Canadian Speedfight 50 | READERS RIDE
It’s not often we get sent Reader’s Rides for the Modern side of ScooterLab but it’s always good to read about what you’re all riding and where (not that many of us are riding for fun at the minute). This one was sent in from Glenn Who, a SLUK reader from Nova Scotia, Canada. His ride was a 50cc 80-mile trip during the cold Canadian fall (autumn).
Reader’s ride?
If you’ve got a ‘Reader’s Ride’ for us get in touch at editorial@ScooterLab.UK. It doesn’t have to be about a particular ride you’ve done but could be an owner’s view of your own scooter. It’ll give you something to do during lockdown.
Sun on your back
I set off on a warm Saturday afternoon with both sun and wind at my back. Revelling on the old Waverley Road, I quickly reeled in a touring bike and a couple of Harleys. While only 50cc, this Speedfight handles like a sportbike. Dual disc brakes, steel braided lines, anti-dive hardware, sports tyres – what a blast. Despite having raced at Shubenacadie for several years, I’ve not yet been able to drag anything while leaned over.
I saw hundreds of bikes on the old number 2 highway, but only one other scooter.
A white mid-sized Vespa near Alton coming back toward Halifax (maybe a Halifax Scooter Council member?).
I spent several long sections of that ride with the throttle at 7/8ths and the speedo sitting right at the edge of the red (it only registers to 80kmh, the edge of the red is probably 85). My understanding is that at that point, the CVT ratios are maxed and that you are close to redline. I felt like I was flying… at probably 50mph.
I made Truro in 90 minutes, on the back roads, from Robie Street in Halifax.
It was a beautiful ride on a surprisingly capable small scooter (fully de-restricted, liquid-cooled stock Peugeot Speedfight 2).
Cold and wet
The ride back on Monday was in the remnants of a hurricane. By the time I got to Halifax, I was so wet and cold, that my core shivers were shaking the handlebars. I couldn’t even feel my hands to put the key in the door.
Even so, it was a perfect weekend ride.
Words and photos: Glenn Who
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