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Here's an interesting example
of "dumb things you can do."
The number assigned to the "Run/Stop" switch could hardly
be more appropriate -- "13."
You can ignore this switch - it doesn't do anything you can't do by
turning the ignition key on and off. Many riders never use the thing
at all, so it is easily forgotten and ignored. Until it is somehow accidentally
turned to "Stop!" Then you run the battery flat trying to
start the engine, you remove the side panels and troubleshoot the ignition
system, you decide that either the coil or the pulse generator must
be defective.
You take the scoot to the nearest Honda dealer (no one else will work
on it and the parts are not easily accessed or removed) -- where the
service man asks what's wrong, and on hearing that it suddenly decided
to 'not start,' he switches #13 to "Run" and asks, "Did
you turn this to 'Run'?"
Save yourself the embarassment and trouble - remember to check this
"useless" switch if the sucker won't enven try to start!
How many people can you carry on your scooter ??
Answer: Too many! This gentleman, no doubt, loves his family; but his wife, hanging on the back, doesn't look too certain.
How do you learn to ride safely?
"Take a course ..." sounds good, but courses are not yet universally available and you might not want to wait until next year to use your scooter. So- PRACTICE is demanded, in a safe, non-traffic area. A week of regular riding for an hour a day or so BEFORE YOU VENTURE OUT INTO TRAFFIC. You should be able to ride "figure-8" patterns in a space about 30 feet wide by 50 feet long, with confidence, feet on floorboard, at five m.p.h. This is surely not the best or the only way to learn, but it beats "no practice" hands down!
| Allow me to use my
own experience as an example: I have ridden 2-wheelers (scooters or
motorcycles) as far back as 1952 - but not recently. I knew this and
even though tempted, I restrained my urge to play in traffic, riding
on side streets (25 mph limit) and a local park for several weeks
until completely comfortable with my ability to make clean turns,
starts, stops and avoidance maneuvers. Sure, it was a little embarassing to admit that I might not be the rider I was 50 years ago, but it has paid off in comfort and safety. Bill |
Speaking of riding: how does the Aero go for a ride? After some false starts, here is my solution to transporting the scooter.
Here are more details of loading and securing on the VersaHaul.