Questions from a newbie.

[slowlegs]

Hi all,
I am looking at buying a new 50cc scooter, probably a Suzuki UZ50K8 with the idea of getting my handling skills up a bit better and seeing how I like it before perhaps going for my full license and perhaps getting a bigger scooter like a 250 Burgman or similar. Any comments on the Suzuki scooter as a first scooter? My license only allows me to ride hand operated vehicles so scooters with hand brakes are my only option at the moment. I have ridden a pushbike but also have a disability and find I get a bit sore in the legs (and butt) riding my pushbike further than 30 k's at a time especially in summer. I have a couple of friends who ride their scooters around central Auckland. Does anyone know if a moped can be ridden on the bicycle lanes next to the north western motorway? I have seen some do it. It is a much longer ride through New Lynn and other areas. I got my handling skills certificate a while ago and am really just looking at riding around my local area on dry days to start with. Also can anyone suggest a good brand of helmet, protective clothing, gloves and softer boots? I have enough scars that I don't any more through road rash.
Thanks
Slowlegs

[davereid]

Hi,

The Suzuki scooter is an OK bike, and pretty well priced. Even on a moped regd 50cc bike you can't use cycle lanes sorry !

While some may disagree, the statistics show budget helmets provide equal protection to expensive ones.

So, I would suggest a budget full-face or flip helmet - brands like FFM come to mind at $150ish.

They are noisy at high speed, but will be fine for a 50kmh commute.

Gloves are the next important thing. At 50km/hr your hands are quite vulnerable, so look for gloves that fit well, are comfy, and will fit under your coat.

[Pogo2]

and your choice of larger scoot is worthy too (coming from a burger owner I'm bound to be biased)

Good gear is essential, but like Davereid said you can go overboard. Then again no one regretted buying good gear as they sailed through the air, their ride disappears in the distance and they have an appointment with tarseal in the very near future!

Welcome to scootering!

[scissorhands]

Own the lane, dont hug the kerb, get a scoot that cruises at at least 60km/hr. Frustrating moving traffic by being a slow poke causes accidents. Ride extremely carefully in the wet, if at all for a year or two. Learn to push the floor with your feet when cornering. Develope the senses of a deer surrounded by predators...!!! I wear shorts, t shirt and jandels most of the time. Attitude and experience are huge compared to stuff you buy in a shop. Learn to develope confidence based on correct riding procedures rather than bravado. Practise practise practise. Never never never expect other moronists motorists to do the right thing. Contact your guardian angel spirits and seek guidance, if they dont seem too proactive in your life, see what can be done. There are 2 sorts of riders: those who have fallen, and those who are yet to fall.

[UberRhys]

Own the lane, dont hug the kerb, get a scoot that cruises at at least 60km/hr. Frustrating moving traffic by being a slow poke causes accidents.

Some good advice here but know your limits (and your scoots limits) and don't get in the way

I wear shorts, t shirt and jandels most of the time. Attitude and experience are huge compared to stuff you buy in a shop.

However this statement is complete stupidity. Wearing the right gear and having the right attitude and experience still only softened the blow when an idiot cage driver pulled out and cut me off. Broken ribs and bruising was sore, but better than broken and road rash! Don't be fooled by what scissorhands has to say, a riding jacket (pants) and gloves (not to mention full face helmet) will keep you safer and your skin where it should be.

[ZK-Awesome]

Learn to push the floor with your feet when cornering.

What do you mean by this, scissorhands?

[UberRhys]

Learn to push the floor with your feet when cornering.

What do you mean by this, scissorhands?

I think what he is angling at is counter-steering, ie: whilst your humming along, to turn/move right apply pressure to the right handle bar and vice-versa.

Then again I have been known to be wrong before... Maybe he has invented a new method along the lines of the counter-steer, the 'bum' steer and now the foot steer...

[Pogo2]

[QUOTE=scissorhands;1458959] There are 2 sorts of riders: those who have fallen, and those who are yet to fall.:QUOTE]

So all of the gear all of the time is your only saviour. T shirts have no resistance to abrasion that I am aware of.

[davereid]

Hey slowlegs... don't worry too much about the "wear all the gear all the time brigade" versus " I ride in a T shirt"

The facts are actually only statistics...

But depending on who you believe :

* A motorcyclist is 16 - 35 times more likely to die than a car driver per km.
* Your helmet may increase your chance of survival.. best guess it doubles it. ie 35x the risk becomes 34x.
* Your helmet may increase your chances of surviving, but you may still be brain damaged, or have a serious spinal injury
* Your Kevlar jacket and pants are invaluable at avoiding gravel rash at high speed, but at 50 km/hr good tough pants and jacket are fine.

If you want to be safe, choose a Volvo.

Otherwise... you take your chances.

A prudent rider chooses a full face helmet, gloves, sturdy boots and biker style jacket & pants.

But it does fuck all good.

If you have a serious vehicle v vehicle crash on two wheels you are fucked, full stop.

Stop worrying about it, use the best gear you can afford, but drive like you are waiting for the grim reaper.

[scissorhands]

I guess most warm climate euros and asians must be out-of their-minds to ride like they do, in shorts and jandels, in traffic way crazier than we can sometimes imagine in our worldly kiwi minds. Why does everyone bag scooterists who do this?? Never mentioning cyclists or track racing or ridiculously powerful machines from hell?? I wear a vapour mask like spray painters use, every time I ride in traffic...so I must wear a open face helmet. I have a nose like a dog ever since I got sick by industrial poisoning years ago. Believe me, the Parts per million of particulates and poisonous gases from internal combustion vehicles varies constantly. A truck 200m further up, leeward side of road or windward, franklin rd ponsonby at peak is a gas chamber with no wind because of the tree canopy as is grafton bridge with the no suicide glass, in peak still conditions. Pushing with your feet like a motorcyclist distributes his weight through the pegs instead of only through your arse. Safety is important to me, I take it it seriously, and drink ten coffees a day to stay sharp. In a day, I get on and off my scoot so frequently, and ride often, I will stay with the scootering majority, and wear my summer clothes in comfort, and my gas mask. When I fall you can laugh and I will feel sheepish. Imagine seeing the cycle couriers and cycle commuters wearing full leathers and f/f helmets!

[scissorhands]

I always wear leather gloves...

[Badjelly]

* Your helmet may increase your chance of survival.. best guess it doubles it. ie 35x the risk becomes 34x.

Wouldn't that be 17.5x?

[davereid]

No. Helmets are actually not very effective in spite of claims to the contrary.

Don't believe me ?

Have a look here...
http://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/...ualty-2003.pdf

The chart includes the period when helmets were introduced in NZ.

Try and guess from the data what year it was.

Can't tell ?

Hint : Google "spinal injuries" or "tetraplegia" for the same period. That data may help you pick the arrival of helmets !