Scooter in the Sticks

Exploring life on a Vespa, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Honda Trail 125, and a Kawasaki W650

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Riding to Understand My Himalayan

March 11, 2024 by Scooter in the Sticks 18 Comments

Dash of the Royal Enfield Himalayan
A ride always clears the mind.

Chasing the Truth

It’s no secret that I’ve been looking for a way to understand my Himalayan motorcycle. Or more precisely whether my sometimes discomfort riding off-road is real or imagined. A slight misfiring of the brain or a cold, harsh view of reality. I’ve poured through hundreds of comments and suggestions about what I should or shouldn’t do in regard to my Royal Enfield Himalayan. In those comments I witness new perspectives. And I also see the fear and anxiety others have regarding the relentless march of time and how it may or may not rear its ugly side today.

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2023 Honda CT125 Trail: All Things Change

February 18, 2024 by Scooter in the Sticks 40 Comments

2023 Honda CT125 Trail strapped down in the bed of a pickup truck.
Preparing to haul my new Honda CT125 Trail home.

I Done Done It

The deed is done. I bought a brand new 2023 Honda CT125 Trail. It’s home in the garage sipping power through a Battery Tender waiting for a little warmer weather. It was sunny and 17F this morning but the clarion call of cold weather riding no longer shouts louder than my desire to curl up in the house with a cup of hot chocolate or tea.

But this week the thermometer will point toward the 40F mark so the Honda CT125 Trail should see its first experience of the beautiful Central Pennsylvania landscapes.

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Loving the Royal Enfield Himalayan

July 31, 2023 by Scooter in the Sticks 14 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan along a rural road.
A calm, quiet, unassuming motorcycle.

A Peaceful, Easy Feeling

My 2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan never startles, surprises, or scares me. It’s so easy to ride and the feeling I get moving down the road is almost as if the machine has me in a relaxed, safe embrace. Granted those feelings are in my head and I fully realize the risk involved in riding this or any other motorcycle. But there is something special about riding a motorcycle the gets me from point A to point B without inviting me to taste its power or speed. In the end we both are content to wander along seemingly without a care in the world.

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Concerns of Power and Speed

February 10, 2023 by Scooter in the Sticks 17 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan in Rothrock State Forest.
The weak, underpowered, too-slow Royal Enfield Himalayan.

An Honest Question

I read a comment on one of my YouTube videos asking, “How do you cope with 24 horsepower?”

A good question, especially since the Himalayan has a reputation for being underpowered and slow. And that question also points out a possible initial bias when it comes to power and speed, and what is required to be adequate. It seems that too often an arbitrary value is introduced that doesn’t take into account the rider, the riding goals, or the motorcycle. Add pride and ego to the mix and you can come face-to-face with some pretty strange ideas of what’s necessary to go for a ride. And a parade of ever bigger and bigger machines that may have more to do with profit margins that anything remotely necessary for riding.

As I’ve always believed, it’s up to the individual to decide what they need in terms of a scooter or motorcycle. I only hope men and women take the time to look in the mirror and make an honest assessment before making a choice.

Anyway, I made a video in response to the question. Perhaps you’ll have some additional insight or experience that will help others make their own decision about what to ride — scooter or motorcycle.

I have my own ideas on power and speed…

What are your thoughts on power and speed?

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Prescription: Royal Enfield Himalayan and Autumn

November 10, 2022 by Scooter in the Sticks 9 Comments

2022 Royal Enfield Himalayan in a rural autumn landscape
Unwinding with an autumn motorcycle ride.

A Change of Scenery

A riding rhythm has eluded me for the past two months. Maybe more. The usual drive to get on the motorcycle or scooter just hasn’t been animating my decisions. Instead, i’ve lost myself in too much television. Too much sugar. Too much sleep. Staring out the window at the changing autumn landscape, wondering what was wrong, it occurred to me the prescription was simple — get on the Royal Enfield Himalayan and go for a ride.

Anywhere. Just a change of scenery would alter how I feel.

And it worked.

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Demystifying the Piaggio MP3 scooter

Piaggio MP3 250 scooter

Understanding the MP3. (CLICK IMAGE)

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