New Buddy!

Kyska · Post by **Kyska** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:29 pm

Hello everyone!

I recently got my New Buddy and I'm excited! This board has been helping me so much to learn about my Buddy and caring for it, so thanks! I'm new to riding a scooter at all and I'm slowly learning. One thing I was wondering is this, I have the Italia 170i and as slow as I start off, it seems to jump. What I mean is that I feel like I just shoot forward very fast instead of easing into the speed.

I say it feels like I go from 0-60 in a few seconds, which I know isn't the truth at all. I just let it freak me out and I stop. haha I'm sure it's just me but is that normal? I can honestly say right now I'm not a confident rider so I'm going to take a Motorcycle safety class to see if that helps.

bluebessie · Post by **bluebessie** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 11:22 pm

I think I know what you are saying with it. The throttle does grab pretty easily like that. Just take your time start super slow, use your back break to help you ease out and control the speed until your hand gets better.

That was a trick the MSF course taught me and it is helpful for starting on a hill as well.

I promise as you get used to your scooter, you'll get used to the throttle and how to accelerate and stop very smoothly. Go slow and work into it - it takes very little twist to get it going.

Enjoy your new scooter!

Whimscootie · Post by **Whimscootie** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 12:27 pm

When I first started riding a scooter 7 years ago I took it very slowly.

I started out by getting acquainted with it's handling in a deserted church parking lot. I practiced stopping and turning and then eventually eased into riding in some quiet, low speed residential areas.

Get to know how "A" scooter feels. Then get to know "your" scooter.

Each is a bit different and requires a learning curve.

Slowly at first builds confidence and skills.

And always ''respect the gravel''.

Welcome to MB and ''the scootin' life''!

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 3:10 pm

Welcome!

Definitely take the course, it will save you loads of time learning the hard way!

It does also take time. It takes time to get to know how to operate it, then how to operate it in various conditions.

Kyska · Post by **Kyska** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:37 am

Haha Thanks everyone

I really think that I let my aunt get into my head about being smooshed by a semi on the road. Even though I have no intentions on getting on the freeway. My kids though just make it look too easy.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 10:42 am

The 170i is fast off the mark if you go heavy on the throttle. Go easy starting off and increase speed once you are rolling. Personally I don't see
it as a freeway scoot but great on secondary roads. Not enough top end speed to keep up with freeway traffic. Here in GA no one on the Xway goes
goes under 70, most go at 80-90. Ride safe, get all the training you can
and enjoy the ride.

Kyska · Post by **Kyska** » Sat Aug 23, 2014 6:01 am

For me it's going to run errands etc definitely not for the freeway. I have been easy on the throttle but it doesn't move until I add more maybe where I was the ground was uneven. I wasn't practising on the best of roads but it was nearby.

I'll change to a parking lot and see how that works.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:36 am

I found the throttle on my 170i to be sensitive. It is a scoot that wants to go and it takes a while to get used to the throttle and to learn to go easy
on it when taking off. That is unless you like to do wheelies!!

You will find that it gets great gas milage and is a fun ride.

bluebessie · Post by **bluebessie** » Sat Aug 23, 2014 1:30 pm

Silly question, are you wearing riding gloves as you are learning? As dumb as this sounds I get much better grip and control using the throttle wearing gloves.

Also do try the back break trick I spoke of. I don't know if you drive a stick or not, but you can use it kind of as a you do with a clutch in a car with how much gas/power you get coming out of a stop. Hold the back (NOT FRONT) break down before you start the throttle. Then roll on the throttle and slowly ease out the back break. You can then adjust the throttle based on the amount of break you have pushed down. Going too fast but still squeezing the break? Roll off the throttle a little. Not going fast enough? Add a bit more.

Never grab the break though - just squeeze gently.

Until you get a feel for the real big catch point of the throttle this is a great way to lean.

I never would have thought to do this on my own. Once explained to me and I practiced, it got so much easier.

If you can sign up for a MSF course do it. Ask to bring your scooter too if you like. It really was the best 16+ combined hours of riding I ever had. Learning on my own scooter was awesome too. Mine was a scooter only course though which helped immensely.