Greeting from Australia..:) Nice tips. One thing I would like to mentioned. Most scooter riders wear half face helmet with no protective clothing at all. Here in Australia, when we did rider course, we been told before you even considering scooter, you need to invest a decent amount on helmet, boots, jacket and pants with protection in them. Scooter may seems harmless but due to the small wheel size, they are very hard to control if you hit a pothole at high speed. so full face helmet and protective gears are must for scooter over 100CC
I’m so happy for the support alllll the way from Australia! Scooterists around the world! 🌎 You are sooo right, and we’re taught the same here. That said, I rarely see scooter riders in anything more than a helmet, and it drives me batty to see a rider without a helmet at all.
A cool little riding trick to master, scooter or motorcycle. When you pull up to a stop, come to the stop, stop, then put your foot down. It looks cool, and is actually a point of "owning" your balance and riding ability. Then, when you leave the stop, as soon as the bike moves, foot up and on the peg, floor, whatever, off you go. A far advanced thing to work on too.. When you're stopping to do a left turn with a couple cars going by in the other direction, don't put your foot down at all, just balance. Traffic clears, bang that square turn left and go.. :D
One of the things you learn in the training course is "two in, two down". As you slow to a stop apply both hand brakes (or brake and clutch) and then as you come to a stop put both feet down. Learn good riding practices and don't worry about "looking cool". That can come later. Be a safe rider first.
Thank you for all your videos. They all are very informative. Like you, I have a similar story. I started commuting with my bicycle a year ago. I started wanting more speed to be safer around traffic, passed my MSF course a couple of weeks ago and now I am shopping for a scooter. My first intention was to buy a Vespa GTS, but after sitting on one, I was intimidated by the seat height. As an inexperienced rider, I want to feel more in control as you mention in this video. So Buddy Kick it is!
I found your blog a few weeks ago when doing research about scooters and their differences. I found your info incredibly helpful. Thanks to you, I signed up for the basic riders safety course and will attend in July! I’m really excited about that.
@@ScooterNewbie I passed the MSF course! Yahoo! I have to admit, I started ok, but when we started doing the slow turns and tight maneuvering around those little cones, I had a LOT of difficulty. By day two, I really figured there was no way I was going to pass. But when it came time for the actual testing, the two areas that I struggled with the most I passed with flying colors! The portion that I was the most confident in, I lost most of those points because my front tire briefly hit the blue line for a spit second (going around the “S” curves). It’s all good though! I even got the same score as one of the best riders in our group. There was a few of us that had the same mishap on the same course in succession. 😂 I still don’t think I’m ready to be on the street yet, but I’m ready to begin this new adventure. As a disabled woman with back issues (not spinal) I was really worried it would affect pain levels, but after two straight days of constant riding for 8 hours, I didn’t have one problem. It was a lot of fun, but hard work. Once I got the proper body mechanics down, it was a blast! Thank you so much for posting your journey of riding scooters. You don’t know how much you helped me ease into my own journey. I’m looking forward to many safe days of riding with the wind in my hair! Thank you!
I have an electric moped/scooter with a top speed of 35 mph, and right now that seems too fast. I haven't gone over 15 mph yet. 😄 I've just been riding around the block in circles. The neighbors probably think I've lost it. With experience, I'm sure I'll graduate up to a faster moped. I enjoy your channel. Thanks for sharing!
Nothing wrong with going around in circles to learn to drive, well anything! When I was learning to drive a standard car, my husband kept yelling me “your doing it wrong!” Finally, I kicked him out of the car and drove around the block by myself for about 2hrs until I could go and shift without stalling the car. It didn’t take too long after I kicked him out to stop stalling but then kept going to develop technique. Nothing wrong with developing confidence by going at your own pace. I’m taking the basic rider class to learn to ride a scooter myself. I guarantee I will also be slowly going up and down street until I get comfortable. I can’t wait to see the neighbors reactions! 😂
I'm so in love with your video. I' m getting the same scooter that your husband have next week on Wendsday. I'm going to be using it for a delivery job that I"m in right now, and it's going to save me a lot of gas from what I'm driving right now even though it's a four banger truck. I'm also going to be enjoy the ride so much.
Great series on Scooters in Texas. A couple of pointers about sound 1. Make sure to synch your audio with the video. Its slightly off here. 2. Keep a wind guard on your lav mic, it will reduce the noise. there are fuzzy black ones from Rode mics. Cheers
Heyyy. I want to thank you for your videos. I finally purchased a Buddy Kick and got it a couple of days ago. I’m a complete newbie so I’ve been riding it around the parking lot and up and down a quiet street for about an hr each day. I’m getting more confident but I am afraid to get into traffic. Driving 10-20 miles an hr is different than going 25-35. How long did it take you to get into traffic? Anyone else reading this comment, if you like, I would appreciate your reply also. Thanks for the help!
Congrats on the Buddy Kick!! I really don’t remember how long it took me, but my next step was really to take the long way through neighborhoods to get to a specific place. I just wanted to stay off of the main traffic artery near me that would put me in traffic at 45-60 mph. That let me get better at interacting with traffic, turns, & stops at slower speeds. I kept taking those back roads riding daily, & then I hit the main artery road on Saturday or Sundays before 9 am. The roads are virtually empty then, so I could find the pot holes & such on my normal routes & just go the speed limit without needing to go over them (Your speedometer is about 5 mph slower than you’re actually going.)
You should do a video on the "scooter cannonball run". Don't folllow them enough to know if they restarted after Covid, But that is sort of the uber-scooter in USA experience.
They definitely did one this year, and I have seen sign-ups for 2023. I'm working up to trips of that length. I've only done a 3 hour trip, but we have something on the radar to at least get me out of the state!
I'm two weeks in on a vespa 150 with an upcoming training course to get my license. Anyway, I still tense up going 45-50 mph. Will this pass as I ride more? I hate that tight, fearful feeling because I love riding.
That training course will likely cause you some stress, too, but I was talking about some of that experience just yesterday with a coworker! When I started riding, I made a point to stick to routes that would keep me under 40 until I was ready. There is pretty much nothing worse than riding like you’re scared, so don’t hesitate to work yourself into those speeds as you gain experience and a comfort level. No shame in that game!
@@ScooterNewbie today was a breakthrough. I was hovering over 50 and finally was able to loosen my death grip and relax my arms. Thanks so much for your reply. That really encourages me. I really like your videos. Very helpful and you have a nice voice too!
500 is not too new, so congrats on needing that first service soon! I am sorry to hear it’s tough to get into a course. I can’t believe how valuable i still think it was… years later! I do hope you feel solid when out & about, but please let me know how I can support you! ❤️ 2 wheels!!
I dont understand. Why show two different things and saying they are the same. Its a big difference in seat hight if you have your scooter on the center stand or not. Why not show both bikes the same way? Theres only one reason that you should sit on your scooter while its on the center stand and thats for testing out the seating comfort/position, without actualy riding it prior to buying.
Hello, can you tell me the motor size and year of your pretty Buddy scooter? And where I may buy one that color? I'm sorry for all the questions. I'm a 5'4 woman and I'm wanting to learn to ride, and like your bike. ❤
I’ve been learning how to ride a scooter for a while now but I’m still struggling with balancing, I couldn’t put my both legs up without the scooter going wobbling and falling to side and it’s been a week and also i DO NOT know how to ride a bike so it’s kinda a related thing. I need help! May you give some more tips for balancing please? my people keep making fun of me not knowing how to ride a scooter 😭
Noooo! I hate that people are making fun of you for it. Are you able to power walk it? You basically have both feet on the ground, and you'll use your feet with the tiniest of help with the throttle. You do not want to use the throttle in any big way with your feet on the ground, so you're just barely adding pressure until it just is easy to walk with your feet. This gives you a feel so that balancing becomes more normal. OR go rent a bike if it's possible. I know it's lame, but no motor makes the whole thing a lot safer.
a bike balances upright when its moving. First plant your feet and balance the scooter with ur feet. When your ready to go put some gas on it and start moving forward, then you can pick up ur feet and the bike will still be upright
@@cfx5000 a 125 is fine if you weigh like 150 lbs or less. I prefer a 150 because I like how much quicker it accelerates off the line so I don’t hold up the flow of traffic.
My biggest challenge as a scooter rider has been getting the machine low enough I can touch the ground. :)
Greeting from Australia..:) Nice tips. One thing I would like to mentioned. Most scooter riders wear half face helmet with no protective clothing at all. Here in Australia, when we did rider course, we been told before you even considering scooter, you need to invest a decent amount on helmet, boots, jacket and pants with protection in them. Scooter may seems harmless but due to the small wheel size, they are very hard to control if you hit a pothole at high speed. so full face helmet and protective gears are must for scooter over 100CC
I’m so happy for the support alllll the way from Australia! Scooterists around the world! 🌎
You are sooo right, and we’re taught the same here. That said, I rarely see scooter riders in anything more than a helmet, and it drives me batty to see a rider without a helmet at all.
I love scooters! I wish everybody rode one. The streets would be safer, less crowded, and happier.
A cool little riding trick to master, scooter or motorcycle. When you pull up to a stop, come to the stop, stop, then put your foot down. It looks cool, and is actually a point of "owning" your balance and riding ability. Then, when you leave the stop, as soon as the bike moves, foot up and on the peg, floor, whatever, off you go. A far advanced thing to work on too.. When you're stopping to do a left turn with a couple cars going by in the other direction, don't put your foot down at all, just balance. Traffic clears, bang that square turn left and go.. :D
I can do that if I don't think too hard about it. :)
One of the things you learn in the training course is "two in, two down". As you slow to a stop apply both hand brakes (or brake and clutch) and then as you come to a stop put both feet down. Learn good riding practices and don't worry about "looking cool". That can come later. Be a safe rider first.
Thank you for all your videos. They all are very informative. Like you, I have a similar story. I started commuting with my bicycle a year ago. I started wanting more speed to be safer around traffic, passed my MSF course a couple of weeks ago and now I am shopping for a scooter. My first intention was to buy a Vespa GTS, but after sitting on one, I was intimidated by the seat height. As an inexperienced rider, I want to feel more in control as you mention in this video. So Buddy Kick it is!
Congrats on the MSF! Let me know which color you land on! That’s some of the Kick fun 🤩… all those color choices!
I found your blog a few weeks ago when doing research about scooters and their differences. I found your info incredibly helpful. Thanks to you, I signed up for the basic riders safety course and will attend in July! I’m really excited about that.
I can’t wait to hear how it goes! I’m considering re-taking it & trying out the more advanced, and I still have some nerves around that!
@@ScooterNewbie
I passed the MSF course! Yahoo! I have to admit, I started ok, but when we started doing the slow turns and tight maneuvering around those little cones, I had a LOT of difficulty. By day two, I really figured there was no way I was going to pass. But when it came time for the actual testing, the two areas that I struggled with the most I passed with flying colors! The portion that I was the most confident in, I lost most of those points because my front tire briefly hit the blue line for a spit second (going around the “S” curves). It’s all good though! I even got the same score as one of the best riders in our group. There was a few of us that had the same mishap on the same course in succession. 😂
I still don’t think I’m ready to be on the street yet, but I’m ready to begin this new adventure. As a disabled woman with back issues (not spinal) I was really worried it would affect pain levels, but after two straight days of constant riding for 8 hours, I didn’t have one problem. It was a lot of fun, but hard work. Once I got the proper body mechanics down, it was a blast!
Thank you so much for posting your journey of riding scooters. You don’t know how much you helped me ease into my own journey. I’m looking forward to many safe days of riding with the wind in my hair! Thank you!
I have an electric moped/scooter with a top speed of 35 mph, and right now that seems too fast. I haven't gone over 15 mph yet. 😄 I've just been riding around the block in circles. The neighbors probably think I've lost it. With experience, I'm sure I'll graduate up to a faster moped. I enjoy your channel. Thanks for sharing!
You just made me LOL for real with looking crazy in the neighborhood. I know those vibes oh so well! 😊
Nothing wrong with going around in circles to learn to drive, well anything! When I was learning to drive a standard car, my husband kept yelling me “your doing it wrong!” Finally, I kicked him out of the car and drove around the block by myself for about 2hrs until I could go and shift without stalling the car. It didn’t take too long after I kicked him out to stop stalling but then kept going to develop technique. Nothing wrong with developing confidence by going at your own pace.
I’m taking the basic rider class to learn to ride a scooter myself. I guarantee I will also be slowly going up and down street until I get comfortable. I can’t wait to see the neighbors reactions! 😂
Ha! 🙌 Little 1! I love that story, and you are SOOOOOOO right!
I'm so in love with your video. I' m getting the same scooter that your husband have next week on Wendsday. I'm going to be using it for a delivery job that I"m in right now, and it's going to save me a lot of gas from what I'm driving right now even though it's a four banger truck. I'm also going to be enjoy the ride so much.
Hey..I'm thinking of getting ONE..you helped me tnanks
Let me know which you decide on! Excited for you!!
Good video and yes the Motor Safety Course is excellent, especially if you get good instructors.
Great series on Scooters in Texas. A couple of pointers about sound 1. Make sure to synch your audio with the video. Its slightly off here. 2. Keep a wind guard on your lav mic, it will reduce the noise. there are fuzzy black ones from Rode mics. Cheers
I really enjoy your videos and style. you are a gem!
You’re very kind!
Heyyy. I want to thank you for your videos. I finally purchased a Buddy Kick and got it a couple of days ago. I’m a complete newbie so I’ve been riding it around the parking lot and up and down a quiet street for about an hr each day. I’m getting more confident but I am afraid to get into traffic. Driving 10-20 miles an hr is different than going 25-35. How long did it take you to get into traffic? Anyone else reading this comment, if you like, I would appreciate your reply also. Thanks for the help!
Congrats on the Buddy Kick!! I really don’t remember how long it took me, but my next step was really to take the long way through neighborhoods to get to a specific place.
I just wanted to stay off of the main traffic artery near me that would put me in traffic at 45-60 mph. That let me get better at interacting with traffic, turns, & stops at slower speeds.
I kept taking those back roads riding daily, & then I hit the main artery road on Saturday or Sundays before 9 am. The roads are virtually empty then, so I could find the pot holes & such on my normal routes & just go the speed limit without needing to go over them (Your speedometer is about 5 mph slower than you’re actually going.)
You should do a video on the "scooter cannonball run". Don't folllow them enough to know if they restarted after Covid, But that is sort of the uber-scooter in USA experience.
They definitely did one this year, and I have seen sign-ups for 2023. I'm working up to trips of that length. I've only done a 3 hour trip, but we have something on the radar to at least get me out of the state!
Excellent video, as usual.
That's so kind!! Thank you for watching
Thank you for helping out
Glad to help! Ask any questions you have - the scooter community is pretty awesome that way!
I'm two weeks in on a vespa 150 with an upcoming training course to get my license. Anyway, I still tense up going 45-50 mph. Will this pass as I ride more? I hate that tight, fearful feeling because I love riding.
That training course will likely cause you some stress, too, but I was talking about some of that experience just yesterday with a coworker!
When I started riding, I made a point to stick to routes that would keep me under 40 until I was ready. There is pretty much nothing worse than riding like you’re scared, so don’t hesitate to work yourself into those speeds as you gain experience and a comfort level.
No shame in that game!
And thank you for reaching out! I love hearing when a new rider is braving this whole new experience for the joy it brings!!
@@ScooterNewbie today was a breakthrough. I was hovering over 50 and finally was able to loosen my death grip and relax my arms. Thanks so much for your reply. That really encourages me. I really like your videos. Very helpful and you have a nice voice too!
You just made my day!! Thank you, and I’m thrilled it felt right for you today!! Sunshine & open road!!
Loving my kymco like 150i. Your right it really does have zip.
Good vid, I’m still new at a scooter, I actually only have about 500 ft on my zuma, and it’s hard to find a safety course in my area. Anyway thank
500 is not too new, so congrats on needing that first service soon! I am sorry to hear it’s tough to get into a course. I can’t believe how valuable i still think it was… years later! I do hope you feel solid when out & about, but please let me know how I can support you! ❤️ 2 wheels!!
I dont understand. Why show two different things and saying they are the same. Its a big difference in seat hight if you have your scooter on the center stand or not. Why not show both bikes the same way? Theres only one reason that you should sit on your scooter while its on the center stand and thats for testing out the seating comfort/position, without actualy riding it prior to buying.
Hello, can you tell me the motor size and year of your pretty Buddy scooter? And where I may buy one that color? I'm sorry for all the questions. I'm a 5'4 woman and I'm wanting to learn to ride, and like your bike. ❤
I’ve been learning how to ride a scooter for a while now but I’m still struggling with balancing, I couldn’t put my both legs up without the scooter going wobbling and falling to side and it’s been a week and also i DO NOT know how to ride a bike so it’s kinda a related thing. I need help! May you give some more tips for balancing please? my people keep making fun of me not knowing how to ride a scooter 😭
Noooo! I hate that people are making fun of you for it. Are you able to power walk it? You basically have both feet on the ground, and you'll use your feet with the tiniest of help with the throttle. You do not want to use the throttle in any big way with your feet on the ground, so you're just barely adding pressure until it just is easy to walk with your feet. This gives you a feel so that balancing becomes more normal. OR go rent a bike if it's possible. I know it's lame, but no motor makes the whole thing a lot safer.
a bike balances upright when its moving. First plant your feet and balance the scooter with ur feet. When your ready to go put some gas on it and start moving forward, then you can pick up ur feet and the bike will still be upright
alle beste vriendin schooter newbie van wesley de jong
How tall are you?
I'm a hair under 5'6".
Why is you voice out of sync with the video it is so annoying and before you ask it is not my internet as other videos work perfectly fine
No idea. 🙃 I’m betting it was a beginner editing mistake.
Glad I didn’t buy the 125
I just bought a Zuma 125. What is wrong with a 125?
@@cfx5000 a 125 is fine if you weigh like 150 lbs or less. I prefer a 150 because I like how much quicker it accelerates off the line so I don’t hold up the flow of traffic.
@@childfree83 My 2021 Zuma can hold up with any traffic. In fact, I can speed away rather quickly from it.