Manufactures are trying to prevent or at least minimize lawsuits from injuries. As a general rule they want bike handles along with a hang harness used whenever a solid blade is used. Bike handles along with a properly adjusted hang harness provides a 3 point control and when set up correct will virtually prevent a kick back from allowing the blade to contact the user. Many or most harnesses attact via a quick connect hook to a rotating swivel which allows edge trimming with little difficulty. The biggest hassle is strapping on the harness to begin with. Not the quick pick up and go as with a regular trimmer.If you only have 5 minutes of work to do this will become an issue. If you have lots of work to do having the trimmers weight suspended in balance from the harness will make long job less tiring. Of course with bike handles you have the added hassle of them just being in the way during storage and control cables being strung over a longer area and prone to being snagged or damaged. Should also keep in mind a hard steel blade will in most cases allow the engine to rev higher when not under a load. Less wind resistence to drag down the engine. Often a dedicated brush cutter will have a throttle limiter to help prevent engine over revving and the potential engine damge. Others you need to keep this in mind and not just hold it WOT when not under load as you might a string trimmer.

craftyc - I am in Butler, not all that far from your old stomping grounds. Hard to be anywhere in Pa without hills. I had a 30mph Vespa too many years ago that I drove on dead-flat country roads with no traffic and I guess that mentality is still with me in this time and place. Seems everyone pretty much agrees the SilverWing is the scooter for me. I do wonder how often my wife will ride with me, but I have to say she really likes riding, loves speed and thrills. Says I can get something as long as her cash isn't involved. I'd still like to hear from anyone with direct knowledge of that Yamaha Majesty, or Yamaha in general. The engine is between the Reflex and the SilverWing altho one cylinder. The price is good. I have had the thought that maybe two smaller scooters would solve some of the problem but then I am back to way less power. I can't imagine being on the interstate on any scooter--bad enough in my big truck when the semis show up. I read a couple of the posts about safety and winter. Sounds like everyone would recommend full safety gear even on a scooter, even around town? I'll wear a helmet for sure even tho optional in Pa (most deaths involve riders without them around here) but being on a scooter in full leathers around town seems funny. Being self-employed, I'm a cash guy. Looks like the cold winter will be time to save up for the SilverWing but still wonder about the Yamaha. What is the real difference between a SilverWing and a small motorcycle other than style? Just easier to ride? Cheaper for some reason? Dumb question but with people talking 125 on the freeway, big acceleration - seems reasonable to ask. So decision to buy or wait, what to buy all coming together. This forum has been a real help. Hope someone can take the time to answer these related questions. Thanks. Mike

Well, if you plan of re potting them i would do that now. You don't want to re pot after they flush out. I like to do all mine while dormant. Nothing wrong with them leafing out and in fact they are getting a very early start. Just make sure to acclimate them to the outdoors in shade so they won't burn come spring. They must be getting lots of light, right? If not they will be leggy and the leaves will be very pale, but not to worry since they will be replaced with much stronger ones once they get ful sun in a month or too.

My understanding is that the Netherlands is great (and relatively flat for biking)! I know people who have taken VBT trips and loved them. Also people who have taken Backroads with great experiences. I have done Butterfield and Robinson trips (hiking, not biking, but they do both) which have been amazing in terms of sights, accommodations, food, wine-- well, everything, but they're very pricey and may not be in line with what you are looking for. I have not done the private tours, only the small group ones. I am not a "group tour" sort of person and was not sure at all about doing trips with strangers at first, I have loved doing these activity tours with a small group (our last trip, for example, was 7 people). Usually my husband and I do the small group walking tour, then a few days by ourselves on either end so we have our "alone time." As for the biking tours in general, the only complaints I have heard from friends who have taken them is that some companies do a better job than others in maintaining their bikes. So that might be something you would want to check for when you are looking at reviews, or when you are inquiring with the various tour operators.