Practice session: Feeling for the limits of the Blur

[NathanielSalzman]

So yesterday I did something I haven't done since my early days of scooter riding. I scooted out to a big parking lot and did some practice. On previous lot missions, I've practiced panic stops and slow turns. For this visit, however, I went out to the lot with the express purpose of practicing evasive maneuvers. This particular parking lot is especially great because it only has parking stripes painted the surface, so no physical obstacles. This makes it ideal for choosing a point or path I want to curve inside of, but it's ok if I don't make it. I got a great feel for the edge limits of the scooter and the way it scrubs speed in a deep turns. I even scraped the center stand just a touch. That was satisfying.

So yeah, practice is great, and now I feel a whole lot more confident about swerving maneuvers and the brake-then-swerve (not brake-AND-swerve) coordination. But more than anything, now I have a much better feeling for the handling limits of the Blur and I just couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. The Blur just has no business handling as good as it does. It's just amazing.

I rode off and zipped around the SW suburbs of Minneapolis for about an hour with my new-found appreciation for how deeply I could chuck the Blur into corners. It was just SO much fun. So yeah, had to share the love.

[beelzebubbles]

Awesome! I have to admit the Blur is the funnest scooter I've ever ridden so far (add 100cc and not too much more size/weight, and I'll ride it for 20 years!).

[nickwhite44]

The Blur is a great scooter. You've inspired me to go out to the parking lot this evening if I have time. The local MSF class uses a lot really close to me so I usually go there. The lot has all of the lines and points used in the class marked on the pavement.

[AYBABTU]

NS my hat is off to you!!! It is so refreshing to see people who take the time to re-visit the basics. I have seen people pass there MSF and ride for some time only to forget the fundamentals (looking through the turn,braking, scanning, counter steer.....) As an ex-MSF instructor and ex-sportbike rider I want to give you a gold star! I have been guilty of falling into the "zone" and thinking-----I could had done that smoother, or worse, "boy ,I was lucky". Since most scooters fall into the no-clutch lever, no foot shifter variety it is so easy to get complacent with your riding skills. With the increasing level of cars dominating our roads, we have to stay sharp.

With a scooter like the Blur (stompin' brakes and suspension) you can actually push it further than the run of the mill scooter; and if your basiscs are solid, you'll be amazed how you can ride this scoot.

Last week I came upon a group of 3 Harley guys on a twisty that is favoured by the local two wheelers. Of course when the road was straight, they blew me away, but when we hit a stretch of what I refer to as "linked" chicanes, I drove around them on this little 150cc scooter and my fat butt! Nothing against the Harley guys (I owned one once), but the Blur is a scooter that you can ride aggressively---provided you got the basics! Kudos NS!

[NathanielSalzman]

Thanks!

It didn't hurt that I'd just gotten done watching a Moto GP race that Sunday! After that practice session, I felt so much more confident. I highly recommend.

[AYBABTU]

Was it the one at Assens (in Holland)? If so--_Rossi blew it, and Stoner totally OWNED that track! Moto GP rocks!

[Racenut]

MotoGP, this week, Laguna Seca

I should cruise down there on the Blur and show them how it's done

[AYBABTU]

MotoGP, this week, Laguna Seca

I should cruise down there on the Blur and show them how it's done

RIGHTEOUS!!!!