Modern Buddy

Well I finally took my MSF course and got my motorcycle license this past Monday! I was the girl who wiped out in the alley behind the scooter shop right when I bought my Buddy. After I got it home, my second day practicing in a parking lot I dropped it. My scooter was fine and after sitting for a few minutes I felt okay so I rode it around a bit more and then drove it home. A couple of hours later, the pain kicked in. I seriously sprained my ankle and had to be on crutches for a few days. Then I got a wacky infection in my other leg and was restricted to bed rest for a week. Anyway, after I healed up, I took the MSF class and did great (they let me use my buddy in the class since they didn't have any scooters and I didn't want to learn to shift.) I've been riding every day since then. I couldn't be more pleased with my Buddy. My husband REALLY tried to talk me into getting a bigger one but I'm really glad I didn't (he still thinks I'll eventually "graduate" to a "real" motorcycle.) My Buddy is perfect. Even if I eventually want more power, I'll just get a bigger scooter.

Congratulations!

You've already proven yourself to be a more serious "real motorcycle" rider than lots of people who own big expensive bikes that go real fast or carry badges with the initials "HD". Many of them (in Ohio at least) are either riding with the temps or nothing at all.

Since the Buddy 125 is legally a motorcycle, requiring the same skills and endorsements to ride it, you can just smile and nod whenever anybody suggests otherwise knowing they're wrong and you know better.

note: this is not to say that riders of HD or anything else are inherently less skilled or that a license is proof of skill or anything of that sort. Simply this: you are a real motorcycle rider, and you've made the effort to become a better rider and getting legal - well done.

I'm especially proud of myself since I did it after having a two spills the first 3 times riding. I was really beginning to question whether I made the right decision. I'm glad I stuck with it.

Also, 3 people in my class fell down and I can proudly say that I was not one of them. One of them was hellbent on getting a Harley the first day of class and ended up dropping out before the end of class.

I didn't get by buddy uinti la few days after i had finished the class, so i did have to learn to shift. i've driven manual cars for long enough, i didn't find it difficult except remembering which gear it was in. besides, as soon as i convince my boyfriend to get a nice bike you can bet it won't be a scoot. and it will be one i can ride too.

I can't drive a manual transmission car. I think I've got a learning disability or something that keeps me from being able to do it.

codemonkey wrote:I can't drive a manual transmission car. I think I've got a learning disability or something that keeps me from being able to do it.

"Shiftless?" or "Can't shift for yourself?"


ECS

codemonkey wrote:I'm especially proud of myself since I did it after having a two spills the first 3 times riding. I was really beginning to question whether I made the right decision. I'm glad I stuck with it.

Congrats! I'm always shocked at how many people DO give up... I remember seeing several Buddys on eBay last year all with the same story: "Got one for my wife/girlfriend, she tried it once and fell/got scared or whatever."
Proper preparation and lessons go a long way to building confidence and comfort. I remember when I first got a scoot and was anxious over 40mph. I got over that in short time.

Elm Creek Smith wrote:"Shiftless?" or "Can't shift for yourself?"

"Natural Born Twister"

codemonkey wrote:Well I finally took my MSF course

Hey, I just finished the course today, and passed on my People 150. They were happy to let me use the scooter, my choice, whichever I prefered. The instructors were great. I'm whipped though, after a long two days, with yesterday being done partly in a rain storm! Real world training! This course qualifies in New Mexico for getting the motorcycle license, without having to take another road test thru the DMV. I wonder if other states are any different? I'm hoping it'll reduce my insurance premium too. I'll have to check with GEICO. Onward!