off the paved road

avonpirate · Post by **avonpirate** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:49 am

Did my 1st, long off road ride today: logging, forest, unpaved: 50 miles round trip. I traveled at a moderate speed. Going uphill, I thought my horse riding experience served me well. I found the washboard a challenge, and quickly figured out the unpaved cobble ( exposed rocks, close together). I loved going downhill My mountian biking experience served me well, as well as my bump skiing background. Any strategies out there for wet and muddy conditions other than speed control??? The road started dry and with snow melt became wet with some puddles. all words of wisdom welcomed.

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 5:40 am

If you have a top case, I recommend removing it if you're riding off-road. I've repaired the rear frame of a Buddy before where the rack mounts were damaged from off-road stresses.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:31 am

My main lesson from off-road riding was how to better identify paved roads on a map.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 7:03 pm

The issue with mud is that the scoots are running street tires. Any grip gets clogged immediately and you're sliding all over the place. Keep a steady throttle and be willing to get off the scoot and yank it out if you have to. I had to do that last November when I got into a long puddle of sticky mud. I try to find a go-round if it's black mud; if it's sand, there's usually enough grip.

Did you try standing at all when you were going over rocks? It really helps your back and gives you more stability on the scoot.

Here's an easy puddle in sand -- just plow on through at a reasonable speed

And good for you taking the Buddy on the dirt! We need more of that

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:58 pm

^^^ AGREED, awesome to see someone exploring a dirt road on a scoot. Take it slow and be safe...Have fun!

Tazio · Post by **Tazio** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:47 pm

Though I've done 10's of thousands of miles on 4 wheels in the dirt, I'm a real chicken off road on two wheels so I just got this:

JBenjimin · Post by **JBenjimin** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 12:28 am

Congratulations on seeing the world beyond the pavement!

I learned to ride a motorcycle on farmers lanes and trails. I had a 70's 200cc Bridgestone streetbike with street tires. I was too young for a license, so farmers lanes and trails were my only choice. It wasn't the best choice for the riding I did but it worked fine for me. The Stella seems a squirrelier on loose stuff than the Bridgestone did, maybe it is, maybe I'm just older now, or maybe a bit of both.

When it came time to get a scooter I knew I could get the Stella because I had learned to shift a bike back then.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:31 pm

If it gets there under its own power- it has every right to go there.
Besides, if one person in a jeep stares at you like you are crazy for doing that, it was all worth it. Even better if he got stuck and you didn't.

avonpirate · Post by **avonpirate** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:33 pm

Although up out fo the saddle on my mountain bike, I never thought of that on the scoot. Will try next time. Taking case off makes sense. Comments are all helpful and appreciated. Info on mud is helpful, I'd probably just keep doing the same thing withourt a change in response by the scoot.

I'm makng a conscious effort to learn about the parameters of this working toy.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 9:01 pm

They do make knobby 3.5 x 10 tires, though I don't think they'll work on a Buddy. A Rattler or Roughhouse, however…

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 11:22 pm

avonpirate wrote:Although up out fo the saddle on my mountain bike, I never thought of that on the scoot. Will try next time.

Put your feet on the passenger pegs. That's been the best positioning for me when standing. [This works for going over speed bumps, too.]

Mud is tricky. If you're in a clay area, it's slippery as hell. If it's sandy, it's a lot easier. Again, the issue is the street tires. ericalm's suggestion of knobbies is a good one (there's a reason off-road riders have knobbies).

Pics are necessary!

avonpirate · Post by **avonpirate** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:16 am

I'm home tonight and in the morning I'm going out to find the passenger pegs. I had no idea. And then I'm going out and find speed bumps to hone in the skill.