All the pieces fall into place (HONDA PCX 150)

I know. I talk about Honda a lot. What can I say, I really like their products. I love my Kymco, which happens to have an engine based on a Honda design, which at this very point in time has traveled more than 24,400 miles. All with a horizontal 150cc engine! That's quality in my humble opinion. Of course, regular maintenance and occasional repairs have played a significant part in the scooter's survival, but even with regular maintenance, I've seen other brands just fall apart.

So, yesterday I tested a Honda PCX-150. Let me say up front; it looks sharp and vaguely shark-like. I understand that it is supposed to be a "sports scooter," and this contributes to the look of it. The example I tested is a 2013 model, but aside from a few cosmetic differences and the apparent addition of a 12V plug on the 2016 model, there really isn't any substantial variation between the model years.

When one straddles the machine, it feels big and a bit heavy, of course, with a curb weight of 286 pounds, it is heavier than I am used to. The next thing I noticed was the dash layout which is sharp and easy to read. The fuel meter and odometer are electronic, but the speedometer is a good old fashioned analog dial. One oddity is on the left handlebar controls, the horn and turn signals are swapped from their normal positions with the turn signals at the bottom of the cluster and the horn in the middle.

Basic inspection completed, I turned the key, depressed the left brake handle and hit the starter and had to stop for a moment to make sure it was running. I've ridden quiet scooters before, but the engine sound was like the rustle of bird wings, it was that quiet. I needn't have bothered with listening though since I soon realized through the vibrations in the seat that the single cylinder beneath me was thumping away.

So, off down Dairy Road I went. A left turn out of the driveway and quickly up to an indicated 50mph without so much as a sputter. The scooter felt planted to the ground, even as I did a little bob-and-weave down the road to test handling around non-existent potholes. The handling was much better than I've experienced with other scooters with similar sized wheels (14 inch). I didn't even need to take the scooter all the way around on my normal test route. upon reaching the bridge at the end of the road, I turned around and headed back to the dealer. 

Twice in the last two weeks I have been surprised at how a vehicle has made me feel. First, the Nissan Leaf, despite it's ridiculous price-point surprised me by how civilized and normal and nice it was to drive, and I'll admit, it was so nice I actually would enjoy owning and driving one on a regular basis, but not for anything near the price they are asking so if someone wants to give one to me, just let me know. Then along comes the PCX-150, which is actually a very sporty handling scooter that feels like a big touring scooter with a lot more power than it really has.

The riding position was comfortable, though the stock windscreen is a bit on the short side. This did make riding with a sore shoulder a bit uncomfortable and tiring, which was another reason for turning around after such a short distance. Thankfully, there are aftermarket screens available through both Honda and Givi (the Honda screen is quite pricey).

For someone like me, who likes to travel long distance on occasion, it would be the perfect machine with a taller windscreen and a bigger rear rack (more on this below). The seat is comfortable and seems like it would be so for a long duration. The under-seat storage is about twice that of the Kymco and maybe about the same as the Elite 110 but not the same shape. Fuel capacity is 2.1 gallons which is better than I've seen on a 150. It's as if the engineers at Honda said, "hey, lets make a 150cc scooter that some crazy American will take on road trips!" Who knows, it may be time to sell the Streak before she needs a rebuild.

The one big thing that could use some work for the average scootster such as myself is the rear rack. It's rather pointless. Ok, that's not true, it's sort of pointy, but it's pointiness has no point...if that makes sense. The rack is so small and has such a tiny surface area, it was obviously never intended to be used for anything other than a top-box, which is fine for some, but limiting if you want to haul a bit of camping gear. Even if you get a top box, which is available aftermarket through Givi, you have to also get an adapter plate. Of course, this isn't going to affect all riders, but for me, it's something that would need to be modified.

So, to sum up, here are the positives of the PCX-150:

• Planted
• Handles well
• Good control cluster layout
• Quiet engine
• Feels fast
• Comfortable seat

And here are some of the negatives:

• Small rear rack
• Limited accessory options (some after-market)
• Quiet turn signals
• Vigorous thumping from engine at stand-still
• Short Windscreen

The real question is, would I buy one? The answer is a resounding yes. A second question is, would I recommend it to others? On the whole, yes. If you want a big scooter that sips gasoline like a mosquito yet has enough power to get out of its own way and possibly even ride short hops on the highway on rare occasions with potential for long distance riding, then yes, assuredly yes! If you're just starting out though, it might be a little too big. Just the same, I know the PCX-150 surprised me. Go, try one out. You know you want to! 

Note for the observant, when I rode it yesterday, it did not yet have a "Sold!" sign on it. I forgot to get pics yesterday and went back this morning.

Laid up

I wished I could go for a ride. As it was, I was sitting here in my lazyboy with muscle relaxers coursing through my veins and a light-headed feeling which really doesn't lend itself to operating any kind of vehicle, nevermind one requiring balance. See, my job can be dangerous. When you work with the developmentally disabled, there are chances you could get hurt, and I did...again. I've been having back spasms and difficulty with my left shoulder and neck for almost two weeks now and have been on Dr. ordered leave from work.

I can tell you, I'd rather be working, but today, today I decided I'd had enough and I took a little scooter ride to my third physical therapy appointment. Boy oh boy was I excited! Ok, I'll admit, I was a little scared as well. As it was, I brought out the rarely used half-helmet since I thought less weight for my neck to contend with would be a good thing and since the speed limits in town are 25mph (and amazingly people follow them since the police keep a very close eye on Main St.), I wasn't too concerned about a high speed collision.

The ride was uneventful, but I could feel that a prolonged ride wasn't going to be a picnic. I went in to my PT appointment for my impending beating, then put my helmet back on and rode over to Lancaster Honda to get the scoot inspected. It was there that I saw they still have a 2013 PCX 150 for sale, as well as some 2015's, and I finally got to test-ride one after trying out the seat five years ago. The write-up of the test ride will come tomorrow. I need to go get some photos which I forgot to do in the midst of my discomfort.

In any even, the Silver Streak passed inspection without any issues. Happiness this is. 24,406 miles at the time of inspection and not a single problem other than a slight wobble of the windscreen, which was fixed with a couple turns on an Allen wrench.

I'll tell you though, by the time I got home, again uneventfully, I was ready for some Tylenol, my hot-pad, and some sit down time in my recliner.

I'm glad that I was able to get out for a ride today. While my car is a lovely place to be, riding a scooter or motorbike has no peer in giving one a feeling of freedom.

Leaf me alone!

On my way home from work this morning, my back was hurting, so I stopped a few times along the way to take a break from riding. It just so happened that my last stopping place was the Nissan dealer on route 72. Just out of curiosity, I peeked into the windows of a used Nissan Leaf. Of course, Rowlf the Dog looking at one of his cars is enough to get any car salesman up out of his chair so I was soon greeted by one such gentleman and was allowed a test drive.

From the outside, the Leaf presents itself differently depending on the viewing angle. From the front, it's not too bad until you get a good look at the headlights. From the back though, it's just plain freaky looking. I know a lot of the quirkyness of the looks comes down to aerodynamics, but it just doesn't tickle my artsy side.

The vehicle in question had all the options, including heated leather seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel, GPS and all that fun stuff, making it a nice place to sit. The seats were not electric, but then in an electric car, it's better that way.

No key is needed, as there is an "intelligent key fob." Yes folks, it's Skynet. Anyway, a press of the start button and lights come on and there are a few bings, then eerie silence. The dashboard display appears fairly normal except that in place of a gas gauge, range is displayed. The "shifter" is a little knob that is moved from the center to the left then forward or back to engage a drive mode. There are no gears as such since the Leaf uses a CVT, just like a scooter.

Once in drive, the vehicle moves forward when the accelerator is depressed, much like a normal car, but unlike a normal car, the eerie silence continues. It's spooky. It's also very easy to overdo one's speed since there doesn't seem to be any feedback to the "gas" pedal as there is in a regular car or truck. The lack of a "vroom" is also disconcerting. That said, the car does pop right up into traffic and goes well on secondary and primary routes. A brief stint on the highway and I discovered just how easy it is to find oneself going faster than expected, due to that lack of feedback from the accelerator.

The brakes were very good, even with 26,000 miles on them. They were more grabby than in most vehicles, probably due in part to regenerative braking.

The ride was surprisingly good for a small car. With my back acting up, it was an excellent day to see how good the suspension was. Even over railroad tracks, it seemed to absorb the bumps well enough. Compared to the Prius C I've written about before, it was near cloud-like.

So, that said, there is the price. A new one will cost around $30,000, without all the options. That's a lot for a car the size of a sardine can. The used example that I drove was listed for $17,000, which is still a lot. Granted, it had depreciated by nearly half the initial cost in two years and 26,000 miles which seems excessive to me. But all that taken together, let's compare it to a scooter.

According to the sticker, the energy cost to run a Leaf is about equivalent to getting about 140 mpg while a 150cc scooter gets around 80 mpg. A leaf costs 30 grand new, while a 150 cc scooter can be had for around 3 grand, one tenth the cost of the Leaf. Now, let's be fair, the Leaf is a fully enclosed car with four wheels while a scooter does not provide much, if any, protection from the elements, or elephants should one happen to be caught in a pachyderm stampede. That said, we'll get back to the numbers. At the moment, a gallon of 93 octane premium gasoline costs about $3.09. taking that as about the median of what gas has cost for the last seven years I've owned my Kymco People 150, I've paid about 4 cents per mile and have put a bit shy of $1,000 into the tank after going 24,000 miles. In initial cost and fuel, the vehicle has only cost me around $4,000. If I drove the Leaf 24,000 miles, I'd be looking at an equivalent cost of about $530 in energy (If I follow their logic), but with an initial outlay of $30,000+ for a new one, a scooter is still more cost effective by miles and miles (funny, yes?). Even with a used Leaf, the cost is still staggeringly bad compared to a scooter, and with a $6000 or more replacement battery every ten years, it makes absolutely no sense at all. Even compared to my Jag, the cost benefits in fuel don't add up. To take it one step further, repairs for my Jag in the last two years have been around $2,000, making the total outlay for the car including fuel around $12,000, still ahead of the Leaf under the same usage, and I couldn't use the leaf for more than commuting, but the Jag and the scooter will both make it the 320 miles to my home in Massachusetts in less than a day. The Leaf couldn't do that with its 80 mile range.

Don't get me wrong, I loved driving the Leaf. It seems nimble for a compact, and I could live with it for a daily driver. It's a nice little car and if the initial cost and cost of replacement batteries were lower, I could see it as a secondary car for commuting only. As it is, the numbers just don't add up.

So, I'm definitely going to say, Leaf this one alone.

memory lane

Most of my riding lately has been local, but in the last week I've been riding over to the area near the mall because that's where the military recruiters offices are. Anyone who's been paying any attention to the news is by now aware of the sad events last week in Chattanooga TN, and that many citizens have been quietly and calmly keeping watch over recruitment offices, hoping to prevent a recurrence. I've been doing what little I can to help.


This got me to thinking, since I'm armed while standing watch, when didnI learn to shoot, and I remembered getting my first BB gun when I was ten and my dad telling me, "Always keep the barrel pointed at the ground until you're ready to shoot. Never ever point it at another person. It is not a toy." I'm sure he said more than that, but it's so long ago I can't recall.


Then I remember Mr. Osowski. I don't recall his first name, but he was a former CIA agent to whom I delivered papers when I was 14. I don't remember why, but for some reason he took a looking to me and would take me fishing, and to the firing range. So it was from my dad I learned basic gun safety, and it was from Mr. Osowski that I learned to actually shoot.


We spent hours at the range. It was there I grew to love lever action rifles. It was there I fired a .45 for the first time. It was there I learned to be accurate with my shots, and added to the advice from my dad the wisdom of a man who had served in the military and in the CIA.


Those are memories I will treasure.

Just two dogs out for a ride

For a while I have had a deep yearning for something rather silly to augment my riding experiment. Someone sent me the following picture on Facebook:

Which I found hilarious. So, I went looking for one, but the only place I could find that sells anything of the sort, Iron Horse Helmets, was sold out. They did have an alternative though.

And that works for me.

Yes folks, it's Rowlf the Dog, though for the sake of avoiding copyright/trademark infringement, they have it labeled simply as "Dog."

So, I got the cover today and it fits well over my helmet. There are a couple issues, the first being that it completely obstructs any vents on the helmet, though this is solved by removing the face-shield (which makes bugs up the nose an issue), but I often run with the shield up anyway, so it's no huge change. Secondly, the nose is a bit in the way at low speeds, but it pops up and out of the way upwords of 50 mph.

It seems well made, though not perfect, and it was allegedly made by hand right here in the good-ol' U.S. of A.

Maggie enjoyed a ride to Lancaster Honda to get some oil, and it was observed that we were observed by several other motorists and pedestrians who found the sight quite humorous.

We shall see how it holds up and in the meantime, I shall enjoy the silliness of it all.