Hi, I’ve ridden motorbikes for years of varying styles and sizes but my current deauville is becoming old and cranky so I have now got my first scooter. It’s a 250cc satelis and is undergoing a suspension overhaul for the mot butI was wondering how the handling and riding, cornering, leaning, braking may differ from a motorbike. Any control and handling tips which are different for a scooter would be useful before I run wide or under steer on its tiny wheels I know balance and getting used to sitting on it like a chair will be very strange. Are there issues with leaning too far and grounding the side panels? Or tucking the front wheel in too tight and losing control?
Ha Ha, your knees won't have a tank to hold on to, it's a rear brake lever not a clutch, don't go wanking into a corner cos you will run wide, just gently brake in and power out the corner. You might find it corners well but i find my typhoon (pictured left) is a bit timid at the sight of a long bend ! My other scooter on 10" goes round like a R1 yam ! Check tire pressures and adjust to your needs, if there old get new ones as there not expensive. Centre of gravity is a lot lower so slow riding is far easier in traffic, petrol tank is usually under the seat ! As you already know wet weather is a go easy on corners affair, but I think you'll find it most pleasurable and ask yourself why you didd'nt get one sooner ! You'll love it as scooters are just so easy to ride.
Thanks for the reply. Do scooters tend to drift wider on bends than bikes. I know I can drag the back brake for control but I take it I can’t enter fast and lean hard then!? I’m sure it’ll be a laugh, maybe not for the cars in the other lane. Removing panels for maintenance is painful and I’ve found I have to remove the exhaust and rear wheel just to service my back brake, but no chain to worry about which is good. New tyres is a good shout
You just need to try it and see how it handles, I find tyre pressures do affect how it feels abviously but you'll find what it likes ! All scooters are a pain but you get used to it, use plenty of copper slip on all nuts/bolts !!