And So It Begins
Posted by Jim Zeiser on Saturday, March 27, 2021
The weather here finally began to warm up right after a rainstorm washed the local road salt away, so it was time. Since I've been starting the bikes weekly I knew all three were ready to rumble. Which to take out first? Hmmmm. Since I knew I was probably rusty from not having ridden in a while I took out the scooter. No clutch, no shifting just roll on the throttle, it is the best choice for a first ride of Spring.
As it warmed up outside I pulled on my leather jacket and helmet and got ready to go. Even though the scooter has been started once a week through the winter it always has a slightly hesitant feel about it until everything warms up. As I leaned it through the curves we began to warm up and get more comfortable. I was on the road for about an hour that day looking at the leafless scenery and loving being on the road again.
Two days later I pulled the next candidate out of the garage, my 250 Honda Nighthawk. It's light, responsive and the perfect motorcycle to get back to shifting with. It is a willing accomplice on the road and even with its diminutive engine size moves out about as fast as I need to go. Repeating most of the route I took with the scooter the Honda just seems to be going faster at the same speeds. Years ago a previous owner removed all the parts inside the mufflers which called for some repair when I bought it. The fix I performed cut down on the loud bark it had and replaced it with the heady sound of a larger, 1960s British motorcycle. It's always fun to listen to as I cruise the countryside.
Obviously the final candidate for a ride is the monstrous 750 Kawasaki and as the days continue to stay warm its time will come. That story will be written soon.
As it warmed up outside I pulled on my leather jacket and helmet and got ready to go. Even though the scooter has been started once a week through the winter it always has a slightly hesitant feel about it until everything warms up. As I leaned it through the curves we began to warm up and get more comfortable. I was on the road for about an hour that day looking at the leafless scenery and loving being on the road again.
Two days later I pulled the next candidate out of the garage, my 250 Honda Nighthawk. It's light, responsive and the perfect motorcycle to get back to shifting with. It is a willing accomplice on the road and even with its diminutive engine size moves out about as fast as I need to go. Repeating most of the route I took with the scooter the Honda just seems to be going faster at the same speeds. Years ago a previous owner removed all the parts inside the mufflers which called for some repair when I bought it. The fix I performed cut down on the loud bark it had and replaced it with the heady sound of a larger, 1960s British motorcycle. It's always fun to listen to as I cruise the countryside.
Obviously the final candidate for a ride is the monstrous 750 Kawasaki and as the days continue to stay warm its time will come. That story will be written soon.
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