OP
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:11:13 +0000

Hooked
2003 Piaggio LT150, 2018 Liberty 150S, and Honda Monkey
Joined: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:10:53 +0000
Posts: 102
Location: Oakland, CA
 
Hooked
2003 Piaggio LT150, 2018 Liberty 150S, and Honda Monkey
Joined: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:10:53 +0000
Posts: 102
Location: Oakland, CA
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:11:13 +0000 quote
Scooters have a tendency to scrape the center stand during spirited riding in the twisties. I've been worried that one day I'll actually lever up my rear wheel and slide out if my lean angle goes too far.

On a sport bike you can just drop a knee to the ground to measure lean angle (assuming you have knee pucks). This won't work on scooters, but sliding your foot over the road gives good feedback:

I was actually following a dual-sport riding in the twisties doing exactly this. Is this the "correct" way to measure lean angle for spirited scooter riding? Assuming your careful to not let your foot catch on something, is this what other riders do.
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:26:31 +0000

Hooked
'02 ET4
Joined: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:31:16 +0000
Posts: 327
Location: Tempe, AZ-USA
 
Hooked
'02 ET4
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Location: Tempe, AZ-USA
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:26:31 +0000 quote
name that tune...
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:36:57 +0000

Rock Star
Moto Guzzi V7 Classic
Joined: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:49:42 +0000
Posts: 3780
Location: San Diego, CA
 
Rock Star
Moto Guzzi V7 Classic
Joined: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:49:42 +0000
Posts: 3780
Location: San Diego, CA
Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:36:57 +0000 quote
After riding my Suzuki for quite some time now, I seem to be treating my Vespa like a sport bike. I get my butt off the seat a little and shift my weight to one side of the scooter depending on what turn I'm taking. I scrape sometimes but I rarely do because I have enough weight offset to not lean the scooter to scraping point.

Personally, I wouldn't stick my feet out like that because if my shoe were to catch traction, it would throw off my balance.



Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:07:08 +0000

The Host with the Toast
Joined: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:48:07 +0000
Posts: 7199
Location: SoCal
 
The Host with the Toast
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Location: SoCal
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:07:08 +0000 quote
Cool video, what a crazy rider
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:18:49 +0000

Hooked
MP3 500 BV500
Joined: Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:52:08 +0000
Posts: 393
Location: San Diego
 
Hooked
MP3 500 BV500
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Location: San Diego
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:18:49 +0000 quote
Who says you cannot drag you knee on a scooter.

If you have a center stand.. The best way is to lean until you just start to hear the center stand scrap.

If you leaning that far over, take it to the race track.

Joe



Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:27:28 +0000

Grumpy Biker
1980 Vespa P200e (sold), 2002 Vespa ET4 (sold), 1949 Harley-Davidson FL
Joined: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:56:36 +0000
Posts: 5093
Location: Sparks, Nevada, USA
 
Grumpy Biker
1980 Vespa P200e (sold), 2002 Vespa ET4 (sold), 1949 Harley-Davidson FL
Joined: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:56:36 +0000
Posts: 5093
Location: Sparks, Nevada, USA
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:27:28 +0000 quote
Tempe-ET wrote:
name that tune...
Misirlou - It's an old Greek song. Popularized in 1962 when Dick Dale released a "surf guitar" version of the song.

Regarding the sticking your feet out around corners. It looks cool but is not something you want to jump into with abandon. If you do it on a rough surface (many roads are rougher then they look), you can easily snag your foot and get a heck of a whack. Worse yet, break an ankle.

-Craig
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:09:01 +0000

Hooked
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:07:04 +0000
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
 
Hooked
mp3 250 "Windy"
Joined: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:07:04 +0000
Posts: 492
Location: Seattle WA
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:09:01 +0000 quote
Re: Scooter lean angle guage - alternative to dropping knee
Julius Seizure wrote:
I've been worried that one day I'll actually lever up my rear wheel and slide out if my lean angle goes too far.
I actually did that once, minus the sliding out.  I over-leaned in the middle of an otherwise mundane left turn through an intersection and had a brief moment of power oversteer. 

It didn't amount to much more than a waggle in my course, more amusing than dramatic.
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:20:02 +0000

Molto Verboso
Xevo 250 ie
Joined: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:26:22 +0000
Posts: 1615
Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia
 
Molto Verboso
Xevo 250 ie
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Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 07:20:02 +0000 quote
i saw a guy once drag the feet around a corner, foot caught on something briefly, poor guy ran over his foot with the back wheel - didn't look pretty - coming off your bike is bad enough !!
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:01:43 +0000

Enthusiast
White GTS 300
Joined: Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:53:52 +0000
Posts: 95
Location: France / Near Paris
 
Enthusiast
White GTS 300
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Posts: 95
Location: France / Near Paris
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:01:43 +0000 quote
The film is "Taxi", done by Luc Besson, the one who done The big blue, Nikita, .... French film
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:26:23 +0000

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Neutrino MP3 492.7 AK, 2013 Moto Guzzi Norge
Joined: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:38:24 +0000
Posts: 22187
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Neutrino MP3 492.7 AK, 2013 Moto Guzzi Norge
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Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:26:23 +0000 quote
just buy some curb feelers from the 70's. with the proper mounting you'have your angle gauge and you'll save your toes, boots and anckles.
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:33:31 +0000

Veni, Vidi, Posti
T5s
Joined: Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:52:14 +0000
Posts: 17005
Location: The West Of Yorkshire ... Gods Country
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
T5s
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Location: The West Of Yorkshire ... Gods Country
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:33:31 +0000 quote
thats probably the easiest way to break an ankle
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:34:45 +0000

Ossessionato
2008 Teal LX125 ... 2007 Red LX150 ... 2010 Yellow LX125ie
Joined: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:42:42 +0000
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Location: Tortola, BVI (Caribbean)
 
Ossessionato
2008 Teal LX125 ... 2007 Red LX150 ... 2010 Yellow LX125ie
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Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:34:45 +0000 quote
Julius Seizure wrote:
Is this the "correct" way to measure lean angle for spirited scooter riding? Assuming your careful to not let your foot catch on something, is this what other riders do.
I hardly think so! "Spirited" riding is one thing ... having a death wish is another. Sticking your leg out on turns is a sure fire way to guarantee major injury. Perhaps you could get away with it for a while ... but at some point you are bound to accidentally straighten your knee at the exact wrong time, your foot hits the ground and you pole vault off your scooter.

Nah, keep your foot on the scoot at all times. If you want to lean the much, take up track racing and drag your knee like the rest of em.

I liked his dismount though. I'd give him an 8.5!

Last edited by TrafficJammer on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:01:19 +0000; edited 1 time
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:34:54 +0000

Ossessionato
A fracking cage sadly
Joined: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:44:45 +0000
Posts: 4000
Location: Seattle
 
Ossessionato
A fracking cage sadly
Joined: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:44:45 +0000
Posts: 4000
Location: Seattle
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:34:54 +0000 quote
Entertaining video - thanks for sharing! I hope to never ever see or experience any of this other than the cloudless sunny sky.
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:47:08 +0000

Resident Gentleman
--------2008 LX150-------- Sold
Joined: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:02:49 +0000
Posts: 5045
Location: Brady, TX
 
Resident Gentleman
--------2008 LX150-------- Sold
Joined: Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:02:49 +0000
Posts: 5045
Location: Brady, TX
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:47:08 +0000 quote
TrafficJammer wrote:
I liked his dismount though. I'd give him an 8.5!
Yeah, I'd probably try that, but I'm afraid my scooter would fall over before I could turn around and catch it.
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:18:17 +0000

Ossessionato
GTS 250ie
Joined: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:16:59 +0000
Posts: 2047
Location: Rhode Island
 
Ossessionato
GTS 250ie
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Posts: 2047
Location: Rhode Island
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:18:17 +0000 quote
I've scraped side and center stands on quite a few bikes. The rocker covers on my R80 and R100 were scuffed from the pavement.

It would take a combination of circumstances and road conditions to lever the rear tire off the ground, and isn't likely.

Scraping isn't that dangerous, or even scary after you've done it a few times.

Dangling your foot sounds like an amputation just waiting to happen.

I'd hate to have to call you stumpy.

P.
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:25:16 +0000

Ossessionato
2008 Teal LX125 ... 2007 Red LX150 ... 2010 Yellow LX125ie
Joined: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:42:42 +0000
Posts: 3311
Location: Tortola, BVI (Caribbean)
 
Ossessionato
2008 Teal LX125 ... 2007 Red LX150 ... 2010 Yellow LX125ie
Joined: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:42:42 +0000
Posts: 3311
Location: Tortola, BVI (Caribbean)
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:25:16 +0000 quote
danny*h wrote:
TrafficJammer wrote:
I liked his dismount though. I'd give him an 8.5!
Yeah, I'd probably try that, but I'm afraid my scooter would fall over before I could turn around and catch it.
You're such a wuss Danny. Always playing it safe. (suck teeth now)

You'll never succeed in life if you don't grab for that brass ring! Go for it and throw in a full twist while you're at it if you want the extra points for degree of difficulty ... to make it a perfect 10!
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:22:02 +0000

Hooked
2016 Vespa Sprint 150
Joined: Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:14:33 +0000
Posts: 351
Location: New Zealand
 
Hooked
2016 Vespa Sprint 150
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Location: New Zealand
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:22:02 +0000 quote
I love love love that show. It was hilarious. Hooray for subtitles! The Hollywood version is a long way off (so I heard, haven't actually watched that).

I sometimes stick my foot out like that, probably not a good practice but I find my lazy butt pretty much firmly stuck on the LXV seat to shift around much.

That's a great picture, Rex!
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:36:20 +0000

Ossessionato
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
Joined: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:52:31 +0000
Posts: 4526
Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
 
Ossessionato
2020 MP3 500 HPE Sport ABS/ASR
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Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de los Ángeles sobre el Río Porciúncula
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:36:20 +0000 quote
danny*h wrote:
TrafficJammer wrote:
I liked his dismount though. I'd give him an 8.5!
Yeah, I'd probably try that, but I'm afraid my scooter would fall over before I could turn around and catch it.
Me too. Totally concerned about my scooter. Otherwise no problem.
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:46:41 +0000

Banned
Joined: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:31:31 +0000
Posts: 810

 
Banned
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Posts: 810

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:46:41 +0000 quote
motocross riders do something like this
only leg pointing a little further forward, I have also seen Valentino Rossi and the young Australian MotoGP rider do something like this before entering a corner and wondered what it was all about. If you call that spirited scooter riding I would quit while you are ahead or make a career out of it. crazy!!
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:31:06 +0000

Molto Verboso
GTS(me)/GTV(wife)
Joined: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 22:30:22 +0000
Posts: 1228
Location: Mill Valley, CA
 
Molto Verboso
GTS(me)/GTV(wife)
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Posts: 1228
Location: Mill Valley, CA
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 06:31:06 +0000 quote
I have it on good authority from a friend who's an ex-motocross racer that the foot out thing is only to weight the front end of the bike. You don't actually put your foot down. I think the SuperMoto guys do something similar, but may put their heel down since the SM boots have replaceable soles.

And yes, if you lean too far over on the right, you'll drag your "security loop", and if the move is abrupt you can unsettle the scoot and run wide in the turn. The centerstand will also drag. But you can get a little more clearance by increasing your preload on the rear shocks.

Or hang off a bit, as the previous poster said.
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:57:33 +0000

Banned
GTS 250ie - SHINY YELLOW
Joined: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:45:30 +0000
Posts: 3101
Location: Sunny Southern California
 
Banned
GTS 250ie - SHINY YELLOW
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Posts: 3101
Location: Sunny Southern California
Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:57:33 +0000 quote
There is another choise
Look at the guy in the center with his, what the fuck look on his face. He looks drunk and the one to the right look shocked, the guy on the left looks like he is on med's. Cartoon images originally posted by REX. I just switched them up.
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