I was meeting up with the local scooter crew For the fireworks last night when tragedy struck, my scooter tipped over! So as I stood there with a blank stare, I picked it up and there wasn't a scratch on it. After much surveying I found a couple scratches which were almost non existent. Long story short, my buddy falls like a champ I love my scooter and I'm throwing a prima pipe on her today so be expecting another thread.
ScooterTrash wrote:Long story short, my buddy falls like a champ I love my scooter and I'm throwing a prima pipe on her today so be expecting another thread.
P.S.
Side kick stand is getting removed today
Removing the kick stand will not prevent your scooter from falling over.
Dolcegita had her 1st drop yesterday. A pickup truck came over the hill took quickly for us to make a left turn that she slipped under me and fell over. I was devasted. After examining her, she suffered a small scrape on her Series Italia top case and a bearly noticeable scratch on the undercarriage of the leg shield. The truck driver was extremely apologetic, stopped to make sure I was ok, and then blocked traffic in the oncoming direction so that no one would hit us. I think he felt guilty about gunning it up that hill so fast. Will the chrome cowls, legshields and fenders prevent scrapes such as these? Is there touch up paint available for the Series Italia? Thanks, Smarting Dolcegita.
I didn't have them install the full chrome kit on my Vespa and now completly regret it!!!
I had them install all the cowel and back stuff but kept the front part off. I liked the look of her "naked"
11 days 126 miles later I was making a left hand turn and had a low side spill. The chrome took most of the fall/slide damage. IF I had the full chrome some of the body damage would have been avoided. The chewed handgrip and busted turn signal would still have met their fate but that body damage wouldn't be there.
It's worth the cost PLUS on a SI...man it'll look SUPER sharp!
"Life Is all about ASS! You're either covering it, laughing it off, kicking it, kissing it, busting it, or trying to get a piece of it!"
Removing the kick stand will not prevent your scooter from falling over.
I'm not sure removing the side stand will accomplish anything. I was actually following a Buddy the other day and the rider was quite a bit larger than me. I was surprised at how much the rear monoshock was compressed under his weight. I then noticed that there was only a few inches of clearance between the center stand and the pavement, on the left side of the bike. At least I'm pretty sure it was the center stand, I was riding and couldn't really fixate on it. I'm not sure if anything else is low enough to drag.
At any rate, if you're looking to save a few ounces removing the side stand might help. If you're looking to lean more in left handers, I think it's the center stand holding you up.
Andy
2006 Buddy 125 (orange), going to a good MB home
2009 Vespa 250 GTS (black)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800 (black)
2008 Ducati Hypermotard S, traded for Tiger 800
I removed my center stand becuase of how much it would scrape and catch on the pavement when doing some lefties. For me it was an accident waiting to happen.
The issue is that the side stand isn't as stable as the center stand. Even using the center stand, a strong wind (as has been discussed in other threads) or a hard bump from a car door could knock the scoot over.
I have seen people circling our scoters when parked, checking them out. Some come very close to touching them; some may have, for all I know. I've heard stories of strangers trying to sit on parked scoots. Wouldn't take much for some dumbass to accidentally knock a scoot off a side stand. There was even a video going around a few months ago of an Ugly American in London jumping on someone's ET and knocking it over. Grrr.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
I have had people sit on my scooter before when parked, they think it's some kind of toy or something, they even mess with the mirrors. Hate tham, I should sit on their car and see how they feel.
Someone sat on my scoot right in front of me. I was hanging out with a group of people, and when I turned around, one of 'em had settled down on my scoot seat. I didn't say anything, because I want people to get comfortable with scoots, and because on a previous occasion I sat on somebody else's Vino in the very same spot (to see if it fit me better than the Fly I owned at the time, which it did). But I think from now on I'll let 'em know I'm not comfortable with it. I've dropped the Buddy often enough myself without having somebody else add to the damage.
Hasn't happened to me yet. I did however years ago park my 1965 Chevy Impla convertible at the mall with the top down. Just ran in to pick up my watch or something. Came back to find an elderly gent just sittin in the driver's seat. "Um. Can I help you Sir?" He apologized and told me of his little "drive" down memory lane. I relaxed and was glad he enjoyed the moment.
However, I seem to be older and more paranoid now. Don't even touch the scooter.
xtetra wrote:Is it that the spring on the side stand isn't all that stong that some of you prefer to use the center stand?
I use the center stand because it seems more stable to me, it differentiates scoot from cycle, and it's easier to get to as soon as you get off the scoot.
However, I use the kick stand when airing tires or checking tire pressure.
You don't wanna get mixed up with a guy like me. I'm a loner Dottie, a REBEL.
I bought my first scooter last week (Buddy 125cc, and I LOVE it!). What I have done to discourage people from sitting on my scooter is to strap my helmet to the seat while I am gone. I haven't had any issues so far.
Collin wrote:I bought my first scooter last week (Buddy 125cc, and I LOVE it!). What I have done to discourage people from sitting on my scooter is to strap my helmet to the seat while I am gone. I haven't had any issues so far.
Collin, how do you do this? That's a GREAT idea! Pictures, please.
I will post pictures tonight when I get home. Basically, though, while my seat is up, I just strap my helmet around the smallest part of the seat (near the hinges), then close the seat. You kinda have to slide the helmet onto the seat after you close it. It is kind of annoying, but hey, I don't want anyone on my scooter w/o me knowing. This is the first brand new vehicle I have ever owned
Collin wrote:I will post pictures tonight when I get home. Basically, though, while my seat is up, I just strap my helmet around the smallest part of the seat (near the hinges), then close the seat. You kinda have to slide the helmet onto the seat after you close it. It is kind of annoying, but hey, I don't want anyone on my scooter w/o me knowing. This is the first brand new vehicle I have ever owned
AUGH!!! Brilliant!!! I'm using this next chance I get. Thanks so much!
Collin wrote:I will post pictures tonight when I get home. Basically, though, while my seat is up, I just strap my helmet around the smallest part of the seat (near the hinges), then close the seat. You kinda have to slide the helmet onto the seat after you close it. It is kind of annoying, but hey, I don't want anyone on my scooter w/o me knowing.
I'd like to see those pix, too. It sounds like a great idea!
So......I have pics but I cannot figure out how to upload them. I keep getting the message that my pictures are too big. I have uploaded pics to other websites and not had this issue before...any ideas?
Collin wrote:So......I have pics but I cannot figure out how to upload them. I keep getting the message that my pictures are too big. I have uploaded pics to other websites and not had this issue before...any ideas?
Good thing my thread got jacked, a lock would be good
Collin wrote:So......I have pics but I cannot figure out how to upload them. I keep getting the message that my pictures are too big. I have uploaded pics to other websites and not had this issue before...any ideas?
upload them to photobucket or something similar and then [ IMG ] link them here
I usually open my pics folder, highlight the picture and click the "Email this file". It gives you the option to make pictures smaller. I then save a copy of this new file. Might be an easier way but this works for me
Collin wrote:So......I have pics but I cannot figure out how to upload them. I keep getting the message that my pictures are too big. I have uploaded pics to other websites and not had this issue before...any ideas?
Good thing my thread got jacked, a lock would be good
And obviously you've been a since day one.
You don't wanna get mixed up with a guy like me. I'm a loner Dottie, a REBEL.