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Post by ricardoguitars on Jan 9, 2015 23:51:30 GMT -5
Roadways buckled due to extremely hot weather are another danger that can be hard to see. Imagine landing this one on a scooter: That looks like fun  |
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Post by rockynv on Jan 10, 2015 8:14:16 GMT -5
Roadways buckled due to extremely hot weather are another danger that can be hard to see. Imagine landing this one on a scooter: That looks like fun Only fun if you land it right side up along with both you and the vehicle in the same condition you were in before you got launched. Unfortunately many vehicles and some folks don't live though an encounter with those heat buckles when they are that severe. |
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Post by hillbillybob on Jan 10, 2015 10:52:02 GMT -5
BadCattitude said
"I don't ride the scooter very much after dark but any additional lighting that makes it easier to see or be seen is a plus in my book!"
I'm with you BadCattitude....Don't ride after dark....maybe alright on a familiar road, but never on a strange stretch after dark. Made my living driving at night for 39 years.....now retired....and spend nights asleep.
On my scoot, or motorcycle, I get all the excitement I want each fall, when the walnut trees drop their fruit all over the roads..
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Post by earlwb on Jan 11, 2015 23:05:40 GMT -5
I should mention that the windshields people put on the scooters can be very hazardous to your health. Many people have wrecked out with crosswinds catching them unawares and causing a wobble to start that just gets worse until they crash by highsiding the scooter. it happens with motorcycles too. Especially at freeway speeds with 18 wheelers passing you by or you passing them by. The scooters or motorcycles that use frame mounted fairings and windshields don't have the problem. It is the windshields mounted to the front handlebars or forks that have the risk.
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Post by hillbillybob on Jan 12, 2015 10:08:15 GMT -5
I am simply going to state my experience with windshields. Others may disagree....and that's OK.
Bought my first windshield in Nov. 1965, mounted to handlebars of my Honda S90. Have had numerous others since, and currently have one on my scoot, and also on both of my BMW's. All are mounted to steering portion of the bikes.
Have never experienced an ill handling bike due to a windshield.....but I do keep both hands on the bars at all times. I'm far more concerned with flying debris in the face, (be it large bugs, birds, or stones thrown up by other vehicles) than I am with loosing control due to wind.
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Post by earlwb on Jan 13, 2015 10:35:58 GMT -5
Well I have seen the handlebar mounted windshields cause a death wobble before. I had it happen to me many years ago with a motorcycle too. There are a lot of factors that can cause it even without a windshield. It happens a lot more than people might think. But the scooters tend to have flexible frames, crappy suspension, loose front ends, etc, and that can all contribute to the problem. Usually once it starts the death wobble, you can't get out of it, it quickly gets worse until you high side the bike. They call them "tank slappers" too. Now at slow speeds you may not ever experience it, but at highway speeds all bets are off.
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Post by shalomdawg on Jan 13, 2015 12:35:38 GMT -5
my experience is like billybob in that i've been riding various motorcycles since the early '60's and most had fairings and shields attached to the handlebars or frames and have never had negative experiences as far as handling or wind reactions. i won't voluntarily ride without wind protection and have ridden in some justs and steady winds that you would write home about. i remember one such with steady wind and i'm heeled over so far that when a more sever gust comes it feels like a lift UP rather than sideways.
be careful out ther
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken
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Post by rockynv on Jan 13, 2015 12:51:59 GMT -5
Found that tank slappers are many times due to the front tire tread pattern with the alternating chevrons being more prone to it than others. Leave them even moderately under-inflated and they will develop feathered wear that will pull the handlebars hard left and right uncontrollable when you hit the right speed, corner or braking condition to set off the harmonic.
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