NEW RIDER FEARS - Buddy 50cc

ferfdom · Post by **ferfdom** » Thu May 29, 2008 9:16 pm

I've wanted a scooter for a while, but haven't had much experience. My husband and I narrowed down our choices and we went with a cream colored Buddy 50cc! The only other scooters I've used was the one my brother had in the 90's and my dad's 1955 Cushman.

Riding it is kind of scary to me, especially turning... I'm hoping I'll eventually get over this. Don't get me wrong, I think riding it is a lot of fun...

Just wondering how long it took for you to get over your fears?

Orange Guy · Post by **Orange Guy** » Thu May 29, 2008 9:25 pm

I'm only at 250 miles, so I can relate.

I wouldn't say I'm over my fear of corners, but I am more comfortable. I've convinced myself that a bit of controlled fear is a good thing. I don't want to get so comfortable that I get careless.

Lil Buddy · Post by **Lil Buddy** » Thu May 29, 2008 9:29 pm

I just got my Buddy 50 last weekend (cream color as well). Being my 1st scooter, I did have a tiny bit o' fear but it dissapeared in about 10 minutes.
I ride to and from work 10 miles (25 minutes) each way. One road is 40mph and most vehicles go at least 50 on it.

Just keep riding, the fear will soon be a distant memory

Post by **ericalm** » Thu May 29, 2008 9:46 pm

Best advice: take the MSF Course.

Next best advice: Buy and read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.
There are also some good tips in this pamphlet.

The Buddy is very easy to learn on, to a point. You can quickly master going, stopping, the basic turns. It's so easy that it can lead to what I call "deceptively high confidence"—riding beyond your actual abilities. To ride safely, you'll need to have practiced some other skills as well.

The key is really practice practice practice. Don't give in to the urge to immediately go ride in traffic until you're comfortable with turns, swerves and hard stops. Empty parking lots are a great place to practice those turns. Hough's book also has some exercises that will help.

I'll admit that I'm a little more cautious than a lot of people, but I think a lot of riders get overanxious and jump in head first before they're ready. It's okay to take your time and to work up to it, building your confidence.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:27 pm

Cornering is easy, just lean and push on the handle bars in the direction you want to go. You cannot fall over unless you are going super slow. As long as you have some slight throttle on, you wont have anything to fear.

hcstrider · Post by **hcstrider** » Thu May 29, 2008 10:32 pm

My wife had never ridden a scooter or motorcycle prior to our Buddy. We practiced in vacant parking lots so that we could learn the riding skills before going out into traffic. She appeared to be comfortable driving the Buddy after a couple hours of practice however I am guessing that she practiced about 30 hours before going out into traffic. Even though she quickly got her motorcycle learner’s permit, she did not want to go out on public roads until she earned her motorcycle license and that took her maybe about 30 hours of practice.

It is funny that you mentioned your Dad’s 1955 Cushman because I am reading Eureka, a novel about a man’s adventure on a 1952 Cushman.

ferfdom · Post by **ferfdom** » Thu May 29, 2008 11:32 pm

Thanks for all of your encouragement! I've been lurker for a few days and knew I'd get some good feedback!

I know I'll never be over confident... I'm a cautious person in general, so I'm going to take my time learning what I can do on my Buddy!

ferfdom · Post by **ferfdom** » Thu May 29, 2008 11:36 pm

ericalm wrote:Best advice: take the MSF Course.

I called this morning about taking the course. I've heard that some let you learn on a scooter, but the two schools in my area are motorcycle only. I may still sign up, but the next available class is not until August!!!

One of the guys I talked to did say that they are "working" on a scooter focused safety course!

Post by **ericalm** » Thu May 29, 2008 11:50 pm

ferfdom wrote:
ericalm wrote:Best advice: take the MSF Course.
I called this morning about taking the course. I've heard that some let you learn on a scooter, but the two schools in my area are motorcycle only. I may still sign up, but the next available class is not until August!!!

One of the guys I talked to did say that they are "working" on a scooter focused safety course!

There's no harm in taking the course on one of their motorcycles. It's slightly more difficult, but in some ways worth it.

The MSF scooter school course is shorter (1 day, I think) and doesn't offer a waiver for taking the motorcycle license riding test. But if you're sticking with a 50cc, you probably don't need a license, so that may not be as much of an incentive.

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Fri May 30, 2008 3:27 am

ericalm wrote:Best advice: take the MSF Course.

Next best advice: Buy and read Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough.

+1. I reread both Hough books at least once a year and practice his drills It's no MSF class, but it's definitely the next best thing.

scoots4me · Post by **scoots4me** » Fri May 30, 2008 7:15 pm

I had the same concerns re: MSF on a motorcycle instead of my scoot however after talking to the course coordinator and asking around on MB (thanks you guys!! I adore this place!) I'm realizing it will all be ok. If I can learn to ride a motorcycle (which I've never done) and pass the MSF, I can transfer my skills to my scoot and I'll be better off since riding the motorcycle will be a little harder. I'm seriously nervous about the MSF but it does not matter - it is just a "must" for me. FYI, in GA the classes book up really fast...all I could get into was a course in July so I'm on my own until then. You might want to check to see if it books up fast in your area too. Oh yeah, one more thing - MSF course dude said I *might* be able to ride my scoot for the course if I was really, really married to the idea. I'm going to be a big girl and ride the motorcycle like everyone else. Skills are skills, you know? Happy riding!