FWM - Friends with Motorcycles

[bicyclerider]

So,
Hi all to the forum. We're new to the Scooter family here.
My wife and I will be owners of a Buddy and a Blur later this week. We are both super excited.
I have asked just about all of my friends that have motorcycles to go ride with me, to show me some ropes and some neat routes outside of town.

They have all said, in a nice way, they don't want to mix their motorcycle riding with my Scooter. They all looked at me like I was nuts, first, then looked at me like I was asking them to hand over the keys to their cycle.

I understand it somewhat. But two wheels is two wheels. And some of you may say, why would I want to go ride with a Harley/Honda when their are so many cool scooter owners out there?
Just a conversation I wondered if anyone else experienced or if I was alone out here. I'd be willing to bet if I told them I got a Ducatti, they would be all about riding with me.
Mark

[polianarchy]

Man, those turkeys are acting all jerky! What a drag.

I'm with you: two wheels = same. Perhaps it is time to make some new [riding] friends? I bet you dollars to donuts (mmm, donuts) that there are some rad scooter enthusiasts in your town.

[Keys]

Bicyclerider, I just ride with 'em anyway. I go on all the Harley rallys and rides around here. After I proved my dedication surpassed their own, they have come to accept me as, well, if not one of their own, at least somebody they can wave to as we pass...in fact, in my blog I have a couple write-ups and several pictures of my Buddy at various biker functions.

--Keys

[Tbone]

Weird, so far round here most people who actually ride have been supportive to me?! It's those who don't actually ride a 2 wheeler that I've been getting the most static from?!

The only problem I could see is our top end is still like 2nd gear for them.

Other than that. Practice is practice. Looking through turns, quick stops. Figure 8's...those are all VERY applicable skills to have.

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

Also, it's been crammed down my throat by my mother, the law enforcement people my wife asked (She works at the CA Capitol), on here, members of Modern Vespa as well as actual riders I've talked to ALL PUSH the Motorcycle Safety Course!!!

[mandelia]

They have all said, in a nice way, they don't want to mix their motorcycle riding with my Scooter.

how odd... i've had the exact opposite reaction! i work with a bunch of people that ride motorcycles and they treat me like their little brother (i guess it helps that, at 24, i'm the youngest of the bunch by far). they've invited me to a number of biker rallies, and i've even ridden with a couple of them on shorter rides.

in terms of "the wave", i almost never get one from guys on sport bikes (they're too busy pretending like they didn't see me), and often the more cavalier (read: helmetless) bikers ignore me, too. but for the most part, i've felt accepted, even though i'd be kidding myself if i thought any of them considered me a "biker"

But two wheels is two wheels.

this reminds me of what one of my coworkers said: "hey--whatever it takes to get you out on the road on two wheels"

[louie]

Man, those turkeys are acting all jerky! What a drag.

I'm with you: two wheels = same. Perhaps it is time to make some new [riding] friends? I bet you dollars to donuts (mmm, donuts) that there are some rad scooter enthusiasts in your town.

that's because scooters are rad, period.
mmm, donuts.

[jrsjr]

They have all said, in a nice way, they don't want to mix their motorcycle riding with my Scooter.

There's two ways to look at it:

The Buddy Way - At least they were nice about it. Scooters are for enjoying life at your own pace and you'll find plenty of folks who'll enjoy riding at that pace.

The Blur Way - Who the $#!@ do those jerks think they're talking to??? Just wait 'til we get a "big bore" kit for the Blur! We'll be back to kick their @$$3$!!!

Either way, take your time learning to ride. Have fun. And Welcome to Modern Buddy.

[beelzebubbles]

I'm guessing it's because they want to go fast, and they're worried the scooter won't be able to catch up. That's kind of understandable, although it's too bad they don't want or are unable to make time for you on some other occasion.

If they go slow and they still don't want your scooter, it's probably because they have an image issue. I have to admit, I'm not too fond of that. But I think those people are missing out on the complete picture of what 2-wheel camaraderie is all about. It's their loss.

[gt1000]

They have all said, in a nice way, they don't want to mix their motorcycle riding with my Scooter. They all looked at me like I was nuts, first, then looked at me like I was asking them to hand over the keys to their cycle.

I have no idea how old you or your friends are but I'd chalk this up to a lack of maturity. Part of the baggage that goes with owning a bike is image and, for many bikers, image is everything. Many new sport bike owners feel the need to go faster than they're capable and many new cruiser riders (who happen to be meek dentists during the week) feel the need to look bad-ass.

If you've been riding for a while, you begin to understand that bikes and scoots are more about the RIDE (the actual act of riding somewhere), not the rider and not what you're riding.

And while we're talking about the ride, group rides and mixing new riders with more seasoned riders, remember that when you ride in a group you're more likely to exceed your abilities. If you're new to group riding remember to ride the ride you're comfortable with, don't be goaded into going faster than you want. The difference in skill level between a new rider and someone riding for years can be astounding. An easy and comfortable corner entry speed for them could really freak out a newbie.

[360]

I remember the first day I rode it was like the United Nations. I called a friend of mine to ride with me and he showed up with his friend, each of us had a different style bike.

I had my Blur.

Friend had a sportbike (Ducatti).

Friend of friend had a big cruiser.

They were real patient with me, letting me do some practicing in the parking lot before riding out. I appreciate it, cuz I know my friend is a speed freak and he definitely wasn't speeding (much) on this ride.

As for general "waves" its about half and half. Actually, scooterists are just as likely (if not more) to not wave as bikers are...I chalk that up to either because of my weird mutant hybrid scooter/sport-bike-looking Blur being unsuitable to their vintage tastes...or because they're just yuppies who don't know the 2wheel code. ha

[bicyclerider]

great discussion everyone.
My goal as a new scooter rider, is to apply my bicycle riding experience (on the road techniques) to my scooter riding.

I ride about 15 hours/150 miles a week and race road and mountain bikes regularly. I can handle a bicycle down a hill at 50+ mph or in a group of 60 racers at 30 mph. So, I certainly think some of it will transfer pretty easy. I actually have dual piston disc brakes on my mountain bike, which feel somewhat close to the Blur brakes.

My theory riding in town, out in the country is similar to that of a motorcycle. I never make assumptions with vehicles, ever. I always presume, they don't see me, or are going to pull out in front of me.
Thankfully, I have never been in a near accident on my bicycle and am always amazed even on the country/county roads how respectful "farmers" can be to a bicyclists. We always find, if you 'own the road' when needed, it can prevent drivers from passing in a blind corner or crossing the yellow up a blind hill etc. Most of the time, they have no idea a bicycle has the same rights on the road as a vehicle.

The wave hi theory... I am sure is similar to the bicycle rider thing. There are some on super expensive bicycles or more experienced 'racer types' out there that won't even wave a finger to some out on the road or even on our bike path. If I ride my mountain bike on our bike path, some 'roadies' won't even see you or say hi etc. So, I feel ya all on two wheel wave.

[RisingSunset]

An acquaintaince of mine with a motorcycle has mentioned riding with me. This guy seems pretty unusual but in a good way.