Nowhere to go, and all day to do it. I was just wanting to ride, so I suggested we head to Scottsdale to check out the Vespa (and a bunch of other brands) dealer over there. Joan is the navigator: she worked up a route and we were ready to roll.
Getting the scoots out of the shed...
This RV resort doesn't allow cargo trailers on the site (HOA rule), but we do have a locking shed; the bikes (and other stuff) fit fine in there. You can see the new motorhome in the background.
The resort we are in is on the far west side of Surprise, which is in the northwest area of Phoenix. Scottsdale is at the northeast side. This should be good for 70 or 80 miles today. Leaving the resort here, you have a couple options: Bell Road is the main drag, but has a LOT of stop and go traffic. We ran south of there...
Notice the nice divided road and no traffic. We went south before turning east. We picked another main drag south of Bell Road and had a good "urban scooting" experience making our way cross-town.
A little over an hour after we left the resort, we were pulling up in front of GO AZ Motorcycles...
I would call this one an "upscale" dealership, with multiple brands. We went into the first building, asked about scooters, and were directed to the Ducati building. We were also wanting to check out the Honda scooters - they are a Honda dealer, as well. The Vespas...
The 300i... very nice. It is what most people think of when you mention the word "scooter." My preference is something more modern (thus the reason we are riding PCXes). This is the "large frame" Vespa, but still felt pretty compact. While it exudes Italian style, I felt like a Weeble sitting on it. Even more so with the small frame Vespa...
The salesman said this model has a top speed of 59 mph (less than our PCX), "but the 300 will take you anywhere you want to go on any road, Interstates included." They weren't pushy there, but he asked enough questions to see if he had a live one. We would consider another scooter that would be more capable two-up, but I don't think it would be one of these (the large frame 300).
We walked over to the Honda building - plenty of motorcycles, but only a couple scooters. No Forza. They did have the 2015 PCX...
That's it in white above. Some definite styling changes from ours... and a very comfortable seat (something many PCX owners have complained about). Typical Honda quality in the fit and finish; that white is kind of a pearl metalflake - sharp looking. That little bike next to it (on the left) is the Grom, Honda's "hooligan bike"... it is seriously small for a typical adult. Joan asked, "Do you want to see what they'd give you for your bike on that new PCX?"
"No, I like my scoot just fine." Pretty sure I saw a sign of relief.
Walking around, we came across the Bat-Bike...
The Honda NM-4. I thought it was a bit too futuristic-looking in the photos on-line, but in person... yeah, it is pretty much way too futuristic-looking. It would be good for... well, I don't know what it would be good for other than impressing the kids at the comic book store. Still, it is interesting to see the motorcycle manufacturers flex their design muscles.
Nothing followed us home; I wasn't expecting anything to do that. Time for lunch. We passed our favorite pizza place in Phoenix on the way to look at scoots. We doubled back...
They have a half dozen or so of these around the area - the pizza is good, the service is good, and every one of them we have been in is always busy. Today was no different; we had to wait a bit to get a table. It was worth the wait.
Joan planned our return to Surprise when we were done eating: north, then west, then south, then west, then a loop that was kinda north(ish). That may sound round-about, but the Agua Fria runs mostly north/south through western Phoenix, and there are only a few options for how to get over that (usually dry) riverbed. She hooked me on the route by saying, "We can stop for ice cream at Sunrise and Bell Road."
Yeah, I'm onboard with that plan!
Our route took us through Sun City West. You might be thinking: "Watch out for the old people driving!" Or, you might be thinking, "Well, you fit in there, don't ya?" In reality, riding the scoots through the different Sun City developments (there are several) is pleasant...
The streets are mostly 3 lanes wide in each direction; 35 mph speed limits. Yes, there are golf carts on the streets (see the one on the right above), but they seem capable of keeping up with traffic. And, other than at the major highway intersections, traffic is relatively light. We enjoy doing a loop through these developments when just bopping around.
At one stop light, this old guy was enjoying his drive...
Shined up and looking good - you can see the reflection of my red PCX in his glossy black paint.
It was a great day for riding: sunny, afternoon temps in the low 80s, very light breeze.
4 comments:
I enjoy riding through Sun City developments where I live as they are the most pleasant as well.
Good lord Jim ,it is always extremely difficult for me to leave a Triumph dealership without opening my wallet.
The Honda Groms have been selling like crazy .Who would have guessed . The scooters have been getting bigger every few years. Now scooters are 600cc and cost more than quite a few motorcycles . Many motorcycles have clutch less electronic shifting or can be had as an automatic. The lines have really become blurred. It will still be ages months before we'll be riding up here. Glad to see someone getting in some saddle time
Hi Brian. Before we rode through a Sun City development, I expected something else. Besides, I fit in! Well, the resort we are staying in is a 55+ park. Most people drive around in golf carts... we are the "outlaw bikers" with our scoots. ;-)
Hi Timm. I read that the Grom sold good right at first, then quickly fell off. I sat on one when they first came out - I looked like a circus bear on a bicycle. Like you, I have been two-wheel addicted since I was a teenager. I was about done riding when Joan suggested we get a couple scoots. We are having a blast with these scoots! We are done eating up highway miles on bikes, but are having a great time with "urban cruising" and riding the "twisties."
I remember as a kid when Bell Rd was out in the country and 59th Ave was mostly orange groves north of Northern. The city has grown so much!
Post a Comment