Actually, I wasn't expecting to take her home today, but...since it was a floor model, with about 110 miles already on the clock, there wasn't much needed in terms of prep , other than a general once-over (they actually put on a new set of tires), plus a bit of spit n' polish. Signed the papers, bought a helmet, and followed Significant Other in her CR-V back to the ranch three miles away.
Wow...over forty years since I piloted <i>anything</i> with an engine. Dealer gave me a debriefing on general controls, then I slipped on my jacket (a Showers Pass cycling jacket, which should do for now), some lightly-armoured Pearl Izumi gloves, slipped on the helmet, and...
Wow (again)...the 300 <i>is</i> peppy, but smooth, even with that single cylinder, which makes rather nice sounds - not raucous, but hardly wimpy. The first mile I was a tad nervous, but apparently smooth. Second mile, I'm starting to get into it: taking curves smartly, taking it up to around 40mph. Suspension really feels refined, no deceleration weirdness at all. And...nice engine braking! Helped me lay off the brakes after that first cautious mile.
Brought it up the driveway with a mile-wide grin. Said to GF: "Didn't suck?" She said I seemed extremely smooth.
Will obviously want to get some more practice miles in PDQ, and check out a few courses, but the bike feels really good. I guess those decades of cycling in Gotham paid off in more ways than one!
And, like many of the newly-Vespafied, I'll have questions like this one: the dealer mentioned the odo reading in km, and not being changeable, but I could swear I just read, right here on MV, that this isn't the case. Besides, wouldn't that be kinda the point of a digital display in this case?
Meanwhile, I need to mentally sober up a bit. GF is joking about it, and the cat's starting to look at me funny...
⚠️ Last edited by amateriat on UTC; edited 5 times