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Pavement Treats Scooter Riders Just Like Motorcyclists

JaimeC said:
Thought provoking article from Motorcycle.com

Evans Off Camber ? Asphalt Doesn?t Care
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I think it is because most scooters being ridden in a leisurely manner. I just use my best judgment to dictate gear based on where and how I will be riding. For my daily commute on the c600, I am in jeans, sturdy shoes, armored jacket, armored gloves, full face helmet. Basically, any time I am really riding (as in the potential to exceed 40mph and in heavy traffic). However, when I visit our vacation home on Martha's Vineyard and hope on the 50cc Vespa, it really is t-shirt/shorts and half helmet. I rarely get up to 40mph (knowing Vespa speedos, it is probably 35mph) and most cases probably never exceed 30. It is a calculated risk. I figure the speeds are really no different from riding a bicycle down hill and I certainly don't wear full armor in those situations.

One day on my commute, I came up on a guy riding a Silverwing. No helmet and flip flops. And talking on the phone through an ear piece. Filtering as well.

I just don't get guys riding with no helmets though. I mean I know it is a personal choice here in Illinois, but nothing says I am a dumb ass like riding a motorcycle with no helmet in my book. Given all the bug juice that was on my full face helmet this weekend, I can't even see how it is enjoyable to ride without at least a face shield.
 
That's a good article. This might be a few degrees of the topic, but my insurance quote was honestly lower on the sport than it would have been on the GTS. I don't if it's a theft thing or do "scooters" have a reputation of being bought by casual or first time riders and are more likely for a spill in the eyes of the insurance carriers. I always thought New Vespas had a following of first time riders who might not gear up and respect the machine the way a motorcyclist might. Needless to say, I always wondered why Flo at Progressive wanted more to cover a bike of 1/3 the power and more than half the displacement.

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Edumakated said:
....Given all the bug juice that was on my full face helmet this weekend, I can't even see how it is enjoyable to ride without at least a face shield.
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Ha. I was saying the exact same thing to my main squeeze (Harley talk for my wife of 45 years). I came home last night with guts all over my windshield and helmet. Maybe it's a protein thing???
 
I remember my first time in Bermuda seeing everyone riding scooters, most in what I considered COMPLETELY inappropriate attire. Regular business outfits (which for men included the ubiquitous "Bermuda Shorts" and women in skirts). This included regular shoes for men and high-heel pumps for women. The only concession to "safety" was that they all wore some kind of helmet. That was about it. I cringed when I saw it.
 
Sorry but when it's 106 degrees out riding pants and a jacket are out of the question. The vents in the jacket don't help when the air is hot as an oven. I wear shorts because jeans or shorts your legs are going to get torn up. Currently I do not have any ballistic jersey to wear because eI bought one on ebay and the seller is not using standardized sizes for the American market. I need to get another one ASAP just can't find one I like.
 
Light colored clothing that fully covers you is a LOT cooler than shorts and T-Shirts. This I know from fact as I toured cross-country in 2011 when the entire country was under a heat wave. I wore a light gray Aerostich Darien Suit. When it was over 100 degrees I wore a 100% cotton sweatshirt UNDER the jacket. At every gas stop I would go to the men's room, take off the sweatshirt and soak it in the sink. Wring out enough water so that it didn't drip, then put it back on. Closed up the jacket leaving the vents and wrists open and it was like riding with air conditioning. AND I was fully protected if I should've had a mishap (which, thankfully, I didn't).
 
JaimeC said:
.....At every gas stop I would go to the men's room, take off the sweatshirt and soak it in the sink. Wring out enough water so that it didn't drip, then put it back on. Closed up the jacket leaving the vents and wrists open and it was like riding with air conditioning.....
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I have done the same thing with a t-shirt, but a sweatshirt is a better idea as it will obviously hold more water longer. My summer jacket is a little tight, so I think I'll try a long sleeve T rather than a sweatshirt. Thanks for the idea!
 
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