Are Scooters really that bad ?
mr_eddy
Posts: 779
I have been considering (only vague considerations at this point) getting a little scooter purely for odd commutes - A twist and go job nothing fancy - 50CC jobbie. I am just getting fed up with those days where either the weather is just totally sh*t or for when I simply cannot be bothered to cycle.
Whilst the above scenarios are not that common they do crop up from time to time and rather than getting a 2nd car I just thought a scooter maybe an option but lots of people in my office (all non cyclist car drivers) say that its crazy dangerous ? Is it really that bad ?
I live in a village with no bus / public transport and my missus not only works in the opposite direction but leaves for work way too early for me so getting a lift or using the bus is out the question and given my workplace is about 9 miles walking is also off the list. Running sucks so that is a no go.
I personally don't think so for the following reasons:
1. My route to work on the bicycle is mostly flat and on the roads ( maybe 15% cycle lane), most of the time I am doing around 18-22mph and generally keeping up with rush hour traffic so in terms of exposure to traffic/speed I don't see a difference between my bicycle and scooter.
2. On my commute as already mentioned I have to mostly mix in with traffic and given that on a bicycle I have normal clothes and a normal cycle helmet whereas on a scooter I would still be on the same route at the same sort of speeds but I would have a full face helmet and probably M'Bike gloves and jacket - Clearly I can't wear M'Bike gear on a bike otherwise I would explode from heat exhaustion.
3. Running costs especially for the couple of times a month it may get used is pretty low. The initial cost is the biggest expense at around £800-1k after this fuel and insurance are tiny. CBT is about £100 and I have a full car license since 2000 so I can just leave L plates on and re-do CBT every 2 years
Clearly I am fairly Pro scooter but I would welcome any opinions ideally from someone who has one etc.
I would totally agree with the people in my office if for example I cycled my whole commute on cycle paths or a scooter instead of a bus etc but for me the road risk is the same I think regardless of bicycle or Scooter as the route and speeds are broadly the same.
Thanks in advance.
Whilst the above scenarios are not that common they do crop up from time to time and rather than getting a 2nd car I just thought a scooter maybe an option but lots of people in my office (all non cyclist car drivers) say that its crazy dangerous ? Is it really that bad ?
I live in a village with no bus / public transport and my missus not only works in the opposite direction but leaves for work way too early for me so getting a lift or using the bus is out the question and given my workplace is about 9 miles walking is also off the list. Running sucks so that is a no go.
I personally don't think so for the following reasons:
1. My route to work on the bicycle is mostly flat and on the roads ( maybe 15% cycle lane), most of the time I am doing around 18-22mph and generally keeping up with rush hour traffic so in terms of exposure to traffic/speed I don't see a difference between my bicycle and scooter.
2. On my commute as already mentioned I have to mostly mix in with traffic and given that on a bicycle I have normal clothes and a normal cycle helmet whereas on a scooter I would still be on the same route at the same sort of speeds but I would have a full face helmet and probably M'Bike gloves and jacket - Clearly I can't wear M'Bike gear on a bike otherwise I would explode from heat exhaustion.
3. Running costs especially for the couple of times a month it may get used is pretty low. The initial cost is the biggest expense at around £800-1k after this fuel and insurance are tiny. CBT is about £100 and I have a full car license since 2000 so I can just leave L plates on and re-do CBT every 2 years
Clearly I am fairly Pro scooter but I would welcome any opinions ideally from someone who has one etc.
I would totally agree with the people in my office if for example I cycled my whole commute on cycle paths or a scooter instead of a bus etc but for me the road risk is the same I think regardless of bicycle or Scooter as the route and speeds are broadly the same.
Thanks in advance.
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Posts
Depending on the traffic though - you might be slower ?
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
Not sure on a 50cc jobbie - very very slow and can actually leave you in situation where you can't accelerate out of harms way, perhaps consider a 125cc on 'L' plates? I'd never be one to say scrimp on safety gear, I also raced bikes for a few seasons and spent a fair amount of time on my backside sliding along tarmac. Good strong jeans, strong shoes or boots (shorty bike boots are good and don't look or feel heavy), a decent jacket, good lid and gloves at a minimum.
Mine is a full-fat 500cc maxi-scoot and is capable of 100mph but to be honest is overkill for what I use it for.
Thanks for advice I will keep an eye out for a 2nd Honda / suzuki etc. I don't trust those cheap chinese things that are £1200 brand new.
Ta.
Burgman 125 should fit the bill well
So true! None of my biking / racing friends even know that I own and ride an Italian shopping bike yet!
I did my CBT a month or so ago and had no issue. From driving and, in particular, cycling, you'll have the road skills and awareness already so you won't struggle to pick it up. The first few rides are bloomin terrifying though!
- @ddraver
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
Marin Nail Trail
Cotic Solaris
That's me!
Keep saying I'm going to ride it wearing my battered race leathers just for the fun of it. Bet I could get my knee down on it too!
- @ddraver
I'd agree that ideally you want something capable of a bit of speed - not sure how much I've changed and how much the roads have but I do feel exposed on a dual carriageway now as the thing I have tops out at about 55mph. Depends on the roads you intend to ride of course but some busy single carriageways can be worse than DCs if you can't keep up with traffic.
The other thing is do ride defensively - you may only be doing 50mph which is relatively slow for a motorised vehicle but it's extremely fast to slam into a car that pulls out in front of you ! It's a bit like riding a bike only at the speeds of an alpine descent everywhere - the potential to kill yourself is definitely greater than on a bicycle if you don't respect it imo.
I know nothing about taking the test and all that malarkey as when I did mine it was a case of a one day thing and weaving round some cones on a car park and then the part two which was some bloke stood on the pavement telling you to ride round the block a few times.
(that said, I worry about the 17yr old kid I did my road test with who had absolutely no road sense at all!)
- @ddraver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcbMZSdJi4s
He's now got a 125cc and my days of catching him are long gone.
40 year old that I work with failed his in the summer LOL!
- @ddraver
You need to factor in the extra time to get togged up at both ends of the commute. And ny extra aggro in getting a moto in / out of secure storage.
When buying kit get decent waterproof stuff. I have alpinestars touring boots, gloves are Frank Thomas (but nearly dead!). Skip leather jackets and buy some cordura jacket and trousers. In addition get a cheap bin bag type of waterproof to go over the top if you can. The cordura layer is for abrasion, there is a waterproof layer underneath. The cordura layer absorbs water and takes a while to dry.
And yes - get a 125 minimum. Also bigger wheels help stability over bumps. Perhaps try the fancy three wheeled scooters that you can ride on a car licence (piaggio MP3 I think).
Finally (and really boring); a top box is really useful for carrying stuff like the bin bag waterproofs so you are never caught without waterproofs.
There's a couple of other videos under the same title on my YT channel of me catching and passing him.
I used to ride a motorbike, and 500cc Ducati Pantah was my last bike, after working my way up from 100 then 250cc. Extra speed/power was always a pull and my downfall really. I wonder how I lived through those years, but that's another tale.
My tuppence worth...
Motorbikes are great fun until you have to do an emergency stop. This for me was the tricky bit, and unlike being in a car, it felt like a gamble every time I had to do it. Sadly, on a motorbike, this seems to happen more than you'd like. Consider the near misses you get on your cycle, and then add some.
As mentioned by someone above, imagine that you are doing fast descents all the time, and then think about stopping during these, in the wet.
I wonder if the three wheel jobbies handle this aspect better than the two wheeled version. I know they're not for the purists, but the OP wants to commute, and I can see major advantages with one of these.
The older I get, the better I was.
Shame about all the nobs who ride them, though. Particularly those vile 3 wheeled efforts
It's just a hill. Get over it.
If you've never ridden before, I'd suggest you do the CBT first, before buying wheels and gear, just to be sure you like it, or more to the point, can do it. I'd expect the school will also give you a chance to ride both a manual and a twist. In addition to this, I'd go back for an extra couple of hours training 1-1, after the fact. While the CBT is ok, it really isn't enough on its own. As for gear, buy the best you can afford, BUT proper fit will always win over an expensive price tag.
Make sure there's enough in your budget to do your license and buy a bigger bike though. It's addictive.
- @ddraver