Hi everyone, I've been regularly reading this forum for a year, saving up money to buy a Buddy, and then waiting for warmer weather. Just bought a black 07 125 today at Scooterworks. (It was $250 less than the 08s, and it would have been another month before they had 08s in black.) Needless to say, I am very excited.
This question is geared more towards fellow Chicagoans. What is your usage of (if any) Lake Shore Drive. Obviously, it's full of potholes now, but do you use it frequently, or at all? Any suggestions / guidelines / warnings? I wouldn't be using it to commute since I take the El downtown, but it would be nice to use at other times. After all, the spectacular views are even more enjoyable on two wheels.
For people elsewhere, what is your experience with divided 8 lane quasi-highways (or something similar). FYI, the speed limit on LSD is 40 or 45 MPH depending on the season (though 55-60 is the default cruising speed, approaching the upper limit for the Buddy).
Thanks,
-Andrew
P.S. Special thanks to the moderators, regular contributors, and members of this forum for providing so much useful and fun information. After reading MB religiously for a year, I knew exactly what I wanted and felt very informed and comfortable going into the purchasing process.
Lake Shore Drive
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She-Buddy
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ScootLemont
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peabody99
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I don't live in Chi, but am familiar with the road. I have to say I would pass on rush hour or other very high speed traffic times. I would not be suprised if they are going even faster than you think. The best thing to do is try the route on a Sunday morning for a short run in the right lane. Probably closer in to town the better would be my guess. As far as riding in the loop, I would for sure-that is where the Buddy is king-in speedy urban traffic. Another thing I found with our Shoreway in Cleveland is the less merging and lane changes I need to do the better (for Clevelanders I only run the portion west of the river, off peak hours). I avoid completely in high winds. We still are shaken by a local shoreway- windscreen- flyweight girl, disaster story
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illnoise
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Yeah, it's a mess right now. The potholes are bad enough, but there are frost heaves that could launch you into the air like a motocross ramp. Be really careful.
AFAIK, it's legal if you're on a M-class license/bike (150cc+), but I'm nervous on there certain times of day/year. besides the potholes, the wind is nasty sometimes, and the traffic is very unpredictable.
It is a great ride, though, when road condition, traffic, and weather cooperate.
Bb.
AFAIK, it's legal if you're on a M-class license/bike (150cc+), but I'm nervous on there certain times of day/year. besides the potholes, the wind is nasty sometimes, and the traffic is very unpredictable.
It is a great ride, though, when road condition, traffic, and weather cooperate.
Bb.
2strokebuzz: When news breaks, we put it under a tarp in the garage.
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jmazza
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Sounds a little like US 1, which I ride on every day. Speed limit is 45, practical speed is closer to 55. Other than this one stretch near the airport where the speed limit bumps up to 55 and people go close to 70, the Buddy eats it up for lunch.
It's busy, and you have to be aware, but it's totally doable.
But again, I'm only going on my experience on what I think is a similar road.
It's busy, and you have to be aware, but it's totally doable.
But again, I'm only going on my experience on what I think is a similar road.
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Ed Hit
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I commute on or next to it pretty often, going downtown in the AM.
Potholes on the northside are rotten, but south of montrose or Irving they lighten up.
I am still a little on the new side to scootering, so stay conservative... By next to it, I mean I take ashland down to Wilson. Then I take look at the traffic at Wilson. At least at the time I go (8-9 AM), traffic is generally pretty backed up, and going a lot slower (20-35 MPH range). So I get on, make lots of eye contact and gently swerve right to left in my lane for visibility. If it stays pretty slow, (usually does through Fullerton) I stay in the second lane to avoid people merging in. After that, I usually transfer into the right lane and pick up to around 45 MPH (indicated). I usually keep that going until North ave.
If traffic is moving fast at Wilson, I take Inner drive to Montrose and re assess. And so on to Irving and Belmont.
Agree with Illinoise on the wind, especially going over the North overpass. But I am getting a little too close to 250 (dang pizza), and with my windscreen feel pretty good. I rode through a good portion of the winter so got pretty used to the wind. Have not had the "Sailing" effect that some people report.
The nice thing about Lake shore, is you can pretty much get off wherever, and take some combination of inner drive or sheridan to pretty much the same place.
Going norht bound, i have never been tempted. Too often traffic is a little too fast, with lots of crazy exit jams at fullerton/North for the beach, or Belmont for a Cubs game. I just take Clybourn to Ashland.
I have not and seriously question whether I ever would take it when traffic is moving quickly. Just see too many people going way too fast and passing on the right. I am a little on edge in my corolla, much less a scooter.
MSF in 2 weeks, so perhaps they will scare me out of it.
FWIW, Ed
Potholes on the northside are rotten, but south of montrose or Irving they lighten up.
I am still a little on the new side to scootering, so stay conservative... By next to it, I mean I take ashland down to Wilson. Then I take look at the traffic at Wilson. At least at the time I go (8-9 AM), traffic is generally pretty backed up, and going a lot slower (20-35 MPH range). So I get on, make lots of eye contact and gently swerve right to left in my lane for visibility. If it stays pretty slow, (usually does through Fullerton) I stay in the second lane to avoid people merging in. After that, I usually transfer into the right lane and pick up to around 45 MPH (indicated). I usually keep that going until North ave.
If traffic is moving fast at Wilson, I take Inner drive to Montrose and re assess. And so on to Irving and Belmont.
Agree with Illinoise on the wind, especially going over the North overpass. But I am getting a little too close to 250 (dang pizza), and with my windscreen feel pretty good. I rode through a good portion of the winter so got pretty used to the wind. Have not had the "Sailing" effect that some people report.
The nice thing about Lake shore, is you can pretty much get off wherever, and take some combination of inner drive or sheridan to pretty much the same place.
Going norht bound, i have never been tempted. Too often traffic is a little too fast, with lots of crazy exit jams at fullerton/North for the beach, or Belmont for a Cubs game. I just take Clybourn to Ashland.
I have not and seriously question whether I ever would take it when traffic is moving quickly. Just see too many people going way too fast and passing on the right. I am a little on edge in my corolla, much less a scooter.
MSF in 2 weeks, so perhaps they will scare me out of it.
FWIW, Ed
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Queen
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When I lived in the city I had a friend with a Harley, he was afraid of going fast so I'd take it out for him once a month or so and run it up and down the Drive. People drove like complete idiots so I think I'd feel a bit vulnerable out there on a scooter...except early on weekends, then I think it'd be a lot of fun!