Rant about Scooter Riders

[matthew5656]

hey you're correct in that i've never found the time to ride an actual scooter so I probably shouldn't make generalizations concerning their capabilities, but most of the scooters I see around here are smaller than 125cc. And this lady tried to run me over at 55 to 65mph, so who knows if a scoot rider could even reach those speeds, much less pull away from them.

And I'm sure you could make a scooter loud enough, but I certainly haven't heard one yet. My point is that they are too small, too low, and very quiet to ride safely in city traffic that I'm used to. I bet they are perfect for residential and rural areas, but I think riding one on the city streets at 35mph while every other cager is hauling "O Ring" at 55mph or faster is a bit reckless. But to each their own.

[goodies]

I think the scooters are a good alternate for people who don't ride far, etc. etc.

Around here something that has gotten really bad is the the teenager scooter "gangs." They ride in groups cutting thru parking, on and off the roads. I have been meaning to look up the law in regards to operating them, but haven't.

[storysunfolding]

And I'm sure you could make a scooter loud enough, but I certainly haven't heard one yet. My point is that they are too small, too low, and very quiet to ride safely in city traffic that I'm used to.

Wow- must be ruthless in Denver. Guess those of us chiming in from DC, NY and NJ have no idea what we're talking about

We have mopeds around here that can't go over 35 mph due to either engine size or regulation. They aren't allowed on some roads but they still have the same rights to the other roads as cars. Same goes for bicycles. However, bigger motorcycles with step throughs (scooter is just a slang word for the style btw) have no problems getting out of the way.

[Tower18CHI]

I don't wear motorcycling gear when I ride my bicycle, and I'm just as much in traffic as a scooter. So dangerous!

[NewVABiker99]

I don't wear motorcycling gear when I ride my bicycle, and I'm just as much in traffic as a scooter. So dangerous!

This made me chuckle because one of my friends who thought I was crazy for wanting to ride a motorcycle rides her bicycle on the streets around here - with her son on the back! I told her, to me, THAT was crazy!

But, I agree with Flipper's sentiments. It seems some people have this idea that scooters are somehow safer than motorcycles. Another friend thought I was crazy for getting a motorcycle suggested I get a "cute little scooter" instead. As if getting hit by a car or hitting pavement somehow hurts less on a scooter. LOL! I got a 250. So, I more or less DID get a scooter.

[RockBottom]

Hey, Flipper- across the river from me, Pennsylvania is a no-helmet-law state. (Except for below a certain age, I think?) .

Actually, it's 21 or older AND either having held a class M license for two years or having passed the MSF course.

[RockBottom]

I don't wear motorcycling gear when I ride my bicycle, and I'm just as much in traffic as a scooter. So dangerous!

I never rode my bicycle without a helmet and gloves. I used to cringe when I'd see families who made the kids wear helmets and the parents didn't. I once asked them about and they said, "We're more experienced riders." I replied, "So does that mean that bad drivers are less likely to hit you?"

[Flipper]

I'm such a gear party that I think people in convertables should wear full face helmets.
Anyone who's ever had a big old bug hit you in the face shield at 75mph understands.

[beardking]

I think that letting the distance you plan to ride be the deciding factor in what protection you wear is a bad idea.
Asphalt is asphalt.

I've recently done a pretty good job of convincing myself that what you said here is correct. I ride (well, umm, RODE) my Nighthawk to work just about every single day since late January. Helmet, gloves, jacket and whatever that days work pants happened to be was my usual uniform. I would even "suit up" before I went to lunch even though it was a hassle and I was rarely venrturing out more than a couple of miles. Summer sets in and I slowly start convincing myself that I can leave the gloves and jacket at the office for lunch (I always wear a helmet, no exceptions). Fast forward to July 28th. Pulling out of the parking lot of my favorite local lunch place (mmmm, Chipotle) to make a left hand turn on my way back to the office. As I get to the median a big freaking Suburban shows up in my lane. I am already in my turn and leaned over and when I hit my brakes, I hit the pavement. I lucked out in that I wasn't up to speed yet so the only damage I sustained was a little rash on my left elbow, my left ankle blew up like a balloon and turned all sorts of colors (and is still sensitive to the touch), and blood pressure that spiked to 174/110. My damages would have been much worse had I not been wearing my helmet, and oddly enough, when my head hit the pavement, that's exactly what I thought too.

I'm not a gear party and I'm not going to hound anyone to wear anything (unless it's just a good humored ribbing), but I've definitely convinced myself that the gear does a lot more good on me rather than hanging at my desk.

[JC Viper]

I think that letting the distance you plan to ride be the deciding factor in what protection you wear is a bad idea.
Asphalt is asphalt.

I've recently done a pretty good job of convincing myself that what you said here is correct. I ride (well, umm, RODE) my Nighthawk to work just about every single day since late January. Helmet, gloves, jacket and whatever that days work pants happened to be was my usual uniform. I would even "suit up" before I went to lunch even though it was a hassle and I was rarely venrturing out more than a couple of miles. Summer sets in and I slowly start convincing myself that I can leave the gloves and jacket at the office for lunch (I always wear a helmet, no exceptions). Fast forward to July 28th. Pulling out of the parking lot of my favorite local lunch place (mmmm, Chipotle) to make a left hand turn on my way back to the office. As I get to the median a big freaking Suburban shows up in my lane. I am already in my turn and leaned over and when I hit my brakes, I hit the pavement. I lucked out in that I wasn't up to speed yet so the only damage I sustained was a little rash on my left elbow, my left ankle blew up like a balloon and turned all sorts of colors (and is still sensitive to the touch), and blood pressure that spiked to 174/110. My damages would have been much worse had I not been wearing my helmet, and oddly enough, when my head hit the pavement, that's exactly what I thought too.

I'm not a gear party and I'm not going to hound anyone to wear anything (unless it's just a good humored ribbing), but I've definitely convinced myself that the gear does a lot more good on me rather than hanging at my desk.

Hopefully that @ss of a driver got what's coming to them. I found that wearing lighweight mesh armored pants under my regular pants works well and isn't a hassle putting it on. Sweating doesn't get to bad either (summertime with pants on what do you expect?). I have a great mesh jacket that has great padding so I'm riding cool with optimal protection. To me putting on gear is like using the seatbelt and adjusting the mirrors in a cage.