Perception of Speed: Scooter vs. Motorcycle

[Bolbos]

I realize this is related to a previous post of mine but I wanted to try to get a more specific answer this time around. I'm up on the whole 'perception of speed' thing, now that I experienced it (22mph!) and have read the board suggestions that it's a natural phenomenon that lessens with time. Someone in the other thread mentioned that the perception is exacerbated with scooters vs. taller bikes.

So, I'm interested in any comments from those experienced with both motorcycles and scooters and if there's a greater 'speed perception acclimation' period on scooters. My short test drive on a Zuma 125 @ top speed of 22mph seemed to arouse my senses more than the Suzuki 250 during my MSF a couple weeks previous. And I mean 'arouse' in a bad way, because it made me very acutely aware of speed/danger.

I'm toying with the idea of finding a Honda CRF 230L Dual Purpose to sit on/test ride as the look and utility of these things really appeals to me (the wife, however, wouldn't be happy if I got something other than a scooter). This bike would obviously sit a few inches higher than a scooter and feel a bit more substantial up front, etc., and I wonder if something like that might actually lessen the gap for me regarding feeling 'speed sensitive' at low speeds. Or, do all bikes/scooters pretty much experience the phenomenon the same? Thanks in advance....

[Dooglas]

Well, certainly smaller, lighter bikes give a greater sensation of speed than larger, heavier ones - and bikes without windscreens give a greater sensation of speed than ones with. Doing 55 on a Buddy seems damned fast, while freeway speeds on a Honda Goldwing (large, heavy, full fairing w/windscreen) seems more like freeway speeds in a car. The 22 mph sensation you are describing is mostly inexperience and unfamiliarity with the ride however. I personally don't notice that higher versus lower to the ground makes much different in my own sense of speed. A Suzuki Burgman (large, fast maxi-scooter) is lower than a Buddy after all. You may ultimately prefer a dual sport to a scooter - your call - but I wouldn't pick one or the other based on how uneasy you feel on your first ride at 22 mph .

[jmazza]

I don't have a lot of experience on anything other than a scooter but I think it makes perfect sense that the sense of speed is greater on a smaller bike. It's the same thing in a car, I think.

The seated position of a scooter also affects that. We're basically sitting on a chair going 50, 60, 70, or even 88 mph. So the idea that you'd feel it more on a small scooter is right on. However, how that affects you or any other rider is more subjective. I think you'd need to do more test rides to have a sense for that.

[Bolbos]

Just the kind of replies I was looking for...thanks much to all.

[ericalm]

People adjust and adapt to what they own and ride. I'm sure if I were to get on most motorcycles, I'd have trouble with the seating position, arm placement, etc., after spending so much time on scooters.

I used to say that I got uncomfortable riding the Buddy for over an hour or so. But after some time, I adjusted to it and it ceased to be a problem.

Same goes adapting to speed sensation, wind and so on. When I added a windshield to my Vespa, I had to adjust to the new flow of air. Same when I changed to a full helmet. Even that speed sensation is different on my different scooters.

Whatever it is, you get used to it!

[siobhan]

I'm toying with the idea of finding a Honda CRF 230L Dual Purpose to sit on/test ride as the look and utility of these things really appeals to me (the wife, however, wouldn't be happy if I got something other than a scooter). This bike would obviously sit a few inches higher than a scooter and feel a bit more substantial up front, etc., and I wonder if something like that might actually lessen the gap for me regarding feeling 'speed sensitive' at low speeds. Or, do all bikes/scooters pretty much experience the phenomenon the same? Thanks in advance....

I find that I feel like I'm flying on the CRF230, just like on the Buddy, because it weighs nothing. I don't feel a difference because of the height, but the weight. When I think about the Buddy v. the Vespa P, it feels like I'm going a lot faster on the Bud; again, because of weight. Then again, I'm constantly switching between scoots and bikes so I'm probably not a good resource.

You just need to pick a bike. If it's not the right bike, sell it and get something else. Buy used. That's the best advice I can offer to someone who doesn't know what they want yet.

[MGM1]

In the space of about a year, I've had three 2 wheeled vehicles. Started with a Buddy 50, moved quickly to a Black Jack, and this spring got a Royal Enfild motorcycle. The 50 never seemed fast. And at 200 lbs. slowing below 30 on hills was an issue for me. The Black Jack would go faster than I dared in the beginning, but I got used to it quickly. After the Black Jack, the Enfield really had no sensation "excessive" speed. In fact on tight city streets the Black Jack seems (and probably is) "faster" because of the handling. I just rode a 50 cc yesterday for the first time in several months. It seemed SO slow.

FWIW, the Black Jack is actually just about as fast as the Enfield. Not as quick on acceleration, but both top out at about 70 indicated (without help from wind hills etc.). It's great to have both because each is a blast in very different ways.

[jasondavis48108]

I have to say that tire size makes a big difference, not that you don't get used to whatever it is your riding. I was amazed at how much more stable the SH150 felt with its 16in wheels. In my view this makes it somewhat less fun to ride but I can see where the stability would appeal to others. When I only had the Buddy 50 I never thought much about it because I was so used to it but now that I have both it is really quite a dramatic difference. If your wife would be much happier with you on a scooter then you might want to check out some of the bigger wheeled scooters and see how you feel on those.

[SteveK]

My short test drive on a Zuma 125 @ top speed of 22mph seemed to arouse my senses more than the Suzuki 250 during my MSF a couple weeks previous. And I mean 'arouse' in a bad way, because it made me very acutely aware of speed/danger.

I see this as a positive not a negative. You should be acutely aware of speed/danger. You will die just as quickly on a DR250 at 50mph as a Buddy. Only the Buddy reminds you of that fact a tad bit more....

When the reality is you may be safer on the scooter. Much less vertical height to lay her down. You're nearly on the ground to begin with. The pass through allows you to not get pinned and drawn with the bike as easily as a motorcycle too. The bulbous shape of scooter bodies present themselves as more protective to you and them in such an event.

[rockraines]

Moving from my Ducati back to the blackjack makes me feel incredibly unstable, however the speed is not an issue. The handlebars feel so extremely low though.

[Kaos]

I feel like I'm going much faster on the scoots than I do on my Honda CB-1. Its largely due to it being smaller, more maneuverable, and closer to the ground.

75MPH on the Buddy feels a whole lot like 90MPH on the CB-1.