Wow! Today, riding for some reason, I moved back on the seat, where the handlebars were about at arms length. What a difference in turning and
leaning! It seems so much easier now. I have short legs, and always sat
way toward the front so I can reach the ground better when I stop. It's all about the little things, huh? WOOT!
just a little butt move...
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purple
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ScootStevie
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Skootz Kabootz
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I totally sit at the rear of the seat. Pretty much with my butt on the seam between the drivers and passengers area. Much more comfortable for me (I am 6'1"). I think being able to do that is what made the long ride to Amerivespa so manageable.
One thing I'l have to consider should I ever buy a Vespa, is what to do about the split level seat. I don't like being forced to sit forward.
One thing I'l have to consider should I ever buy a Vespa, is what to do about the split level seat. I don't like being forced to sit forward.
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Lostmycage
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Skootz Kabootz wrote:I totally sit at the rear of the seat. Pretty much with my butt on the seam between the drivers and passengers area. Much more comfortable for me (I am 6'1"). I think being able to do that is what made the long ride to Amerivespa so manageable.
One thing I'l have to consider should I ever buy a Vespa, is what to do about the split level seat. I don't like being forced to sit forward.
Check out 
Scoot Richmond's new site: My awesome local shop.
Scoot Richmond's new site: My awesome local shop.
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ericalm
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Purple, the only thing to be wary of when riding with arms fully extended is that you're less flexible and not able to absorb and react to bumps as well.
Pirate does great work, but they're not cheap!
There are some Pirate Buddy seats here:
http://www.pirateupholstery.com/Seat%20 ... 0Other.htm
(Their server is very slow today, it seems…)
One fave:
If you're using the original cover, you can usually have a seat cut down locally (or do it yourself) and have the cover stretched to fit. (Of course, you could also have a local upholsterer make a new cover, too.)
For the Buddy, I much prefer the shape of the BlackJack seat to the stock one.
Skootz, what's this about getting a Vespa someday?
Pirate does great work, but they're not cheap!
There are some Pirate Buddy seats here:
http://www.pirateupholstery.com/Seat%20 ... 0Other.htm
(Their server is very slow today, it seems…)
One fave:
If you're using the original cover, you can usually have a seat cut down locally (or do it yourself) and have the cover stretched to fit. (Of course, you could also have a local upholsterer make a new cover, too.)
For the Buddy, I much prefer the shape of the BlackJack seat to the stock one.
Skootz, what's this about getting a Vespa someday?
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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Skootz Kabootz
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Old Geezer
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Butt Back
I always ride with with arms flexed and hands loose, but your comment about sliding back on the seat intrigued me. On the way to work this morning, I moved back only about three inches from my usual position. There was a noticeble improvement in handling. I never ride with arms fully extended. If something nasty comes up, it's very difficult to take evasive action.
Old Geezer
Old Geezer
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Vic
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Re: just a little butt move...
You might try something I think I read over on Scooter Diva about how to help when the leg to ground ratio very closely matches the top of seat to ground ratio.purple wrote:Wow! Today, riding for some reason, I moved back on the seat, where the handlebars were about at arms length. What a difference in turning and
leaning! It seems so much easier now. I have short legs, and always sat
way toward the front so I can reach the ground better when I stop. It's all about the little things, huh? WOOT!
Look at those horse riders that ride dressage (sp?) they sit up almost ramrod straight with perfect posture, but the important thing is their hips are rotated a little bit to the front, like they are sticking their bellybutton out in front.
I have no idea why it works, but it actually does! for some reason, I get a few extra inches of leg length without having to scootch up forward on my seat and I can reach the ground much better. I can't flat foot, but I have much better control when I sit like that at a stop.
Cheers,
-v
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chelsea
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A tip that I've found helpful, being that I have short arms/legs/pants/etc:
Something I've noticed with scooterists is the tendency to ride with your elbows close and tight to one's body. While that position is best when working out your computer ergonomics, it leaves you in a position that is pretty crap for maneuverability.
Therefore, when you slide back on the seat a bit for greater comfort, you end up w fully extended arms, which are crap in an emergency steering situation as mentioned above.
To get the comfort of being further back on the seat without losing your ability to safely evade something, try rotating your elbows out away from your body a bit. Your elbows should be bent a smidge too. You'll feel a bit more on top of the handlebars than usual. Doing so allows you to ride with your arms extended further, but the slightly bent elbows allow you to manage the potholes better and deal with any emergency situations you encounter.
I'll see if I can't find someone to pose so that I can take a couple of photos of this, as I may not be explaining myself well.
Two tips if you feel as if your wrists are in a weird position when riding this way. First, make sure you aren't hanging on with the vulcan death grip. White knuckles are unnecessary. And second, there are a bunch of gloves on the market that actually have a little bit of lift at the back of the palm away from the thumb. It's something I actively seek out in my gloves to help not feel all carpal-ly.
Something I've noticed with scooterists is the tendency to ride with your elbows close and tight to one's body. While that position is best when working out your computer ergonomics, it leaves you in a position that is pretty crap for maneuverability.
Therefore, when you slide back on the seat a bit for greater comfort, you end up w fully extended arms, which are crap in an emergency steering situation as mentioned above.
To get the comfort of being further back on the seat without losing your ability to safely evade something, try rotating your elbows out away from your body a bit. Your elbows should be bent a smidge too. You'll feel a bit more on top of the handlebars than usual. Doing so allows you to ride with your arms extended further, but the slightly bent elbows allow you to manage the potholes better and deal with any emergency situations you encounter.
I'll see if I can't find someone to pose so that I can take a couple of photos of this, as I may not be explaining myself well.
Two tips if you feel as if your wrists are in a weird position when riding this way. First, make sure you aren't hanging on with the vulcan death grip. White knuckles are unnecessary. And second, there are a bunch of gloves on the market that actually have a little bit of lift at the back of the palm away from the thumb. It's something I actively seek out in my gloves to help not feel all carpal-ly.