MRH
Active member
I've been here for about two months, but haven't yet introduced myself. I picked up a pre-owned Silver 2010 RT with 16K miles that I'm absolutely in love with, and have finally found a great hobby. I've put about 2K miles on the bike since I bought it (the bike is due back from my local dealer today - it needed a tune up, and I replaced the reflectors with lights and added a brake light on the back).
Interestingly enough, I didn't even know Spyders existed until a few days before I bought mine. I rode an ATV on a cruise ship excursion, and began the search for one that was street legal in CA. A full day's worth of calls and research later, a Vespa dealer mentioned one in passing, and when I checked out the website I knew I'd found what I didn't know I was looking for. After I got over the cost (I'd planned on about 5K for an ATV), and with my wife happy enough that I'd found some type of hobby to occupy me to stand behind the purchase, I took the dive rather quickly and snatched up what seemed to be a great deal on a bike that didn't look like it was often available used (having kept my eyes open since, I was smart to act quickly).
I live in Los Angeles (on the east side, in Silver Lake), and have been riding a lot in the Angeles National Forrest (besides using it day-to-day for getting around). I also spend about a quarter of my time in Santa Ynez, and bought a trailer to take it with me (thanks to whoever posted about the Drop-Tail Trailers). Riding up there is amazing, and my wife likes to join me (we did nearly 200 miles one day).
Without even posting, ScottyB reached out to me, and has been of a lot of help in figuring all of this out (thank you). His warning that my investment was just beginning, seems to have been true, but at this point I think I've got the major bases covered.
I work most weekends (I'm a photographer - you can check out what I do at http://studiomark.com), so I tend to ride early mornings (I prefer the cold to the heat) on weekdays (especially Mondays, since my business is dark that day), and I would love to find another rider or two on my side of the city who can also do weekday mornings in the Angeles National Forrest.
Those are the basics. Many thanks to all of you for creating this resource, which I've already made great use of.
Mark
Interestingly enough, I didn't even know Spyders existed until a few days before I bought mine. I rode an ATV on a cruise ship excursion, and began the search for one that was street legal in CA. A full day's worth of calls and research later, a Vespa dealer mentioned one in passing, and when I checked out the website I knew I'd found what I didn't know I was looking for. After I got over the cost (I'd planned on about 5K for an ATV), and with my wife happy enough that I'd found some type of hobby to occupy me to stand behind the purchase, I took the dive rather quickly and snatched up what seemed to be a great deal on a bike that didn't look like it was often available used (having kept my eyes open since, I was smart to act quickly).
I live in Los Angeles (on the east side, in Silver Lake), and have been riding a lot in the Angeles National Forrest (besides using it day-to-day for getting around). I also spend about a quarter of my time in Santa Ynez, and bought a trailer to take it with me (thanks to whoever posted about the Drop-Tail Trailers). Riding up there is amazing, and my wife likes to join me (we did nearly 200 miles one day).
Without even posting, ScottyB reached out to me, and has been of a lot of help in figuring all of this out (thank you). His warning that my investment was just beginning, seems to have been true, but at this point I think I've got the major bases covered.
I work most weekends (I'm a photographer - you can check out what I do at http://studiomark.com), so I tend to ride early mornings (I prefer the cold to the heat) on weekdays (especially Mondays, since my business is dark that day), and I would love to find another rider or two on my side of the city who can also do weekday mornings in the Angeles National Forrest.
Those are the basics. Many thanks to all of you for creating this resource, which I've already made great use of.
Mark
hyea::congrats: Welcome aboard! And you got the fastest color too!
