Comments for Motorcycle Blog - Black 'n Blue

Comment on Aprilia Sportcity 250 by Peter

Peter — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:09:39 +0000

I bought a Sportscity a year ago last spring and it is the only thing I want to drive in the Summer. I have 6,300 miles on mine and take it to work every day about a 25 mile commute on a freeway. The Sportcity keeps up with traffic and will top out at about 80 mph. Sometimes, at that speed, I let off the throttle, because it feels unstable in the wind at that speed. Brakes are great and I go about 160 miles between fill ups. It is about as small as a 50 cc scooter so I get away with parking it on the sidewalk. I love the weight of the scooter because, as an old guy, 59 yrs, I can move it around the garage to fit everything in. I haven’t had any mechanical problems with it.
In response to the comments above, I think because of the compact length of the SportsCity, it is harsher than the more relaxed, longer frames. So I avoid potholes and other bumps. Frost heaves are a real jarring experience especially at speed. I have an after market wind screen and took off the U.S. turn signals in favor of the original signals built in on the front of the scooter. I can go 65 miles up a large incline, Davidson Mesa, coming out of Boulder, CO going towards Denver on Hwy 36.

Comment on Steam motorcycle on display by Robert Daniels

Robert Daniels — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:09:34 +0000

Sir; I am the Great Grandson of Niles Gillenwaters. I was told by my father many years ago about the Steam motorcycle my Great Grandfather built. I was in San Francisco on July 11, 2009 and and saw theMotorcycle for the first time.

Comment on Skillz by Motorbike Jacket

Motorbike Jacket — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:58:10 +0000

Even though many states offer motorcycle safety courses, sadly many new riders (and quite a few experienced ones) will never take them. I really don’t see what the problem is. It’s only a few hours of your time, and you just might pick up on something that you didn’t know.

Comment on Aprilia Sportcity 250 by Mark

Mark — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:10:44 +0000

I own one of these, I beg to differ on the MPG. I have a mild 8 mile commute one way and I’ve been averaging … 75 MPG for the last (and first) 1200 miles I’ve put on this thing. Two drawbacks I know of. First is the suspension. It does not take much off of the city bumps and frost heaves, needs a couple more inches of travel. The other issue is the large factory wind screen, not! They’ve been recalled, leaving me to brave the cooler temperatures with little more than grit. The suspension is the bigger issue for me, even small bumps (the ones that are hard to see and avoid) at normal city speeds are transferred surprisingly well to my back and neck.