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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 25, 2017 13:44:32 GMT -5
Important too is realizing whats going to happen when you release a locked up brake. A locked rear wheel when you release it is going to try to align with your direction of travel potentially throwing you from the bike while the locked up front wheel will shoot off in the direction that you have it pointed when you release the brake again potentially throwing you. good points this is also true, but sometimes road conditions can surprise you. topping the next crest can reveal road conditions that you didn't think of. road construction on county roads is notorious for this kind of thing. the main point i want to make about brakes for new riders is that motorcycles aren't 10 speeds safety on motorcycles, especially with the larger displacement scoots, cannot be over stressed. another thing, alcohol and 2 wheels do not mix, even 1 beer. i guess we have all heard that 1 beer can affect you, but we all have drank that 1 beer, hopped in our car and drove home with no problems at all. you probably wouldn't even blow positive on a breathalyzer. but surprise, surprise, surprise, that 1 beer on 2 wheels and you'll be wobbling down the road at 30MPH. i know that to be a fact, cause i've been there. don't drink and ride, not even 1 beer. |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 25, 2017 11:36:56 GMT -5
Proper braking technic on tarmac, 70% front brake, 30% rear brake; on dirt road it is completely different, most braking is done with the rear brake; you can use the rear brake to keep control at low speed. yes, that is the general idea. but in my case i never really appreciated how important it was, simply because i always rode on asphalt. i avoided "loose stuff" like the plague. i hardly ever rode in the rain, and never when it was icy out. i simply avoided the "dangerous" stuff. plus, i had an "anti lock" device on my front brake. all of this added up to a potentially deadly situation. only after my friend had his accident did i realize what caused it, he locked up his front brake because he was used to squeezing them both equally. if he was on asphalt he would have been ok, but he was on mud and down he went. the above is proof that you don't need to be going fast to have a serious 1 vehicle accident, even on a 50cc. |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 25, 2017 0:03:04 GMT -5
this thread is about braking techniques and 2 wheel safety in general.
when i got my first moped (50cc) i have never ridden a motorized 2 wheeler before.
the speed was slow, and it had both brakes on the handlebars.
i naturally braked my moped much like i did my 10 speed bicycle, grabbed both levers and squeezed.
then i got the itch for something bigger and faster.
enter my 250.
the brake setup was essentially the same as my 50, both on the handlebars.
my braking technique i developed had carried over to my 250.
i now know that this technique is wrong, and i'm thankful i found it out before it was too late.
front wheel lockups on a 2 wheeler can be disastrous, maybe even fatal.
my advice to new riders.
practice your skills on loose grit, sand, or leaves, or gravel. (at slow speeds and wear your gear, you'll need it)
yes you are going to experience a few spills, but it will definitely teach you a few things about your brakes and how to use them properly.
a friend of mine had his leg almost chewed off because of improper technique on mud.
if only he had stayed out of that front brake he would have been okay.
on other matters:
ride within your ability.
if you are in a group of riders, ride with what you are comfortable with.
IOW, don't try to be "the best" in the group, ride within your comfort zone.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 24, 2017 23:39:29 GMT -5
scrappy is my go to for parts when i get a new scooter, they have proven many times over to have good quality parts. ordering is super easy, Mo is very helpful if you have technical issues or need advice on your build, the shipping is fast and i don't think i ever got a damaged, defective or incorrect part from them. it's always wise to have an alternate for those times when a certain dealer is out of stock. may i suggest parts for scooters (PFS)? |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Jan 24, 2017 23:36:51 GMT -5
scrappydog just proves the age old adage, "when you are on top, everyone wants a piece of your butt".
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my bike
by: dollartwentyfive - Dec 31, 2016 18:33:16 GMT -5
Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 31, 2016 18:33:16 GMT -5
i always thought a "moped" was the one with the motor AND pedals.
i remember getting the VIN checked when i first got it.
the officer said "you want a VIN check on your little moped there?".
i was thinking, 350 pounds and a 63 inch wheelbase can hardly be called little.
this thing was twice the size of my 50cc.
i am so glad i got some first hand experience with these types of vehicles.
i'm actually amazed we don't see more of them here in the US.
i would get on mine and ride it just for the thrill and excitement of it.
i will get another one.
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my bike
by: dollartwentyfive - Dec 30, 2016 10:38:33 GMT -5
Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 30, 2016 10:38:33 GMT -5
do you refer to your step through twist and go scooter as "my bike"?
i remember needing some cooling help, and i rode out to some very rural junkyard on my 250.
it was about a mile down a gravel rode, and i motored in there and ask them about some heater cores, i needed them for "my bike"
they started asking questions so they could get a picture of what i had.
it's a chinese 250 i told them.
let's take a look they said.
they looked it over and said that ain't a bike, it's a moped.
but they did say it sounded pretty good coming up the road.
i never got what i wanted.
anyway, the thread is about your love for your "scoot", er moped.
my baby, out back rusting it's guts out.
i miss my chinese 250 so bad it hurts.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 29, 2016 23:29:13 GMT -5
i no longer own a 50cc, and this law was enacted after i got rid of mine so i'm not too up on it. it seems to me that if it was the judges intent to provide you a way to work, then he would have authorized it. the law sucks, and it sucks for a reason. honestly though, the judge isn't doing you, nor anyone else any favors by putting you out there on state roads on a 50cc. |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 29, 2016 20:23:25 GMT -5
indiana law:
all 50cc and under scooters must be registered, you do not need a "license"
all other scooters must be plated as motorcycles, you need a license for these.
if your license gets suspended, so does the registration on your 50cc REGARDLESS if you was riding it.
your license was suspended for a reason, and that is to keep you from operating any motorized vehicle.
found something else out:
apparently your indiana motorcycle permit NEVER expires because it too was suspended along with my license.
whether that is some kind of screwup or not, i don't know.
indiana motorcycle licenses never expire, as long as you can renew your operator license your MC license is renewed with it.
sorry about your legal woes.
it seems to me that i would have plead no contest, then i would have gone about getting the evidence i needed to rectify the situation.
one other thing, city hall and its court appointed lawyers can make it really rough on you, some jurisdictions are really bad about this.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 27, 2016 18:48:36 GMT -5
Has he made the same threats of suing you? call the district attorney on you? call the cops on you? made numerous personal attacks and vulgar name calling? threatened to keep calling you and yelling at you if you didn't stop posting your opinion on him? This guy called our office last friday 22 times. Twenty two times. That's after he got a full refund and has the part. He seems to be quite the psychotic tyrant that just can't stand anyone saying anything in contrary to his opinion, and this on a forum thread that he started himself! He's called our office and my personal phone a couple of times today saying that every time I or anyone else makes a comment on him that he will continue to call and clog up the phone lines so he call yell and name call you and not listen to anything you have to say, like I'd have anything to say to him anyways. He's got his money, he's got our part, but he can't stand any comments or reply to his own postings on this forum and others. I don't think he has himself actively engaged or employed with anything of value and has alot of time on his hands, as well as alot of anger issues that has nothing to do really with us here. He's gone through about every review site he can with his tirades about us and others that dare to say something different than what he wants or says. I challenge Troy Hendrickson to go out and borrow or buy a modern digital caliper and measure those clamps on the steering stem and post a picture proving what you said is true, instead of those rusty old analogy calipers. Post it. Anywhere, and let us know. In the meantime, get a life and let the rest of us live without your abusive harassment. oh . . . my . . . god. all this over a scooter part??? he got his refund . . . so what's the beef? RW, there are probably laws that protect businesses against certain things. i've dealt with scrappy, and they are NOTHING like what's being portrayed here. |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 23, 2016 10:58:20 GMT -5
After a while the rain suite and rubber gloves can become so wet inside from perspiration that you can end up getting chilled to the bone. maybe. i never had any problems with mine, but then again i never rode my bike for 8 hours straight. most of my treks were in the 70 to 80 mile range, and the vast majority of that was in temps above 45 F. a couple layers of clothes, then the suit, then your riding jacket and pants, will do a great job, unless you regularly qualify for the iron butt award. the first time i tried it, i was amazed how effective it was. it must have been about 30-35 F outside, and i felt i could've rode all day. like you said though, perspiration will be a problem on long treks |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 22, 2016 17:10:17 GMT -5
i could never dress warm enough for temps much below 40 F or so.
i found that a rainsuit helps A LOT in cold weather.
a full face helmet helps too, but i usually have fogging problems with the visor.
i found that opening the visor just a teeny bit takes care of most of the fogging.
i would imagine that rubber gloves, lined with a pair of jerseys, would probably help to keep your fingers from freezing.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 18, 2016 3:09:33 GMT -5
I'll probably do a rear brake conversion at some point just to keep from developing bad habits (if I keep it). yes, it's important to get a good grip on how you use your brakes. i found out the hard way to NEVER EVER use your front brake on mud. talk about doing a sprawled face plant . . . maybe someone should start a thread on the perils and pitfalls of incorrect braking. |
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 17, 2016 10:12:24 GMT -5
the clutch on my ride (244cc) can't easily be serviced without dismantling it.
my idea was to purchase a new clutch, then dismantle and service the old one.
the primary difficulty are the clutch pads, these MUST be kept grease free.
you can't just start shooting grease into every hole you see.
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Post by dollartwentyfive on Dec 17, 2016 4:17:16 GMT -5
I'd love to get rid of the CVT and get a gearbox but that doesn't seem realistic for the cost/benefit. this is one of the major advantages of getting a twist and go bike in the first place. another advantage is that both brake levers are on the handlebars. getting a gearbox would negate both of those. the CVT is really simple to service, the only piece that is difficult to service is the clutch, and it can be replaced as a unit. |
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