Moped v Motorcycle

**Fatt Max** · 22nd November 2008, 08:08

I was riding home from work last night having spent most of the day bored and posting serious drivel on the site (JD knows what I mean) when an observation / question catapulted itself into my small lardy brain.

This time last year, I was phut-phut-phutting along on my Jog CV50 communting between East Auckland suburbs and town. I cannot remember a single instance involving a car pulling out in front of me, un-annouced U turns, hoons in their XYZ's cutting me off, people walking out in front of me, getting cut across and general experinces of what so many KB'rs rant and rave about on this site.

Fast forward to now, I am on my 250CC and almost daily come across some kind of idiot trying their best to make me one with the tarmac.

Now, in my humble opinion, I believe that I am a much more careful rider now that there is a wee bit more power to play with. On the 50 I used to cut and duck in and around the traffic jams, shoot up the inside of a line of cars and generally behave like a mad Japanese communter with a pizza to deliver. Now I prefer to sit and wait for the line to pull off and the 2 second rule is my mantra and chant....ommmmm..

I also never used to wear a high vis vest on the 50 where as now I am wearing it day and night, rain or shine.

So my friends, why do you think it is now that I am seeing more of the rubbish that we have to deal with each day, I would be interested to know what you guys think.

...of course, a 130kg bloke on a 70kg scooter is a fearsome sight, maybe these people felt sorry for me, but whatever....

Over to you for comments / observations / general piss taking etc etc...

**mdnzz** · 22nd November 2008, 08:23

Originally Posted by Fatt Max

...of course, a 130kg bloke on a 70kg scooter is a fearsome sight, maybe these people felt sorry for me, but whatever....

Over to you for comments / observations / general piss taking etc etc...

Maybe they didnt feel quite so sorry for you but perchance the scooter??

**Usarka** · 22nd November 2008, 08:45

Originally Posted by Fatt Max

I also never used to wear a high vis vest on the 50 where as now I am wearing it day and night, rain or shine.
.

Ditch the shiny vest in shiny conditions!

There's a school of thought that would suggest ditching the shiny vest total - you used to look scary albeit on a scoot, now you look like marvin on his way to the office to eat pies and play with your pocket protector. Ie. you're not a threat to the drivers anymore.

**Eng_dave** · 22nd November 2008, 09:16

Maybe when you were on you the scooter you were leaving all the troubles behind you, IE getting ahead of the pack, because the pack is stupid and dangerous. Try riding the 250 like you use to ride the scoot see if you notice a lesser danger level.

**cheshirecat** · 22nd November 2008, 09:25

My current bike is bright red and headlight and indicator hard wired and I still get every tom dick and harry pulling out etc. They seem not to like this christmas tree behind them though.

**BigG** · 22nd November 2008, 09:26

Ya need more power to pull a heavy weight, have a thought for the little scooter.

**The Pastor** · 22nd November 2008, 09:41

Ive never noticed this "cars are tying to kill me" thing. Sure there have been some stupid drivers doing stupid things - but no more than when i am in a car or walking or push biking it.

**Maki** · 22nd November 2008, 10:01

Ditch the vest. They are trying to kill you because of it...

Seriously, I think what you are experienceing has everything to do with your attitude while you are riding. If a driver detects the slightest sign of fear or hesitation, then he or she WILL take advantage of it and pull out in front of you. Ride like you own the road and you will find that drivers will not get in your way.

**fireliv** · 22nd November 2008, 10:08

Maybe as a scooter rider you were the danger to others ((like you say weaving round traffic etc) and now that you ride resposibly you see all the other dangers out there.

**slofox** · 22nd November 2008, 10:53

Originally Posted by Maki

If a driver detects the slightest sign of fear or hesitation, then he or she WILL take advantage of it and pull out in front of you. Ride like you own the road and you will find that drivers will not get in your way.

Unless the driver genuinely does not see you - in which case riding like you suggest will ensure your fucktedness chop chop......

**Maki** · 22nd November 2008, 11:00

Originally Posted by slofox

Unless the driver genuinely does not see you - in which case riding like you suggest will ensure your fucktedness chop chop......

Fear leads to the dark side...

All I am saying is that people will take advantage of you if you ride like a pussy. By all means take care, just don't ride like you think you are going to get your "fucktedness" chopped on a regular basis...

**Lord Derosso** · 22nd November 2008, 11:05

Originally Posted by Eng_dave

Maybe when you were on you the scooter you were leaving all the troubles behind you, IE getting ahead of the pack, because the pack is stupid and dangerous. Try riding the 250 like you use to ride the scoot see if you notice a lesser danger level.

Perhaps we could reason that he wasnt going fast enough on the 50cc to come up against those FWits whom pull out in front of you. They had enough time to see him, have frontseat sex, go through the drivein Macs, eat their meal, see him coming and be at the lights hence why he got to weave in between the traffic in front of him.

But I have to admit that I have seen a number of scooter riders in central Wellington that ride like they are already committed to getting killed but they seem to get away with moves I wouldn't dare attempt on any reasonable sized bike.

I have to also admit in saying this that one of my workmates sometimes leaves his V400 home in lieu of his echeapo scooter he recently brought just for "fun and excitment". He reckons its a completely different experience getting to work. I have thought about trying to save up and getting a small 150cc just for commuting. Sick of the crowded buses and its not far enough to justify the hassle uncovering and covering the VN every day. Funny though, since I brought the big Fat Boy HD lookalike, cars seem to keep a reasonable distance from me. Could be the heavy leathers I wear?

**slofox** · 22nd November 2008, 11:29

Originally Posted by Maki

Fear leads to the dark side...

All I am saying is that people will take advantage of you if you ride like a pussy. By all means take care, just don't ride like you think you are going to get your "fucktedness" chopped on a regular basis...

I think we are trying to make the same point Maki - taking care and being prepared to avoid or evade is paramount IMO....but this does not mean being indecisive which I assume is what you mean.......
In the last six months I have lost count of the number of times some discretion on my part has proven to be the better part of valour.....just this morning some dork in (you guessed it) a 4x4 juggernaut decided not to stop (or even look) when entering a roundabout that I was already occupying.....but because I had seen that he was not checking the traffic I was ready for him not to stop.....in the end he DID stop - belatedly and half way across my lane.....I took vast pleasure in slowing wayyyyyy down to a crawl, eyeballing him and holding him up for as long as possible.....ht. ht. ht.

PS Overall I would have to say that most cars do give way to me, often when they could quite reasonably have proceeded without undue risk. The percentage who don't is actually quite small. It is easy to lose sight of the considerate others on the road and concentrate down onto the loons. Given the amount of adrenalin that the loons tend to release into our bloodstreams, this should not come as a surprise. But, just to encourage them, I always acknowledge those who do wait and show consideration...it's called "behaviour modification"......