New scooter, new excitement, new questions

[scoots4me]

Hi! I'm a brand spanking new scooter owner/rider and I could not be more excited! Since I'm so super new, I'm feeling a little insecure on my Buddy and am limiting myself to local streets in my 'hood for now. I've been cruising this site for a few weeks and I just wanted to say hello and thanks to everyone. Your posts are helpful, inspiring, and just downright fun. I'm so happy to be a part of the scooter community. Now if I can only get enough practice to make it out far enough to an Atlanta meet up...

Here are my newbie questions so far:
1: can anyone give me some more insight with regards to speed bumps/humps? I've been avoiding them so far b/c I'm scared I'll hit bottom. Am I being paranoid or are there certain kinds I need to be awre of?

2: ok, this is totally vain and maybe really girlie, but has anyone figured out a way to not have your forehead sweat so much in the front of your helmet? (I SWEAR I'm not always this vain)

I'm sure I have tons more questions. I'll hold back now so as to not make a fool of myself. Thanks for being here everyone!!!

[Othergods]

Welcome,

I have a buddy who lives a little north of Atlanta (Bethlehem) I am trying to talk into a Buddy. Unfortunitely I am also new and can not really answer your question, but can only add support. I am on day 3 of owning my Buddy and got the nerve to negotiate a traffic light and go to the store lol.

Good luck and have fun.

[ericalm]

Hello, new peeps. Welcome!

For the speed bumps/humps: Slow down as you approach. Do not approach at an angle, take them straight on. Don't grip the handlebars too hard. When you get to the bump, raise up off the seat a bit so it won't jolt you.

You won't bottom out on a bump/hump. Maybe a deep deep pothole (always good to avoid) but not anything intentionally put into a street or parking lot.

For the sweat: Ah, depends on the helmet. Do you have vents in the top? Are they open? Maybe consider a sweatband or bandana? Too Harley for you, maybe?

[jrsjr]

Welcome to ModernBuddy!

Here are my newbie questions so far:
1: can anyone give me some more insight with regards to speed bumps/humps?

I hate 'em. If I can, I try to find a way I go around them. Sometimes they put a little "valley" in the middle of a hump so I run through there. Otherwise, you'll probably not hit bottom, but if that concerns you, you can take it at an angle, rather than straight on, so you're less likely to bottom out. [EDIT: Please disregard this last suggestion. Don't do that as it could be very dangerous, especially if the bump were wet. You could fall very easily that way. SO SORRY for the bad advice I gave out. 50 lashes with a wet noodle for me! ]

2: ok, this is totally vain and maybe really girlie, but has anyone figured out a way to not have your forehead sweat so much in the front of your helmet? (I SWEAR I'm not always this vain)

Not vain or girlie at all. You just need to get a helmet that's better ventilated. Ask around at your local scooter/motorcycle/gear shop and tell them that ventilation is a big concern for you. Also, get them to help you find a helmet that correctly fits your head shape and size. That's important for comfort and safety.

-John

[jfrost2]

You know how to stand on a bicycle right? You just push up with your legs on the pedals and hold onto the handle bars, do the same for the buddy when you approach a speed bump, slow down to a slower speed, then stand up before you touch it, also give the bike a TINY bit of throttle, thick causes the weight to be pushed all on the back tire which relives to front tires hit when you hit the bump.

[ericalm]

Welcome to ModernBuddy!

Here are my newbie questions so far:
1: can anyone give me some more insight with regards to speed bumps/humps?

I hate 'em. If I can, I try to find a way I go around them. Sometimes they put a little "valley" in the middle of a hump so I run through there. Otherwise, you'll probably not hit bottom, but if that concerns you, you can take it at an angle, rather than straight on, so you're less likely to bottom out.

Heh—exactly the opposite of what i said! We have humps, rather than bumps, most places here. i was told that taking them at an angle can cause the back wheel to skid sideways. For bumps, an angle may be better. I could be wrong!

Like John, I often go around them.

[babblefish]

I like to wheelie over them...

[MikieTaps]

I like to wheelie over them...

I wanna see pics!!!! hahahaha

[brimstone]

welcome and congrats! on the speed bumps, just take it easy. don't have a death grip on the bars while going over them...or anytime for that matter. when your going over anything in the road(speedbump, 2x4) or what ever, you're supposed to approach it at 90 degrees(perpindicular), not at an angle. watch out for sand or gravel while making turns, don't brake during a turn, brake before it and keep your speed constant. take an MSF course as soon as you can, they'll teach you a ton of stuff. good luck, have fun and ride safe!!

[jrsjr]

[Heh—exactly the opposite of what i said! We have humps, rather than bumps, most places here. i was told that taking them at an angle can cause the back wheel to skid sideways. For bumps, an angle may be better.

Your answer is correct. I apologize for giving out bad advice. I have seen some pretty severe speed bumps, I'm thinking of one near where I live in particular, that is so ridiculously high, that folks go out of their way to avoid it. I've crawled over it crosswise in my car to avoid bottoming., was what I was thinking about. However, particularly if the road were wet, going over one crosswise, as I suggested, would be a huge mistake.

Thanks for the head-up!

[scoots4me]

thanks everyone! this is so helpful...and for the record, i'm already looking into the MSF course. sadly they're all booked until July/Aug but I guess that is better than nothing. I should be hitting both speed bumps AND rr tracks as I venture to the gas station this weekend (my first out of neighborhood cruise...eeek!) so i'll let you know how it goes. i am so glad you all are here to swap info with and have general banter - what a great community. i'll make you all proud.

[MikieTaps]

thanks everyone! this is so helpful...and for the record, i'm already looking into the MSF course. sadly they're all booked until July/Aug but I guess that is better than nothing.

If you want to get in sooner, ask your dealer if they have any relationships with MSF schools or classes in the area, alot of times they will be able to get you in sooner

[illnoise]

I'd say for speed bumps, if you go through the dent in the center, you're MORE likely to bottom out, because your wheels will fit through that gap but the rest of the body might scrape on it. I've never bottomed out on a speed bump, and I have some scooters with only 5" or so of ground clearance.

Yeah, take 'em at a 90° angle, straight on, and not too fast. Don't brake while you're going over them, keep your weight on your feet and not on your butt, and you'll be fine.

With just about any minor road obstacle, if you don't have the space/time to calmly get around it or stop, you're usually better off hitting it at a right angle, hands off the brakes, and keeping your weight low. You don't wanna hit something WHILE you're panic braking and swerving. (That might not be the official MSF line, but it's served me well.)

[Dooglas]

I have found RR tracks to be far more treacherous than speed bumps. Speed bumps - just slow down and everything will be okay. RR tracks - you have to, absolutely, positively, must, take them exactly square on (right angles) preferable at low speed. Be prepared for a bit of a skip as you go over them. Rain will make it even worse. Don't even ask about metal bridge gratings.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, will help your self confidence and skill level as much as completing an MSF. Sign up for one ASAP if you haven't already.

[scoots4me]

ok, don't worry i am totally going to sign up for the MSF course but is it normal for me to feel really nervous about it? i mean, i'm determined to milk it for all it is worth and be a very safe and prepared scooter rider but i read this disclaimer and it freaked me out. it said if the instructor basically thinks you don't have it in you, they'll flat out fail you (but you can still complete the course). i've never driven a motorcycle and this is my first scooter experience. plus, i don't know how to drive a manual car (yes, yes, i know i should have learned). so will i be able to take that course and show it who is boss? i feel like the answer is "heck yeah" but you all seem to have way more experience. i know it cannot hurt me in the long run at ALL - i just need to know that the basic course is REALLY for basic/new folks. i'm just starting to get comfortable on my buddy and now i have to get on a motorcycle?

[jfrost2]

I had 0 experience on anything, motorcycle or scooter when I took my class, I came out riding like I've known how for years. My instructor was a jerk and made some rude comments since I had said I bought a scooter (he asked what bikes we own/want), but I passed and got my license.