I'm embarrassed to say that its been two weeks since I brought her home from No Ho Scooters. In my defense, I have been recovering from a back injury, though. So, today I bolted on the license plate, put the registration and insurance in a ziplock in the seat compartment, screwed the mirrors back on (removed them to get the bud in the Element), put on the helmet and gloves and very carefully set out for a nearby empty parking lot. This thing rules. I put on about 4 miles practicing turning, mild swerving, stopping, and generally just getting used to the scoot. After about 20 minutes I returned home and gave her a nice wash and snapped some pics.
I'm a somewhat avid bicyclist(lately mostly riding a fixie), and have done several century rides over the years. But I have to admit I was kinda scared today. Fear soon gave way to delight as I rode. So much fun. Can't wait for the MSF in a few weeks!
First ride today
Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff
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dalvarado
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- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:37 pm
- Location: Corona, CA
First ride today
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- First time out...just washed
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- Only 10 miles on the clock!
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gr8carnac
- Member
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:31 am
- Location: Greensboro, NC
Fellow Italia Owner
It took me about a month to adjust to the Italia but I absolutely LOVE it! You should add the windshield and a back mount. I get lots of comments about the Italia's colors. A real talker. Where do you live?
Eric
Eric
Eric
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2007 Buddy Italia
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2007 Buddy Italia
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dalvarado
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- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:37 pm
- Location: Corona, CA
Re: Fellow Italia Owner
Yeah, depending on how much I ride it, I might consider the windshield. Is there a factory backmount? I'm in Corona, CA... not many buddys around here, or scoots for that matter. Peace.gr8carnac wrote:It took me about a month to adjust to the Italia but I absolutely LOVE it! You should add the windshield and a back mount. I get lots of comments about the Italia's colors. A real talker. Where do you live?
Eric
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Sunil
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- Location: Pasadena CA
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Are you me? I got a buddy from noho after getting hit by a car on my fixie. I figured it was better to keep up with traffic, and I do feel alot safer commuting on the bud. (also I moved and a 20+ mile hilly fixie commute gets old fast) Thats cool that the buddy fits in an Element! I havent tried mine yet. what did you use for a ramp?
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dalvarado
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- Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:37 pm
- Location: Corona, CA
I hope you're doing well after your accident. That sucks. Riding fixie is definitely a workout. I seriously considered commuting on the fixie, but the lack of showers at work is a deal-breaker. That partly drove my decision to pick up the scoot. After removing the mirrors, the headlight on the buddy barely clears the rear opening (that sounded bad) in the Element, but I did have to lean the buddy a little to clear the plastic trim at the edge. Once in, you can stand it up straight on the stand and strap her down. Mike at NoHo used a proper metal ramp. I used some plywood to unload, which was way too flimsy. You just reminded me to pickup a 1x12 at Home Depot. That should do itSunil wrote:Are you me? I got a buddy from noho after getting hit by a car on my fixie. I figured it was better to keep up with traffic, and I do feel alot safer commuting on the bud. (also I moved and a 20+ mile hilly fixie commute gets old fast) Thats cool that the buddy fits in an Element! I havent tried mine yet. what did you use for a ramp?
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ericalm
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Love to see people supporting my local dealer!
When we bought our Buddy, Jen at NoHo gave my wife an excellent first ride lesson—much better than I would have done. She got her started on the very basics—throttle control, braking—well enough that I could then ride it to a parking lot and teach her turning.
I think one key for new riders is to be patient and resist the urge to rush out into traffic and ride on busy streets to get to all the places you've always dreamed of scootering to. Getting turning right is so important and plenty of practice in parking lots and side streets certainly helps. The MSF course is also great for learning those fundamental skills.
When we bought our Buddy, Jen at NoHo gave my wife an excellent first ride lesson—much better than I would have done. She got her started on the very basics—throttle control, braking—well enough that I could then ride it to a parking lot and teach her turning.
I think one key for new riders is to be patient and resist the urge to rush out into traffic and ride on busy streets to get to all the places you've always dreamed of scootering to. Getting turning right is so important and plenty of practice in parking lots and side streets certainly helps. The MSF course is also great for learning those fundamental skills.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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Sunil
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- Location: Pasadena CA
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I wasnt hurt in the accident luckily. Ive been riding bikes in traffic for years so im used to sharing the road with drivers who dont see you. Alot of the observation and avoidance techniques from cycling apply to the scoot. That said, scooters dont handle like bikes and they are a lot faster. Im hoping to take the msf course soon. Let me know how that 1x12 works. I was thinking about buying one of those metal ramps fom pep boys. about $100 i think.