Squawk!

squawkersmccaw · Post by **squawkersmccaw** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 6:56 pm

Hello! My name is Squawkers McCaw. I have been lurking here for a few months. Today, I went out on my lunch hour and purchased a red Genuine Buddy 50cc. It will be delivered Saturday morning! I am looking forward to scooting around the neighborhood.

I have already enrolled in the MSF course, and will take it in 2 weeks. I am about halfway through Proficient Motorcycling. I can't believe how much it has already improved my attention in the cage. I am going to purchase a Scorpion EXO-400 on the way home today (they didn't have much choice in full face helmets at the scooter shop). I bought a grip lock and have ordered a Kryptonite NY Noose to keep the scoot where it belongs. I have HD boots and Docs, and a Corazzo jacket. Anything I'm forgetting?

I have practically no experience on 2 wheeled vehicles. I did have a Honda Twinstar 185 for about 3 months in the 1980s. I dumped it when I got scared and grabbed the front brake hard. The bike was okay, and so was I, but I couldn't get over my fear of riding. Since deciding to get a scooter, I have been to the dealership and taken a few test rides. I think I am ready! Squawk!

RoadRambler · Post by **RoadRambler** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:18 pm

Welcome to scooting and to the forum! Enjoy the ride!

Great avatar -- we've got a 'tiel! (and horses and dogs and cats)

heatherkay · Post by **heatherkay** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:40 pm

It sounds like you are a planner like me!

I'm still a pretty new rider, and I've found that route-planning really helped me with riding. If I took a few minutes and thought about how I would get somewhere, and made a few advance route (avoiding very busy roads, complicated intersections, roads with lots of impatient drivers with no way to pass) and timing (avoid certain streets at the peak of rush hour) decisions, it was much easier to devote all my attention to paying attention.

Google Maps is your friend.

SoCalScooter · Post by **SoCalScooter** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:44 pm

squawkersmccaw wrote:Hello! My name is Squawkers McCaw. I have been lurking here for a few months. Today, I went out on my lunch hour and purchased a red Genuine Buddy 50cc. It will be delivered Saturday morning! I am looking forward to scooting around the neighborhood.

I have already enrolled in the MSF course, and will take it in 2 weeks. I am about halfway through Proficient Motorcycling. I can't believe how much it has already improved my attention in the cage. I am going to purchase a Scorpion EXO-400 on the way home today (they didn't have much choice in full face helmets at the scooter shop). I bought a grip lock and have ordered a Kryptonite NY Noose to keep the scoot where it belongs. I have HD boots and Docs, and a Corazzo jacket. Anything I'm forgetting?

I have practically no experience on 2 wheeled vehicles. I did have a Honda Twinstar 185 for about 3 months in the 1980s. I dumped it when I got scared and grabbed the front brake hard. The bike was okay, and so was I, but I couldn't get over my fear of riding. Since deciding to get a scooter, I have been to the dealership and taken a few test rides. I think I am ready! Squawk!

Welcome Squawk, and congrats on buying a Buddy and getting back on two wheels! Proficient Motorcycling is a good read, and I'm glad to hear you're signed up for the MSF class. I'd recommend you get some motorcycle gloves as well.

If you're planning to use the scoot as a daily commuter, some overpants wouldn't be a bad purchase either - you'd be surprised at how much a low speed slide can hurt your knees, shins and/or butt!

Good luck in your MSF class - so long as you pay attention, you should pass pretty easily!

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:05 pm

The MSF will really get you off on the right foot...

Glad to see you getting back on 2 wheels!

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:18 pm

squawkersmccaw wrote:Anything I'm forgetting?

Gloves.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:16 pm

Welcome to ModernBuddy! Glad you de-lurked yourself!

squawkersmccaw wrote: I am going to purchase a Scorpion EXO-400 on the way home today

Great helmet choice! As others have mentioned, get some good gloves. Other than that you seem to be way ahead on the planning thing.

squawkersmccaw · Post by **squawkersmccaw** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:50 pm

Thanks for all the welcomes and tips! Gloves, yes, I forgot to mention…I have those too!

RoadRambler: I live with 2 cockatiels as well as an undisclosed number of cats.

HeatherKay: Thanks for the tips re: Google Maps. I plan on sticking to the less busy neighborhood roads for a good long time.

SoCalScooter: I will look into some riding pants. Any advice on a pair at a reasonable price (I’m a bit tapped out after today’s purchases!)

Can’t wait for the scoot to show up this weekend!

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:20 pm

Good to have you aboard! Can't go wrong with a Genuine bike or Scorpion gear. I have an EXO-100 that still serves faithful even if it's nearly 4 years old. Fits perfect, although after this season I will have to retire it.

Shame you had to give up on the Twinstar. I have always loved twin cylinder standard bikes, especially Hondas.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:58 am

Buddy-awesome

Scorpion 400-awesome!

Proficient motorcycling-AWESOME!

Ride safe, have fun, post pics!

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:13 am

From your equipment list, I'd say you took good notes during your "lurking" period.

Gerbings Hybrid gloves are great for winter time. You don't have to have them connected to your scooter, as they have their own lithium batteries. I just recharge mine when I get to work, then again when I get home. However, there are a multitude of good winter gloves out there that aren't battery powered if that's not what you're looking for.

+1 on the pictures.

Welcome to the forum!

SoCalScooter · Post by **SoCalScooter** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 4:03 pm

squawkersmccaw wrote: SoCalScooter: I will look into some riding pants. Any advice on a pair at a reasonable price (I’m a bit tapped out after today’s purchases!)

Here's a decent pair for $60

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Leather-Chap ... 54773.html

I purchased these after I was rear ended, and they have held up well to daily use over the past 2 months. They are waterproof - I rode to work this past Monday through a steady light rain (~50 minutes), and my slacks were 100% dry underneath. They are fitted, so for use as an overpant, I'd order two sizes up (I'm a Levi's 32x32 and ordered them in a 36 waist, which has worked out well to fit over khakis/jeans, etc). They are also warm. I have no problem riding in to work in the 40's. The only problem is the legs aren't zippered, so you have to take your boots off to get these pants on/off.

A better overpant would probably be the Firstgear HT overpant, but they are priced at about $225.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 5:41 pm

Welcome, squawkers! Is your dealer Vespa Lexington? One of my favorite shops I've never actually been to!

squawkersmccaw · Post by **squawkersmccaw** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 10:27 pm

SoCalScooter, Thanks for the info! I will check into these.

Ericalm, Yep, Vespa Lexington. Michael was great, very patient with my newbieness, and there was never any pressure to buy. I liked being able to buy from someone who clearly loves scooters (he owns 4, including an awesome orange Stella with a sidecar) and will take the time to talk about all the features and pros and cons of each scoot. The other stores I visited in Lexington were much less appealing. At one of them, I asked about the Buddy 50, and the salesman's response was something like, "Let's write up the sales ticket right now," even though he didn't have one on hand. "I'll have it here by Friday," he told me. No thanks...I can't imagine many new riders responding well to that sort of pressure. I made up my mind really fast where I was going to spend my money.

Scooter McCaw will be arriving around 9:30 AM tomorrow. I hope the rain doesn't last all weekend!

Modern Buddy

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