How Long??? By tyscoots (Read 1,349 times)

[tyscoots]

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering, how long did it take you new riders to feel comfortable riding on busy streets? I have been practicing on side streets and parking lots, but I am still a bit worried about venturing out. I still don't feel completely comfortable making turns from a complete stop but I am ready to do some real riding, just don't know when is the right time. Is it more of a gut feeling that will let me know when I am ready or is it one of those things I just need to do? Any suggestions?

I have a JCL 250cc. Some folks say I should of started out with a smaller bike but I feel if I can tackle this scooter, any other scooter will be a piece of cake!

Thanks in advance and enjoy your 4th!

[bobf]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Interesting in that I am in the same position as you say you are. I bought a MC 54 250B scooter this spring. But due to cold and winds I still have not much experience. I practice is neighborhood streets and parking lots. Sound familiar to you.

Well, I had about 12 miles of practice on it in two months time. So a week ago I decided to do something more adventurous. I decided to start out and if I felt good I would leave the neighbor hood streets and go for a ride. I left home, felt good, made a run down a busy street, zigged around some other traffic filled streets, crossed the highway and went into a store to buy an item. Came out, reversed my path and headed home.

Safe at home and here were my experiences. First busy street at a busy 4 way stop. My turn but the person on my right did not seem to be slowing so I was watching an braking. Suddenly he stopped, looked surprised, and I accelerated and crossed the intersection. Then I noticed a person tailgating. Not much I could do and was close to my left turn off. On the way back nothing much happened that I was not expecting until close to home. I turned on my left turn lights and that seemed to make it OK for those behind me to pass on my right, not a multi lane street either.

Since then still no rides but my next plan is to go on to our Main Street, four lanes plus parking, state highway through town, lots of tourist gawker's, slow and speeding drivers, and plenty of stop lights. It should be interesting and probably a good test of my observations and reactions.

Step out as you feel you can. No need to force the issue and get over your head. I think when I progress step by step I will one day wonder why I was so extra cautious as a 78 year old starter in the scooter/motorcycle riding activity.

I have a reason for buying the 250cc class of scooter. I wanted something that could go fast enough for me to ride on any street I chose too. But also had to think about the weight I would need to keep upright, or get upright, if I went down. My daughters 1500cc Voyager was way to much for me to ever lift.

I am having fun with my scoot but wish I had more time with it. Now that summer has arrived we may have more opportunities without the cold days, but the winds are still coming at us at 50 mph rates with micro burst in them. Those conditions take down trees and fences so I don't ride much. If I would just ride in the early morning it would be OK but by afternoon it gets a bit frisky.

Fourth of July is a great day. That is my birthday as well and the national holiday.
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[tyscoots]

Oh, Wow!

Thanks for the very nice reply. I think we are in the same situation. I live in Wisconsin, so you can imagine the weather here as well. We also did not have much of a Spring, oh, and of course we have a heat advisory today, Darn it!

The more I ride, the more confident I do get. Maybe I am just a bit anxious because my only other form of transportation is the city bus. It is ok and the riders and the bus drivers are usually very nice but I am just ready to really ride and have some fun!!!

I still get very nervous during the first few minutes of riding but then it usually passes. I am thinking I just need more practice.

I only have about 12 miles of riding also.

I am hoping to get at least one hour of practice in a day in for the next week or so, but this darn weather!!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It is sincerely appreciated. I will post when I get the nerve to ride a busy street. My goal is to ride to work this month which is about 7 miles from where I live.

Enjoy your Birthday!!!!

[turtle8]

Jul 1, 2011 5:50:02 GMT -6 tyscoots said:

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering, how long did it take you new riders to feel comfortable riding on busy streets? I have been practicing on side streets and parking lots, but I am still a bit worried about venturing out. I still don't feel completely comfortable making turns from a complete stop but I am ready to do some real riding, just don't know when is the right time. Is it more of a gut feeling that will let me know when I am ready or is it one of those things I just need to do? Any suggestions?

I have a JCL 250cc. Some folks say I should of started out with a smaller bike but I feel if I can tackle this scooter, any other scooter will be a piece of cake!

Thanks in advance and enjoy your 4th!

It may be worth your while to check out one of these riding schools in your area.

www.ridealive.net/

www.iwanttoride.com/

Each of these schools provide the motorcycles.

I wish I had gone this route just so I could learn the basic operation of a regular motorcycle before learning scooters. I bought a 150cc scooter in 2009 and just practiced around the neighborhood and city streets. Later I ventured out into the countryside. One step and a time. Today I have the MC-54-250B.

Wear the proper safety gear for your best protection. I wear a mesh armored jacket in the summer, fingerless padded gloves to protect my palms if I crash, work boots to protect my ankles, and of course, a helmet.

[bobf]

I did the safety school thing in May of 2010. Passed, and glad I did the class. So I went and got the M on my drivers license and started really looking for which scoot I would buy. So 8 months later I ordered the scoot. Now just need more practice and confidence building. I would recommend the classes even for experienced riders. They do offer experienced classes as well.

[tyscoots]

Hi Guys,

I do plan to take the motorcycle safety class. One school in my area even has a scooter class and I would still be able to get my Motorcycle endorsement. Just a bit expensive. I do have my M instruction permit though.

I guess I am just a bit impatient, Lil!!

Thanks for the advice! :-)

[tyscoots]

Hey thanks for the advice, tooo cold in Green Bay most of the time but I may just take a ride there if I get good enough, lol!!

[jct842]

Best advice I could ever give new riders or old ones is just ride as if you were invisible. Cars just do not see you for the most part. (even with fluorescent clothing) Even if you are right don't push the issue and be DEAD RIGHT! I have ridden since 1958. John

[bobf]

BmWxPR, something I like about your scoot. Flat floors for the feet. Until I bought my scoot I always thought I would like flat floors but instead I got a high step over situation for water overflow tank and gas tank. Now I have no place to put a milk crate for extra cargo hauling. Next scoot that will be a more important thing for me to look for.
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[bobf]

BmWxPR, I assume you are talking about me. I did not mention Phoenix area in this thread but I did in a couple other threads. It turns out that we will probably end up in Casa Grande again. We lived there till about 5 years ago. Now, with the way real estate is going in Arizona, we have to bid on a bankruptcy house. Did that in Mesa but got out bid so now we have a bid in CG and it so far looks to be holding.

Tucson and Marana are not too far south of CG and I have friends in Tucson so I will probably go through your old stomping grounds occasionally. I don't think I will ride my scoot on I-10 but might try some of the side roads.
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[kz1000st]

Maybe this will make you feel better. I got this e-mail from a female friend of mine who's been riding since 2004. Her current bike is a Kawasaki 750 Vulcan. She's 5' 7" and not dainty.

I know this sounds weird, but a couple of weeks ago I had a really bad day trying to ride the bike to the point where I felt like a newbie. It definitely rocked my confidence, and there are simple things like turning corners that I screw up because I think I'm going to drop the bike. I've certainly ridden it since then, but I haven't gotten over it yet.

She took the MSF BRC and rides with a group called Women in the Wind or something so you see everybody has days.

[bobf]

Jul 1, 2011 22:03:01 GMT -6 Random Hero said:

well i seen cortez as your location, you couldnt get me to ride that stretch between tucson and phoenix on a scooter...ever. if i could go around 90mph it still wouldnt be fast enough.

Nice catch on my location. I must have been thinking of my move when I wrote my location when I joined this spring. It now should show Cortez, Colorado. After I actually move to Arizona I will change it again.

Thanks again.
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[tyscoots]

Thanks again guys. Yeah, I think I have my good days and bad days also. Some days I feel so confident riding, other days I am very nervous most of the ride. I guess those bad days will come further and further between.

Happy 4th Everyone!!!

[benellibob]

if you have to ask, keep practicing. you will know when you are ready. people are all different.

[tyscoots]

Hey benellibob!

Now that is a good way to think about it. Thanks for the advice!

Thanks Everyone for the advice! ;D