Hi,
@Doc Burton - Thanks! But you'd be surprised, if you have a Map program, such as Microsoft's Streets & Trips, you can find your way all over the TC w/o ever touching a Highway.
I am in the process of getting my M Endorsement (lost it after many years) and am taking the MSF course next week. If all goes well, I'll have the endorsement by next Sunday. Until then, my Permit restricts me from going on a Freeway anyway.
The Bike now has 135 mi. on it (3mi. when I picked it up), and it's all coming back to me - literally like
Riding a Bike...lol
I plan on doing
some Freeway Driving, like short scoots on I-94 to 5th Street (Dwtn. Mpls.) or 10th Street (Dwtn. St. Paul). Each of these is less than 4 mi. from my entrance Ramp - Cretin/Vandalia. I live on River Blvd. in St. Paul, and I can even follow this right into Dwtn. Mpls, or take it to Shepard Road and come out in Dwtn. St. Paul. It will out-accelerate most cars 0-60, has a Top Speed a little over 80MPH, so merging down the On-Ramps won't pose too many issues. And in MN, 2-wheeled vehicles are POV Lane qualified. I'll significantly increase my following distances, but the Scooter has plenty in Reserve to aid if the need arises.
Admittedly, one has less of a Safety Margin than in a Car, but it's the same for a Motorcycle, and a Scooter is slightly more stable as it's weight is closer to the ground, and at 550 - 700 lbs. (incl. Riders), and 12" Tires, it's pretty stable. I'm adding a Headlight Modulator to increase visibility and conspicuity.
But, I didn't buy it for primarily Freeway Travel, it may add to the Trip time staying off them, but with a Scooter it's at least as much about the Journey than the Destination...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99
PS Wasn't me in Dwtn. the other day. But, I know of at least one
clone of my car - there is a guy in Stillwater that has a '99 identical to mine (Guards Red w/ Tan), but he has the 17" Wheels to my 18's.
Hybrid Mode
