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Scooter Newbie Advice

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Started 1 year ago by jenadrion
Latest reply from maveric1

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scooters

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idkwtflol

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Inspired by the Jeni's bajaj thread, my desire to drive it, and unfortunate lack of motorcycle license...

I am thinking about getting a scooter someday, maybe.

I have never been on a two-wheeled anything, except for some dirtbikes on a farm one time. I have no idea where to begin. Since I've never done this before, I'm kind of hesitant to go out and buy one, then try to learn how to ride it, only to realize that it's really not for me. Seems like the wrong order.

From my small amount of research, I think I would need to take the written test to get the motorcycle temp permit. Then I saw the basic rider course here: http://www.motorcycle.ohio.gov/brc.htm which is cool since they will loan you a motorcycle to use. So, if you pass this course, it replaces the need to take the skills test for the license? I think I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be...

Any advice for a total noob like me would be greatly appreciated! :)

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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I just got a new scooter too. They are SO EASY to ride...just twist and go and you'll love it. I had a motorcycle first though and did take the MSF course. They book up fast though and I'm guessing the Columbus ones are probably mostly booked through the season. If you find an opening, GRAB IT IMMEDIATELY. I took mine in Dayton a couple years ago over the course of a weekend because I couldn't get in the Columbus one.

But that's the order I did things...written test for temps, course, bought bike, traded for Vespa. Loving it. You can ride without an actual license and just your temps, but I really recommend taking that class...best $30 I've spent.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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go get your permit( you have to take a written test at the BMV-read the motorcycle laws manual first), then sign up for the BRC. classes fill up fast. the schedules come out February 1, that is the best time to sign up to get the class day you want. by now they might be filled through the end of the year in Franklin county. but you can sign up in one of the next counties too, they migh have some days available. you do 1 night of book study, and 2 days of on the bike training. at the end of the training they test you. it is the same as the BMV test, or close enough. if you pass the test the intructor will sign your BRC card and you take that and your permit to the BMV and they will add the M endorsement on your driver's license. You are now licensed to ride motorcycle on the street. the class is only $25 and will give you a good enough taste of riding their bikes to let you know if you want to continue. if so, you buy a bike!

Posted 1 year ago #
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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I am all about scooters/mopeds/anything vintage and zippy with a small engine... that said I would really recommend getting a smallish vintage motorcycle first. As a novice rider that doesn't know how to best minimize her exposer to other drivers, you might find that extra power and wheel size necessary for getting out of danger. You can pick up an old cb350 or less for around a grand, if you keep it in good shape you'll get the same when you sell it (maybe to me) and then get a scooter.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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I love vintage bikes more than most people I know, but I wouldn't recommend any new rider getting a vintage bike for their first and only. (and believe me, it took lots of people lots of talking to get me away from that idea too). It's going to disappoint her when it doesn't run and it's acting up when she just wants to get out and ride. The best way to get out of danger is to ride within the limits of the bike you've got and always be on the lookout for people not looking for you. My Vespa is only 150cc, and I stay on roads where I know I don't need to ever be at full throttle to get around issues. A bigger bike is not always the answer (especially when it's not going to start half the time), being a smart, well educated rider is.

Posted 1 year ago #
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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Well, agreed on the reliability front. I currently have three bikes specifically because I am such a piss poor mechanic and know I am lucky if one is running at a time. That said, I get really worried about new riders getting lured into the 50cc, plastic, chinese, 8 inch tires, twist and go trap and getting into trouble. There is a huge difference between a 150cc Vespa and 49.9cc _______ made in china . Too many newbies purchase the latter because of the price difference and get into trouble either mechanically or safety.
So.... I begrudgingly concur with osulews assessment as long as you pay attention to what you are buying.

Posted 1 year ago #
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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Oh.... and since I didn't answer the actual question, I'll echo life and lew, take the course. I have been riding on the street for a decade and dirt bikes and things forever and I still think about taking it sometimes.

Posted 1 year ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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Ew yeah a vintage bike for a novice/new rider would be horrible. Any older bike is going to be finicky, new riders don't want that.

Kymco is a solid brand that's a little on the cheaper side.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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Yep. I'd never suggest anyone go cheap...I did extensive talking with knowledgeable scooter folks when I got mine, and I'd always go Vespa first if you can...Piaggio of course is a good call. Then I heard great kudos for the Stella and the Buddy made by Genuine...although the Stella isn't an automatic if that's a concern for you. I've heard good things about the Kymco people 150 and the Symba is apparently nearly a re-issue of the bulletproof Honda Cub. The folks here at Capital City Scooters are SUPER helpful. I've also heard great things about Pride of Cleveland. And Motohio sells Genuine and Vespa scoots.

Posted 1 year ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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Here's a solution for the whole "chicken/egg" problem of getting a bike versus learning to ride firstÃ¢â‚¬Â¦the Riders Edge course:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Get_On_A_Bike/Learn_To_Ride/new_rider_course.jsp?locale=en_US&bmLocale=en_US

I bought a bike a long time ago, & just rode around on my temps & never got my license. I also got in a series of increasingly more severe accidents, which finally led to me parking the bike for awhile. Then my girlfriend at the time paid for me to enroll in the Riders Edge course & I got my license. Basically you show up on a Thursday with your temps, and spend two days doing classwork. then you spend all day Saturday and Sunday riding motorcycles (that are provided for you) and end up with your endorsement at the end of it all. (unless you really, really, screw up, which is unlikely)

You do have to pay for the course, but you can enroll immediately rather than wait for an opening with the state classes. It gives you a chance to meet other new riders, ask lots of questions to instructors, and flog someone else's bike in a big empty parking lot. I recommend it to anyone who wants some motorcycle experience without committing to buying a bike just yet.

Posted 1 year ago #
idkwtflol

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This is soooo super helpful... thank you everyone!

Just looked at a lot of the county schedules and dang, yes they are all filled up! Looks like I'll probably be driving to Ross County later this summer. Not too bad.

For some reason a bigger bike seems scarier to me. I guess I won't be riding a little scooter in the training course though. I suppose I won't really know until I get on one.

I really like this one: http://www.genuinescooters.com/scooters/stella/stella4.html#fragment-1 mostly because I always seem to like the most expensive option available. Not really in the budget, ha!

So I guess I'll start the process by getting the temp permit and then registering for the course. After that, if/when I decide to go for it, I'll probably have more questions about exactly what to buy! Thanks again for all of the great feedback.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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Jen...Ross Co. isn't far...if they have an opening, enroll right now. The bikes in the course aren't scary at all...mostly because if it gets busted up...ain't yer problem. :) Blammo is right about being able to get immediately into the Harley course...but we're taking a $350 vs $25 dollar difference and it's the exact same curriculum set up.

And the Stella is freaking sweet. You can pick up a nearly new used one on CL though and get it serviced whenever it needs at a couple different places here...but check out Vespas on CL too...you can get into a 2005 or newer 150cc Vespa for less than $2800...sometimes much less...but like you said...learn to ride first and then decide what you want. Once you finish that 3 day course though, riding a scooter is a breeze. You'll love it.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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Here ya go... ;)
http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/1777908046.html

Posted 1 year ago #
duncanfj

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Stellas are pretty sweet, just be aware most of them (IIRC) are not twist-n-go. I've got a SYM Fiddle II for two years and have loved it. But I just moved a little over a mile from where I work, so I am considering selling it. Hard decision, as it is really fun to ride. I would definitely get your permit. You'll have to have one to test out any scooters from a dealer. And I would strongly suggest you do that so you can get a feel for the different sizes of engines, wheels and weights of the scooters. If you have any questions (or might be interested in a slightly used red Fiddle II), PM me.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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Stellas are 2 stroke engines too rather than 4 stroke like most of the others listed...if that makes any diff to ya. They are producing a 4 stroke, but I don't think those have become available yet.

Posted 1 year ago #
idkwtflol

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AHHH. YOU GUYS. Now I know that CU is the place to go whenever I need encouragement to pick up another expensive hobby...!

Just signed up for a class at the end of August. SO EXCITED! How is this only $25?

I know next to nothing about the technical side of these pretty vehicles, although I would love to learn. I do drive a stick shift car if that helps, not sure if there is any similarity between manual transmissions in the car and bike worlds.

Black Vespa............... I'm in love. The decision process will be difficult for sure.

Posted 1 year ago #
Roland
Clintonville
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@Jen

First thing you need to do is go down to the DMV and get the motorcycle packet. This contains a study manual and forms that you need for your temps.

Here's what the written test was like for me and took it at the Twin Rivers location.

ItÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a 40 question test in multiple choice format. You need to answer 75% correctly to pass. Situations are described in text, and also in pictures. You can skip questions that your unsure of, which is a good practice to use the way the test works. The test ends once youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve answered 30 questions correctly. For me, the test ended after 34 questions. I missed the answers on 4 questions. You can save yourself some stress by just passing on the ones you arenÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t certain of. You may not have to answer them at all.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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I'd always driven manual transmission cars too. I don't think it totally translates to riding a bike, but it helps that you know and can hear and understand when to shift I think. I gotta tell ya though...I didn't have any problems with having a motorcycle and having to shift (other than the fact that I was too short for the thing), but I LOVE not having to think about that. Just cruisin' around and not worrying about coordinating both hands and both feet and making sure I'm not in the wrong gear trying to come out of a turn or any of those variables is sooooo nice. And since I got my new scoot and have been riding around, I've noticed that lots of people smile and wave...nice to feel like I have my hand free to wave back.

And that black Vespa is the sex, isn't it!

I'm glad you got signed up for a class. I had lots of fun in mine.

Posted 1 year ago #
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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I would consider a bajaj chetak as well. It is basically the same bike as a stella or older p series vespa but it's a four stroke as well. You can usually get one well under $2,000. You should go 2-stroke though because they sound awesome and you can get scented oil.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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Tigertree wrote >>
I would consider a bajaj chetak as well. It is basically the same bike as a stella or older p series vespa but it's a four stroke as well. You can usually get one well under $2,000. You should go 2-stroke though because they sound awesome and you can get scented oil.

The chetak is a cool looking bike for sure. It's a bummer they aren't making any more.

Posted 1 year ago #