How to deal with neighbors moving my scoot

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:29 pm

kind of pisses me off that people don't accept scooters as vehicles too. when my gf parked her scoot in a full parking lot where everyone wanted to park, they got pissed off. lol

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:23 am

I've had my scoot moved a couple times. once in a Kmart parking lot by a fat ass red neck, I saw him doing it, the center stand folded up as he was doing it and he laid it down. I SAW him doing it he denied it to my face! The other time at work, someone in an upstairs office 'had' it moved so she can get a delivery. They called my boss to move his 'real' motorcycle, didn't think it was important to call me about my scoot!!!! I was LIVID, read them the 'riot act' I was LAUGHED at by one person I worked with about getting 'excised' over it! Bastard came after me when I got cegar ashes (accidently on purpose) on his car........some people.

Tricia · Post by **Tricia** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:10 am

Dude.

If someone touched my scooter, there would be BIG TROUBLE. I've been known to flip out.

Ha! Maybe get some NRA stickers or install a gun rack on your scooter.

rickko · Post by **rickko** » Fri May 01, 2009 6:38 pm

dru_ wrote:Being in Cali, there are two pertinent items of information, both worth placing upon your scooter in a laminated sign labeled warning:

This vehicle is classified as a motor vehicle by the state of California.

It is illegal to park this (or any other licensed motor vehicle) on the sidewalk. (22500 (f) VC)

Here is another excerpt from the CVC about m/c parking that might not be well known:

"22502. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter every
vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there are adjacent
curbs shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of such
vehicle parallel with and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb,
except that motorcycles shall be parked with at least one wheel or
fender touching the right-hand curb...."

This is a very old law in CA. I remember back in the late '60s when the Hells Angels hung out at the beach a lot in my neighborhood. That was a common ticket they'd get, not having a m/c wheel touching the curb. They'd park two or three or four bikes in a parking space. Harassment? Nahhhhhh! Efficient parking making more space for cages? You bet.

Besides the m/c parking requirement in this Code it was interesting to note that autos must have their wheels Parallel to the curb. They can't be turned in or away from the curb. Of course that conflicts with the proper procedure for parking on hills but, oh well! There's always something a LEO can write you up for.

So, the question is. Do you always park your scooter or m/c with a wheel touching a curb?

..rickko..

Apiarist · Post by **Apiarist** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:22 pm

things i wouldn't do, but are fun to think about in times like these:

1. verify the offender(s) and mail them a box of dog doo

2. subscribe them to various and many magazines

3. (similar to 2.) use their name and address to sign up for adult catalogs

4. start a free website(s) with the perp's name as the URL and post all about their sccoter moving shenanigans on the web.

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:03 pm

federal offenses are not clever revenge techniques

Coffeejunkie · Post by **Coffeejunkie** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:24 pm

I think we may be looking at this whole thing the wrong way. Instead of trying something sinister, melt their hearts with cuteness. Just put this little guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLdQ3UhLoD4 on your scoot with a sign that says "Your constant violation of my scooter has made my lemur sad, please give him scratches to apologize."

thehypercube · Post by **thehypercube** » Tue May 19, 2009 8:52 am

OMFG I just caught somebody in the act! I heard a radio loud out in the street like a car with the door open. Its a narrow one way... so then i hear my center stand fold up and i look out and theres this tall pony tailed girl trying to push my scoot up. Its like 1 am!!! I had adrenaline racing but I wasn't dressed to go down to the street... I yanked the blinds cord and throw up the window and yell HEY WHAT DO YOU THINK YOURE DOING? she kind of fumbles for words and doesnt say much as she is struggling to keep it balanced as I watch in horror. I say DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT YOURE DOING? DO YOU KNOW HOW TO PUT IT ON THE STAND? she has no clue and it's pointing up a steep incline (pointing up the hill only way to keep it on the center stand.) she kneels down and I thought she is trying to operate the center stand with her hand. She says "You dont have to take up all this space you know". Im hardly taking up any but the way the cars parked to the curb tonight there would be a sedan sized space if she moved it. I yell at her IVE GOT A VEHICLE REGISTRATION, JUST LIKE YOU HAVE FOR YOUR CAR. that was the last of it in front of the house. she props it up but it doesnt look right from my 2nd floor window. she runs to her car and speeds off. i get up and get dressed to check what she did... its on the SIDE STAND facing straight up hill!

I am so pissed. I went for a walk with my bike U-lock tucked in my waistband putting my hand on silver car hoods to see if they're warm. then she drives by me but doesnt know its me. i play it cool like i'm paying her no attention and walk up the hill some more. nissan versa LIC# 6DIF008 but I am not totally certain on the last 3 digits. i kind of just walk around some and then see her walking towards her place. i dont want to get too close to let on i'm spying but i know generally a 3 house range of where she lives now. i zig zagged through some neighborhoods but couldnt spot where she finally found a parking spot. i just had to go do this to know what/who to look out for in the future. my blood is boiling too much to sleep. may have to look into this xena alarm after all, but a concern is that the noise will startle somebody into letting go of my buddy and running off while dropping it. especially im not around to pick it back up and the fluids go in all the wrong places :/ i'm not even worried about theft, its a good neighborhood generally speaking. bah ok i need to go to sleep. ill be a wreck @ work tomorrow as it is.

ScootStevie · Post by **ScootStevie** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:09 am

Well I bought it...it'll go off way before they have it off the stand. Do you lock the stering as well?? Also the Xena will stop in 10 secs if its left alone. I really think this will do you well. Model number for buddy is XZZ6

thehypercube · Post by **thehypercube** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:20 am

I always lock the steering except in my work garage which is high security.

MAJensen · Post by **MAJensen** » Tue May 19, 2009 12:56 pm

topic6523.html

This might help a bit. I also saw somewhere. Some one had about 3 or 4 feet of metal that they ran through the loops on the feet of the center stand to keep it from falling over in the wind. I wonder if you combined the two ideas if it would be to much of a pain and they would just give up?

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Tue May 19, 2009 12:59 pm

to the center stand locking pin mod. Was just about to suggest that myself!

Did you remember to call the police?
It's a good thing you didn't find where she parked, walking around seeing red, ready to deal out U-lock justice. C'mon, man. Keep your head. Brains, not brawn. Play it smart and to your advantage!

Rippinyarn · Post by **Rippinyarn** » Tue May 19, 2009 1:03 pm

Nicely played sir. The leaning out the window thing is excellent. I'm glad that you didn't actually find her car 'cause crazy things can happen.

Let us know how the brake disc alarm turns out. Failing that (or in addition to that), I might get some plain white background/black text bumper stickers printed up that say "Do not move this alarmed vehicle - the owner is probably watching you right now".

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:30 pm

call the cops, you caught someone attempting to steal your scooter and you got there plate number.

that whole parking space story is just a cover, wink wink

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:55 pm

Ray Knobs wrote:call the cops, you caught someone attempting to steal your scooter and you got there plate number.

that whole parking space story is just a cover, wink wink

Everytime you call the cops, usually they brush it off saying "you have no proof, so we cant help you"

My dad was ran off the road by a huge truck once on his scooter nearly. he followed the guy and wrote down his plate number and took it to the cops, the cops didnt care, they just said they had no proof the truck did what was claimed, so end of story.

The majority of police dont even count scooters as vehicles, so they will be prejudice and have been many times toward scooter riders.

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Tue May 19, 2009 2:56 pm

this *almost* happened to me a few weeks ago. I parked my scooter in the very last legal space before the "No Parking Past Here" sign and as I was a few feet down the sidewalk, an SUV zoomed up and pulled over in front of my scooter (it was not legal to park there, it would have blocked a driveway).
She got out (SUV still running) and walked around, looked at my ride and looked up and down the street until she saw me. She just stood there...I just stood there, helmet in hand...and waited until she left. Grrrrr.....

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Tue May 19, 2009 3:23 pm

jfrost2 wrote:
Everytime you call the cops, usually they brush it off saying "you have no proof, so we cant help you"

The majority of police dont even count scooters as vehicles, so they will be prejudice and have been many times toward scooter riders.

Seriously, your "statistics" on this are based on that one occurence and you are applying that to police everywhere. That's like us getting judged by that one scooter or motorcycle riding idiot out there that we have all seen.

I would call the police and file a report at least. The only way that they will even know to be paying attention is if they are informed. You may get someone more sympathetic than last time, and I agree that I would tell them you thought someone was trying to steal the scooter or at least vandalize it.

Vic · Post by **Vic** » Tue May 19, 2009 4:11 pm

I doubt the police would go after the girl based on your report, but you could ask for them to increase patrols in your area. I don't know if that would help much, but it might be worth asking about, and it would let the police know that there is a problem. The next time you catch someone, I would be on the phone reporting the theft/vandalism in a heartbeat, maybe snapping some pictures also.

-v

Angela · Post by **Angela** » Tue May 19, 2009 4:27 pm

I'm still amazed they move your scoot with the headset locked.

I would not have been as cool as you were in the situation. My Italian temper would flare up. I would defiantly have called the police.

Look into the Xena and look into the alarm system mentioned in this thread:

topic10618.html

The centerstand pin would be good too.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:06 pm

bluebuddygirl wrote:
jfrost2 wrote:Everytime you call the cops, usually they brush it off saying "you have no proof, so we cant help you"
The majority of police dont even count scooters as vehicles, so they will be prejudice and have been many times toward scooter riders.
Seriously, your "statistics" on this are based on that one occurence and you are applying that to police everywhere. That's like us getting judged by that one scooter or motorcycle riding idiot out there that we have all seen.

Give the kid a break... I was at least 22 before I realized that I didn't know everything yet.

thehypercube · Post by **thehypercube** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:08 pm

Thanks everyone for the replies. I sure do feel a lot better and calmer after some sleep, but I could use a heck of a lot more sleep than I got. Guess thats where the coffee comes in. To the replies about the consequences of finding the car, after the initial feeling of wanting to smash in the windows I really wanted to find it to just verify the end of the license plate #. Not that letting the air out of all 4 tires didn't cross my mind

I didn't call the cops because I don't believe they would do anything. I spent some time searching the internet for the laws broken by moving the scooter. It's not clear to me what law is being broken. Certainly not theft since there was no intent to permanently deprive me of the property. I thought to snap some photos but the only camera nearby was my phone and it wouldn't have picked up any detail in that light or at that distance. The center stand locking mod looks great.

With the Xena lock, can anybody who has this let me know just how sensitive it is? Can you adjust the sensitivity? Does it go off if a car with low engine sound drives past? Wind? Thanks!

Kaos · Post by **Kaos** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:29 pm

thehypercube wrote:Thanks everyone for the replies. I sure do feel a lot better and calmer after some sleep, but I could use a heck of a lot more sleep than I got. Guess thats where the coffee comes in. To the replies about the consequences of finding the car, after the initial feeling of wanting to smash in the windows I really wanted to find it to just verify the end of the license plate #. Not that letting the air out of all 4 tires didn't cross my mind

I didn't call the cops because I don't believe they would do anything. I spent some time searching the internet for the laws broken by moving the scooter. It's not clear to me what law is being broken. Certainly not theft since there was no intent to permanently deprive me of the property. I thought to snap some photos but the only camera nearby was my phone and it wouldn't have picked up any detail in that light or at that distance. The center stand locking mod looks great.

With the Xena lock, can anybody who has this let me know just how sensitive it is? Can you adjust the sensitivity? Does it go off if a car with low engine sound drives past? Wind? Thanks!

Actually, I believe moving your vehicle from where you left it *IS* theft.
Just because they wern't planning on keeping it, doesn't mean they didn't take it away from where you left it.

Angela · Post by **Angela** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:43 pm

thehypercube wrote:Thanks everyone for the replies. I sure do feel a lot better and calmer after some sleep, but I could use a heck of a lot more sleep than I got. Guess thats where the coffee comes in. To the replies about the consequences of finding the car, after the initial feeling of wanting to smash in the windows I really wanted to find it to just verify the end of the license plate #. Not that letting the air out of all 4 tires didn't cross my mind

I didn't call the cops because I don't believe they would do anything. I spent some time searching the internet for the laws broken by moving the scooter. It's not clear to me what law is being broken. Certainly not theft since there was no intent to permanently deprive me of the property. I thought to snap some photos but the only camera nearby was my phone and it wouldn't have picked up any detail in that light or at that distance. The center stand locking mod looks great.

With the Xena lock, can anybody who has this let me know just how sensitive it is? Can you adjust the sensitivity? Does it go off if a car with low engine sound drives past? Wind? Thanks!

The Xena should only go off it the headset is moved. I don't think you can adjust the sensitivity. If you do a search you will see many posts about it.

Try calling the police non emergency number and ask what laws could have been broken by moving your scooter.

Hwarang · Post by **Hwarang** » Tue May 19, 2009 5:49 pm

Hi,

I'm new here (and to scooters), so go easy on me.

Although this thread was totally hilarious, I would advise an evasive maneuver as a solution rather than outright war. People tend to get all kinds of wiggy about their rides. It doesn't matter if you are on two or four wheels or even grabbin' the yoke of a VTOL aircraft. People take this stuff personally because they identify with their vehicle (more so here in America). This can lead to some serious escalation, and before you know it someone has a pound of flour in their vents that will cost $800 to extract.

Maybe there is some rockstar parking you can ninja? What kind of place do you live in? If it's an apartment complex, maybe a spot on the side of the building, out of sight? If it's a house, maybe in the alley or some such? Yes, you could take up a whole parking spot but maybe there's a little nook to stuff your scoot? Maybe it's even better than a regular spot.

Trying to re-educate or dominate someone who would touch your scoot is probably a pointless endeavor. If you must, just call the cops every single time, without fail.

My silly suggestion is to make some tagboard stencils and spray paint "scooter parking only" in the best spot.

Good luck!
-B

thehypercube · Post by **thehypercube** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:07 pm

Hwarang wrote:Hi,
Maybe there is some rockstar parking you can ninja? What kind of place do you live in? If it's an apartment complex, maybe a spot on the side of the building, out of sight? If it's a house, maybe in the alley or some such? Yes, you could take up a whole parking spot but maybe there's a little nook to stuff your scoot? Maybe it's even better than a regular spot.

Hi thanks for adding to the discussion. It's city street parking. I used to have a sweet spot right next to my place that is just scooter-sized and no cars can fit there. The next door neighbor has rights to it for the last few months and until mid june because of a construction permit. I can't wait until that is over with.

laxer · Post by **laxer** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:12 pm

Thehypercube, does your name have anything to do with the sequel to the "cube" movie?

thehypercube · Post by **thehypercube** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:17 pm

laxer wrote:Thehypercube, does your name have anything to do with the sequel to the "cube" movie?

it doesn't.

ScootStevie · Post by **ScootStevie** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:29 pm

You cant change the sensitivity, but a car going by wont set it off. Like Angela said, you have to take it off the stand...or shake the bike. That'll scare them off

rickko · Post by **rickko** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:33 pm

jfrost2 wrote:My dad was ran off the road by a huge truck once on his scooter nearly. he followed the guy and wrote down his plate number and took it to the cops, the cops didnt care, ...

Where I live you can always call 911 if you have license number and just report the fool as a suspected drunk driver. It gets investigated. Hopefully the registered owner gets harassed by DMV or Highway Patrol or local police dept.

..rickko..

laxer · Post by **laxer** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:41 pm

thehypercube wrote:
laxer wrote:Thehypercube, does your name have anything to do with the sequel to the "cube" movie?
it doesn't.

That makes me a very sad panda

But I do find it funny that you have the same name as an obscure movie and it's just a coincidence, so that makes me happy again

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:42 pm

Xena lock/alarm sensitivity is adjusted by placing the lock either more vertical or more horizontal. Straight up and down/vertical is the most sensitive. Horizontal is the least. But personally, I have yet to encounter a scenario where it is too sensitive...

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Tue May 19, 2009 6:48 pm

Hwarang wrote:...and before you know it someone has a pound of flour in their vents that will cost $800 to extract...

Nice idea!

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:21 pm

I would buy the loudest, most sensitive alarm I could find and leave it armed all the time. Start going to bed around 8 p.m., and set your alarm for every four hours after that. When you wak up, go out ot the scooter and set off the alarm. When the comlaints start rolling in, tell them you have no choice because your scooter has been moved so many times, risking injury to the scooter, to the person moving it and to the cars parked nearby.

After a few nights of this, you should be able to stop arming the alarm and I would be willing to bet nobody is going to take a chance moving it.

To put it another way. A dog only needs to be shocked by an invisible fence once or twice before you can take the collar off and he'll never go near the fence again.

JNV · Post by **JNV** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:47 pm

Shoot them in the ass with a 12 gauge shot gun loaded with rock salt. they won't be able to sit down for a month.
But then I live in Texas, we all carry guns here.

thehypercube · Post by **thehypercube** » Tue May 19, 2009 11:40 pm

KCScooterDude wrote:I would buy the loudest, most sensitive alarm I could find and leave it armed all the time. Start going to bed around 8 p.m., and set your alarm for every four hours after that. When you wak up, go out ot the scooter and set off the alarm. When the comlaints start rolling in, tell them you have no choice because your scooter has been moved so many times, risking injury to the scooter, to the person moving it and to the cars parked nearby.

After a few nights of this, you should be able to stop arming the alarm and I would be willing to bet nobody is going to take a chance moving it.

To put it another way. A dog only needs to be shocked by an invisible fence once or twice before you can take the collar off and he'll never go near the fence again.

Now THAT is a funny suggestion! I know it would totally work too.

Anyhow, I just got off the phone with a local scoot shop that I've purchased tons of gear from and trust a lot. They are listed on the Xena site as a distributor, but the shop doesn't carry them. The owner told me just now that they really want him to carry the product. They've been sent a sample that they'll leave on on a disc lock display in the store and it will just go off for no reason. The company says "Oh, must be a defective unit" and sends another that does the same thing. I do appreciate that many of you use the xena, but this guy has yet to steer me wrong.

I am going to go with a cover for now.

olhogrider · Post by **olhogrider** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:39 am

KCScooterDude wrote: A dog only needs to be shocked by an invisible fence once or twice before you can take the collar off and he'll never go near the fence again.

You haven't met my dog. He's like the velociraptors in Jurassic Park. Constantly testing. Whenever the power is out, so is he!

LisaLisa · Post by **LisaLisa** » Wed May 20, 2009 3:28 am

My Xena XZN6 never goes off by accident (takes some motion- like straightening the wheel after unlocking the steering column) and certainly not when it's off the bike and the lock pushed in. You do have to be a ninja

to unlock it without the warning beep going off, though, because it hangs loosely on the brake disk.

Maybe the lock at the store has a dirty sensor.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Wed May 20, 2009 4:15 am

olhogrider wrote:
KCScooterDude wrote: A dog only needs to be shocked by an invisible fence once or twice before you can take the collar off and he'll never go near the fence again.
You haven't met my dog. He's like the velociraptors in Jurassic Park. Constantly testing. Whenever the power is out, so is he!

That's an above average dog!

My golden is so neurotic and needy that we can leave the gate open and she won't leave the yard. It's nice to be needed. That's why they make great pets!!!

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Wed May 20, 2009 4:22 am

Yeah...don't try that invisible fence trick with a herding breed...or a thick-skinned breed...especially not a thick-skinned herding breed!

My rottweiler has a HIGH pain threshold and hyperfocuses on things that move and can be herded. She's knocked me airborne more than once! I got her an electric collar to fine-tune her training, and all she does when I hit the charge is look at me puzzled, then keep on going. She responds to the beep more than the buzz!!

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:52 pm

Poison Ivy the scoot!

brimstone · Post by **brimstone** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:41 pm

is there a mailbox or light post near where you park? chain that thing up and then let them try and move. hehehe

Modern Buddy

How to deal with neighbors moving my scoot

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