|
|
Post by drifter on Oct 26, 2011 18:45:00 GMT -5
A while back I bought a used 2008 Baja RT50. It took a whike but I got it fixed and in good riding condition last weekend. This evening my daughter (20, but not interested in getting a driver's license) took her first ride on it. She started very nervous and shakey, but rode anyway. Her first circuit around the neighborhood was only about 10 mph, (I rode beside her on my Sportster). Her turns were strained at best but she kept going. Her second time around, she did about 15 mph and the cornering was much smoother. Third lap was at 20 and last at about 22. By the end she was cornering quite well and wore a huge grin! She wants to practice every evening this week and this weekend. I am really proud of her. Her mom expected her to wimp out and not ride it at all, but she showed her! I told her I'm going to have to get her a "Wild Hog" sticker for her helmet.
Just thought I'd let you know how things are going. I haven't posted in a while, but I hope to get her on the forum too.
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by speedy1125 on Oct 26, 2011 18:55:25 GMT -5
Dave,
That is AWESOME!!
I recommend a motorcycle saftey course. You can use google to find something in your area.
Tell her that she has fans at 49ccScoot.com!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by 90GTVert on Oct 26, 2011 18:57:46 GMT -5
Since she has no desire to get her license, I'm guessing she's never had any sort of driver's ed. Maybe get her to read through a motorcycle handbook or plain old driver's handbook from the MVA. They usually don't take that long to read and, as I'm sure you know, riding a 2 wheeler can require more knowledge, skill, and awareness than most vehicles. You can probably find one online from your state or walk inot the MVA and pick up a copy for free. Here's one from my state that covers all of the basics and shows the skills test at the end, which could make for good practice layouts. www.mva.maryland.gov/Resources/DL-001.pdfHere are a couple of cool tests (for any of us) too... www.msf-usa.org/riderperception/ |
|
|
|
Post by drifter on Oct 26, 2011 19:11:55 GMT -5
>>Since she has no desire to get her license, I'm guessing she's never had any sort of driver's ed. Maybe get her to read through a motorcycle handbook or plain old driver's handbook from the MVA<<
She did take driver's ed and passed with flying colors, but just has no interest in getting a license. I downloaded the MSF Scooter book and she has read that, plus growing up with me riding motorcycles. I have talked to her a lot about how to watch for traffic and hazards, rider safety, bike control in emergency situations, and such. I am fairly confident that she will be careful and do all she can to stay safe. We also live in ann area that is fairly scooter friendly.
The MSF hasn't ever offered a scooter program here, though they do hold the motorcycle course at the local community college several times a year.
I think she is really going to like two wheel transportation, (a chip off the old block, maybe?.)
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by 90GTVert on Oct 26, 2011 19:30:21 GMT -5
I figured you had her covered, but it never hurts to throw that out there. She started off with a big smile, so it's a good chance that she "gets it" like we do and will be a rider like her dad.  |
|
|
|
Post by Goosey on Oct 27, 2011 8:52:22 GMT -5
Your lucky she's so so careful. The first time both of my older kids got on my first 50cc scooter, neither one hesitated. Hit the throttle and tore off across our field. Talk about scareing your old Mom. Yes on having her read those motorcycle manuals. A lot in there on basic safety, how to give yourself room and visability around cars, where to ride when it's wet, what is and isn't legal in your state, different laws for motorcycle and scooters are in there.
Scooters handle better when you relax into it, riding those zigzags around cones is a good way to relax and learn to handle the steering. Even no cones, just zigzag down the strait way. Learning figure eights was a pain in class but you can realy get a feel for left, right and balance ...control. These things you can have her do easy enough without a course. Have fun.
|
|
tango
Scoot Enthusiast
Ad agendum semper parati
Posts: 389
|
Post by tango on Oct 27, 2011 20:43:39 GMT -5
My daughter is 5 and she LOVES my scoot. She grabs every chance to go around the neighbourhood on it with me. She says when she gets older she wants a green motorcycle (she didn't add "like daddy's" so I suspect she's gonna want a Kawi of some sort). Kids and bikes (whether motorised or not) go hand in hand. The strangest thing is that she literally created a scene the first time I offered to let her mom ride it. She cried into a state of tantrum begging her mom not to go. Go figure...
|
|
|
|
Post by drifter on Oct 28, 2011 8:26:34 GMT -5
>>The strangest thing is that she literally created a scene the first time I offered to let her mom ride it. She cried into a state of tantrum begging her mom not to go. Go figure... <<
Must not have wanted mom to take her place! Kids get possessive about stuff like that.
Dave
|
|
tango
Scoot Enthusiast
Ad agendum semper parati
Posts: 389
|
Post by tango on Oct 28, 2011 22:40:35 GMT -5
LOL! Actually...I think she just had a premonition. I took the scoot out and left her and her mom patching things up and no further than 100 feet down the road I encountered the neighbourhood car/bike-chasing dog! If her mom had been on the scoot at that time she surely would have panicked and maybe had an accident. Who knows...maybe my daughter saved a life with her tears...
|
|
|
|
Post by drifter on Oct 29, 2011 21:57:12 GMT -5
Could be, Tango. You never know what some people can forsee without knowing it.
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by drifter on Nov 24, 2011 8:46:35 GMT -5
Well...Shannon, my daughter, has been riding the scooter for awhile and yesterday she went down...hard. She was riding home from taking some computer parts to a friend when she had a small dog run in front of her. She was unaqble to miss him and when down. We took her to the ER where they stitched up a gash in her chin gave her a 'scrip for some pain killers, x-rayed and CAT scanned her all over. Her jaw had popped out of place and back in, she has a ruptures blood vessel in her mouth, road rash on one knee and one elbow and both hands, and a nasty chunk removed from her other knee, but the doc said it would just have to heal without being stitched. Over all she was very lucky and any crash you can walk away from is a good one.
The scooter is busted up a bit but fixable. Mainly the leg shield is broke in several places.
Right after the crash she said she didn't want the scooter anymore, but I think that was just the initial fear talking since swhe really does injoy riding it. She said this morning that the crash wasn't that bad, since she is hurt no more than she is. Maybe she will decide to ride again.
Dave
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2011 8:56:30 GMT -5
Im glad shes ok
how is the dog?
|
|
|
|
Post by drifter on Nov 24, 2011 9:03:15 GMT -5
We don't know how the dog is. Must be alright since it ran off.
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by stepthrutuner on Nov 24, 2011 9:19:11 GMT -5
Sorry about your sweetie's mishap and glad she is not seriously hurt. Everyone, but newer riders especially, should wear protection.... gloves,full coverage helmet and full body coverage probably would have kept your daughter out of the emergency room. Sometimes an "off" can do wonders for a rider's awareness of pitfalls they never were conscious of. I hope she will be able to maintain her independence and get back on but as a more protected, better operator.
|
|
|
|
Post by 90GTVert on Nov 24, 2011 9:30:22 GMT -5
I wish her a speedy recovery. I always found it a bit nerve-racking to start riding again after a crash. You get over it pretty quick though. I wish she wasn't hurt, but a minor crash is a good eye-opener for a lot of riders regarding gear and just safety in general.
|
|
