I got some scooter accessories and safety gear recently. The safety gear I got because I saw some pictures of really bad cases of road rash recently that I just can't get out of my mind. I figured out that the companies designing protective jackets are for the most part, laboring under the delusion that all motorbike riders work out at least 3 or 4 hours every week, and all have chests that are at least 4 to 6 inches larger than their bellies. The jacket I bought that was the most likely one to fit me, and ordered in a size that fits my torso, has arms so long that I could just sew the sleeves shut at the ends and use them as mitts.

Riding pants? forget it... those that would fit my waist have legs so long the the knee armor would protect my shins instead, and the rest of the leg would just bunch up around my boots. Huh, maybe I could just sew the ends of the legs shut and reshape them some so I could wear them like pajamas with feet in them. I ended up getting kneepads that I can wear under my jeans. Padded, and with hard plastic over the kneecap area. Harbor Freight... $5.00! I have steel toesd boots that I will go back into the house for if I realize I'm about to get on the scooter in loafers or worse yet, clogs! The boots have become important to me ever since I saw a picture of someone who lost toes sliding along the pavement in their Converse All-Stars.

I bought and installed a motorcycle brake flasher that has 4 very bright LEDs that do a pulsating flash any time I'm braking with more than very gentle pressure on the brake levers. It doesn't make all drivers back off more, maybe because it flashes at a frequency that could irritate those who are looking for something to be irritated about, but at least I'm sure they're watching me pretty closely once they've seen that thing flash.

I also installed a nifty Kasswins cup holder that can swivel both back and forth and from side to side, which means it stays level at all times. I have a couple of warnings for anyone using one on a scooter or motorcycle:
1) don't try to use it and replace the can, cup, or bottle back into it while riding down the road. Without weight in it, on a vibrating scooter or motorcycle, it won't stay still well enough to be able to get whatever you took out of it, back in it. You could crash trying to do this nearly impossible task.
2) don't carry anything in it that could foam or fizz... like pop or anything carbonated(or beer). You'll end up wearing it if you forget this one. You realize just how much scooters and motorcycles vibrate and shake going down the road while watching your pop or whatever you were planning to drink, foam and fizz and blow all over you, your scooter's dashboard, floor, etc.

Well that about covers this months mini review of scooter stuff. I have some great rides planned for this summer, and oh yeah... some kids riding in the back of a minivan flipped me peace signs as I went by them just the other day. Talk about a Flashback!! Later!