By  John Gallagher

The year was 1970, and I was about to trade my go-cart for a Honda Cub 90 motorcycle. Let freedom ring!

For the past 49 years, I’ve been hooked.

I traded the Honda for a BSA 175 while living in Jamaica. Then, back to America and a Suzuki 700, Suzuki 1500 Intruder (that I rode to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio), and a Honda Shadow.

Since then, I’ve owned a Harley V-Rod, Harley Softtail and a Harley Street Glide.

In the early 1990s, I developed a back problem, and riding became a painful experience, so I gave it up. After back surgery and a year of rehab, the riding bug bit again, and I thought I’d try the new Can Am Spyder.

I was not a fan, after being on two wheels. So, we traded for a Honda Silver Wing scooter and found it to be a wonderful experience.

I never thought I’d be riding a scooter, but what fun it has been. The joy of riding—a simple twist of the wrist without shifting gears or clutching—is tremendous.

Being 64 years old, the journey, not the destination, is the experience for me, and riding a scooter has allowed many happy memories to come flooding back.

I recently purchased a 2016 Honda Forza 300 ABS with 1 mile on it.

Riding the Forza is another great scootering experience. The fairings keep the wind and weather at bay. The seat is as comfortable, like my easy chair, and the gas mileage (70-plus mpg) is superb.

The low center of gravity and the height of the seat make for smooth riding and stopping. Storage is voluminous under the seat. Maintenance (well it’s a Honda) is a breeze.

Guess my days of throwing the old leg over a motorcycle are done, but the joy of riding is still there. And I am so grateful I found the scooter life.

John Gallagher is an AMA member from Vienna, W.Va.