Design project

[Jantar]

Why someone would bother though.....

Maybe because even a scooter would be faster than a cage at 5:00 pm any weekday.

[Disco Dan]

Maybe because even a scooter would be faster than a cage at 5:00 pm any weekday.

Fairy muff.

But a motorbike would be 10 times as quick

[McDuck]

Due to the fact they impede the flow of traffic (can't keep up). Any thing under 80 km's and the law gets a bit savage. I heard pink V Strom's have similar "issues". Might be wrong... often am.

I think it is a case of there is not a rule banning them but taking one on would class as a careless act.

[Alby_Joe]

Ok, in regards to why people are turned off scooters, we have, so far:

- they look "gay"
- not fast enough for motorway use (assuming you are not including the big 500cc+ scooters or whatever)
- not as good handling
- lack of storage space


All these opinions are great, I have my own, but this "survey" isn't about me, it's about what other people want and see in the vehicles.

It would be interesting to see some more feedback from the scooter riders, I have put the same thread in the scooter section.

Joe

[FJRider]

PS: lets see if there are more VStroms or FJs at the meeting on tuesday night.

Not actually a member of "the club". I went out this arvo... didn't see ya. Parked up for the winter ???

[Alby_Joe]

I know there is a lot more scooter riders out there. Lets hear why you ride them or prefer to ride them over motorbikes.

Joe

[WarlockNZ]

Bike over a scoot as 95% of my commute is motorway and while a scooter would be just as quick in rush hour traffic, I wouldn't trust one to stop me fast enough when some idiot tried to run me over, nor have enough power to get me out of trouble.

Besides, i'll take the twin yohsi thump over the screaming blender any day.

[BM-GS]

Q1: What is your reason for using a motorcycle over a scooter as your main form of two-wheeled transport?

Cos I grew up in a place where everyone got a 50cc scoot/moped at 16 and something bigger at 18.

Cos I used to commute >100km a day on roads with an official speed limit of 120kph but typical fast-lane speed of nearly 200.

Cos there really is no substitute for cubes!

------

Nothing against scoots, but on a fast or bendy road you can *see* the chassis flex. If I had an all-50kph commute I'd probably have one.

Just the way it went. It's also harder to tour on a scoot, especially when it comes to keeping up with your mates.

The ultimate commuter vehicle: probably the BMW C1, but that looked as cool as fresh dog poo... Cross it with the Piaggio MP3 and it might make it fun enough to have real appeal.

Good luck!

[madbikeboy]

Well, you did ask...

Is your research to determine projects - if so, then pick a motorcycle as a design exercise. There are a lot of incredibly neat engineers who have done cool stuff - for example www.hossack.co.uk (might be .com). Motorcycles have had slight refinements over the years, but the basic layout hasn't really changed markedly in some time (telescopic forks, swing arm of some description) - the evolution has been towards lighter, mass centralised, but with more powerful brakes, motors.

Scooters haven't evolved as far, or as fast. If you look at an early Vespa, as a design exercise it radically altered a city "motorcycle" and was perfect for the economic and social age that it was born into. The Vespa also created the first socially acceptable motorcycle for the masses. Most scooters now are a basic variation on the theme.

The are multiple crossovers between scooter, car, and motorcycle - notibly the BMW C1 - but because they are a compromise between all three, they became compromised.

For purity as a commuter, I would look at simple bikes that are more classic looking - they have a purity of focus that sports bikes (for example, the GSXR1000) don't have as commuters (too compromised if we're being honest).

Check out http://www.deus.com.au/index2.html as an example of a different direction in thinking.

Be radical in your thinking, most design studios are afraid of alienating their customer base - nothing radical is ever launched - think of the Ducati 916/996/998 series, replaced by a technically better bike (999), but because the styling moved too far, it polarised views). The latest 1098 is a poor design in my opinion, it's like they took all the noteworthy features of a 916, and then built it. Even Ducati have admitted that a single sided swingarm is a poor design compromise. Google Confederate and see something more radical (and simple).

If you intended a research survery, motorcycles versus scooters, then your reseach is going to be radically skewed as you will have considerable bias in your results. No one will admit to liking scooters on this site, it's analagous to admitting to keeping your daughter in your basement... (Yuck!).

[madbikeboy]

I was also thinking of specific feedback about scooters -

* Steering head angle is too severe, making them unstable at high speed.
* Wheelbase is too short, if you've got any power, they wheelstand all over the place
* Not enough ability to carry objects (ever try doing a weekly shop on a scooter?)
* Poor interface, the automatic ones are especially piss poor
* Step through principle works well for women wearing skirts
* Visually, a scooter is less intimidating for women
* Wheels are too small, this causes erratic behaviour, and tramlining
* Fuel economy is commensurate with horsepower
* Most are pig ugly

[Timber020]

Q 1, I percieve the use of a bike being safer as your not left behind in traffic and have the ability to get out of some differcult situations. And lets face it, horsepower is fun.
A bike allows me to travel further, faster, including having access to the motorway.

[camchain]

Scooters are phyisically small and therefore more subject to lack of consideration/attention by car drivers

Scooters have small wheels which don't track well over road surface variations.

Most motorcyclists correctly think scooters can't compare the beautiful excellence of what a true motorcycle is really all about. They're not cool, but design wise manufacturers are moving in the right direction with sportbike oriented design cues.

[brendonjw]

I currently have a cage, but will be going with a bike as i want something that will be able to do motorway speeds.

Friend has a scooter though, main reasons he got it

Cheaper to buy than a bike, he got it new for 2k or something around there
Cheaper to run than a bike
and he didnt have to fork out for another license.

[shafty]

These are the questions:

Q1: What is your reason for using a motorcycle over a scooter as your main form of two-wheeled transport?

OR

Q2: What is your reason for using a scooter over a motorcycle as your main form of two-wheeled transport?

Although riding a 1300 (and my partner a 750) as our Motorcycles of choice, we both love the FXR125 as a fun commuter.
Main reasons for using it as a commuter:
- fantastic economy
- MAJOR fun factor - it EASILY does 100 km/hr (125 KM/Hr actually).
- Weather protection is another biggie, - if there is a light shower, no need for wet weather gear
- Easier parking: smaller than the ST1300, and I feel it is less vulnerable to damage while pared

Hope this helps Mate - good luck with your study

Shafty

[Caladbolg]

Come on guys.. we all know scooters are like fat chicks, Fun to ride but you wouldnt want to be seen on one.