Potholes

BosBuddy · Post by **BosBuddy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:21 pm

Hello All - I'm a new Buddy owner in Boston!
I have a question about potholes (which are everywhere in Boston). It's obvious that I should avoid them, but I'm worried about what will happen if I'm surprised by one. Is it an automatic fall off the bike - or is it not as bad as I think?

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:23 pm

BosBuddy wrote:Is it an automatic fall off the bike

Only if you let go!

For the mega bumps and holes you may actually get a little air between you and the seat, but I wouldn't worry too much about flying off and into the weeds.

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:36 pm

I've run over many many potholes and survived upright.

Though, there are some I have gone to great lengths not to hit.

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:11 pm

I find if you look at the pot hole you are bound to go in to it-your scooter follows your eyes. If possoble look at a path around the hole and the scooter will magicaly go around it. I know this sounds weird but its kinda true.

BosBuddy · Post by **BosBuddy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:24 pm

vitaminC wrote: For the mega bumps and holes you may actually get a little air between you and the seat, but I wouldn't worry too much about flying off and into the weeds.

But I probably would wipe out on a hole big enough to fit the tire, right?

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:41 pm

BosBuddy wrote: But I probably would wipe out on a hole big enough to fit the tire, right?

I guess it depends on what you mean by "fit the tire". For me, there aren't a lot of potholes where I ride, so I can't really say what will cause you to lose control. If you're just starting out, I highly recommend getting some training (like the MSF class) and spending some time around some local streets and such before tackling pot-hole ridden roads at 60+ mph.

As peabody99 pointed out, a big key is that your scoot will go where you look at it, so if you're riding tense and staring hard at all those pot-holes, guess what you're going to hit a lot of? Just relax and do what you can. With some experience you'll figure things out. I don't think I've read on here about anyone going down because of a pothole.

If it looks like it's big enough to swallow the scooter, I would definitely go around!

BosBuddy · Post by **BosBuddy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:51 pm

I'll definitely try to avoid the buddy-eating potholes and try not to stare directly at them. I'm also signing up for the beginners course. Thanks for the advice!

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:14 pm

I don't know about everybody, but i always tend to go the same places on my buddy several times a week (work and school) so i'm familiar with where the deep potholes/ manholes are, and just practice my swerves around them. being in Ks they constantly do construction, so i have the unexpected detours to deal with and less familiar terrain. We also keep very good roads in KS, so potholes usually get fixed quickly.

i keep a good distance between me and the cage in front, i can usually see potholes/dead squirrels or whatever, in time not to go straight over them.

Fueldrum · Post by **Fueldrum** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 7:09 pm

In Lawrence, KS, there are definetely some widowmakers on the roads here. I normally avoid anything that looks like it might even remotely cause me trouble.

cakeies · Post by **cakeies** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:03 am

weaseltamer wrote: We also keep very good roads in KS, so potholes usually get fixed quickly.
.

They fix potholes where you live? that must be nice.

Here in jersey I once saw a pothole so big the entire front end of a lincoln town car fell in nose first and had to be towed out.

I know that sounds crazy but i sware its a true story

JettaKnight · Post by **JettaKnight** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:45 am

Best tip, practice swerving:

http://msf-usa.org/downloads/Scooter_tips-screen.pdf

Personally, I hate speed bumps - though you can get some sweet air off them!

hermitgirl · Post by **hermitgirl** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:12 am

For some reason I found I tended to grip tighter as an automatic reflex to hitting a pothole or bump- perhaps you'll be the same way! I certainly didn't expect that, but it came in handy.

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:55 am

some years ago i heard that KS had the 3rd largest budget in the nation for road maintenence. And they get on weather treating the roads quickly too. to the childrens' dismay. i always notice a differance once we get into Missouri. (plz no one take that personally)

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:51 am

Ironically, today I got (almost) schooled by a pothole.

And I don't really know how to describe what happened. I was changing lanes (a semi was entering the lane I was in), as I did the headcheck and started to pull a little left, clurchunk—huge jolt—and my handlebars turned left-right-left-right...

all wobbly for a short distance. I thought my tire had blown or something for a second, but I let off the gas, concentrated on getting the handlebars to stay straight, got the scoot under control, and everything seemed fine.

Should I be worried? Is there something I should check to make sure the tire is on properly? Or did I just hit a really big hole at a bad angle?

If the latter, I think my takeaway lesson is: if you're going to hit a hole, don't turn the tire while you're doing it, and when doing your head check (and won't see the appoaching hole) make sure you not only stay in your lane, but stay going straight ahead.

More experienced riders feel free to offer better advice

Fueldrum · Post by **Fueldrum** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:39 pm

I agree with weaseltamer, there's defienately a noticeable difference between KS roads and Missouri roads.

But it Lawrence, we prefer to divert our funds to supporting massive western urban sprawl instead of that whole infrastructure thing....

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:18 pm

sunshinen wrote:Ironically, today I got (almost) schooled by a pothole.

And I don't really know how to describe what happened. I was changing lanes (a semi was entering the lane I was in), as I did the headcheck and started to pull a little left, clurchunk—huge jolt—and my handlebars turned left-right-left-right... all wobbly for a short distance. I thought my tire had blown or something for a second, but I let off the gas, concentrated on getting the handlebars to stay straight, got the scoot under control, and everything seemed fine.

Should I be worried? Is there something I should check to make sure the tire is on properly? Or did I just hit a really big hole at a bad angle?

If the latter, I think my takeaway lesson is: if you're going to hit a hole, don't turn the tire while you're doing it, and when doing your head check (and won't see the appoaching hole) make sure you not only stay in your lane, but stay going straight ahead.

More experienced riders feel free to offer better advice

It sounds like you experienced a bit of a "tankslapper". These can range from fairly mild to quite violent and it sounds like yours wasn't too bad. They can be caused by road irregularities, potholes, washboard surfaces, all kinds of things. The last time I felt oscillations like this I was on a different bike going over a whole bunch of railroad tracks at different angles. No major bumps, nothing violent, but my bars still jerked pretty hard. It can be quite unsettling, especially if you only have one hand on the grips.

Hard to say if you should be worried. My gut reaction is "no". But you should check both wheels and tires for any obvious damage. If a tire looks damaged call your scooter shop for advice. If a wheel looks bent, you also have issues but you might be able to ride in to the shop. Again, call them for advice. Check the wheels along the edge of the rim (where the wheel meets the tire) for any sort of malformation.

If the wheel damage is minimal your tire will still hold air. If you find your tire or tires losing air pressure, you may have a damaged wheel, even if you can't see damage.

scooterbuttons · Post by **scooterbuttons** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 5:47 pm

Bent forks can happen with potholes. A few people I know with ET4s this happened to

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:19 pm

gt1000 wrote:
It sounds like you experienced a bit of a "tankslapper".

That sounds about right! It was like the steering was bouncing off one side and then the other. Definitely an "Oh Sh*t!" moment that seemed to last entirely too long.

I've looked everything over and it seems fine. I had a nice long bumpy ride yesterday with no problems.

scullyfu · Post by **scullyfu** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:23 pm

re: potholes and the new italia white wall tires with tubes. has anyone had a blowout while going over potholes on their italia? and just how prevalant are blowouts on tube tires anyway? anyone have any experiences with this scenario? how difficult is it to change a tire on the buddy? thanks.

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:40 pm

sunshinen wrote:
gt1000 wrote:
It sounds like you experienced a bit of a "tankslapper".
That sounds about right! It was like the steering was bouncing off one side and then the other. Definitely an "Oh Sh*t!" moment that seemed to last entirely too long.

I've looked everything over and it seems fine. I had a nice long bumpy ride yesterday with no problems.

After your kind of experience, you should immediately pull over to the
side of the road and do a once over to see if anything got damaged.

1. Check the tire, any cuts, slices, holes? Does the rim indicate an impact
[marks on the metal, bends]. Sometimes you can hear a hissing sound
as air escapes.

2. Roll ahead at a slow speed, let off the gas, listen for any sounds, such
as clunking, metal rubbing.

3. While rolling, is there any vibration in the steering, sort of a wobbling
feeling.

4. Check the front fender area. Look for oil. I don't know the construction
of the Buddy's shocks. Could be simple springs. But if they are oil filled
shocks, sometimes an impact with the pothole will blow the seals. Not
to easy to do, but it can happen. Your description does not sound like it
came even close to happening, if you blew the shocks you would know it
and most likely would have done a high side ["high side" is where you
are thrown over the front of the scooter. "Low side" is where you hit the
ground sideways, typically with the scooter landing on top of you. Neither
are less harmful than the other].

5. If everything checks out, get back on the road and pay attention for
the next few miles. Ride in the slow lane if you are on a four lane road.

6. Once home, let the scoot sit for 24 hours, then check it again in daylight.

7. If you suspect anything might be amiss, take it to the dealer for a
checkup and analysis.

Bonus Comment: In the Buddy's storage compartment I keep lots of stuff
including a very bright flashlight. That light comes in handy at night when
you have to check out the bike for damage.

Sidenote: It takes a pretty harsh pothole to damage a vehicle's shock
absorption system. Odds are that such a pothole would have been fixed
by the city or county before it gets to the point where it could "take out"
a scooter, motorcycle or car. Of course, some cities, like SF where I live,
have lots of less aggressive potholes that will wear out struts and shocks
over a period of time [usually about two years of daily driving].

tam · Post by **tam** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:28 am

I've hit my fair share or nasty potholes here in PA, both on motorcycles and a few times on the Buddy. While not having had any mechanical problems as a result of it, I did quickly learn to ride with my jaw shut. At first if I hit a pothole and had my mouth open, my teeth would snap together. Had my tongue been in between, I would've definitely gotten hurt.

So, jaws shut and breath through the nose in holey areas

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 2:23 pm

tam wrote:I've hit my fair share or nasty potholes here in PA, both on motorcycles and a few times on the Buddy. While not having had any mechanical problems as a result of it, I did quickly learn to ride with my jaw shut. At first if I hit a pothole and had my mouth open, my teeth would snap together. Had my tongue been in between, I would've definitely gotten hurt.

So, jaws shut and breath through the nose in holey areas

Tam, I totally forgot you're a neighbor! I hear ya on the potholes issue. I've had major success with the pothole reporting webform on http://potholes.phila.gov/. I've reported two gigantic craters on my daily commute route, and both have been filled within 48 hours. Give it a shot for yours!

PS: Do you ever ride with the Hostile City Scooter Club? Those guys are pretty rad, and a bunch of them ride the Genuine Buddy. Dig: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HostileCitySC/ I hope I get to see your lovely blue kustom kolour soon!

Modern Buddy

Potholes

Potholes

Re: Potholes

Re: Potholes

Re: Potholes