I'm a-fwaid to ride...meh

Let's talk about "Fear"

Okay - Kinda annoyed by the reactions to a poster over on a scooter forum.

This poster has just purchased a scooter but is afraid to ride and is wondering if riding a scooter is actually for them.

Basically the poster saw people riding scooters somewhere, and decided to just go out and buy one, without even trying a MSF course first or anything.

Of course everyone at the forum is jumping on board to re-assure this "young" would-be rider. But, I have true reservations here.

I was never afraid to ride 2 wheels. It's true. Nervous and excited. But not afraid. So basically I was ignorant. So sue me.

I also never fell off my bike as a kid and thus, why would I fall off a PTW? Of course this is how my brain works.

Silly I know, but if you are scared and afraid to fall when you are just riding in circles in a parking lot, than maybe, riding a PTW is not for you.

As I have told my friends my thoughts about riding in traffic... you have to be afraid, to be "afraid".

Fear does you no good in heavy traffic. It can be paralyzing and cause you to freeze or make mistakes that could get you or others  injured.

And as for putting your foot down when you turn... don't. I don't even know why some people even start doing that. I have seen people do that again and again, and I don't get the logic of it. Why would you think you can just hang your foot down from a moving vehicle and not break your foot/ ankle or worse. Goofy.

Anyway, just call me an crabby rag I suppose. But I think some new riders need to suck it up and go out and just do it without all the constant re-assurance. Because you won't get that on the road, fer realz my friends.

Other drivers will NOT be thinking: "Oh look, a gal on a scooter! Let's give her some space and just take it easy around her."

Because honey, riding a PTW in traffic is fun, but it can be deadly serious. And if you just want fun, go roller skating at the roller rink.

If you want to expand your mind, hone your skills and risk your life (and I do mean risk your life) then you ride a scooter. 

And yes, riding PTW is not for everyone. Just like flying a plane, scuba diving, or parachuting or alligator wrestling is not for everyone.

It's your life, it's your choice. Because when you ride, it you, and the road and no amount of handholding and cheerleading is going to help you. It's all about you now. Nothing else.

AAAAArrrrrrrrggggghhhhhh! WIND!

Even the "Stunt Queen of Naperville" cannot deal with this crappy weather.

The weather here is killing me. After having a great early spring, with a couple weeks of great riding weather, we have now segued into our normal, wet and windy Chicago spring.

This means plenty of threatening clouds and WIND.

For those of you in balmier climes, how I envy you.

The other day I rode home from work and I was just buffeted and shoved the entire way. Honestly people, Scootering is a battlefield.

I arrived home, cold and exhausted. I wanted only to take a hot bath and go to bed. But it was POTLUCK night and my friends were already at my house, waiting for dinner.

ARGH! Anyway, the best thing you can do when riding in the wind, is maintain your grip, but stay loose and relaxed and KNOW that the wind is going to push you around. It WILL move you so just let it happen. Don't panic, just deal with it.

Also, do not go out in the wind if you cannot flat foot your scooter. It can knock you over while you are waiting at a stoplight. So please, take care people.

You know the wind is bad when it grabs your full face helmet and tries twist if off your head, like the twist cap on a bottle of soda. NOT REFRESHING!

Teaching friends to ride...Part 2

Okay- So far so good for Mike. We have gone from practicing in parking lots to riding down suburban streets and roads. Mike has kept up with me pretty well.

(You can say one thing about the back of a MP3...it ain't sexy!)

We have gone to our local DMV (which is super close to us) and he has now tried practicing on the motorcycle licensing obstacle course.

In addition to that,  Chelsea is now riding behind him! 

Yep he is riding two up already, well in a parking lot.

I don't mind telling you. He is pretty steady. It took me 3 years before I would let someone ride behind me. With Mike, it took 3 weeks. I guess it is a guy thing. They want their ladies with them when they roll. 

Right now, I am keeping them riding two up - only in a parking lot. Even tho Mike is buying this bike from my BF, we are keeping it in our garage as he makes the payments. This allows us to monitor him and make sure he doesn't try anything alone. 

We are still looking for a small scooter for Chelsea. Deals come and go on Craigs list, but nothing worthwhile as of yet. We also need to get her a proper armored jacket, boots and gloves. 

Scooter Fashion Show or How to Properly Pose with a Scooter

Everything I know about posing I learned from Ru Paul.

(Jacket - Harley Davidson, Dansko Clog Shoes, BMW custom painted helmet)

Action shots are always good.

(Jacket - Tucano Urban Lady Inuit, Size 8, Scorpion Exo 400 Helmet)

It helps if you channel your inner drag queen.

(Jacket - Gogo Gear Hologram, size 8)

This one makes my sister call me a "tool". 

(Jacket - Harley Davidson)

Action shot - showing emotion is important

Halloweenie

(Cheap fairy costume purchased from cheap costume store - Harley Davidson Ladies Boots)

"Serious Ninja Look", 

Well as serious as a ninja can look with a cheap pink helmet purchased on Fleabay

(Jacket - Gogo Gear Trench, Harley Davidson Boots)

Teaching friends how to ride

If you teach them, they will ride...AWAY!

Now that I have the MP3 400, my friends, (Mike & Chelsea) have been dying to learn how to ride. 

Since our local MSF courses have not started as of yet (too early in the year here) I decided to give them my INTRO to RIDING.

First thing I did was make them get their permits. That allows them to ride as long as they are in the company of another M class license holder. Both Mike and Chelsea had no problems getting these from our local DMV.

Permits in hand, we went off to a local school parking lot to give them an introductory class in scooter and motorcycle riding.

Going by what I learned at my MSF course and scooter school we went in the following order:

First, we had them sit on the bike. Just sit. Get used to the weight and feel. Point out the starter, kill switch, throttle, brakes, turn signals, etc.

Second, we showed them how to start the scooter and just roll/walk it across the parking lot, turn the scooter around and just roll/walk it back.

Third, we discussed gear, helmets, boots, jackets, gloves and pants. 

Fourth, we talked about riding on a road with cars, versus tooling around in a parking lot.

By the end of the "class" we had Mike going in circles in the parking lot on the MP3. 

The bad news is that my other friend, Chelsea, is too short to ride the MP3. We are currently looking for a very smaller 150cc scooter that she might be able to handle. But Shorties do have a hard time getting a bike that fits. So I feel bad for her.

So far she is content to ride behind my BF on the MP3 as we ride. But she wants to ride and I can tell she was real disappointed in not being able to handle the MP3. Her feet could not hit the ground!

So here I am, thinking that my friends are going to be riding the MP3 and guess what? After a few classes with me, Mike shows up at my house wanting to try one of my BF's motorcycles. ( We are a multiple bike family)

Yeah, you can see where this is going. A few more lessons from my BF, and now Mike is riding a Suzuki Boulevard 40S. 

Dang it! my BF stole my Scooter Minion! Oh well, there is still Chelsea... Now if we can find her that one tiny 150cc scooter, I may have my Minion yet!

The reason why I have not posted in a while...

Mama's got a new toy

If a BV 500 is an Arabian Stallion, than the MP3's are the Clydesdales.

Yeah, I have wanted one of these for quite a while now. And boy this scooter does NOT disappoint!

We picked up this used MP3 400 from a dealer in Michigan for a good price. And let me be the first to tell you scooter riders, riding this machine is like a dream.

Sure the front end is heavy and it takes a bit to get used to it, but once you do, I promise you super smooth sailing. And stability! My friends you have NO idea how stable and secure you will feel once you master this wee beast.

I only use the front wheel lock when it is parked because when you flat foot it on one of these babies, they don't budge. They make riding in traffic a dream.

Of course it is not as "flickable" as a two-wheeled scooter, but it has a charm of it's own. 

Rding two up is a dream. Especially during mounting. Gone is the worry of pitching over, since you just apply the front wheel lock and let your passenger hop on board. The two grips are positioned perfectly for passengers and you WILL need them, since the seat is a wee bit slippery. Any quick stops may cause a passenger to slid forward, so make sure they grab those grips.  

Other than that, the ride two-up is the most stable and secure that I have ever experienced.

What can I say, this wee beast can give my BV 500 Blue Dragon a "run-for-the-money".

Now all I have to do is restrain myself from crapping it up with a crazy paint job.

Knightriders (trailer - movie by George Romero)

Knightriders! Holy Crap George Romero!

But Ed Harris!!??? Fighting the Dragon? 

BWHAHAHAHAHA!

If I was a kid I probably would have loved this. 

From Wikipedia:

Knightriders (also known as George A. Romero's Knightriders) is a 1981 film written and directed by George A. Romero. It was filmed entirely on location in Pennsylvania, especially in Fawn Township and Natrona. The film is a change of pace for Romero, known primarily for horror films; it is a personal drama about a travelling renaissance fair troupe.

Also: Stephen King (and his wife Tabitha) have a 20 second cameo.