A Givi topcase. It seems like you have a soft tailbag attached most of the time. From someone who started out there, I can tell you that upgrading to a removable hard case is the best of both worlds. It locks, it is waterproof, is removable. It cost nearly $500 new, but I do not regret it. On my smaller scooters, I had wire baskets wire-tied to the luggage rack. That was nice, because I could overfill it and hold the contents in with a bungee net. But other than the overfilling situation, the topcase is better in every other respect.

Here’s a good scooter shop that carries Givi merchandise. Here’s one page of particular interest: http://www.scooterwest.com/item_detail/Givi-E30-Top-Case-Matte-Black/2554/

I stop by Twisted Roads from time to time to see what’s new in your world. And I always enjoy reading your thoughtful comments on other blogs, most recently during the ongoing discussions of riding safety and scooters on irondad’s “Musings of an Intrepid Commuter” blog.

As far as riding in the snow goes I guess I would say there is two kinds of snow. The light, dry fresh stuff that the tire pushes through to the pavement. There is some traction (some, as in not much) so you can move forward without sliding. Braking is done gently and with planning. Same with turns.

The other kind of snow is the wet greasy stuff. That’s just slippery as heck and is negotiated very slowly. I’m fortunate that the roads around here are generally not trafficked heavily. Chester County would be another story.

I’ve only every slid out on snow once. That was when I first tried riding in it and did not properly process the road ahead and what I needed to do. That’s the key I think—Imagine the road ahead, predict what you need to do, and start doing it yesterday.

I don’t go out to ride in the snow. I just get caught in the occasional snowfall either unpredicted or bad planning on my part.

Anyways, thanks again for your kind words.

I came across yoir blog about a year ago. It was the inspiration to begin writing mine. If a lot of people knew that, you’d probably have to go into the witness protection program.

I spent a long time tonight looking at the picture of your scooter alongside the stream. It reminded me of the kind of terrain that I miss most around here (Chester county).

I found the details of your Valentine’s Day gift to be genuinely touching… Almost Japanese in concept. What’s it lke riding a scooter in light snow? Do you get a lot of sliding with the front wheel?

Fondest regards,
Jack
Twisted Roads

Valentine’s Day certainly is a marketing creation and event in the United States. The sentiment is their but the expectations get in the way I think. Maybe it makes it more difficult to really see those we care about.

irondad: When I think of the things I do to get ready to ride every morning, especially in the winter, it has to be romantic. It would be far too easy to climb into the warm truck, turn on the stereo, and drive to work.

I had not thought about the Terminal Cafe in the manner you did. It’s next to the bus terminal so I just pictured it that way. Now I am thinking that it may be better suited for a Stephen King novel…

As to the second definition, I totally identify. In fact, I don’t know that I would ride if I did not find romance in it. As to whether anyone else finds me a romantic figure, that’s another thing altogether.

I’m afraid I would be reluctant to eat at a place called the Terminal Cafe. Sounds dangerous. So is riding but it’s romantic, remember?