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Post by jerseyboy on Jul 16, 2013 8:40:14 GMT -5
I've been riding MC's my whole life and noticed riding scoots is quite different.With the smaller wheel size the gyro-effect is substantially lower,,without the gyro effect being what I'm used to,,i feel the scoot is super twitchy and flickable which is a great thing but also can be a deadly one as well.You need to pay more attention when riding a scoot especially if you came from riding MC's your whole life or you could easily end up off the road into a tree or ditch if you turn your head to see something.
I love my scooter,,it feels like I'm riding around on a worked mini bike legally.Just wanted to post this to bring it to peoples attention that are new to the hobby,,it may help keep them a little safer longer.On your first ride pay close attention to how the scooter reacts to your inputs,,especially in corners,,they are great little nimble machines for sure!!!!
The gyroscopic effect that hold a MC up strait and stout is lacking on our 10-13"wheeled friends,,so BE ALERT and happy scootin!!
Tommy
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Post by devo344a on Jul 16, 2013 8:49:43 GMT -5
I noticed the balance is alot differant your legs are out farther on a motorcycle and your legs and feet are more in the middle when riding the scoot you have to learn to balance differantly
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Post by djscootz on Jul 16, 2013 9:10:18 GMT -5
I agree with both comments. My scooter actually has a brake pedal on the floorboard for the rear brake, so it is taking a while for me to get used to not being able to put my right foot down for stability
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 16, 2013 9:31:38 GMT -5
Riding is like walking for me. I spent a long time riding 5 or more different bikes daily and I have learned to adjust quickly. Scooters for me are pretty easy to ride. It does take me about a week (or a about hundred miles) to be able to push a bike all the way to it's limits but basic riding is a snap...
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Post by jerseyboy on Jul 16, 2013 10:20:59 GMT -5
[replyingto=scootnwinn]scootnwinn[/replyingto]I agree scootnwinn,, After riding for over 35 years,,I become ONE with all my motorized machines,,but it does take a little while to get the feel for each one is a bit different of an animal  |
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Post by Paladin on Jul 16, 2013 12:00:22 GMT -5
On got Metzeler tires on my Savage and it was far more twitchy than my D404's. After a about 30 minutes I realized that it was more responsive. Getting a scooter off a motorcycle is like getting into a Triumph Spitfire after driving an Impala.
After taking a 370 mile ride on my X150 I can say that the scooter is just as stable on the Interstate as any other vehicle. Even the wind gusts is not a problem.
On my LX, at a stop, my feet stick farther to the side -- on my Savage my feet could be less than nine inches between.
As scootnwinn and jerseyboy, I am an old fart rider. Riding is far easier than walking. The scooter is easier to ride, more responsive, and far more fun.
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Post by rockynv on Jul 16, 2013 12:12:09 GMT -5
I actually have less problems than those on the touring cruisers that I ride with but then I do ride for a few hours every day year round. One or two of the cruiser riders usually end up off the road and stuck in a drainage ditch on most group rides I have been on. On a  mph 250cc scooter with 15" rims I have not found it to have been a limitation. |
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Post by scootnwinn on Jul 16, 2013 18:34:03 GMT -5
Ya I don't get the whole "small wheels unstable" bit I go quite fast on my 10's and though you do have to have a light touch it rides well. I think the issue is small wheels on cheap, unbalanced tires. I prefer my light responsive bike to a larger one in every situation.
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Post by jerseyboy on Jul 16, 2013 22:22:50 GMT -5
[replyingto=scootnwinn]scootnwinn[/replyingto]Yeah,,I can flip flop my scoot around like no other bike Ive had in tight areas,,I bet I could walk all over a sport bike in a tight parking lot,,no problem...
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Post by domindart on Jul 16, 2013 23:37:02 GMT -5
My scooter is mega-flippable but you must be careful in the corners grasshoppahs when wet. , when its wet I don't even lean much. These scooters weigh far less so I'm afraid it will loose traction a lot sooner than a MC will.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jul 17, 2013 0:29:33 GMT -5
I've been riding MC's my whole life and noticed riding scoots is quite different.With the smaller wheel size the gyro-effect is substantially lower,,without the gyro effect being what I'm used to,,i feel the scoot is super twitchy and flickable which is a great thing but also can be a deadly one as well.You need to pay more attention when riding a scoot especially if you came from riding MC's your whole life or you could easily end up off the road into a tree or ditch if you turn your head to see something. I love my scooter,,it feels like I'm riding around on a worked mini bike legally.Just wanted to post this to bring it to peoples attention that are new to the hobby,,it may help keep them a little safer longer.On your first ride pay close attention to how the scooter reacts to your inputs,,especially in corners,,they are great little nimble machines for sure!!!! The gyroscopic effect that hold a MC up strait and stout is lacking on our 10-13"wheeled friends,,so BE ALERT and happy scootin!! Tommy
I have the same background as you... five decades of big bikes, and I find the same "differences" in the scooters as you do. One other major factor affecting this phenomenon is that our big bikes have tall, heavy engines, and fuel tanks up high. This make them way, WAY easier to balance. Riding a big cycle is like balancing a baseball bat on the palm of your hand with the big, hitting-end up... Riding a scooter is like doing that with the small, handle-end up.The low center of gravity, light weight and small wheels make them "scoot"... I guess that's why they call 'em "scooters"... LOL! Ride safe, and enjoy the ride!Leo in Texas |
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Post by rockynv on Jul 17, 2013 4:27:46 GMT -5
Actually the low center of gravity enhances balance and cornering ability. That is why so many cruiser riders end up dumping their bikes when stopped if they lean a tad to far to one side. The high center of gravity just takes the bike over especially when you are dealing with an 800 lb bike. Some of the cruiser manufacturers overcome this by using low slung horizontaly opposed engines.
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Post by domindart on Jul 17, 2013 4:34:49 GMT -5
So your tellin me the scoot can corner better than a mc? I have been afraid ever since I attempted to corner on wet surface and it almost had me on the ground lol
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Post by Paladin on Jul 17, 2013 8:21:10 GMT -5
So your tellin me the scoot can corner better than a mc? ... Maybe not better, but definitely just as well. I am not a racer, but my Savage kept grinding the pegs when I got frisky. Stupid Vespa does the same! |
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Post by jerseyboy on Jul 17, 2013 8:37:07 GMT -5
[replyingto=domindart]domindart[/replyingto]Ahh,,nothin corners good in the rain,,I just shut off and go real easy until its dry again.So many more factors come into play when wet,,a little bit of oil or grease on the road becomes an ice slick when wet,,also migrates more causing a larger area to become slick.
Moral of my story,,
DONT MESS AROUND WHEN ITS WET ON ANY TWO WHEELER!!!
Tom ;D
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mph 250cc scooter with 15" rims I have not found it to have been a limitation.
