hello from new / old X9-er

Just registered, being signposted from the X9 forum. My name is Paul, I'm 61 next week - married to Pam- had an X9 for couple of months only- so all this biking is a new one for me. Passed test earlier this year and still getting to know the ins and outs of this riding thing. But I love it...

I had a vespa in my thirties and loved it- promised myself I'd do it again before my clogs drop off. So here we are.

We tow the bike behind our motorhome for localised touring (cheaper, easier and more fun than moving the van every time we go out).


I ride a 500i.e X9- but not done any really long rides yet. I live in Clevedon, Somerset- the furthest I've been on it is Oxford, Hereford, Exeter. At the railway station yesterday, I got chatting to another chap my age-ish, on a 300 something, who takes his to Ireland, and is planning to go to Switzerland this year. Put me to shame, so will do some longer runs- extend my range a bit.

Pammy loves the pillion riding, but struggles with getting her feet comfy on the pillion rests- need to find a way of extending them outward- any ideas?


Still a bit nervous about it- so am taking it steady before deep-ending!
Anyway. hello everyone!

Hi again Paul and Pam, glad to see you made it over here as well.

ah yes- joyce.. you're the one with the nice avatar pic! I remember.. Hello again

Hello Paul and welcome , The foot rest problem on the X9 is well known and there are a number of solutions that have been tried .All should be found in the archives of the X9 site or just ask Dave Milnes who seems to know everything there is to know about anything in the known scooterverse !

yes- that's what others have said- but I can't find anything in the archives but some arcane reference to a solution with no detail... I'll carry on delving.

Hi Paul,

I've just logged in as well While not exactly new to riding on two wheels, the auto experience is! I'm just down the road from you in Exeter!!! Next time you venture down here give us a shout (Sally's my pilllion) at least for a brew if not a ride......

Are you planning to come to the SW Motorcycle show?? If so, come and say hello - I'll be on the Westcountry Drifters/Blesma Stand.

Dunno, much about the X9 yet, as I haven't had a look at one, but I'm a fully qualified weldor/fabricator (done a bit of spraying as well) so might be able to help with mounting footboards etc. to make Pam more comfortable I'll have a scooby around the net and see what I can come up with.

Best regards for now, have fun on the bike

Hi Skippy!

thanks for reply- and yes- I'll look you up when down Exeter way.The offer of a weld thing would be gratefully accepted, if we can find the right bits and how it will work round the body of the bike. Keep in touch

It seems all the photographs of the varied conversions were lost in a big computor crash some years back ! I do remember one though ,it was attached underneath and was bent round to form a footpeg some 4 or 5 inches higher thn the standard board (it was for a child ) Hope this is of some use

Welcome Paul to our quite bit of scooter land.

nice to be here... hope to share stories and tips as we get into it.
What a welcoming bunch of good folk.x

Hi Guys from another Westcountry man.

Hope you are having a good birthday Paul.

Many happy returns

thanks everyone for birthday wishes ! Officially old at 61 now, but feel great.

Too wet for a ride yesterday-- we had torrential all day and my family (+little grandson) are staying- so egg n chips at Chew Valley lake tea rooms, then birthday cake at Pam's daughter-in-law's parents made for a good day.

Want to get out on t' bike, though- missed using it this week. I was tempted to go over to Epping on it (overnight last night for work today) but the weather has been so crappy I thought the better of it. Not sure what a really long run would be like. I will have to do it one of these days and see how I feel.

had an idea about extending the foot rests- I will do a little sketchipoos and post it up. Basically it involves a ribbed (non-slip) steel plate, bolted through the existing foot rest into the bracket below, to create an overhang- and perhaps adding an extra bold nearer the body. I want to investigate if its possible first..