13 replies to this topic

[jencoleslaw]

I have the greatest scooter from JavaSpeed but i've been a little anxious about riding it anywhere more than around the block after being hit by a car a year and a half ago (as a pedestrian). I need to get a good helmet and jacket and actually register this thing, but i'd be very interested in hooking up with some other scooter people who won't make fun of me for being a big chicken and perhaps give me some riding tips and a little courage... and someone who knows where to get a helmet where i won't be tormented by slippery dudes on racing bikes or harleys...

[Jerry2]

jencoleslaw, on Jul 26 2006, 09:03 PM, said:

I have the greatest scooter from JavaSpeed but i've been a little anxious about riding it anywhere more than around the block after being hit by a car a year and a half ago (as a pedestrian). I need to get a good helmet and jacket and actually register this thing, but i'd be very interested in hooking up with some other scooter people who won't make fun of me for being a big chicken and perhaps give me some riding tips and a little courage... and someone who knows where to get a helmet where i won't be tormented by slippery dudes on racing bikes or harleys...

I'm thinking about buying a scooter myself ...I'm really not sure why I'm fascinated by them. Many years ago I owned a Spree ( if anybody remembers those things in the 80's) The ability to get around much more efficiently is certainly a draw....the feeling of open air...etc. I'm more worried @ people hitting my car( as has happened quite a few times)than somebody hitting me on a scooter. Can't help you on the riding tips for now...but Providence Bicycle @ 725 Branch Avenue has helmets ....

[jencoleslaw]

Jerry02908, on Jul 27 2006, 08:02 AM, said:

I'm thinking about buying a scooter myself ...I'm really not sure why I'm fascinated by them. Can't help you on the riding tips for now...but Providence Bicycle @ 725 Branch Avenue has helmets ....

motorcycle helmets?

[Jerry2]

jencoleslaw, on Jul 27 2006, 03:06 PM, said:

motorcycle helmets?

There's a difference? Does a  scooter really necessitate a motorcycle helmet? Check it out! They even have body armor!Look here!

[jencoleslaw]

Jerry02908, on Jul 27 2006, 03:17 PM, said:

There's a difference? Does a  scooter really necessitate a motorcycle helmet? Check it out! They even have body armor!Look here!

it is a motor vehicle and i think needs an actual helmet, which is much different from a bike helmet.

[markOne]

jencoleslaw, on Jul 26 2006, 09:03 PM, said:

I have the greatest scooter from JavaSpeed but i've been a little anxious about riding it anywhere more than around the block after being hit by a car a year and a half ago (as a pedestrian). I need to get a good helmet and jacket and actually register this thing, but i'd be very interested in hooking up with some other scooter people who won't make fun of me for being a big chicken and perhaps give me some riding tips and a little courage... and someone who knows where to get a helmet where i won't be tormented by slippery dudes on racing bikes or harleys...

I suggest you get your motorcycle license.  I know, it is not needed and it seems like a hassle, but the requirements are fairly minimal.

If I remember (it’s been a while) all you have to do is get your permit by taking a class at CCRI, then after you wait a few months (a year?) you can apply for your license.  I don’t think you have to take any tests (written or driving) other than passing the CCRI course.  I think they are assuming that in time you have your permit you are practicing so when you get the full license you are fairly well trained.  If you have taken the class getting your license is just some wait time and paperwork.

At the very least take the riding course at CCRI.  It has 2 parts over 4 nights; 2 classroom sessions and 2 nights where you ride a motorcycle in their parking lot.  Fear not, the bikes are very small and you never go over 20 mph.  Lots of folks of all types are in the class, many of whom don’t have motorcycles and probably never will.  This is NOT a crazy bunch of scary people.  Most of them are actually quite timid (even the big ones).  You will need the a helmet, gloves(?), long pants, a jacket, and shoes higher than your ankle.  Not everyone who rides, even if they have been doing it for a while, is actually good at riding.  You don’t want to start with any bad habits.

The class should translate well to riding a scoter.  It gives you good techniques for basic 2-wheel driving and sharp road awareness.  Because this class is mandatory for getting a license they have to keep the cost down.  When I took it, some time ago, it was $25.  The same instructor giving the same class in MA cost $250.

As far as where to buy a helmet, I would start at Java Speed.  They should have some helmets, at least the smaller ones I usually see on folks on scooters.  If you want a full-face motorcycle helmet then you can always go to an actual motorcycle shop (they aren’t all bad).  Razee’s in North Kingston has a staff that is very knowledgeable, reputable, and friendly and I don’t think they would give you a hard time at all.

I know there is at least one scooter club in the area, but I don’t know how to get in touch with them.  Last summer as I sat in Antonio’s Pizza on Thayer St. a posse of about 10 scooters came rolling down the street.  They all parked right in front of me, and they were surrounded by motorcycles.  The cool thing was the bikers and the (what do you call a person riding a scooter?  A scooterer ) were hanging out and talking about each other’s rides with mutual respect.  It was fun to see aggressive looking jock types laughing and chatting with various alterna-folks.  These were groups that would NOT normally be seen together, let alone be chatting.

Once you get beyond your block you will love how convenient and easy it is to get around the city using your scooter.  You will be able to be creative in your parking places, and there are even shortcuts you can take that cars can’t.

Have fun!

[urbie]

jencoleslaw, on Jul 27 2006, 02:24 PM, said:

it is a motor vehicle and i think needs an actual helmet, which is much different from a bike helmet.

We saw the gathering of scooter riders on Thayer when we were there last month!

I don't know what the RI laws say, but a motorcycle helmet is definitely a good idea -- a scooter goes pretty fast, and although I'm not sure how fast an impact a bicycle helmet can handle, it's probably not going to be as good if you hit something hard at, say, 40mph!
  
You can get a pretty good motorcycle helmet for ~$150.  A little spendy, but how much is your brain worth?  

I get a lot of stuff from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse -- here's a sample page of helmets:

http://www.mawonline...lmets full face

The important thing, though, is that it has to fit right.  That's why, although you can save money by buying on-line, it's better to go to a motorcycle dealer and try a few on.  The helmet should wiggle a bit, but not very much (assuming it's a full-face helmet).

The other thing is that you also need a jacket and gloves -- ask Meg, who crashed on one of our trips, but got right back up and kept riding, because she had good protective gear:

http://www.kafalas.com/lblbrp.htm -- scroll down to "Fall... In... To... The... Gap"

Urb

[jencoleslaw]

a few weekends ago the old man and i went to Gerry's in Tiverton and i got a helmet (which, as luck would have it was a good price because i have a little head for someone with such a big mouth and they found that a Youth XL helmet was a better fit than a small adult), a non leather jacket (one of those perf fabric ones, with a zip in/out liner, and protective hardware on the elbows etc., my one beef with it is that it has a little rose embroidered on it. I told the guy that was comin' right off) and a pair of protective gloves. Now i just need to take the time off to register this thing and get a kicky silk scarf.

and the RI law is that passengers have to wear helmets but not drivers.

[megk]

jencoleslaw, on Aug 13 2006, 05:23 AM, said:

a non leather jacket (one of those perf fabric ones, with a zip in/out liner, and protective hardware on the elbows etc., my one beef with it is that it has a little rose embroidered on it. I told the guy that was comin' right off)

My Honda Shadow had roses painted on it. Oh yes, they were rubbed out as soon as I found an appropriate dermabrasion kit. It was embarrassing

Now I have the most perfect city bike, a Ninja 250, but it needs saddle bags. If we go for a group ride, I kinda look like a refugee from the Pony Club, until I grease 'em in the turns. Anyhoo, I cannot recommed the m/c classes enough. Riding is counter intuitive and really, all about confidence.

Have fun with it.

Meg

[jencoleslaw]

what is it about women, motorbikes and roses? all the women's stuff at this bike shop had long stemmed red roses emblazoned on it all! Yucky!

[xine]

Ninja 250! What a great bike!  I used to ride one but now I have a leetle scooter. My male friends with the giant motorcycles used to love to borrow the Ninja because it's so zippy and maneuverable. My only problem with it was that it felt a bit unstable at highway speeds but now that I live in a decidedly more urban area I find the scooter pretty darn fun and satisfies my urge to ride.

Cars never seem to go more than 30 mph on the streets I travel so it's ok that I can't go much faster than that! I can still outrace cars when the light turns green.

And absolutely, the classes and good protective gear are definitely worth it - the class I took to get my license was just as helpful in learning to spot and deal with the various morons and other unsafe driving conditions out there as it was to learn to ride, very confidence building.

[AriPVD]

Does anyone personally know the people who own JavaSpeed?  I'd love to get them to open a little annex downtown...makes so much sense!

[Cotuit]

AriPVD, on Aug 14 2006, 10:20 PM, said:

Does anyone personally know the people who own JavaSpeed?  I'd love to get them to open a little annex downtown...makes so much sense!

I think someone connected to JavaSpeed (maybe one of the owners) is a RISD alum. Perhaps they could have some sort of RISD integration Downcity.

[megk]

xine, on Aug 14 2006, 07:20 PM, said:

My only problem with it was that it felt a bit unstable at highway speeds but now that I live in a decidedly more urban area I find the scooter pretty darn fun and satisfies my urge to ride.

Quite. One has to be...ah...mindful on good ol' I-40. I'd love to get it down to VA and zip around there. Soon.

Meg