How do people stay alive on scooters?

[Morcs]

I just came back from Haldanes, after taking a scooter for a test ride into the city and back - its a 2 stroke 125, and i was overtaking cars on the motorway...

But just in general, in town, id sneak around the traffic at the lights, and people would purposefully cut me up - I never get that on a bike.

On the way back, i got off the motorway at ellerslie, heading into penrose, im in the left lane, and theres a truck in the right lane, his backwheels level with my front - his indicator comes on and he slows a bit, then he sees me level with his cab and he goes into a rage, honking his horn and shit, come into the roundabout and hes honking his horn and locking up his brakes behind me, I hard to dart into the gas station to avoid being killed - i wasnt even in the wrong, but because i was on a scooter.

Haldanes was just up the road, so caned it to there to get my fazer back, then charged after the cuntish truck driver to vandalise his truck, but he had gone.

I was thinking about getting a scooter as having a 10k bike purely for commuting is a bit excessive... but hell, im now scared of a 30km commute on a scooter...

[Insanity_rules]

I just came back from Haldanes, after taking a scooter for a test ride into the city and back - its a 2 stroke 125, and i was overtaking cars on the motorway...

But just in general, in town, id sneak around the traffic at the lights, and people would purposefully cut me up - I never get that on a bike.

On the way back, i got off the motorway at ellerslie, heading into penrose, im in the left lane, and theres a truck in the right lane, his backwheels level with my front - his indicator comes on and he slows a bit, then he sees me level with his cab and he goes into a rage, honking his horn and shit, come into the roundabout and hes honking his horn and locking up his brakes behind me, I hard to dart into the gas station to avoid being killed - i wasnt even in the wrong, but because i was on a scooter.

Haldanes was just up the road, so caned it to there to get my fazer back, then charged after the cuntish truck driver to vandalise his truck, but he had gone.

I was thinking about getting a scooter as having a 10k bike purely for commuting is a bit excessive... but hell, im now scared of a 30km commute on a scooter...


Bloody hell, I thought that only happened to L plate riders. Someone should Invite this truckie to explain his particular issue. Bet his problem would be hard to spell!

[Morcs]

Bloody hell, I thought that only happened to L plate riders. Someone should Invite this truckie to explain his particular issue. Bet his problem would be hard to spell!

exactly!

there must be a not of knobs on scooters out there for people to stereotype so strongly and with so much contempt.

[EJK]

I just came back from Haldanes, after taking a scooter for a test ride into the city and back - its a 2 stroke 125, and i was overtaking cars on the motorway...

But just in general, in town, id sneak around the traffic at the lights, and people would purposefully cut me up - I never get that on a bike.


Exactly!

When I had a scooter, once I too did what scooter riders do (Jump to the front at the red). One time, when the light changed to green, the driver behind me forcefully overtook me flooring his 1.6 Corolla. Pulling middle finger out to his rear view mirror for me to clearly see. His right rear wheel almost hitting my front.

Well obviously the 50cc was slow and probably was dragging the driver behind me but I didn't think I deserved a rage and a finger for that.

Never happened when I was on my bike.

I too wonder how the scooter riders survive.... esp in Auckland...

[vifferman]

On the way back, i got off the motorway at ellerslie, heading into penrose, im in the left lane, and theres a truck in the right lane, his backwheels level with my front - his indicator comes on and he slows a bit, then he sees me level with his cab and he goes into a rage, honking his horn and shit, come into the roundabout and hes honking his horn and locking up his brakes behind me, I hard to dart into the gas station to avoid being killed - i wasnt even in the wrong, but because i was on a scooter.
It's not just scroters.
I went to overtake a truck on the Northern yesterdays, and he stuck his indicator on and moved right. I had to jam on the brakes.
I then moved into the left lane, so I could gesture at him in his mirror, but he never turned his head to look.
I'm not sure it was deliberate, or he just glanced in his mirror before changing lanes, then didn't check again before he moved across.

[Dave Lobster]

Get these people's numbers, and report them. I keep my camera in my pocket, and take a pic of all the cunts that are arseholes on our commute, then report them when I get to work.

http://www.police.govt.nz/service/road/roadwatch.html

[Korumba]

Couldn’t you have "vandalised" his truck while on the scooter, how does having the other bike change things????

[MisterD]

people would purposefully cut me up - I never get that on a bike.


You sure you were riding the same way? Own the lane, don't give 'em the opportunity to cut you up...all that jazz?

[vifferman]

Get these people's numbers, and report them. I keep my camera in my pocket, and take a pic of all the cunts that are arseholes on our commute, then report them when I get to work.

http://www.police.govt.nz/service/road/roadwatch.html
Yeah, well when I'm riding, I don't have the ability to also whip out my <s>cock</s> phone and take photos. I'm not one of them there mythical multitasking fish thingies.
I did note the company of the truck, but promptly forgot it.
Anyway, I just figured it was an honest mistake due to timing and whatnot: the driver looked briefly, decided the lane was clear and moved over, Unfortunately, in that few seconds, my VFR's hyperdrive engaged and I was halfway along his truck'n'trailer unit.
Fortunately, my leeeeet biking skills won the day and no harm was done.

Life's too short for grudges and stuff.

Plus even though I'm an arsehole, I like to think I'm a nice bloke.

[Morcs]

Couldn’t you have "vandalised" his truck while on the scooter, how does having the other bike change things????

Well I wouldve been able to get a safe distance away if required ;)
And he'd also see that im not a scooter rider...


You sure you were riding the same way? Own the lane, don't give 'em the opportunity to cut you up...all that jazz?
I was. just riding normally. The contempt was unbelievable...

btw, anyone know how i can sneakily change the reg from 125 to 50cc?

[MisterD]

btw, anyone know how i can sneakily change the reg from 125 to 50cc?

Well to register a 50, you just need to fill in a form, nobody actually has to see the bike. On the form you need to give either a frame number or an engine number, so whatever isn't currently against the 125cc registration shouldn't trigger as an existing machine. In theory etc.

[Morcs]

Well to register a 50, you just need to fill in a form, nobody actually has to see the bike. On the form you need to give either a frame number or an engine number, so whatever isn't currently against the 125cc registration shouldn't trigger as an existing machine. In theory etc.

So then id just bin the 125 plate and then done?

[UberRhys]

btw, anyone know how i can sneakily change the reg from 125 to 50cc?

If the rego has just run out just deregister and hand back the plates for the 125. If it has been out of date for some time they will want cash to bring it up to date.
Registering it as a 50 is easy, just pop into a VTNZ or NZ Post etc… and just do it. Doesn’t have to be sighted or anything and comes to about $67 per year.

(but you didn’t hear it from me…)

[R6_kid]

Just get an old school big capacity bike. I've just bought a 1986 CB650 and it's been bloody awesome for commuting. Cost me $2750, and once i've got new rubber and sorted the suspension I think a lot of people will be surprised at how well it manages to go around corners.

[Hitcher]

I hope that if I ever get taken out by an unobservant meanderthal or a Kindy Mum In A SUV(TM) that it's quick and clean and that I feel no pain.

If I were to be badly maimed or injured, I would be extremely fucked off. Because, as we all know, people only feel pity for deranged gimps -- they never get taken seriously.

[pritch]

You sure you were riding the same way?

Riding a bike is bad enough but drivers definitely treat scooters differently.
They just look straight at you and pull out anyway. Happens nearly every day.

[Dave Lobster]

Riding a bike is bad enough but drivers definitely treat scooters differently.
They just look straight at you and pull out anyway. Happens nearly every day.

It's not just car drivers. Other bikes treat you differently too. Even when you're on a big scooter.

[Korumba]

Well I wouldve been able to get a safe distance away if required ;)
And he'd also see that im not a scooter rider...

But you already stated that you were already passing cars on the motorway… surely you could have vandalised his truck in the same manner as you would have on a scooter, and while in the act you could also point out to the driver you are not a scooter rider!

[piston broke]

I just came back from Haldanes, after taking a scooter for a test ride into the city and back - its a 2 stroke 125, and i was overtaking cars on the motorway...

But just in general, in town, id sneak around the traffic at the lights, and people would purposefully cut me up - I never get that on a bike.

On the way back, i got off the motorway at ellerslie, heading into penrose, im in the left lane, and theres a truck in the right lane, his backwheels level with my front - his indicator comes on and he slows a bit, then he sees me level with his cab and he goes into a rage, honking his horn and shit, come into the roundabout and hes honking his horn and locking up his brakes behind me, I hard to dart into the gas station to avoid being killed - i wasnt even in the wrong, but because i was on a scooter.

Haldanes was just up the road, so caned it to there to get my fazer back, then charged after the cuntish truck driver to vandalise his truck, but he had gone.

I was thinking about getting a scooter as having a 10k bike purely for commuting is a bit excessive... but hell, im now scared of a 30km commute on a scooter...

dunno the offramp but if it exits left as most do he probably couldn't see you at his back wheel thru his mirrors,
maybe he was shocked freaked out,to see you alongside his cab

[insane1]

does my burgman still qualify as a scooter ,being white everyone thinks im a cop.

[ICE180]

Just make it FASTER So you can get out of the way of dick heads
thats what I have done

[Danae]

I feel really bad cutting in line at traffic lights. I came round a roundabout once and the car in front stopped sooner than I thought, and I realised I would stop in the middle of the roundabout so I slipped beside this car. Then another car came through the roundabout behind me successfully blocking it up. When the queue began moving I went to take my place behind the car in front but the car behind wouldn't budge up. I wasn't even zipping to the front of the queue, this guy's just being a great prat for no reason.

[Ojai]

It's not just car drivers. Other bikes treat you differently too. Even when you're on a big scooter.

I've already noticed this, just three days into being on a bike instead of a scooter.

The bike isn't that much faster, either. I guess it's just where the engine is.

[XRVrider]

Whats needed by bike riders in general is a water pistol full of brake fluid. So just pull it out on those who really do you wrong and spray all along the side of their vehicle. Just make sure its a toy green one or something, otherwise there maybe a swat team heading your way ;-)

A few bicycle couriers I know spit on the offending cars windscreens when they have been knocked off or really treated badly, naughty but its a really good get back when the cars just roar off laughing and you are lying on the road (this I have seen and have happen to me several times) Apparently if you can catch em up at the next set of lights, and pay em back by lobbing one on his screen between you and him, the drivers faces turn from haughty to rage... and the bike just rides through the stopped traffic and away to safety... priceless. Not every ones cup of tea, but what can you do apart from kick their car in... and that will really get you in trouble... sometimes.

[McJim]

does my burgman still qualify as a scooter ,being white everyone thinks im a cop.

White Scooter? It kinda makes it funny when people ask "Did you come on your scooter?" :rofl:

[H00dz]

I was thinking about getting a scooter as having a 10k bike purely for commuting is a bit excessive... but hell, im now scared of a 30km commute on a scooter

I'm so with you on this, those scooters rides either got huge ones or no brains...

[Dave Lobster]

I'm so with you on this, those scooters rides either got huge ones or no brains...

Or both :)

[H00dz]

lol your not wrong .......ssshhhh don't tell them that we're really the scaredy cats aye:crybaby:

[Parabola]

Possibly this hostility towards scooters is because they're the favoured transport of teenagers, who are quite often inconsiderate drivers with no concept of their own mortality. I live in Wellington and rode a scooter for years, but never encountered scooter-rage. Here in wellington the majority of scooter riders seem to be uni students or businessmen and hipsters on Vespas; possibly they have a better 'image' here.

[Zerker]

step one Headlight on at all times (a light in the mirror is more visible at a glance than a dark colored scooter or bike).

step two wear a high vis vest, you will notice the difference (even if people stop to laugh at least they aint pulling out in front of yah).

step three ride like everyone is on 'P' no matter what you ride people are stupid.

I get a little bit of scooter rage now and then.
mostly in the worst possible place too. like this one hill that is a blind corner with an intersection at the top of the rise, you don't see a turning vehicle till it's across the centre, and that's the point where peeps decide to pass using the right hand lane every time :angry2:.

alot of people have this insane thought "it's just a scooter, why won't he move out of the way?" you can be doing 70 in a 50km/h zone and they will drive up your ass signaling to pass.... hey at least they signaled.

unfortunately I don't ride a bike yet so I can't be sure of the difference, I live with the fact that everyone out there (including myself) are idiots, and I prepare for the worst.

it's odd how people are more willing to admit scooters get a bum time than to admit that their riders deserve a nod or wave :P

[Maha]

Possibly this hostility towards scooters is because they're the favoured transport of teenagers, who are quite often inconsiderate drivers with no concept of their own mortality. I live in Wellington and rode a scooter for years, but never encountered scooter-rage. Here in wellington the majority of scooter riders seem to be uni students or businessmen and hipsters on Vespas; possibly they have a better 'image' here.

Teenages/Male Hair Dressers/Posties/un-cool Punks/Dicks in Suits/Dicks not in Suits/Pizza Delivery people (bless em') and Government runners.

[MisterD]

un-cool Punks

By a process of illumination, that must be me...who are you, the fashion police?

[mattian]

dude, if you want to stay alive on a scooter or bike you never! ride level with the cab of a truck in the next lane....... its just common sense. You're lucky he saw you at all. either get in front, or sit behind where he can see you in his mirrors. If I was driving a truck around all day I would get pissed off with people hiding in my blind spots. try to stay alive.

[Flatcap]

Teenages/Male Hair Dressers/Posties/un-cool Punks/Dicks in Suits/Dicks not in Suits/Pizza Delivery people (bless em') and Government runners.



I'm more of an "un-cool Dick not in suit"....

[kunoichi]

I might be wrong, but don't people percieve motorbike riders alot more intimidating than scooter riders? I'm the first ever motorbike rider in an arab family, and the first thing my mum thought of was that i was now and forever gang affiliated. Even if people know that bikers are not necessarily gang affiliated, bikes definatly tend to radiate the 'don't mess with me' type of message. Scooters are, for me anyways, ridiculous and wimpy, and i can't help but scoff at every scooter i see, especially if they'r reving the shit out of it. It's like a house cat trying to roar!

Anyways, point is, since people may percieve these two riders in these ways, it makes sense that on a scooter u'd be more abused than on a bike. Plus scooter riders tend to be alot more cocky than bikers, especially in their way of reckless riding. Even with my L plate on, and i commute from albany to city on almost a daily basis, people i find are considerate and although some can be bastards, i just give them a fair warning by flashing my lights at them. If they don't ease off, i kick their door in while i ride past.

Is it possible to get a scooter rider's opinion on this matter? because frankly, i'm amazed that there isn't more focus on scooter accidents than bike accidents since more people are riding scooters and they seem to be far more reckless and inconsiderate on the roads. Especially riding around in jandals and shorts!!

[Flatcap]

Is it possible to get a scooter rider's opinion on this matter? because frankly, i'm amazed that there isn't more focus on scooter accidents than bike accidents since more people are riding scooters and they seem to be far more reckless and inconsiderate on the roads. Especially riding around in jandals and shorts!!

Jandals and shorts are compulsory attire

I wouldn't wear a helmet if I could get away with it, just my tweed hat on backwards

[kunoichi]

Jandals and shorts are compulsory attire

I wouldn't wear a helmet if I could get away with it, just my tweed hat on backwards

lol. I find it hilarious how people put up their hands to volunteer to have their brains smeared on the road. :wacko: I'v had my first crash, and i, for one, and glad i had my gear. And if my partner didn't have his gear on for his crash, i would dragged him out of his grave by his ear and make him wish he were dead!

[Flatcap]

lol. I find it hilarious how people put up their hands to volunteer to have their brains smeared on the road. :wacko: I'v had my first crash, and i, for one, and glad i had my gear. And if my partner didn't have his gear on for his crash, i would dragged him out of his grave by his ear and make him wish he were dead!

If you take that safety logic a bit further, a cager might say motorcyclists in general are volunteering to have their brains smeared on the road.

Who's definition of "safe" should be applied?

[MisterD]

lol. I find it hilarious how people put up their hands to volunteer to have their brains smeared on the road. :wacko: I'v had my first crash,

Ah well there you go, I'm still waiting for mine...I find it hilarious how many people put their hand up to fall off by riding outside their skill levels and reaction times...

[Flatcap]

Ah well there you go, I'm still waiting for mine...I find it hilarious how many people put their hand up to fall off by riding outside their skill levels and reaction times...

...and you should have both hands on the handle bars....

[MisterD]

...and you should have both hands on the handle bars....

Yeah, but how would I txt otherwise?

[Flatcap]

Yeah, but how would I txt otherwise?

You can only do that in between puffs on your cigarette

[MisterD]

You can only do that in between puffs on your cigarette

Smoking's easy - it's rolling up that's the hard part.

[UberRhys]

You can only do that in between puffs on your cigarette

Is that when your at the lights and let go of your unsecured excessive load, 'indian' styles' and it all goes to shite and falls off at an intersection?:Oops:

[Flatcap]

...unsecured excessive load...

no such thing

[ICE180]

its the case of Grants the flat cap is trying not to drop

[Dave Lobster]

no such thing

Nonsense. The fatter they are, the more they appreciate it!

[Paul in NZ]

People on scooters are not truely alive as we know it - they just kinda exist...

[Hitcher]

People on scooters are not truely alive as we know it - they just kinda exist...

Particularly those who haven't figured out that the rear pegs are for pillions, not for the rider...

[MisterD]

Particularly those who haven't figured out that the rear pegs are for pillions, not for the rider...

Pegs? Proper scooters have running boards...

[kunoichi]

People on scooters are not truely alive as we know it - they just kinda exist...

:yes: lol, completly agree!

[Grahameeboy]

I hope that if I ever get taken out by an unobservant meanderthal or a Kindy Mum In A SUV(TM) that it's quick and clean and that I feel no pain.

If I were to be badly maimed or injured, I would be extremely fucked off. Because, as we all know, people only feel pity for deranged gimps -- they never get taken seriously.

Since when did you get taken seriously :whistle:

[Hitcher]

Since when did you get taken seriously

Exactly my point! Deranged gimp or cliched Internet meme, the net result is the same.

[Dave Lobster]

Pegs? Proper scooters have running boards...

Proper scooters have them cut off :)

[allycatz]

You just pootle off to the oriface from whence you came from...."pinches meself" I am very much alive thank you:angry2:

[Danae]

My scooter has a spanish-style mustache taped to the front of it. I get noticed quite easily by cagers.

@Paul: Absolutely right. Some scooter riders only truly join the world of the living after completing a number of satanic rituals gaining a 6L licence and buying a motorcycle. However they are permanently tainted by the scooter experience. ]:

[davebullet]

I first started out on a Yamaha 3 speed 50cc 2 stroke (crash box, or I never found the clutch :laugh: ). I have been tainted too (ahhhhh that's how I got that funny smell...)