djw@lanl.ARPA (08/13/85)
In article <2036T3B@psuvm> T3B@psuvm.BITNET writes: >I am requesting advice about safety, utility, and models of motorscooters. > Are these things reasonably >safe transportation? She is especially interested in a Vespa--any comments >on this? > I bought my first scooter when I was 15. I rode scooters until I was 20 and was in an accident due to a design flaw in the scooter. I had a Lambretta but the same flaw was in the Vespas back then ( 1964 ). They don't seem to be too different now. **NOTE** I have not checked this out because we don't have Vespa, Lambretta, Honda scooter dealerships around here. The problem is: The fork design came from bicycles and not motorcycles. That is, the fork tube comes straight up through the headset and is grasped by a "Friction Fit Collar" MADE OF POTMETAL ( cast aluminum or something similar). The terminal graphics aren't good enough for me to describe the fitting, Please stand by while I think of a suitable description. Remember how the handlebars on your bicycle slipped through a U-shaped fastener which was seized by a bolt? The handlebars on a scooter are attached to the fork post in that manner. The piece that attaches to the fork post is made of a brittle metal which is easily cracked when the front forks bottom out ( as in wheelstands or potholes ). When this piece is cracked or stretched ( just a smidgeon, ) the handlebars will no longer turn the front wheels in an emergency... The front wheels will still turn most of the time and you'll think everything is OK, but any panic turns just won't be executed. The handlebars will turn and the front wheel won't, the handlebar will twist on the fork tube just like it used to on your bicycle when the bolt down through the headset was loose. For this major reason and thousands of minor reasons I recommend a small motorcycle. The small motorcycles you are liable to find to buy will have been designed for off-road ( trail bike/ motorcross ) use and will be an order of magnitude stronger than the scooters you've been looking at. ( Unless you've found and old Cushman Eagle; the single exception to what I've said above - and made by Harley Davidson - those people of AMF until recently. ) The tall wheels do make the bike safer with respect to potholes, but the scooters project a certain image as do the motorscooters. Your daughter is 16, if she will go along with your suggestion and you are truly willing, just bite the bullet and go to a motorscooter store and find what is there. PS, the Vespa Ciao looks like it avoids these problems, but it is too frail. An inquisitive 12-year-old boy can destroy a Ciao in 15 minutes. I spent 4 1/2 months in traction because of the potmetal handlebars on my brand new Lambretta. Seven months to learn to walk again. They wanted to cut my leg off but my mother made them promise to get my permission since I was just 4 months short of being 21... It happened the day before her 40th birthday. Hell of a present. Dave Wade P.S. You will still be able to get Harley Davidson parts in America for a while yet, just drive into any bowling alley and take them off the pin setting machine... :-)
djw@lanl.ARPA (08/14/85)
In article <29610@lanl.ARPA> djw@a.UUCP (David Wade) writes: > >The tall wheels do make the bike safer with respect to potholes, but the >scooters project a certain image as do the motorscooters. Your daughter motorcycles!!!! >is 16, if she will go along with your suggestion and you are truly willing, >just bite the bullet and go to a motorscooter store and find what is there. motorcycle!!!!! > I'm sorry about that, I meant to say "go buy a small motorcycle". I believe that you should stay under 350cc. The reason that Mr. Honda is so rich is that his little 80cc motorized cycle almost took over the world. And, his Honda 305 "Dream" evolved into the 360cc/600cc twin that powers all of the subcompact cars and Vans. And the Honda "Dream" => Honda 350 is just about the perfect bike; not too slow, not too quick, but it'll hit "too damn fast" without breaking. Dave
john@gcc-bill.ARPA (John Allred) (08/23/85)
{munch, munch}
this is a test
--
John Allred
General Computer Company
uucp: seismo!harvard!gcc-bill!john