I’ve never heard of any problems with kill switches other than on scooters. Not sure why that’s the case unless they’re cheaper or perhaps scooters are in worse weather. For myself, I would rather replace a kill switch than bypass it. You never know when you wish you could turn the engine off with your thumb rather than reaching for the key…

What is it will kill switches? My Stella forum advises to bypass it! It’s a simple ‘bell’ circuit for crying out loud!

A fine example, VStarLady: Tipping big and similar grand gestures can make for great social media headlines, but micro acts of kindness, little courtesies between passing strangers, help to sustain my faith in humanity. Maybe it’s because the smaller the act and the smaller the courtesy, the harder it is to fake sincerity or to have ulterior motives…

Steve well said, and Ry I’ve had many instances of help offered by all kinds of folks too. The camaraderie extends beyond motorcyclist to motorcyclist although I can’t help thinking being on two wheels attracts . I can’t count the times when a car driver or tractor trailer operator has offered a helping hand. I’m smiling Steve because I was in your neck of the woods last summer and pulled in for gas and a bathroom stop at a service centre. My mistake was getting gas first giving time for the tour bus to unload and the line up at the ladies room to become an hour long. A trucker started talking to me about my bike and how he was a rider. He must have noticed the look of terror on my face as I gazed toward the line up. Then and there he became my best friend when he said, “You’re never going to get in there; but just on the other side of that big sign out there, there’s another rest stop and you’d rather use that bathroom anyway!” Help comes in many forms. Pay it forward.

Quite right Sir, quite right….

Usually, my magic touch breaks things rather than fixing them.

Touched in the head — obviously. Otherwise I would be riding a URAL right??

Bryce,

Batteries have been the single biggest headache for me — Vespa and cars. They don’t seem to make them like they used to. I change the Vespa battery every two years now just so I don’t get caught in the wilderness with no way to start the engine.

The external emergency battery is something I just need to pull the trigger on. Maybe I can keep the Vespa battery longer with that on board.

My plan for work is to return on June 1. But the cardiologist will make that determination later this week. I have a lot of sick leave saved up so whatever happens I’m ready.

I bet your experience is common among solo riders. I stop a lot in rural areas to take pictures and many, many drivers have stopped to ask if I need help. Not sure if they’re riders or just feel sorry for a scooter rider so obviously out of place.

Regardless, I like to think I pay that kindness back when I can.

Missing the simple stuff can sting anyone. Your story is a great reminder of that.

I once had to make a sudden stop when a bee got in my helmet and stung me on the cheek. During the panic stop I must have hit the kill switch. I never use the switch. After clearing the bee and tending to the sting I couldn’t get the scooter to start. Checked the battery cables, fiddled with connections, fuses and still nothing. I was only a half mile from home so I started to push the LX150 up the hill.

Lots of things enter your head when you’re pushing a dead scooter. Unfortunately for me the kill switch idea didn’t show itself until I was in front of the house.

Humbled, I always check the kill switch now if things don’t work.