Modern Vespa

Okay, I hope nobody thinds I'm being too forward here but...

I was just wondering if anyone has the book/dvd of "Ride Like A Pro" (either or), and would want to pass it on to someone who needs it? I'm feeling very broke after paying $5200 for my scoot (a "smoking good deal", according to the guy who just serviced it, but still a LARGE chunk of money), but after reading several threads on here, I'm pretty sure I NEED to read/watch "Ride Like A Pro."

Anyone? I'd pay it forward to someone else when I finished with it.

you did get a great deal on a 500 scoot for that price. here is a good forum to read from superbike schools Keith Code. They discuss all kinds of handling and cornering stuff there. most of it is centered around racing but you should get alot of good info from it. http://forums.superbikeschool.com/

also contact your local library if they don't have it maybe they can get it from another library. Alot of them transfer books and stuff between them, they just have to do a request and search for it.

A lot of us got something from "Proficient Motorcyling." It is highly recommended.

+1, highly recommended, as is the follow on book from Hough, "More Proficient Motorcycling".

I think most people who buy books/dvd's like this, keep them for ref down the rode.

You did get a good deal. Are you sure it is not a 250 as shown in your avatar?

I second Jerry. Proficient Motorcycling is a must have.

Yes, I'm sure it's an MP3 500. I just picked one of the avatars available when I joined the forum. I should replace it with my actual picture.

Okay, okay, I'll just bite the bullet and buy Proficient Motorcycling from Amazon...and keep it a secret from hubby, as I am grounded from making further purchases for awhile...lol

I would say the advice in Proficient Motorcycling could keep you alive, well worth the $20, and I hope hubby would agree!

But seriously, PM teaches you how to read the road and what dangers to look for while riding. Invaluable stuff and not at all obvious to beginner riders. Ride Like A Pro is more about controlling the bike at low speeds, at least the video I saw was. There might be other videos in that series, I'm not sure.

Of the two PM is more important IMO. The slow speed stuff is important also but you can find a lot of videos on YouTube (even Ride Like A Pro) to get you started on that.

You know what???

That might not be a bad idea either, as I personally like to recycle stuff if at all possible (it's a Scottish thing.. ). Something like a 'Lend Library' where instead of ref. books lying unused on book shelves they could be borrowed and passed around to whomsoever in the forum. Lotsa' pitfalls to be sure, but any librarians out there..??




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Thanks for the good word!

+1 - PM's treatment on curves is superlative - as is his treatment on countersteering as is... aw heck - the book is just too dang good and I promise you *will* learn something that has the potential to save your life.

Which edition is it? I looked them up on Barnes & Noble and they have a bunch of different books.

1.
Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough: Book Cover
Proficient Motorcycling : The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well, Revised 2nd Edition

2.
More Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough: Book Cover
More Proficient Motorcycling : Mastering the Ride

3.
See Inside!
Total Control by Lee Parks: Book Cover
Total Control : High Performance Street Riding Techniques


4.
Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough: Book Cover
Proficient Motorcycling : The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well


Which one is the best?????

#1 is the latest edition and #2 is the followup to #1.

Looks like I'm going to get proficient motorcycling too!

However, I bought the Ride Like a Pro video - #5 and did some of the drills this weekend. I have to say, it made a dramatic difference in my confidence level and ability to control the bike.

I believe I rode well enough to be safe, but not that good. The video and exercises really helped me "put it all together". To be honest, the exercises aren't much different than we did in my basic and experienced rider safety classes. However, you just don't get to do enough of those exercises to matter in the classes. With RLP, you just do each one until you feel you've mastered it and then move on to the next.

All and all, for me, it was a great investment ($30 for the video and $10 for some plastic cones). I'm sure I looked like a dork in the parking lot of the abandoned furniture store...

Better to look liker a dork than be a dead dork. Besides - why should you care what people think how it looks. Some dipstick on a bike comes by to razz just ask him to give it a shot. It'll probably turn him around right quick.
Good for you for being pro active on safety!

I never thought about getting any of these books via inter-library loan. Great idea, OAD!

Mark

I just ordered the Ride Like a Pro DVD from their site. They don't even charge you shipping. I have the Proficient Motorcycling book which has been very helpful but I think I would like to see the stuff in action. Thanks for all your suggestions.