# I rode my scooter to work today! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 8, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737 "2008-01-08T14:56:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/1 "2008-01-08T14:56:55Z")
I was so scared! But I gotta start riding it or I might as well tell my boyfriend his Christmas present sucks and he can sell it and buy me something else. So I rode it today on my short day so I’d be coming home during the daylight. It was awesome! I know I did a good job of trying to go fast enough, even though everybody and his grandma was passing me. Especially when I went up the hill. With the wind in my face. (I mean, sheesh, it’s basically a leaf blower with a seat, have a little patience will you?) I need to get some defogger to treat my helmet, though, because I think I was panting in terror so much I fogged it up. 😉 Also, city council! You might want to do something about the water pipes sticking out of the damned road! (The ones I never noticed in my car but could _kill me_ on the scooter.) I think I even did a good job parking it. Even though I have this nagging feeling I forgot something and it’s not going to be there when I get back. Mundane? Check. Pointless? Also check. But there I went and shared it anyway, 'cause I’m proud of myself for getting out there and doing it. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/2 "2008-01-08T15:08:10Z")
Good for you! The next time should be easier! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/3 "2008-01-08T15:34:45Z")
[QUOTE=TroubleAgain] Good for you! The next time should be easier! [/QUOTE] Well, one would hope so, since I have to ride it home. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/4 "2008-01-08T15:55:11Z")
Well done 🆒 It’s amazing the crap you don’t notice in a car that suddenly appears lethal on a PTW. Hell, even all that road paint can be nasty in the wet. There are things you can buy at motorcycle stores that help with fogging - masks, treatment stuff etc. I’m assuming you have a full-face helmet. What I found best was to leave the visor open just a tiny little bit. At town speeds (and with no rain) I’d tend to ride visor-up, but that can be a little dangerous. Have fun with your scooter. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/5 "2008-01-08T15:57:22Z")
Chicks on a scooter are sexy. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/6 "2008-01-08T15:58:14Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] I need to get some defogger to treat my helmet, though, because I think I was panting in terror so much I fogged it up. 😉 Also, city council! You might want to do something about the water pipes sticking out of the damned road! [/QUOTE] You can just crack the face shield just a bit and it will help. You shouldn’t get much if any air to freeze your face. There are also thin fog shields to put on the inside of the face shield. As for the crap in the road, now you know what it’s like always having to look out for crap on the road. We should make the council ride just so they know what we have to go through. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/7 "2008-01-08T15:58:28Z")
What kind did you get? It’s warm enough to ride here in Chicago but raining like heck so I’m going to have to wait a while. -Mike 86’ Honda Elite 150 ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/8 "2008-01-08T16:05:12Z")
Goddamn right you should be scared. You’re out there riding a low-powered motorcycle with no frigging training. It ain’t a bicycle with an engine, it’s a motorcycle, and handles accordingly. Do you know what to do when you lock up your brakes? Whether you should avoid a squirrel that runs in your path or run it down? How to drive and make sure you don’t get nailed by someone in a cage? Take some advice from another motorcycle rider and please get some practice on that vehicle in a no-traffic area before you end up hurting yourself. As for fogging, pretty much nothing works except a mask, and even that’s dubious. Check out my review of anti-fog treatments [here.](http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet-visor-anti-fog/comparison-review.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/9 "2008-01-08T16:25:43Z")
It’s a cheap Chinese one, a little Viaggio. Bright yellow so I hope they see me. I’ve been practicing tons in my neighborhood, honest - I didn’t just pick it up and decide to go to work today. The boyfriend rides motorcycles and he’s set up courses for me with cones - he’s a pretty tough taskmaster now that he’s given me something I can kill myself on! (He gave me a scooter and I gave him cigars, it’s like a death-infested Gift of the Magi.) I’ve never ridden in real rush-hour traffic before this morning, though, or on a multi-lane road, and I haven’t gotten enough practice in the dark, which is why I rode today when I’ll be coming home at lunch. I’ve gotten a lot of practice with emergency braking, though, and I’ve read a lot about where to watch in traffic (this morning I had my eye on this guy turning left across me, and I was right - he did. It wasn’t a problem because I was ready for it.) It _is_ scary, though, when everybody else is in huge SUVs yammering on their cell phones. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/10 "2008-01-08T18:02:27Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] It _is_ scary, though, when everybody else is in huge SUVs yammering on their cell phones. [/QUOTE] Yes it is. And when it’s not, ask yourself if you’re being too casual. Enjoy, but please be careful. The white-knuckle terror should go away soon, but try to keep the alertness you exhibited on this morning’s ride. After I had been riding in rush hour traffic for a few days, I realized how un-alert I had been until then when I was driving my pickup. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/11 "2008-01-08T18:07:58Z")
You should take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. It’s a 14 hour course, with 4 days of classroom learning and two 5 hour field days. Details here: [http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=SC](http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=SC) ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/12 "2008-01-08T18:12:05Z")
Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts! It’s supposed to rain by Thursday/Friday, but still be in the 70’s (woohoo!) Just where in SC are you? ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/13 "2008-01-09T09:01:23Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] You should take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. It’s a 14 hour course, with 4 days of classroom learning and two 5 hour field days. Details here: [http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=SC](http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=SC) [/QUOTE] Really? I took one a year and a half ago and it was 2 days in a classroom, and two on the course. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/14 "2008-01-09T15:50:07Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Really? I took one a year and a half ago and it was 2 days in a classroom, and two on the course. [/QUOTE] Umm, that was supposed to be 4 _hours_ of classroom learning, not four _days_ (it’s actually 5, though, I flubbed)! It may be different in each state, but I thought it was standard. Here’s a quote from the email I received from the New Mexico director on Monday: > [@](#): > > The course consists of 15 hours of instruction; 5 hours of classroom and 10 hours of riding practice. The Program furnishes the motorcycles, gas, insurance, instruction, a Rider Handbook and helmets (if the student does not already own one). The student must furnish personal clothing including a long-sleeved shirt/jacket, long pants, sturdy footgear that completely covers the ankle bone and full-fingered gloves with a leather palm and fingers. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/15 "2008-01-09T16:29:17Z")
But… I don’t _wanna_ learn how to ride a motorcycle. I don’t need or want to learn how to shift. I want to learn how to ride a twist-and-go scooter as safely and comfortably as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Vevila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@Vevila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vevila)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/16 "2008-01-09T17:09:03Z")
The MSF courses usually offer scooter instructions, too. Call the scooter shop where you got the scooter - they should have the necessary information. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/17 "2008-01-09T17:26:12Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] But… I don’t _wanna_ learn how to ride a motorcycle. I don’t need or want to learn how to shift. I want to learn how to ride a twist-and-go scooter as safely and comfortably as possible. [/QUOTE] Then don’t take the class. 😉 But, seriously, the dangers inherent on a scooter are going to be the same dangers you’re taught about in the course. The SC site isn’t as detailed as the NM site, so I can’t figure out the level of endorsements there, although they are probably similar. In New Mexico, a “W” endorsement is for a regular 'bike, a “Y” is for between 50 and 100cc, and a “Z” is required for under 50cc. The class keeps you from having to take the state issued field test. It’s pretty easy, though, at least here. The course also teaches “counter steering” in the course, which is described as “push left, lean left, go left”, and is not intuitive to the beginner rider. Counter steering happens at any speed faster than you can run, and the lack of an ability to understand and use counter steering is cited in a majority of accidents when the rider is at fault. If you’re still not going to though, check this out: [http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/forms/Cycles.pdf](http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/forms/Cycles.pdf) It’s pretty dumbed down, but still has some things to think about concerning hazards you’ll face on the road. ETA: Just found this: [http://www.msf-usa.org/scooterschool.cfm](http://www.msf-usa.org/scooterschool.cfm) \*\* Red B\*\*, I just found on their site that some locations add additional modules that add to the standard of 15 hours. That’s probably where our discrepancy comes from. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/18 "2008-01-10T16:58:58Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] ETA: Just found this: [http://www.msf-usa.org/scooterschool.cfm](http://www.msf-usa.org/scooterschool.cfm) \*\* [/QUOTE] THAT sounds exactly like what I need! I’m just concerned that I’d get all bogged down in shifting and stuff, which I don’t need, instead of learning the stuff that isn’t so intuitive that I do need. Granted, my boyfriend has done a really great job of working with me on the scooter, and I’ve read a ton (although I’m just not sure the scooter is going fast enough for countersteering, and the BF agrees - he’s tried to show me on his motorcycle how it’s supposed to work but I’m still not sure I understand it - doesn’t help that his motorcycle is this completely impossible to understand sidecar rig). South Carolina allows you to drive anything under 50 ccs without a special license, which is IMHO amazingly stupid. Seriously, do they honestly think my drivers’ license prepares me for this? It’s totally unsafe, especially since half the people on scooters are there because they got their drivers’ license taken from them in the first place! (Seriously, I keep looking for the cool scooterists, but it’s douchebag central out there. It’s almost become a running joke with the BF. Saw a really cute little Honda parked today that _must_ be attached to an awesome person, though.) You totally should have to take a road test and a written test that has “things you should not drive over” and “which of these cars is about to turn in front of you?” It was _weird_ when I got back in my car - I felt half asleep. It just wasn’t possible for my brain to make itself be as alert as it is when you’re out there in the air and the SUV is thisclose to you - a healthy amount of terror sharpens the senses, I suppose. **labtrash** , I’m in Columbia. We had rain last night and some this morning, although it looks okay now. I’d like to get some more practice riding on wet surfaces, but not when it’s critical! I’d consider riding to work today, but I don’t get home until 9 and I just don’t feel confident enough at night yet to put myself in a position where I _have_ to ride. Maybe this weekend - supposed to have a thunderstorm tomorrow, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-rode-my-scooter-to-work-today/432737/19 "2008-01-10T19:52:23Z")
The MSF classes have apparently been dumbed down a lot over the past decade, depending on which state you live in. It depends on how active the lobbyists/certain companies are… If your boyfriend’s motorcycle has a sidecar, he’s not countersteering. It’s impossible to countersteer with a sidecar rig. But on the other hand, countersteering is completely intuitive and natural, and everyone makes too big a fricking deal of it. Seriously, you learned how to countersteer when you were 7 years old, going as fast as you could on a bicycle and made a turn. It’s just weird because on a small scoot, you can countersteer the vehicle _underneath_ you while keeping your torso upright. That’s just a factor of mass distribution. Simply put: the handlebar on two wheels does not act like the handlebar on a tricycle, except at very, very slow speeds. And your body already knows this, or else you wouldn’t be able to change lanes. Be more concerned about knowing how to brake without locking up your wheels. That drops more riders to the pavement that anything else.