Aprilia

I hope the Aprilia is destined to be totally different.

2009 Aprilia RSV4 Factory: official photos - Hell For Leather 2008

So it took something pretty special to get me and a guest to gear up, hop on the Aprilia Mana 850 and ride down PCH to Warner and over to Mile Square Park at Brookhurst and Heil The Fountain Valley Sports Park is the official name now, but when I lived across the street everyone knew, and knows it, as Mile Square Park.

Charles Karel Bouley: Pigs Flying Off the Grill Aug. 18-21 in Orange County Charles Karel Bouley 2011

As for fuel economy, the Honda returned 82 mpg overall, beating the 68 mpg we recorded with the Aprilia.

Honda vs. Aprilia scooter test: Advanced technology beats Euro chic 2010

Yes, the Euro chic styling of the Aprilia gives it a distinctive character.

Honda vs. Aprilia scooter test: Advanced technology beats Euro chic 2010

The Honda was also marginally quicker off the blocks, clocking 3.9 seconds in a sprint from 0 to 30 mph versus 4.0 seconds for the Aprilia.

Honda vs. Aprilia scooter test: Advanced technology beats Euro chic 2010

So it took something pretty special to get me and a guest to gear up, hop on the Aprilia Mana 850 and ride down PCH to Warner and over to Mile Square Park at Brookhurst and Heil The Fountain Valley Sports Park is the official name now, but when I lived across the street everyone knew, and knows it, as Mile Square Park.

Charles Karel Bouley: Pigs Flying Off the Grill Aug. 18-21 in Orange County Charles Karel Bouley 2011

So it took something pretty special to get me and a guest to gear up, hop on the Aprilia Mana 850 and ride down PCH to Warner and over to Mile Square Park at Brookhurst and Heil The Fountain Valley Sports Park is the official name now, but when I lived across the street everyone knew, and knows it, as Mile Square Park.

Charles Karel Bouley: Pigs Flying Off the Grill Aug. 18-21 in Orange County Charles Karel Bouley 2011

Shizuo Kambayashi/Associated Press Niklas Ajo of Finland fell from his Aprilia as Italy's Luigi Morciano, right, lost control during the 125cc race at the Grand Prix of Japan at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Motegi, north of Tokyo, on Sunday.

Asia in Pictures 2011

So it took something pretty special to get me and a guest to gear up, hop on the Aprilia Mana 850 and ride down PCH to Warner and over to Mile Square Park at Brookhurst and Heil The Fountain Valley Sports Park is the official name now, but when I lived across the street everyone knew, and knows it, as Mile Square Park.

Charles Karel Bouley: Pigs Flying Off the Grill Aug. 18-21 in Orange County Charles Karel Bouley 2011

I was getting my Aprilia Mana serviced, so there I was at the counter, thinking, oh God, here I go again, he reflects.

Charles Karel Bouley: Talking Through the New Depression Charles Karel Bouley 2010