"Super Scooters"

Advanced Roadcraft · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Tring, Herts

Stop laughing at the back!

Seriously, though...my back, hip & knee are dramatically reducing my saddle time; even had to sell one bike because the (not very) sporting ride position meant that I could no longer even lift my right foot up on to the footrest.

Can still get on - and into a riding posture - with a few touring-style bikes, but my ability to easily and rapidly operate the footbrake is declining; the end is in sight.

So...a maxi scooter with a sit-up-and-beg and feet forward posture becomes ever more of a possibility. (I just don't fancy a cruiser, OK Smile

) (Honda Majesty, Suzuki Bergman, Piggio X9 seem all to be possibles.)

So, a couple of questions for you people (and please no replies about alternative medicine, replacement hips or knee operations; I know all about that stuff and am taking appropriate orthodox medical advice):

-I'm guessin that it's unlikely, but does anyone on here ride a "super scoot" on a regular basis? If so which and what do you think of it? Would you recommend it to others?

-Just how different is the handling from a conventional motorcycle? Might I need re-training to keep up to an advanced standard...and, if so, does anyone actually specialise in that?

Thanks in advance for any info/advice/opinions; I would really value your imput.
B
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Horse · Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 585 Location: Darkest Berkshoire

Biggest scoot I've ridden - in cc terms - was a Honda 250. 'Differences' were in long wheelbase and smaller wheels (stability/steering was different to a 'bike').

I've also done a few days in BMW C1s, so that's the other 'biggest' Smile

From what I've read, the TMax is 'best' in handling terms, as - IIRC - the engine is 'frame-mounted' rather than 'swing-arm' mounted as in traditional 'scooter' design.

I ride a BMW R850RT - and I think most of the bigger superscoots would give it a run for its money, esp. since there's now an 800 or 850 from one of the Italian manfrs.

A couple of years back, Superbike mag. took a load of scooters to a Cadwell track day, and gradually picked off sports bike riders Smile

And, yes, I can see myself getting one, one day . . .
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OILY PAWS · Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 121 Location: Fife

Consult NABD, and look into thumb operated footbrake systems, we have a lad in our busa club who is a paraplegic and he rides a trike with hand controls, you might not need to give up on the "normal" bikes yet

Advanced Roadcraft · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 134 Location: Tring, Herts

SammyTheSnake · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 559 Location: Coventry

Many larger bikes these days have variations on the theme of linked braking systems. Perhaps one of these could be adapted such that you can operate both brakes with sufficient control with just the front brake lever?

Most of the time the rear brake is for decoration rather than serious braking power, so maybe that would be sufficient.

A question for those who've handled scooters, the left lever is for the rear brake, right?

Another option to consider would be a left-hand mounted rear brake lever on a Yamaha FJR1300 with the new clutchless shift system. Are there other bikes around with this kind of technology?

Cheers & God bless
Sam "SammyTheSnake" Penny
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