I know we have to have a motorcycle license here. How do I prep for that, and are there any courses that use scooters?
Also, I question safety and dealing with the weather here in winter. Any insight on that would be great.
Thanks so much!
Oklahoma newbie
Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff
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mermaidkt
- Member
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 6:38 am
- Location: Norman, OK
Oklahoma newbie
Hi y'all! I live in Norman. I'd really like to buy a Buddy 125. If anyone could give me some area-specific tips on what I need to do, that would be great! I went to Extream Auto Options, but the guy working didn't want to be bothered with questions.
I know we have to have a motorcycle license here. How do I prep for that, and are there any courses that use scooters?
Also, I question safety and dealing with the weather here in winter. Any insight on that would be great.
Thanks so much!
I know we have to have a motorcycle license here. How do I prep for that, and are there any courses that use scooters?
Also, I question safety and dealing with the weather here in winter. Any insight on that would be great.
Thanks so much!
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ericalm
- Site Admin
- Posts: 16842
- Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:01 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
Hi there and welcome.
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at Extreme Auto Options. There are a couple other dealers in OK, but since they'd probably be the one you used for service, etc. maybe you could give them another shot.
For the motorcycle license, first go to your local DMV and get the handbook there. I'm not sure of the specific OK requirements, but in most states you take a written test to get a permit, then, when ready, take a riding test to get your license.
As for classes, check out http://www.msf-usa.org. Completion of the MSF course (which I highly recommend taking) will get you a waiver for the DMV riding test.
Many of our posts here deal with safety, so I suggest you browse the forum. For that and for winter prep tips, try using the search function—there were a lot of threads on this earlier in the year.
Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at Extreme Auto Options. There are a couple other dealers in OK, but since they'd probably be the one you used for service, etc. maybe you could give them another shot.
For the motorcycle license, first go to your local DMV and get the handbook there. I'm not sure of the specific OK requirements, but in most states you take a written test to get a permit, then, when ready, take a riding test to get your license.
As for classes, check out http://www.msf-usa.org. Completion of the MSF course (which I highly recommend taking) will get you a waiver for the DMV riding test.
Many of our posts here deal with safety, so I suggest you browse the forum. For that and for winter prep tips, try using the search function—there were a lot of threads on this earlier in the year.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
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babblefish
- Member
- Posts: 3118
- Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:42 am
- Location: San Francisco
Welcome to Modern Buddy mermaidkt.
In addition to what ericalm said, here are some safety tips gained from almost 40 years of riding (I think I just aged myself
):
Always assume that the people around you in cars (and pedestrians, for that matter) don't know you're there because they probably don't.
Be aware of where you are in relation to the car next to you. In other words, think about your blind spots when you're driving a car and don't be there when you're on any type of bike; be it scooter, motorcycle or bicycle.
Don't ride in the middle of a lane - that's where most of the oil dripped from cars/trucks are. Ride just to the left or right.
On multi-lane roads, stay on the right side of your lane if there's a car to your left and on the left if there's a car on your right. This will give you a few milliseconds more reaction time if the idiot behind the wheel decides to change lanes without looking.
When riding next to parked cars, ride as far away from them as possible in your own lane in case someone opens their door without looking (which is most of the time, from my experience).
If riding with friends, don't ride side-by-side in the same lane. Doing so increases your chance of an accident because it narrows your "escape" route in case of an emergency.
When riding amongst other traffic, think ahead and plan "escape" routes in case of an emergency.
Most scooters have small wheels, so look ahead and try to avoid potholes, large cracks, bomb craters, puddles, manhole covers, rocks/gravel, small children, etc., etc. You get the picture.
Keep your high-beams on when riding during the day. You'll be more visible.
When coming to a stop and just before putting your foot down, try to see where your foot is going to be because there might be an puddle of oil or some other slippery thing there. This is especially true at gas stations...don't ask me how I learned this...
There are plenty of other riding tips that I'm sure others will chime in on, but mostly, have fun. It is addicting!
In addition to what ericalm said, here are some safety tips gained from almost 40 years of riding (I think I just aged myself
):Always assume that the people around you in cars (and pedestrians, for that matter) don't know you're there because they probably don't.
Be aware of where you are in relation to the car next to you. In other words, think about your blind spots when you're driving a car and don't be there when you're on any type of bike; be it scooter, motorcycle or bicycle.
Don't ride in the middle of a lane - that's where most of the oil dripped from cars/trucks are. Ride just to the left or right.
On multi-lane roads, stay on the right side of your lane if there's a car to your left and on the left if there's a car on your right. This will give you a few milliseconds more reaction time if the idiot behind the wheel decides to change lanes without looking.
When riding next to parked cars, ride as far away from them as possible in your own lane in case someone opens their door without looking (which is most of the time, from my experience).
If riding with friends, don't ride side-by-side in the same lane. Doing so increases your chance of an accident because it narrows your "escape" route in case of an emergency.
When riding amongst other traffic, think ahead and plan "escape" routes in case of an emergency.
Most scooters have small wheels, so look ahead and try to avoid potholes, large cracks, bomb craters, puddles, manhole covers, rocks/gravel, small children, etc., etc. You get the picture.
Keep your high-beams on when riding during the day. You'll be more visible.
When coming to a stop and just before putting your foot down, try to see where your foot is going to be because there might be an puddle of oil or some other slippery thing there. This is especially true at gas stations...don't ask me how I learned this...
There are plenty of other riding tips that I'm sure others will chime in on, but mostly, have fun. It is addicting!
Last edited by babblefish on Sun May 18, 2008 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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brimstone
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- Location: Juneau, Alaska
as mentioned above, as a general rule, the people on the forum here can't recommend the motorcycle course enough. they teach you so much stuff. i've been riding motorcycles off and on since i was kid and i learned a ton. a guy i worked with, an elderly gent around 65 who's been riding for years(mostly harley's and such, said he learned stuff from it and recommended it to me a couple years ago.
i think they offer a scooter specific version too, but i suggest taking the full on motorcycle course. that way you have it under your belt if you need it in the future....and the principles are the same.
i think they offer a scooter specific version too, but i suggest taking the full on motorcycle course. that way you have it under your belt if you need it in the future....and the principles are the same.
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Elm Creek Smith
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