Sunday, January 12, 2014

Follow Your Dreams!

Today, I'm turning my blog over to my husband, Ron Marshall.  He wrote this article last year, and I promised him I would post it in 2014, so I'm keeping my word.  I did a bit of critiquing, but most of this is in his own words. 

Seniors who are thinking of just kicking back and doing the daily thing of eating at home or out in restaurants, coming back and plunking back in their recliner and TV shows. Have any seniors ever given a thought about getting out in the fresh air and riding a motor scooter?

Well, now I know you think I have lost it, but let me tell you about me. I hadn't ridden a motorcycle since I was 16 yrs old and that was for a short period. Well in my third childhood I was thinking of buying one of those little Chinese motor scooters you see on the internet.

I was reading about them when I came across a scooter called Suzuki Burgman AN 400. The Burgman sounded better than one of those Chinese scooters so I started looking on the internet for one. I slid the thought past my wife, and she said in a lukewarm tone that it might be okay, but she was a little worried about a 77 year old fool like me wanting to ride a scooter at my age.

I started looking at a forum on the internet called Burgman Riders.Com. After reading their comments about the Chinese scooters versus the Suzuki Burgman AN 400 I became interested in buying one. My kids thought I was an old fool for even thinking about riding anything with two wheels. It was the motivation I needed to drive me to search around for a Burgman 400.

I found what I was looking for, a Suzuki Burgman AN 400 in south Kansas City at a motorcycle shop. I went out and looked at the 2008 scooter with just 287 miles on it, and I fell in love with it as soon as I laid eyes on it. The apple red color and size was just right for me.

 
Scooter, Ron bought.
 
Well you guessed it I went and bought the bike, and I was afraid to even ride it home, so I enlisted my brother-in-law to ride it home for me. I had it home for about two weeks before I got up enough nerve to ride it. With a little practice I got fairly good and finally allowed my wife to ride with me, and now I can't seem to keep my wife off the back of it. She loves to ride with me. I was searching around the Burgman loops for riders' my age and found that many over age of 60 and a lot more over age of 70+ riding them. One fellow told me that a man over in the U.K. age 95 still actively rides his Burgman AN 400.

Here's food for thought; if you ever had a passing thought about riding a motor scooter you might want to give it a try at your local scooter shop. If you don't like it then go back to the recliner that old people get into and watch those TV shows.

Frankly, I enjoy the fresh air and the looks and smiles at traffic lights that the wife and I get from other people when we stop.  It makes you feel like you are young again plus keeps your mind alert.

Well, we both know our age but you know it does give you vigor that one doesn't realize we still have until you try.  That is my story and I'm sticking to it.  In December I turned 78 and can't wait for spring to get here so we can go again on the scooter.
Photo of Ron on Burgman
 
Thank you, honey, for writing this blog.  Your words tell everyone it's never too late to follow your dream whether you want to travel, write, bike, or anything you have thought you would like to do. 

Have a wonderful week, and I'll see you next Sunday.

Sandra K. Marshall, author
http://www.skaymarshall.com   

22 comments:

Rose Anderson said...

I enjoyed your follow your dreams post, Ron. The scooter looks like a blast to ride. Are you going to get one, Sandy?

Melissa Keir said...

Congrats Ron on doing what you want to do. I agree that getting out and riding is a wonderful experience. I've looked into the three wheeled motorcycles and just recently heard about an electric motorbike. I'm not fond of the shifting on the typical motorcycle. A scooter might be another choice. I'll have to do some research on the one you selected.

All the best and keep on rolling!

ps. I also agree with Rose- Sandy needs one now!

K.T. Bishop said...

Sandy needs a scooter, so you two can ride on Sunday afternoons....

Nina Pierce said...

What a great article! Thanks for turning your blog over to the Mister, Sandy. Our neighbors had scooters and they loved them as well.

Kari Rogers Miller said...

Good for you Ron to follow your dream! I just wish automobile drivers would pay more attention to anything two wheeled, bicycles included. :(
But you know what? The point is to never give up... nor in... to that recliner and the boob tube. Get out and do something! Anything! It is truly a wonderful world when you look at the simple positives and not the daily news.
Me

Sandy said...

LOL No, Rose, I'm not going to get a scooter. I'll just ride on the back of Ron's.

Sandy said...

LOL Okay, Melissa, Rose and K.T.; I'm not getting a scooter. I'm content riding on the back of Ron's scooter.

Good luck finding a scooter near your home Melissa. No shifting to our brand.

Sandy said...

K.T., we do ride on Sunday afternoons when the weather permits. Smile!

Sandy said...

Thank you, Nina, he'll be happy to hear that.

Sandy said...

Thank you, Kari. You're so right.

Sandy said...

Later today, I'll get Ron in here to comment. Smile!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ron & Sandy,
Donna finally got me to see a blog>> Never been on one. She told us about your nice new bike Ron, so here I am.. Ron a great article and this is something that I thought about in 1999 when I retired, but my one eye gave out on me and I decided not to get a scooter. Anyway this has my interest. Thanks for a wonderful writing.. Best wishes....to you both...

Mike Stone



Anonymous said...

Thanks for the comments on the blog about the scooter.

I love the gas mileage. I get 68 gallons mph with two of us on it. When we pull in to a gas station, I usually give Sandy $3.00 to top it off, and I always get change back.

I've had the scooter up to 85 mph, but I'm afraid to try to go faster.

I have wireless intercoms for us, so we can talk to each other.

Thanks again for coming by.
Ron

Amy Atwell said...

Great post, and I'm cheering you both on as you keep getting out and trying things. I think it's so important to keep life fresh, and this looks like it's been a terrific experience. Thanks for inspiring me!

J Hali Steele said...

So, what color will yours be, Sandy?

Sandy said...

Mike, thanks for coming by. You shouldn't let having only one deter you. I had an uncle with one glass eye, and he always drove.

Sandy said...

Thank you, Amy. We do like to try new things.

J.Hali, mine is going to be purple. hehehe

The Comeback Kid said...

How dare you say that hubby is not a writer. He just became one with this blog. :)

Marianne Stephens said...

As we age, it's never too late to do anything! We find time, are more confident, and want to enjoy life. A lot of authors don't write until later in life...we are no longer afraid/too tired/unsure about following a dream.
Good for you, Ron, in using your scooter!

Mike & Donna said...

Hi Ron & Sandy,
Thanks for the note back. Hope both of you can come buy and see Donna & me, when you are out riding..on some nice warm day.That sure is a beautiful bike Ron.Is it really a scooter? It looks like its fast.. My son has a Harley and he just loves it and takes his wife out riding.. Give me a call sometime if you want . Would like to hear more about that bike. Take care.

Mike & Donna



Sandy said...

Tom, you're not a writer when you aren't committed. He's already bored with the blog. lol

Thanks, Marianne, but I'm afraid the too tired doesn't apply to me, but Ron is always raring to go. Smile!

Mike and Donna, when it warms up, we'll be by. It's early and Ron is already out just too cold for the scooter still.

Linda LaRoque said...

I enjoyed your post, Ron, or I should say His Ronness! (grin)I admire you for going for the scooter, but I wasn't a scooter person even as a kid. Maybe if I'd spent enough time on one I'd feel differently.

Stay young!