[ancosta]

I managed to finagle my brother's 49cc Yamaha Zuma away from him under the guise that I show it to a prospective buyer down in my area this week.

It was the 1st time I rode it since I learned how to ride a motorcycle. As soon as I got on it, I realized that it was night and day from before. Who knew hanging off on a scooter would be so fun?

So, after much hooligan riding yesterday...I take the bike out today for a whip around Rodger Williams park, and I learned a few interesting things:

1) You can really scare the shit out of yourself on a scooter if you try enough

2) I can hit one sweet corner faster (I think) on the Zuma than I can on my SV. I don't know if I should be impressed or ashamed.

3) An adult riding a scooter outside of a large urban area looks quite retarded...unless you're stunting it, which it does pretty well

After my scooter thrashing I am dying to try riding a small motard or Aprilia RS50, etc.

What I found most interesting: I was making all the same mistakes on scooter that I make on my SV...not looking through the turns enough, etc. I thought to myself, if I could just whip around the park until I was dragging floorboards, I could break a lot of bad habits at 75mpg

As silly as it might sound given it was a 49cc SCOOTER, I feel like riding fast on the slow bike made me feel better riding the fast(er) bike.

[OreoGitorio]

that's why i'm getting a 17 year old 500cc, 40-50 somethin HP (if i'm lucky) bike as a race bike

[SVRACER01]

buy a GO-PED thats the pinnacle of learning to carry cornerspeed.
all of the sudden sidewalks become racetracks and a sidewalk at 25mph feels like 75mph with no suspension and 2 wheel slides










i love my GO-PED

[oreo_n2]

i am very partial to my little fifties for the same reason! dragging pegs on those things is a blast!!!
just dont try hanging off if you're not on pavement.... front end pushes WAY TOOO easily!!

[ChrisNoF4i]

Originally posted by ancosta
I managed to finagle my brother's 49cc Yamaha Zuma away from him under the guise that I show it to a prospective buyer down in my area this week.

Disguise yourself and show me this scooter. How much is he selling it for?

[ancosta]

Originally posted by ChrisNoF4i
Disguise yourself and show me this scooter. How much is he selling it for?

I think he is looking for 1400-1500 for it....new it would go for 17+, it includes a krypto cable and 2 helmets that have never been dropped or damaged.

From what I understand you do can do a stage II kit and get it up to 100cc and then they push 60+...?

[Paul_E_D]

I've always thought playbikes are the best learning tool. I still think I learned nearly all my riding skills on a Honda XL80 as I tried to keep up with my friends on their motox bikes... Overriding a bike is very enlightening.

An SV 650 should not be considered a starter bike as it is in this HP addled country.

[ftrain]

I love my 50 and TTR 125? When we racing? I can open up the Bedford track, it has been closed way to long this summer.

[ancosta]

Originally posted by ftrain
I love my 50 and TTR 125? When we racing? I can open up the Bedford track, it has been closed way to long this summer.

What kind of 2-stroke bike can a 6'2" 200# person fit on? Can I fit on an RS50? Maybe I just go scooter instead...?

I agree that SV is not an ideal starter bike compared to something smaller. It's working out well so far but maybe I'd be better in the long run if I bought somthing smaller? OTOH I could have went the I4 SS bike route, but chose the tame(r) SV instead for obvious reasons.

Only solution here is more remedial training on the scooter

[oreo_n2]

racing in bedford would rock... this summer is pretty booked up already though?!

[Fast_Eddie]

I'm in for scooter racing if you find a place for it. Let the guys at Javaspeed in Providence know too as they love scooter racing.

[ftrain]

yea, I have not been on the track for a month or two. It is getting overgrown. Need a day of tearing it up to get it back in shape or a few bottles of weed killer.

[ftrain]

BTW I am 6'2" but only 170 lbs. It is still fun to ride the XR50

[Fast_Eddie]

I would be up for riding laps at the track and helping clean up the weeds.

[ftrain]

We will have a track day in august