Selecting A Scooter For Transportation, FYI

I'm really starting to think about the scooter thing.

Sad-Max... I'm all over LA, mostly Valley, but Mid Valley to Burbank to Hollywood. Do you think a scooter would be an okay choice? (And I'm thinking about 200cc, NON-freeway driving.)




*Did that sound as cree[y to you as it did to me? :huh:
Click to expand...

I like it when you talk cree[y to me.
yahoo_daydream.gif
 
GageFX said:
I'm really starting to think about the scooter thing.
Sad-Max... I'm all over LA, mostly Valley, but Mid Valley to Burbank to Hollywood. Do you think a scooter would be an okay choice? (And I'm thinking about 200cc, NON-freeway driving.)
Click to expand...

Do you mean, a 200cc scooter, as your primary vehicle? Like a Motofino, or an Aprilia?

Really, in truth, no. I have to defer in large part to Bob's scooter-fu with regard to the virtues of specific models, and his preferred riding practice, but I also have sixteen years and about 120k motorcycle miles on LA roads and around here on surface streets I would take a small car or bike over a scooter, almost any day of the year.

Streets can be a higher-threat environment than freeways, because by its nature surface traffic stops and starts and vehicles turn across your path and you across theirs, and traffic flows from four directions, instead of one. And because major Valley and Hollywood streets in particular are lined with distractions to worsen the performance of already-inept drivers.

Because of your seating position and the scooter's geometry you can't turn as fast or hard under control as with a small motorcycle, so you're compromising your ability to avoid trouble, when it comes your way. If you are obliged to hammer the brakes, your position on a scooter is not as secure as a motorcycle because you can't lock your knees around it.

What I am getting at, is that economy and fun aside, the truth is that your life and safety are dependent upon the handling of your ride. I have avoided incalculable pain and injury because the bikes I ride were capable of violent controlled maneuvers, to avoid slaughter at the hands of irate/impatient/distracted/child-tending/intoxicated drivers - all around the territory you're planning to ride.

There's free advice, for you. Double your money back, if it wasn't worth every penny you paid, for it.
 
Sad Max said:
What I am getting at, is that economy and fun aside, the truth is that your life and safety are dependent upon the handling of your ride. I have avoided incalculable pain and injury because the bikes I ride were capable of violent controlled maneuvers, to avoid slaughter at the hands of irate/impatient/distracted/child-tending/intoxicated drivers - all around the territory you're planning to ride.
Click to expand...

sure that may be the responsible approach. but i say, oh what the hell, go for the fun!!! :thumbsup:
 
Max: No, no, no. I have a primary vehicle, and I get 30mph, but I wouldnt mind doubling that most days.

Most days it's me and my laptop bag jumping on the 5 and driving 10 minutes to Burbank. I would imagine that by streets it would be about 20 minutes. But I dont know. I guess scooters go just as fast as cars on surface streets, but I picture myself putting along in a 3 hour trek that would take 10 minutes on the freeway in my car.

What I am getting at, is that economy and fun aside, the truth is that your life and safety are dependent upon the handling of your ride.
Click to expand...

Okay. That sums it up nicely. Would anyone disagree with this or think it's being too cautious?
 
ugafan said:
sure that may be the responsible approach. but i say, oh what the hell, go for the fun!!! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

You can have just as much - actually, probably a lot more - fun on most motorcycles, with a greater margin of safety, than on most scooters.
 
...riding in a pack of scooters, which makes you more visible...
Click to expand...

...and more ridiculous.

ONE scooter rider = dork. A PACK of scooter riders... full blown wacknuts.


(BTW, did anyone notice that True North changed their slogan from "An extraoridinary nut sack". To "An extraordinary nut SNACK"? Internet buzz is that it was ALWAYS "snack", but I clearly heard a difference in both.")


This IS the "nutsack" thread, is it not? (I get lost sometimes.)
 
Sad Max said:
You can have just as much - actually, probably a lot more - fun on most motorcycles, with a greater margin of safety, than on most scooters.
Click to expand...

i have found that fun is often inversely proportional to safety. unfortunately in my case, there also seems to be a high correlation between fun and stupidity. :2vrolijk_08:
 
Sad Max said:
Oh, operating a motorcycle is still dangerous enough, to be fun.
Click to expand...

i know, i'm just kidding. the only reason i would choose a scooter over a motorcycle is initial cost. motorcycles are safer and a lot more powerful than most scooters. :beer:
 
Sad Max said:
Because of your seating position and the scooter's geometry you can't turn as fast or hard under control as with a small motorcycle, so you're compromising your ability to avoid trouble, when it comes your way. If you are obliged to hammer the brakes, your position on a scooter is not as secure as a motorcycle because you can't lock your knees around it.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I've been riding motorcycles for 20 years, and my scooter, being lighter, is much more nimble than my 1520cc motorcycle. Hands down.
 
When we talk about scooters, I'm sure that most people think of the "classic scooter" style as seen in the photos below:
Other_Scooters.jpg


A second style is the "motorcycle like" style. Only a few scooters have it:
Bobs_Big_Ruckus_1.jpg


A third style is a "jet-sky or wave runner" style:
DSCF0091.jpg


A forth is "none of the above": (Notice the 2 wheels in front and yes the scooter leans with the turns.)
2006_LB_Show_Test_Ride.jpg


Whether one looks like a "dork" or not on a scooter, is subjective and may depend on what you ride and who is judging you. While I've never had anyone call me a "dork" to my face, I guess I'll just ignore it. I have better things to do than worry what others think...


On the issue of safety, it's tough to narrow it down. I don't know of any real scientific studies that show that noise makes you stand out or drivers just blank it out.

On the issue of power, weight, and tire size, it's true that a motorcycle can move out of the way quickly, but a scooter can also out maneuver the big bikes, so depending on the type of problem, one may have the advantage over the other. We just don't have any scientific studies to help nail down what is most likely to save you.


The best thing to do for anyone thinking about getting a motorcycle or scooter is to take the Motorcycle Safety Course. That way your can learn what riding on 2 wheels is like and decide if it's right for you or not.


Bob Diaz
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top