Scooter riding techniques

[Davros]

Hey all,

Well I went for a scoot around this morning at 8am on a Sunday morning - absolutely fantastic.... Being so early, most people were still in bed sleeping off their boozy saturday nights and the only cars on the roads were nice Churchey people that tend to give you lot's of space while overtaking, (and even smile in the process ....ahhhh).

I really feel I conected with the Scooter today, and my confidence is building.

however, sadly, my missus went out after me and had a bit of a hard time and her confidence is low.

We're doing the CBT in 2 weeks but before then ... can anyone offer any hints and tips around riding ?

She's particularly struggling with turns where she has to stop first (ie, when turning right and having to give way first)....

She finds it hard to pull off and stay steady while turning, and is finding she's swinging too wide.

I have told her to take it realy slowly, just to keep her right foot on the ground until she's moving and just to slowly guide herself round with a gentle lean ...... but hey, I have approx 1 hours total scoot experience so I would love to hear any hints and tips on riding techniques.

Thanks !

Dave.

[ally1756]

try taking her to an industrial estate or something, im not beign nasty or sexist but it does take woman longer usually, im sure she'll get the hang of it pretty soon

ally

[f1mad]

I think she should go faster rather than slower because that gives you more balance, thats what my instructor said when doing a U-turn, I went too slow at first and felt the need to put my feet down and got wobbley, but a little bit faster and you keep your balance better. Just an idea, hope that helps!

[Davros]

Cheers, we'll try that, sounds logical !

Keep 'em coming, everything helps #thumbs_up#

[enu06]

Unfortunatley its some thing that can only be shown, and the rider gets better with practice, everyone has a weak point, whether its bikes or cars, but practice, practice practice. I used to tale my wife to a smooth field with short grass, then if it dill spill, no damage to either wife or bike. As its already been said, the CBT is not a test, but you wont get a certificate unless the instructor judges the pupil as confident, so you will both get there, just practice makes perfect.

[rob]

My instructor taught us to always make sure your accelerating through the corner and this will help stop you running wide. Hope this helps

[blubayou]

When I started scooting I was always picking my feet up too quickly, like I was riding a bike. Keep them out like outriggers till you're underway.

Slightly off topic, my kickstand grounds on tight left handers now that I'm cornering fast. Should I:

A) Mod the kickstand

B) Slow down

[cb50j]

A

[ally1756]

blubayou said:

When I started scooting I was always picking my feet up too quickly, like I was riding a bike. Keep them out like outriggers till you're underway.

Slightly off topic, my kickstand grounds on tight left handers now that I'm cornering fast. Should I:

A) Mod the kickstand

B) Slow down

its not your kickstart its your main stand, mine does the same sometimes

[Badobsession (the real one)]

blubayou said:

When I started scooting I was always picking my feet up too quickly, like I was riding a bike. Keep them out like outriggers till you're underway.

Slightly off topic, my kickstand grounds on tight left handers now that I'm cornering fast. Should I:

A) Mod the kickstand

B) Slow down

Depending on which part is grounding you may be able to modify it or just let those sparks fly #thumbs_up#

[blubayou]

Yeah, like a titanium skidplate!!

Hey Ally, I never mentioned the kickstart, you on drugs?? Or someone else on your mind?

OWWWWWW!

[ally1756]

oh sorry though it said kickstart, got some nuts on my mind just now not thinkign straight soz

ally

[Botanic]

One thing that helps to make a sharp turn is to be aware of how to turn the handlebars.
It is not so logical that most people think.
Question: You are riding your scoot on a road. The road turns right. You want you and your scoot to follow the road. Do you turn your handlebars to the left or right to accomplish this?
Most people answer instinctively that they will turn the handlebars to the right. This is wrong. The right answer is left.

Once you are aware of this fact, you can turn the handlebars a little extra to make the turn a little sharper.
This little trick has helped me to drive faster ;-)

It's the same thing for riding bicycles and motorcycles.

[blubayou]

Botanic,

I guess you really are from Jupiter huh? I don't get it!

I'm pretty sure my bike turns the way I point it. Am I missing something!!!! #dunno#

[f1mad]

Yeh I was trying to work that one out.... Something to do with the lean?

[enu06]

As alley would say-WTF?
IF you have 100 or so bhp, if you want to emulate Chris Walker, if you are on a race track, and if you have quids to spend on burnt out rubber, then its for you! Why not go the full hog and try speedway style. We have 10 hp scooters for *&%*k sake!
If you are sixteen and want to see seventeen, dont try it.

[ally1756]

lol yeah wtf? if the road goes to the left and you turn right your dead lol,

and enu 10hp? try 3 hp lol

[enu06]

Sorry, forgot your weeny bikes, mines a BIG 125.