A Little Red Scooter

[dduelin]

My wife I and sold the ST1300 and bought a Goldwing after she recovered from a long extensive illness that nearly took her mortal life. A GW was never ever on my radar - in over 30 years of marriage by that time she never rode on any of my many motorcycles. I long ago had sort of given up on trying to tell her about what I had seen/smelled/experienced on two wheels. That day in 2017 she said "After all I've been through I don't want to stay home anymore..... I want to go with you and see what you see on your trips." Enter the Goldwing "Elvis." Right away she was good pillion and I could never ride too far for her, rain or shine. Now she is in another health battle and pretty much shut up in the house except for trips to the doctor or hospital. She hasn't been on our newer Wing but once in over a year and our last fall trip together to the mountains before that she never felt well enough to get on the motorcycle. A couple of days ago the weather here was awesome and I had the scooter out getting some wind therapy.... I got home and said "come outside with me and get on the back of the scooter... even for a ride up and down the street." She did and we rode for 30 minutes because she wanted to go "a little further." When we got home she said "Can we take this with us to Vinny's [Vinny's Place in the N GA mountains]?" This little 125cc is a dream machine existing to take her back to the sights, sounds and smells of somewhere far away this summer. Maybe someone reading this knows how hope can dim then be rekindled by the smallest of things. It's never just a scooter.

 

[kiltman]

Scooters are excellent therapy! Especially if they’re RED!
Wishing your wife the best in her healing journey.

 

[ibike2havefun]

Great story Dave. Here's wishing for your honey to enjoy and savor wind therapy for many miles, and years, to come.

 

[Kevcules]

You're a classy thoughtful gentleman Dave! Your wife chose well! I hope you both experience many more happy days together.

 

[diferg]

Good on you Dave! One of the greatest joys in life is having your spouse ride with you be it long or short. My wife has had some issues (knees, hip and shoulder) that prompted buying a Goldwing trike. Now she is anxious to try out the ST 1300 again. Our prayers that your wife soon recovers from her current illness. She will always love that red scooter!

 

[SMSW]

Wishing you well, Dave. You are both so very, very lucky to have each other. May you have many more miles of smiles together.

 

[dduelin]

You'all are so kind. It's a joy that you are part of my life.

 

[Erdoc48]

Still is a bike, no matter engine size. I hope the Mrs. recovers quickly.

 

[Sadlsor]

All the best to Mrs. Duelin, and prayers up for her mobility and feeling well once more.
Before I married Roz, we agreed that she would never ask me to sell a bike, and in turn i would never ask her to ride.
There are occasions I revisit that arrangement in my mind, when I hear and read of my buddies whose wife rides with him, or even rides her own bike. But she is very fearful, so she can't enjoy it.
It's what we agreed on, so it is what it is.
But back to you, a scooter or a GoldWing, they're pretty much the same thing, aren't they?

 

[the Ferret]

Nice report Dave. We are in similar situations. My wife started riding with me in 1972. All over the US, Canada and Europe. Then in about 1999 I think she started having joint issues. First a hip replacement, then a knee replacement, then another knee replacement, then another hip replacement, All the while she kept riding with me. In 2020 she decided it was too hard to mount and dismount my bike with her artificial joints and I had to ride without her. I think in about 2023 maybe she said she was tired of being left behind and she decided to get herself another scooter (she had had one before but sold it). So, she bought a little white 160 Honda, but after a while it wasn't enough for her. She replaced the 160 with a silver 300 Yamaha. She still doesn't ride it a lot, but it's always there for her whenever she feels like riding, and I'm always happy when she and I are able to ride somewhere together, even if it's just a 25 or 30 mile loop. We are indeed lucky men to have such women with us.

 

[dduelin]

……. But back to you, a scooter or a GoldWing, they're pretty much the same thing, aren't they?

Well it seems Harley riders won’t return my wave when I’m riding either one so I guess not

 

[Moto-Charlie]

That is a great story - wishing you both the best. It is another heartwarming example about never giving up.

 

[Weaselinsuit]

That is awesome. Both your attitudes are inspiring, when there's a challenge or blockade, simply find the best way around it.

And best wishes to your wife for a speedy recovery this time around, I hope whatever it is, she is able to make a quick and full recovery!

 

[St-Gerard]

Not sure what I can add to what has all ready been said, other than my wishes for your wife's return to good health. G