturers need "a third way"-- >>> some other, new term that connotes the performance of a motorcycle >>> but the ease, comfort, convenience and fun of a scooter. >>> -- >>> Blake Sobiloff >>> San Jose, CA (USA) >>> >> >> >> What kind of mpg are these things getting? >> >> I mean, with KLRs routinely getting over 45 mpg, how much more can a >> scooter >> get? >> >> There is a relatively big, relatively new Vespa dealer/boutique in >> downtown >> Riverside, they seem to be doing well. Lots more scooters around in >> downtown. >> >> Thanks >> CA Stu > >> >> >> Archive Quicksearch at: >> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >>

----- Original Message ----- From: "nakedwaterskier" To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2005 11:12 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] NKLR-gettin whupped by a Vespa... >I own a 1962 vnb3t Vespa with 8 inch wheels. There is a crucial > little piece of info you left out about 8 inch wheels and less > unsprung weight and THAT IS POTHOLES ARE LIKE BOMB CRATERS. > > Even with new shocks, upgrading my engine from 125cc to 150cc, and > from 3 speeds to 4 speeds, the only way I could beat a modern bike > is on real tight turns downhill with a very even/smooth road surface. > > Jeffrey > 1962 vnb3t Vespa good for picking up chicks on bus benches > 1979 rd400 Daytona Special (my budget Porsche) > 2004 klr650 Daily Driver > 1984 Sea Ray 350ci 21ft parked till fuel comes dn > 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6 cyl only if I have to carry something > > > > Subject: NKLR-gettin whupped by a Vespa... motofreaky > Offline > Send Email > > One of my most memorable ride was from a few years back. I was just > getting > to the point where I could hang with most of the Italian motorcycle > riders, > it was my second summer in Italy courtesy of the USAF. > > Anyway, I was headed down a rather nasty mountain road and was > trapped > behind a Vespa with some old geezer on it. He never touched the > brakes and > was actually pulling away in the corners. I just got alongside him a > couple > of times but always came up on another switchback and off he > went...ring-dinging away like some terrible taunt that "big bikes > suck in > switchbacks" > > As we reached the bottom I gave him the thumbs up and he just kind of > smirked and went on his way. Yes, my riding ego was taken down a > couple of > notches. > > Little wheels=less unsprung weight=higher corner speeds/quicker > transitions > > YMMV. > > Austin > 89 KLR > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Criswell" > To: "Stuart Mumford" > Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 5:31 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re: New generation of KLR's (NKLR) > > >> Ah Mumford, you don't know the thrill of getting all the way back > on >> the passenger seat of a 1960 Vespa in true racing ..... crouch > looking >> between the handlebars and the front plate for ...... a vision >> .......or vision ...... and then suddenly ...... high speed (er low >> speed 55 mph) wobble ........without a helmet. Scooters forever! >> >> Criswell >> I survived Vespas and Cushmans with most limbs intact. Big wheels > are >> better. >> On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Stuart Mumford wrote: >> >>> >>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> On Aug 23, 2005, at 8:40 AM, Michael Silverstein wrote: >>>>> The biggest mistake manufacturers have made is to >>>>> classify these things as scooters instead of the motorcycles > that >>>>> they >>>>> are. >>>> >>>> But, if you call them motorcycles it implies that you need a >>>> motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license--something that > is a >>>> strong disincentive to many. Maybe manufacturers need "a third > way"-- >>>> some other, new term that connotes the performance of a > motorcycle >>>> but the ease, comfort, convenience and fun of a scooter. >>>> -- >>>> Blake Sobiloff >>>> San Jose, CA (USA) >>>> >>> >>> >>> What kind of mpg are these things getting? >>> >>> I mean, with KLRs routinely getting over 45 mpg, how much more > can a >>> scooter >>> get? >>> >>> There is a relatively big, relatively new Vespa dealer/boutique in >>> downtown >>> Riverside, they seem to be doing well. Lots more scooters around > in >>> downtown. >>> >>> Thanks >>> CA Stu >> >>> >>> >>> Archive Quicksearch at: >>> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >>> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >>> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >>> >>> >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> > > > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

> One of my most memorable ride was from a few years back. I was just > getting > to the point where I could hang with most of the Italian motorcycle > riders, > it was my second summer in Italy courtesy of the USAF. > > Anyway, I was headed down a rather nasty mountain road and was trapped > behind a Vespa with some old geezer on it. He never touched the > brakes and > was actually pulling away in the corners. I just got alongside him a > couple > of times but always came up on another switchback and off he > went...ring-dinging away like some terrible taunt that "big bikes suck > in > switchbacks" > > As we reached the bottom I gave him the thumbs up and he just kind of > smirked and went on his way. Yes, my riding ego was taken down a > couple of > notches. > > Little wheels=less unsprung weight=higher corner speeds/quicker > transitions > > YMMV. > > Austin > 89 KLR > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Criswell" > To: "Stuart Mumford" > Cc: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 5:31 PM > Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] Re: Re: New generation of KLR's (NKLR) > > >> Ah Mumford, you don't know the thrill of getting all the way back on >> the passenger seat of a 1960 Vespa in true racing ..... crouch looking >> between the handlebars and the front plate for ...... a vision >> .......or vision ...... and then suddenly ...... high speed (er low >> speed 55 mph) wobble ........without a helmet. Scooters forever! >> >> Criswell >> I survived Vespas and Cushmans with most limbs intact. Big wheels are >> better. >> On Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at 12:15 PM, Stuart Mumford wrote: >> >>> >>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> On Aug 23, 2005, at 8:40 AM, Michael Silverstein wrote: >>>>> The biggest mistake manufacturers have made is to >>>>> classify these things as scooters instead of the motorcycles that >>>>> they >>>>> are. >>>> >>>> But, if you call them motorcycles it implies that you need a >>>> motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license--something that is a >>>> strong disincentive to many. Maybe manufacturers need "a third >>>> way"-- >>>> some other, new term that connotes the performance of a motorcycle >>>> but the ease, comfort, convenience and fun of a scooter. >>>> -- >>>> Blake Sobiloff >>>> San Jose, CA (USA) >>>> >>> >>> >>> What kind of mpg are these things getting? >>> >>> I mean, with KLRs routinely getting over 45 mpg, how much more can a >>> scooter >>> get? >>> >>> There is a relatively big, relatively new Vespa dealer/boutique in >>> downtown >>> Riverside, they seem to be doing well. Lots more scooters around in >>> downtown. >>> >>> Thanks >>> CA Stu >> >>> >>> >>> Archive Quicksearch at: >>> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >>> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >>> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >>> >>> >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> Archive Quicksearch at: >> http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >