Modern Buddy

It seems that the powers that be in Massachusetts are starting to think about separate licenses for scooter operators as opposed to motorcyclists.

So, instead of having to get a motorcycle license for a scooter that's over 50cc, you would get a scooter license. Similar test, but no shifting portions and maybe harder slow-speed maneuvering.

Conversely, the motorcycle test would get harder and include more shifting.

Don't know how close it is to happening, but when I was talking with the RMV about the MSF courses, I put up a little stink that I wasn't allowed to use my Buddy to take the course.

He said that it's possible that 3-wheelers and scoots would soon have their own classification at the DMV.

I also found out that scoot-specific safety courses are available, but they don't do them in MA anymore because we have such a short riding season and he said scooter riders aren't as serious as motorcyclists.

I'm irritated on a few levels and encouraged on others. I think it's important that we let the legislature know how important scooters are becoming as transportation and that we want more attention and rights.

As an example, I'm still afraid to take up a parking space in downtown Boston because my Buddy is so tiny. So I have a motorcycle plate and will likely get a ticket if I park on the sidewalk. But taking a whole parking space seems ludicrous.

Thoughts?

I don't like that idea very much. So much about riding a scooter (at least the speed and in traffic part) is no different than an MC. I feel like a "scooter license" would do more to make scooters seem like toys. Also where would they draw the line? Shift/No Shift? A certain CC size? At what point is a 500cc or higher maxi-scoot a motorcycle just because you don't shift and it has a step-through design?

However, I see the point. I took my DMV test on my scooter and now I have a full Motorcycle license, even though I haven't ridden a motorcycle in years. The fact that I could legally hop up on a Hayabusa and ride on the freeway doesn't seem right either.

As for parking, that's a dilemma we all face. I was posting in the "NEED to VENT" thread that I pretty much always park legally in a space but I'm always worried about my scooter getting hit and I think I'm going to start exploring more "creative" options... it doesn't make a lot of sense that a Buddy 50 which is the exact same size as a Buddy 125 can park legally at a bike rack but the 125 can't.

Thankfully I don't often park on city streets, just parking lots (mostly private) so I think I can get away with more. And I know that lobbying local government would be the best way to get laws changed.

After going in for an "L" class license in Chicago I realized that the written test is exactly the same for an "M" the driving test might be a tiny bit harder but after watching this muscle man on a giant harley try to maneuver through tiny lanes lined with cones I was glad to be on my Buddy!
BTW in Chicago anything under 150 can get an "L" class and I was able to easily argue my Buddy 150 was really a 147.something (as it actually is) and get the L with no problem.
Cheers!

The muscle man FAILED the test (Miserably!) But was nice enough to congratulate me when I passed!

Yeah, in states where there's a "Motor Driven Cycle" class, the test is really pretty much the same, (here, the course is just a hair smaller, which technically makes it harder, when you think about it) it just depends what bike you're taking it on.

Aside from shifting, the skills to ride a scooter and a motorcycle are pretty much exactly the same. There aren't different classes for manual vs. automatic cars, and there's not an easier class for people with compact cars, so I don't know why that's the case with motorcycles and scooters.

I know people complain about how hard the test is on this list all the time, but it's just poorly written, it's an easy test (at least in IL) and the riding test is cake, if you can't pass that, you really shouldn't be riding in traffic.

I think the test should be *harder*, and educational resources should be better, for car *and* motorcycle licensing, but I don't see any difference between a 50cc scooter and a 250cc motorcycle as far as riding fundamentals, aside from foot shifting.

I really like the idea of tiered licensing like in Europe ie… getting a license for 51cc to 399cc 400cc to 749cc 750 to 999cc and 1000cc and up… or something along those lines. I know personally, I can get a M endorsement with no problems at all on my Buddy, but I have NO BUSINESS getting on a liter bike or bigger. I would be willing to take classes and learn, and work my way up, it would be quite gratifying I would think to be able to qualify, test, and get “higher” licensing… I think it would save a lot of lives… And for those of us worried about increasing the number of unlicensed riders, they should increase the penalty for that. In WA, they can impound your bike for being un-licensed or improperly licensed…

I dunno... I went from a Buddy to a 900 (technically, 865cc) motorcycle, and pretty much everything transferred over as far as skills/riding proficiency, it was just a bit of an adjustment.

I think you have to have a decent amount of respect for your machine to do that though, and I definitely took my time getting used to the differences...


I really like the tiered license approach, though. That'd be wise, I think.

Most scooterists and responsible riders like the idea of a tiered licensing program. Sadly, state governments, motorcycle manufacturers, and the kind of people who buy a Hayabusa or Fat Boy as a learner bike, seem to be against it, and no one cares what we think.

Yeah, when I say the "L" class is dumb, I'm not slamming a tiered system, I just think it should be more difficult to get on any bike, and then progressively more and more difficult to step up to bikes that (even though the riding principles remain the same) require a higher level of expertise and maturity to handle properly.

After doing many road trips across the country, I did 12,000 miles in just a couple months a couple years ago. I was thinking that they should have tiered licensing for cages too. For long stretches of roads in the middle of nowhere perhaps being allowed to travel at greater speeds with a higher tiered license. Taking extra tests, and extra professional driving lessons, and getting something that identifies your vehicle and the driver as being licensed to “speed” a license plate frame, or a decal on the back window or something... This all processed through my head mostly because I was tired of worrying about cops on those road trips. I know it is totally impractical, and probably more dangerous, so feel free to hold you idea bashing, I am just jealous of the Autobahn…

I read on the MSF website according to their standard that you are able to use your scooter to take your MSF BRC.

Why shouldn't you be able to use your scooter it is classified as a motorcycle.

ryder1 wrote:I read on the MSF website according to their standard that you are able to use your scooter to take your MSF BRC.

Why shouldn't you be able to use your scooter it is classified as a motorcycle.

In Massachusetts you are not allowed to use your scooter in the beginner courses. Everyone in the class must use their fleet of motorcycles. Nobody can use their own machine.

If you found this somewhere official I'd love to get the link. I would be THRILLED to use my Buddy for the course.

You can use your scoot for the test.

The kicker is that I am only taking the course to get my skills up, not for the license as I've had that for 17 years!

Insanity.

**I sent a letter to my senator bugging him to look into introducing tiered licensing in Massachusetts. I'll let you know what he says.**

One of the instructors at my MSF last weekend told me the school bought two scoots. I liked learning how to ride an MC, though. I think tiered licensing based on engine size is a great isea. Overall, I think it's too easy to get a license in this country.

"he said scooter riders aren't as serious as motorcyclists".

that is complete BS. I cannot believe he was serious. around here scooters are the first out and the last to leave. Many of us ride year round save ice on the road (which is most of Jan and Feb). b/c so many MC riders insist on no helmet or gear, they often have to wait for it to hit at least 50 to ride or freeze their face off.

charltons wrote:Overall, I think it's too easy to get a license in this country.

in alabama if you have had a drivers license since 1990 you automatically have a mc license. if not you have to answer 20 out of 25 questions to get a mc license.
easy? oh yeah. i got mine before i'd ever even riden anything.

ryder1 wrote:I read on the MSF website according to their standard that you are able to use your scooter to take your MSF BRC.

Why shouldn't you be able to use your scooter it is classified as a motorcycle.

In the Team Oregon basic riders course you can use your own scooter or small motorcycle with the permission of the instructor. The inspection is primarily to verify that the scoot is safe to ride in the course - and not over 250cc. It appears there is quite a bit of variability state to state in opportunity to use your own scoot or to use a school scoot rather than a small motorcycle.