Ditch the Expense of Car/Truck/SUV Ownership and . . ..

[Old Grinner]

So you ask yourself one day . . . Can I survive and live happily ever after without an automobile, truck, or SUV?

I think the answer is a big fat "YES!!!" (if you are allowed and I'll leave it there . . . not all minds think alike).

You may continue to wonder why you shell out significant $$$ month after month . . . year after year . . . for something to move you and your stuff from point A to point B and beyond.

Aside from the weather or someone else's second opinion raining on your parade it is possible to be "4-wheel free" and make the most of your "2-wheel" experience.

I think it's a lifestyle that is highly underrated and quite environmentally friendly. Trailers for 2-wheelers (and trikes) are already widely used and yet it seems to be a brilliant idea hiding in plain site.

Of course you will have to step aside from the "Keep Up With the Jones'" way of thinking and step into a new mindset that brings opportunity, fun, and adventure. Not bigger stuff.

While exploring the Internet for possible trailer contraptions for motorcycles or motor scooters I stumbled across this video that really hit the nail on the head.

Ping!!!



What a wonderful world this would be to get the burden of 4-wheel ownership and maintenance costs of our backs and enter a kinder, gentler, world of 2-wheel travel.

You can have your cake and ride with it too!!!

Just say "YES".

[Old Grinner]

Just to take things a step further.

How about if the scooter is the trailer?

Or, something like that . . ..



I know . . . it's tough when you are raising a young family and the kids have to come along and it gets complicated.

But even then there are those who somehow find a way . . ..



Two wheels . . . it's not about the job . . . it's about the adventure.

[you you]

I like driving 4 wheeled vehicles as much as 2. Anything really.

[Mel46]

I kind of think that putting your entire family on a single scooter is highly illegal in most developed nations...10, and no helmets??...nope. and as for the trailer, don't let them know that they can do that in Asia. They could then bring the entire extended family along as well!

[fish]

Owning nothing but 2 wheels is for the (1)young and (2)dumb, or for those with great (3)public transportation.

I once did #'s 1 and 2.
Then just #2.
Never had #3.

But if you live in Florida and never have a family buy a poncho and do it.
(I've had a family since Dec 1967, 6 children and several Hondas and 4 scooters - and autos as needed with no regrets)
Fish

[you you]

If i lived in a warmer climate I'd give scooter only life more of a consideration. Spain, Italy, southern France.

It just doesn't cut it living on a congested island with continuous pissing rain, litter and dog shit.

[Old Grinner]

I'm glad y'all presented some good points.

After I posted this thread I kind of asked myself if I should have.

I think hearing about so many people leading lives of desperation since this pandemic has taken it's toll around the world can make one wonder what they would do if things got worse . . ..

California has hospitals turning away ambulances due to capacity issues as I type this.

People are screaming for relief programs, continued unemployment compensation, and stimulus checks so they can remain where they are living and business don't have to shut down. The list goes on.

I know this forum is not about politics but that said for some who are going through really tough times right now all they may need is a ray of light and some hopeful discussion to get them through another day. Plus there is some humor and humor cures.

That said I was impressed with the PCX trailer hookup.

It will be interesting to see the new PCX 160 when it hits the U.S. shores (even if it doesn't come with an accessory trailer hitch).

I mean that in a good way . . ..

[Limey]

Would be tough to tow my Fifth Wheel or my boat with my PCX!!

[Yorkie150]

saw the scooter taxis.....thats why the PCX rear suspension is so hard...its designed to take 4 people pr more !!!

[Mel46]

I guess they sell adjustable shocks mainly so Asian riders can add their entire family when they go to the market...plus one or two neighbors.

[Old Grinner]

plus one or two neighbors.

And they make it look easy!

[Old Grinner]

Some new offerings from HD will be available in 2021.

But still no revival of their famous "Topper" scooter from days of yore (with updated technology of course). I'd certainly check one out.

I wish them luck but am not so sure that these are the product offerings that will help restore their bottom line . . ..

This pandemic has injured the lives of many and the day to day essentials of having a secure job and food on the table, not to mention good health predominate.

There is a difference between "net disposable income" and "discretionary income".

Time will tell . . .. Just my two cents.

[Old Grinner]

In case anyone was interested here are links to Harley's "to be released" models . . ..

A sporty looking endeavor. The pipes are shielded right?

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/p ... model.html

Something to influence the the Adventure Touring market. But will they sell enough? Kind of a "heavy" ride for "off road" . . . OK for some but riding skills definitely need to be sharpened.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/p ... erica.html

And something that does have a place in the future if they "catch on" . . .. Much cheaper I imagine than a "Livewire" and easier to park.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/p ... ycles.html

[Old Grinner]

And something that does have a place in the future if they "catch on" . . .. Much cheaper I imagine than a "Livewire" and easier to park.

Well . . . upon further investigation the electric bicycles will be cheaper than a "Livewire" but still pricey. The cheapest one goes for the price of a PCX (roughly) and the others are closer to the North American price of a Vespa Primavera 150. Say Whah?????

Click on "Learn More" on the link below.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/p ... ycles.html

I know. And you have to pedal it too?

For not much more you could get a Yamaha XMax or a new Honda Forza 350 when they become available at your local dealer.

[you you]

And something that does have a place in the future if they "catch on" . . .. Much cheaper I imagine than a "Livewire" and easier to park.

Well . . . upon further investigation the electric bicycles will be cheaper than a "Livewire" but still pricey. The cheapest one goes for the price of a PCX (roughly) and the others are closer to the North American price of a Vespa Primavera 150. Say Whah?????

Click on "Learn More" on the link below.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/p ... ycles.html

I know. And you have to pedal it too?

For not much more you could get a Yamaha XMax or a new Honda Forza 350 when they become available at your local dealer.

Hmm.... not there yet by a long stretch for me..

[gn2]

If i lived in a warmer climate I'd give scooter only life more of a consideration. Spain, Italy, southern France.

It just doesn't cut it living on a congested island with continuous pissing rain, litter and dog shit.

Agree with 2yous on this, because of climate I need a car during winter.
If I lived in a Mediterranean climate I would definitely be scooter only.

[you you]

Agree with 2yous

Wot?

[easyrider]

Riding is for fun.. Driving is for comfort.. Both have their purpose.

[Old Grinner]

Riding is for fun.. Driving is for comfort.. Both have their purpose.

Heavy . . .. A quote to be coined indeed.

Brilliant!

Living in New England I totally get it with the "cage" as I'm sure you do to from living on the "Island". That said I find myself using the car less and less and the two wheelers more and more. Plus it's just easier to get around town. I continue to ride all year as weather permits and somehow I think it will help me to live longer being exposed to seasonal extremes of temperature. Or, on the other hand, I'll die while trying to see how that idea pans out . . ..

I did consider trying to carry my inflatable boats or Sea Eagle kayak (deflated and packed in the sacks of course) somehow on my Zuma 125 but at the end of the day it seemed to be too much like work and the car continues to be the "go to" for those kinds of tasks.

FWIW I highly recommend the Honda Fit.

100_4685a.jpg

I digress.

[Mel46]

Speaking of cages, we considered a Honda Fit, but it didn't fit.
We might consider a Kia Soul. It has more soul, and comes with some bigger than life hamsters.

We know that we will have to get a second car soon but the pandemic and our dogs' health are stretching our retirement income right now. There are no reasonably-priced grocery stores near us now, nor much else (including our doctors), so we are putting a lot of miles on our 13 year old car.

When the weather is good enough I can take the bike to the store, but there is a limit on what I can carry, unlike in Vietnam.