March 22, 2010 — There’s something about riding safety that’s uniquely personal and divisive. In scooter circles, it’s almost like politics or religion. That is, you discuss it at your own risk on the message boards. Take a stand and you’re guaranteed to have both supporters and detractors. Insist that others follow your standard and you’d better – Read More –
Scooters & Motorcycles
Ride log: 2010 inaugural ride
March 14, 2010 — With the frost of winter finally dripping its last drips, 55º meant it was time to un-mothball our scooters. The Mrs wants to know how to do her own scooter maintenance, so today she changed both the crankcase and gear oil in her Buddy 125. I changed the crankcase oil in – Read More –
NS Review: 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman
Last week I accidentally slid my ’06 Cooper S into a curb in the falling snow. It managed to mangle the rim, but thankfully there was no damage beyond the rim and hub. What it did mean was an insurance claim, some time in the shop and another spin on the loaner car merry-go-round. You – Read More –
Scooter Season 2009
Today we get our first real snowstorm of winter. What that means, among other things, is that the 2009 riding season is officially over. I winterized my Vespa several weeks ago, but this makes it official. 2009 is done.
Ride log: Make up your damn mind!
I’m talking to you, Winter. Show up or shut up. October 31, 2009 — With The Mrs out of town visiting friends, the nearly 60º weather today meant I simply had to get on my Vespa while I still could. Weather lately has been gloomy at best. With the wettest October in the history of – Read More –
NS Recommends: Shop Class as Soulcraft
“A lot of people are widely read. Not me. I’m thinly read.” — Eddie Izzard My wife rolls her eyes at me when I say this, but it’s a perfect description of my reading habits. I love literature, but I have never really been a reader. I love audiobooks and tear through many over the – Read More –
Honda debuts EV Cub concept
Details are light at this point, but this morning my RSS feed is alive with mentions of this new EV version of Honda’s iconic Super Cub. With model lifetime production numbers reaching 60 Million, the Super Cub is the most successful and ubiquitous vehicle of all time. Debuted at the Tokyo auto show, the EV – Read More –
Ride log: Epic autumn meandering
October 17, 2009 — Autumn is here in full force in the Twin Cities. Trees are multicolored, and leaves are falling along with the temperature. Evening lows are starting to flirt with freezing. This is my favorite time of year for riding my Vespa. I bought my first scooter in November of 2007, so when – Read More –