Motor Scooters

[RichZ]

Thanks guys, you talked me out of this idea, and that's a good thing. As I said, I had a close call on my buddy's Harley 35 years ago. I was on the New York State Thruway, passing a slow moving tractor trailer on the Harley, with my buddy behind me in his pickup truck. Just as I was reaching the tractor trailer, it hit a bunch of pretty big rocks in the road, and they shot sideways right at me. I avoided most of them, but I couldn't avoid one, and I went right over it. I almost lost control, but managed to wrestle the bike onto the center median. A state trooper happened to see the whole thing, and he pulled over to see if I was OK, as did my friend. They both told me that I did some great riding keeping the bike in control, and that I should just go on like nothing happened. But I saw my life flash in front of my eyes, and I was more scared of getting maimed than getting killed, so I vowed never to get back on a motorcycle again, and I haven't, even as a passenger. I thought that a scooter might be more stable, but now I know they aren't so I want no part of them either!!

I guess I'll be in the market for a very used good mileage economy car. as I don't have much to spend. I have a friend who's a mechanic, and he's already offered to help me find one. Any suggestions for something cheap and reliable?

Thanks!!!

 

[MikePA]

One of the instructors at the Motorcycle Riders Safety course I took several years ago never rode his bike to the classes. I asked why. He said he (1) Got married and (2) Had kids and the risk was too great.

I work with a guy who owns a Suzuki Bergman 650 that he uses to commute over 60 miles round trip to work. He also said he and his wife rode from central PA to Ocean City, NJ which meant traveling the beltways. While the Suzuki could more than keep up, it was not a pleasant experience. Although I'm not sure being on a motorcycle would have been better.

 

[dmccarty]

Its funny this subject popped up on TBN. My small county newspaper just had an story about people buying these things to save money on gas.

In NC you don't need a license for the smaller mopeds/scooters so when you see one its almost certainly someone who just got a DWI. But many people are riding them recently due to gas prices. I have noticed more of these things on the road.

I don't care if it gets 1,000,000 mpg. You won't see me riding those death machines. Its bad enough driving a 7,500 pound "cage" as protection against the crazy drivers. My fanny ain't going to be on a small little uncaged target.

Later,
Dan

 

[Dozernut]

I like bikes, always have and always will. I have a 125cc scooter that is a hoot. This scooter will easily keep up with traffic, it will run 70mph on flatland. The 90 mpg is a plus and the scooter beats most motorcycles when it comes to carrying cargo. It has a big under seat storage area that will hold a 3/4 helmet plus other items. I have a top case and a front basket and can easily haul a case of beverages and other items. For a fun errand runner it can't be beat, but for cruising I will take a bigger bike.

As far as safety is concerned they are a little more dangerous in some respects than a truck or auto but a lot depends on the operator. You can't chat up on a cell phone, you must pay attention to the road for hazards, oil spills, potholes, rocks-sand and watch for idiot cage drivers.

There is a learning curve and I would suggest a certified motorcycle safety course which will also reduce your insurance costs. My insurance for the scooter runs about $200 a year. Wear a helmet, gloves, boots and jeans and if the weather is not too hot, a vented, armored jacket. This will minimize the road rash if you do lay one down. I used to motto cross back in my younger stupid years and have laid down or crashed a bike just about every way you can, over the handlebars is one of my least favorites.

No facts to back it up but I believe more people have been killed or injured riding horses (Look at Christopher Reeves). Other things more dangerous than bikes: crab fishing, women, drinking alcohol, farming, guns, fireworks, logging and the list could go on and on. Other than crab fishing, I have done all of the listed items. I knew they were dangerous but that was irrelevant.

Talk to people who have bikes and experience then make a decision if a bike is for you or not. You must respect a bike but if you are in fear of one leave them alone for then they will truly hurt you.

 

[Bird]

Dan, our local news media has run stories recently about the increasing number of motorcycle and motor scooter riders, dealers who are selling them faster than they can get them, and the increasing number of accidents and riders who don't really know how to ride.

I've owned motorcycles of 305cc, 400cc, 650cc, 800cc, and 1200cc engines and when my youngest daughter was 15, I bought her a 50cc scooter, which of course, I rode occasionally. I've also riden a friend's 125cc scooter, and quite a number of other motorcycles. All of those machines handled fairly well. But a couple of years ago, my daughter bought a Chinese made 125cc scooter on the Internet. My teenaged grandson took a riding course and got his motorcycle license and could even ride that scooter at 65 mph on the Interstate. Now it was a really nice looking scooter, but I just rode it around the block once and it was the worst handling 2-wheeler I ever got on. So if anyone is in the market for one, be sure you test drive it before buying. And my daughter has already sold that contraption she had.

 

[tallyho8]

No facts to back it up but I believe more people have been killed or injured riding horses.

In the US there are about 4000 motorcycle fatalities a year and about 50 horse riding fatalities. I do not know the figures on injuries but a person is 20 times more likely to get injured on a horse than a motorcycle. I believe that this is because more motorcycle riders are killed instead of being just injured and also because more kids are injured riding horses when they are too young to ride motorcycles.

Research has shown that while motorcyclists average 7,000 hours of riding time per serious accident, horseback riders may expect a serious accident for around every 350 hours of riding.