false sense of security? bull!

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Fargo360 · #1 Post by **Fargo360** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:36 pm

So I was up at my in-laws and saw my mother-in-law had her honda elite 150 out of the garage. I haven't driven a scooter before so I thought I would give it a shot. Two things I noticed right away, I thought I was going to die and it has a whole lot of snot for a scooter. Now, maybe the lack of the "false sense of security" i've heard about on scooters was because I only had a skull helmet on and I'm used to having my jacket and full mask helmet. But that thing wobbled all over the place, seemed really tippy (might have something to do with me being about 300#'s). I only went down the road about a mile before I came back. I'm not sure I'll ride a scoot again. Has some real snot for a scooter though.

#2 Post by **storysunfolding** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:49 am

I love seeing motorcyclists switching rides with scootering friends. Especially with maxi scooter owners like the burgmans. They start to take off and right where you'd normally shift QUICK STOP.

Nothing like putting a brake where a perfectly good clutch lever is supposed to be located

#3 Post by **jaskc78** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:58 am

i remember riding my brother's scooter around the yard and up and down the street a bit when i was growing up and i definitely *remember* it being a lot harder to control than either of my motorcycles now are.

could just be that i'm almost 20 years older now than i was then, but who knows.

XB08 · #4 Post by **XB08** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:59 pm

I have a old scooter it is a Sears and it is a 125cc, it has a 3sp man on a twist grip. A kick start that you almost brake you ankle with . but boy is it fun to ride. it was made in 1960 .

jstark47 · #5 Post by **jstark47** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:06 pm

The smaller wheels take some getting used to. My first ride was a scooter, a Honda Reflex. I kind of miss it, the storage capacity was great, and it was fun in its own way. Though we sold it 'cause we weren't riding it enough..... can't keep 'em all.

Grey Thumper · #6 Post by **Grey Thumper** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:23 pm

I've always found scooters fairly terrifying. Small wheels, short wheelbase, lack of a clutch (I'm uncomfortable at not being able to completely disengage power to the driven wheel), plus the fact you're perched on a scooter, as opposed to wrapping your legs around a motorcycle and gripping its tank with your knees.

#7 Post by **Wrider** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 6:41 am

One of the guys I went to school with could ride the heck out of anything. Dirt bikes, street bikes, cruisers, dual-sports, anything at all.
You stuck him on a scooter and guaranteed within a half an hour he'd be bleeding from somewhere.
Then we had "scooter" the guy who rode a Metro 50. He dropped that thing probably 4 times in the year he had it, then went to a CB750, and dropped that time 4 times in the first month he had it. Don't think he belonged on or near motorcycles personally.

havegunjoe · #8 Post by **havegunjoe** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:02 am

I started out on a 150cc scooter. The one thing I didn’t like and could not get use to was sitting like you were sitting in a chair rather than straddling it like you do on a motorcycle. I always felt tippy in that position.

follow · #9 Post by **follow** » Tue Jul 14, 2009 5:00 am

My first store bought was a Peugeot in the mid 70's, grew up over seas, had a car but the Peugeot was easier on gas and growing up on an island it was easier to park. It had spunk on a downhill almost 55mph

and you did not have to have a licence.

JTRogue · #10 Post by **JTRogue** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 10:35 am

I guess I am unique. I switch between a 2005 Suzuki Burgman 650 and a 1982 Honda Silverwing GL500i. Each ride has its strength and weaknesses. I find the Burgman is less affected in the wing and eats up the freeway happier. The old honda is more comfortable on the smaller highways going a bit slower at 60mph or so. Neither feels more "secure" to me than the other, it depends on my mood and need for that day.