New Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 26
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Joined: Mar 31, 2013 3:41:37 GMT -5
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Post by tinstar on Jun 18, 2013 0:54:08 GMT -5
When I went from riding my Yamaha VStar 1100 to my SYM RV250, I felt very awkward at first. Not as stable, the bike was much lighter, I was taller in the saddle, a very different feel. When I bought it, instead of riding it the 50 miles home, I decided to trailer it instead. Although I had been riding for years and been through the motorcycle safety course, I didn't take any chances. Part of the ride would have been on the interstate and a state road that was heavily traveled. Fortunately, I live on paved road that dead ends and is a mile long. Also, I have several subdivisions fairly close to me. I started just riding up and down my little mile long road and the nice wide turn at the end of it gave me really good practice turning right and left. Once I got my nerve up, I rode the approximately three miles to a large subdivision and I really got my scooter skills honed in there. I could ride nice and slow, had plenty of stops and turns, and once I had mastered that subdivision, I rode another couple of miles to another subdivision. This was fun and really helped me get my scooter legs! One thing that I had to concentrate on was re-learning the left lever...not a clutch, but now a brake! I had a few fairly hard stops until my muscle memory took over! No shifting is great! My almost 60 year old body really appreciates the lighter scoot, the stepping through instead of over, and no gears to worry about. Good luck and practice makes perfect!
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Post by rockynv on Jun 18, 2013 12:08:44 GMT -5
rocky, I figure that's the next option, if practise doesn't get me good again. IF IT EVER STOPS WITH THE STINKIN' RAIN ALREADY!!! Go to NM where they need you, rain! We're pretty full right now, thankyouverymuch! Sheesh! >'Kat Don't worry in a few months it'll start snowing again and you'll be wishing for the rain again. Even with the rain we have been having the past few weeks here in Florida I only got spritzed on once despite commuting to work daily on my Aprilia. |
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Post by domindart on Jun 18, 2013 15:53:36 GMT -5
few months? snow??  |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 18, 2013 22:21:06 GMT -5
thanks rocky!  That's how to be really encouraging. My poor piggy's NEVER gonna' see the trip to work again at this rate. All your fault. Yours, and Bore's for discovering global warming. No, wait, :# that wouldn't be right. What's the opposite of global warming? >'Kat, couldn't practise today either, because...wait for it...IT RAINED!!  |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jun 18, 2013 23:16:09 GMT -5
Isn't your gear water proof? Push it across the street to the lot and practice anyway. You know what happens to scooterists when it rains right?
no? They get wet. Like the same thing as when you shower only better... Don't make me go up there I thought you were sending the rain over here?
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Post by rockynv on Jun 19, 2013 4:07:39 GMT -5
thanks rocky! That's how to be really encouraging. My poor piggy's NEVER gonna' see the trip to work again at this rate. All your fault. Yours, and Bore's for discovering global warming. No, wait,  that wouldn't be right. What's the opposite of global warming? >'Kat, couldn't practise today either, because...wait for it...IT RAINED!! Merlin Youthened but no thats not it either how about "The Big Chill!" Keep you eyes open and you should be able to find an occasional break in the clouds just don't push things with your knees. If they aren't 100% yet you need to exercise caution on wet or damp ground so you don't torque them on slippery pavement when you put a foot down. I know a little slip of the foot even an inches worth while tring to hold up a bike can put a world of hurt on a marginal knee. Hopefully you get your clearing and be able to get out riding soon. A spotter probably would not be a bad idea either however it probably be better if it was not your Mum. |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 19, 2013 6:06:46 GMT -5
scootn', I'm a 'Kat, and kats don't like rain. ;D Esp with only two wheels instead of four. And I AM sending the rain to you and Dad. Really I am. It just isn't listening to me and going. Darn rain.  rocky, I never saw the Big Chill. Did see what's it's name, Day After Tomorrow. Stupid movie, that. Sudden instant temp plummets that kill everyone...except the stars. -And it's my knees that I do keep in mind. The bad knee has no cartilage, the formerly-good knee still isn't happy. But it looks good right now, haven't heard the weather yet but I'm hoping when I get home it'll be scoot-time! What's a spotter for a scooter though? I know what one is for gymnastics (there to catch/break your fall). >'Kat |
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Post by domindart on Jun 19, 2013 9:49:37 GMT -5
Can't believe you haven't gotten time yet to ride.. I'll wave my magic wand in the air and make the sun come out for you.  |
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Happy Piggy!
by: richardthescooter1 - Jun 19, 2013 10:41:37 GMT -5
Post by richardthescooter1 on Jun 19, 2013 10:41:37 GMT -5
Hang in there Kat, it takes some practice to get better with those turns try to pick a road with lots of curves  to practice and slowly build up your speed and before long you will be darn devil lol ;D |
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Post by domindart on Jun 19, 2013 10:44:14 GMT -5
I am finding the back roads of nieghborhoods in the suburbs to be plentiful of curvy roads..  |
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Post by rockynv on Jun 19, 2013 12:09:18 GMT -5
Spotter to render an assist if they see you are having trouble holding up the bike, help get it on the stand and back in the garage afterwards. Worst case would be for them to call 911 for you. The Big Chill was more in a literal sense. Never saw the movie either.
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 22, 2013 23:01:28 GMT -5
So between the bad wind gusts Thurs and coming home too late Fri and being too beat from work, I finally got to drive this morn. I had to go to the farther away bank. Two turns, then a nice straight ride of a few miles to the bank. The left turn was again tensey. But the rights were fine. And coming out of the bank, I had to turn left thrice. I thought "Why am I allowing myself to get all freaky about the left turns?" And they also went fine. Until turning into my development. But that could be because the first duplex is too close to the entrance for them to see cars coming in before the cars are coming in while they're backing out. Had some hinky moments with the wagon. Tomorrow I'll go five out to get gas. I know, 1/8 of a tank is still plenty. But I get nervous when my vehicles' needle shows that low. Seriously, I felt way more comfortable today driving on the road than I ever did last year driving around the church's little road-complex. I'm thinking I'll skip that and just practise in the neighborhoods around here. And then off to work! >'Kat |
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 22, 2013 23:19:24 GMT -5
Btb, a big biker guy waved at me! I waved back, the geek way of raising my fingers and lifting my hand.
I have GOT to master doing the wave correctly!
>'Kat
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Post by SylvreKat on Jun 22, 2013 23:23:15 GMT -5
richard, there's a lake with a road all the way around that I've practised on in the past. But it's REALLY twisty. I'll be working back up to that bad boy!
rocky, I'm sure you meant no Mom because of the freak-out reaction she'd have to seeing me go down. But as for lifting the scoot, all 80+ years of her helped me get him on the center stand when I dry-docked him for workman's comp. She's from good doughty German stock.
>'Kat
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Post by rockynv on Jun 23, 2013 8:51:25 GMT -5
Yep you want to stay on you Moms good side that is for sure. Glad your getting your confidence back just don't get to macho and cocky.
Stay safe always!
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