Hence, after a coffee and tea break in a nearby cafe we visited another local dealer who had the Beemer scooter on display. But as likable as the C600 might be, it is just a tad bit out of our price range. The limited edition (#9 of 99) cost about 14K EUR (19K USD). I could get three Vespa GTS300 for it, or a small car. The scoot looks nice, though.
For what it's worth, it seems that Roland still prefers the Suzuki Burgman (400 or 650) over the scooters we've seen today. Although, a recent test ride with a certain Honda Silverwing (400 or 600) had turned out to be an interesting option for him as well, which is odd...
Because when Roland got into riding back in 2009, I had procured this beautiful Swing for him. (I was mistaken on the thought that a big guy would need a big bike). What I hadn't taken into account was his lack of experience in the two-wheeled category. The bike had scared him that much that he had hung up his helmet for another two years before he fell in love with Bella, his Vespa GTS250. Now, with two years of riding experience under his belt he can picture himself on that very scary Silverwing… We'll see what he will end up with. We haven't got planned any big motorcycle tours in 2014, so it might well be that scootering on the Vespas will suffice.
On our way back home we took the opportunity to capture some of the Black Forest winter wonderland.
The rest of the afternoon was spent on the sofa with a special London Fog (Earl Grey Tea Soy Latte) and a conventional Latte Macchiato digging through scooter and motorcycle journals.
***
Roller Wahnsinn!
Heute waren wir beim Piaggio Händler in Freiburg, damit Roland mal eine X10 Probe fahren konnte. Die Sitzposition für den Einmeterneunzigmann war ok, und so war er trotz des kalten Wetters für die Testfahrt bereit. Doch bereits nach zehn Minuten war er wieder da… Er fand den Einzylinder unruhig und auch die Spurstabilität war unbefriedigend. Roland schaute sich noch den Kymco Myroad an, aber der war gar nichts für ihn. Bei einem anderen Händler checkte er den BMW Roller. Ein schönes Teil, aber bei den Preisen (das Sondermodell kostet mal eben 14000 Euro), nichts für uns. Dafür kann man sich ja drei Vespas oder einen Kleinwagen kaufen…
So wird Roland wohl doch bei der Suzuki Burgman bleiben oder vielleicht wird es auch die kürzlich getestete Honda Silverwing. Letzteres kommt ein wenig überraschend, denn als er diesen Großroller zu Beginn seiner Zweiradkarriere in 2009 von mir geschenkt bekam, hatte ihn "das Monster" überfordert und er hängte bis 2011 den Helm an den Nagel… bis er sich in Bella, die 250er Vespa GTS verliebte… Wir haben für 2014 keine größeren Touren geplant, also reichen uns vielleicht auch die kleinen Roller für dieses Jahr. Mal sehen, was geht...
Kawasaki J300 with ABS?
ReplyDeleteGood point. Looks pretty nifty.
DeleteSome very beautiful winter pictures! It's always a fun spending time looking at new cycles.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erik. Looking at bikes certainly is a nice and healthy winter pastime ;-)
DeleteBeautiful snow covered landscape shots! 19K for the Beemer scooter, a tad much.....Roland can get a fully loaded out URAL sidecar rig for 5K less! Just a suggestion.....
ReplyDeleteI know, but Roland would NEVER buy a motorcycle with *quote: old fashioned* mechanical gear shifting. He just loves the automatic… also in cars...
DeleteI really like your Black Forest winter wonderland photos. The C600 seems more than a tad expensive. Time to look for another Honda?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Richard. A Honda or a Suzuki it likely will be...
DeleteWow that really is a winter wonderland. Those scooters are scary to ride, think I'll stick to my R1 it's nice and safe.
ReplyDeleteYeah, not everyone is cut out to ride scooters ;-) But that's ok, too.
DeleteSonja, the Black Forest looks spectacular dressed in snow, yet you had seemingly bare roads. Great photos - again!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. Public services does a pretty good job on keeping the roads clear, part reason is that we are dealing with tourists in the area that don't know how to drive when there is white stuff on the ground...
DeleteSonja:
ReplyDeleteI really like those snow photos too. Makes everything look so clean and bright
The first Silverwing was ahead of its time and Roland had to feel comfortable first, so a smaller scooter was better when first starting to ride
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
That's right, Bob. I was wrong to get him the Silverwing that early in his riding life. He was way out of his comfort zone back then, and needed to take the next step in his own time.
DeleteI think that German snow is a lot prettier than US of A snow.
ReplyDeleteAh, scooter shopping with many interesting choices. The 300 and 400's are just right for me though I'll be watching to see which one you pick.
Ah, not sure about the prettiness… it's cold and white, and did I mention cold just as your stuff. Coop, it looks like Roland thinks the same. 350 or 400 it might well be.
DeleteAh the joys of moto-shopping! :) Always a good way to spend the day
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the pics of the Black Forest - Gorgeous
Thank you, Kari. Moto-shopping is always good, even if you don't buy...
DeleteNice choices. Personally, if and when I feel the need for more power or cruising range, I'll be seriously considering a BMW GS, maybe the 850, ABS, traction control, heated grips, and the BMW mystique. I checked one out at the dealer last week: CDN$10K, 12K with top and side cases.
ReplyDeleteIt would be much easier if Roland were into motorcycling (lots of big bikes out there that should fit him well), but he does like his scooter, and the automatic gear shifting.
DeleteSounds rough testing scooters and drinks Lattes. A good way to spend the winter.
ReplyDeleteLove the snow pics especially the one with the church and bit of blue sky.
I know, Brandy. We are living a tough life and never have any fun...
ReplyDeleteA new year, a new scoot! I love the Beemer scoot, and if I could I would, but then I ask myself why would I spend all that money when I could get just as much power wise for less. I am glad Roland is feeling the need to spread his moto wings. I look forward to all of your summer ramblings and pictures! I haven't ridden since October and am going to wait a few more months, even though our winter was so mild. I am actually thinking larger scooter again, I am tired of lugging back packs, etc, or start saving for a new model bike that I can accessorize, but quite honestly and scoot is still on my radar. Beautiful pictures! I have also been staring at your lovely orange Vespa and thinking hmmm I like the look of that baby!
ReplyDeleteDar, I certainly appreciate the loads you can pack in a scooter without carrying a backpack. And I am sure that a large scoot would become you, too. Let's see where your thoughts will take you.
DeleteI'm also tall. For the price of a Triumph 800 XC I could have a Burgman 400 and a Honda CB500X. The Triumph is the finest handling and performing bike I have ever ridden, bar none. But I could feel my licence melting as I sampled the sublime steering and speed. There is no way I would be able to resist the temptation.
ReplyDeleteThe Burgman 400 is a bike I've wanted for years; it's such a useful handy beast but I found at the bike show that the adventure styled 500X fit me better that any bike at the bike show. It's also lighter and much less expensive. It's so hard to choose.
Last week, I was considering trading in my Suzuki Inazuma 250 for a Honda CB500X Adventure-Style motorbike but when I counted up the cost of some hard luggage for the Honda, well, without the trade-in, it would cost over £6000. The trade-in for the Inazuma would be around 60% of its new value of £3499 just over a year ago. On reflection, the Honda CB500X would, in practice, do precious little more than what my Inzauma does now. I've been on it to Spain and back to the UK last year and most of the time it kept up with the motorway traffic in both France and Spain. Plus, I got over 78mpg on long, steady stretches! So, for now, I'm sticking with my Suzuki Inazuma 250. Particularly in these times, one can not always afford what one most desires in life and 2nd best is fine by me.
DeleteHi Walter, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Nothing wrong with a 250cc bike, people have traveled the world on less, and as long as you don't need to ride highways it will handle the speed limits in most countries. What I appreciate with a smallish motorcycle is that it is usually lightweight, and easily handled when dropped. I can pick up a Vespa, not sure I would be able to pick up my Harley when it's flat on its belly.
DeleteYes, Sonja, you can't beat a lightweight bike! Every time you do a U-turn in the street on one, you think, great, it's just so much easier! I had a Suzuki GSX750F. Fumble, fumble, heave, groan, sweat, rock forwards and backwards, every time I wanted to turn around in a parking area. I had to plan it pretty well in advance before parking up!
ReplyDeleteI love the snow covering the trees. It is like a fairyland. We haven't had that kind of snow this winter and I miss it. I am grateful for the photos until I can see some in real time.
ReplyDeleteI like my little scoots, but I'm such a homebody. I don't go anywhere. I'm still developing my relationship with my Kymco. It will be interesting to see what choice Roland eventually makes.
~k
Sonja, the Black Forest winter wonderland looks truly fascinating. Is it safe to scooter in such conditions?
ReplyDeleteHi Biker, thanks for visiting. It is reasonably safe given you scan the roads, and have winter tires on your scoot. The roads were actually cleared of snow.
Delete