general Anypony here drive a moped or a scooter?

[Denim&Venöm 19,294]

I'm asking cause I just bought my own a few days ago and looking for some advice. Any tips you'd give to a first time rider? 

[Kagami-sama 320]

I used to drive a small little 50cc moped. I still have it sitting in my back yard.

 

What kind of advice are you looking for?

[Denim&Venöm 19,294]

I used to drive a small little 50cc moped. I still have it sitting in my back yard.

 

What kind of advice are you looking for?

Things to remember when riding, is it safe to park anywhere or does it need to be chained to something, types of weather to avoid riding in, do you ride on the shoulder to let traffic pass or do you stay in the center of your lane? Basic stuff for a first time rider. 

[StormdustPony 471]

I used to... took it about 60 and wrecked into the side of a bridge in front of my cousins car.   Lucky for me i laid it down sideways before i hit the gardrail. the creek was dry and rocky.   It took us about 10 minutes to get it unwedged from under the guardrail.\

[Flutter's lover <3 8,206]

Basically you ride like a motorcycle would...Here in Canada, you'd ride in the left track closest to the line dividing the opposite traffic. If it's a 2 lane road, you wanna ride on the left side of the outside lane and ride on the right side of the inside lane. If it's 3 lanes, you wanna ride in the middle of the middle lane.

 

 

Here's a diagram of what i mean. 

 

 

 

 

As for parking, Same as motorcycle. park it so that you take up as much of the spot as possible.

 

 

Also, when changing lanes, look back over your shoulder and use your signals. and if there's a car in front of you, make sure you ride so he sees you in his mirror, before changing lanes/passing.  Also be aware of blindspots.

 

Have you ridden it much?

[Kagami-sama 320]

Things to remember when riding, is it safe to park anywhere or does it need to be chained to something, types of weather to avoid riding in, do you ride on the shoulder to let traffic pass or do you stay in the center of your lane? Basic stuff for a first time rider. 

 

Parking safety shouldn't be a problem as most bikes can lock the wheel in place.

When the moped is off, turn the wheel to the left while turning the key in the opposite direction of starting it. This should lock the wheel in a left turning position. People won't be able to simple roll it away and it's too heavy to pick up. Of course that doesn't mean people can simple toss it in the back of a pick up truck and drive off with it. But that's unlikely ever going to happen as it's simply not worth all the effort for a moped.

 

Weather to avoid would be rain and snow. I've driven in heavy rain before and it didn't give me any problems. But it's hard to see if you're wearing a helmet. And those rain drops feel like needles poking you! It's hurts! lol

 

Laws may differ from state to state, but in most states, you are REQUIRED to drive and follow the some rules and laws as cars.

So you must drive in the center of your lane.

Driving on the shoulder is illegal unless you're going way under the speed limit and thus causing traffic behind you. In which case you may move to the shoulder lane to let cars pass you.

Driving on the highway is, in most states, illegal if your moped is under 150cc. But the highway is required to have signs stating that.

So if there's no sign, no problem driving there.

 

But beyond that,driving a moped isn't much different than driving a car( legally speaking ).

 

Now in regards to tips:

• Always wear a helmet. duh
• Try to wear long pants and shirts. This'll ensure you won't get road burn in the event of an accident.
• BUT make sure you clothing is as tight to you skin as possible. Anything too baggy can act like a parachute and slow you down when driving.
• Follow traffic laws as any car would.
• When stopping at a red light( or in general ) place BOTH feet on the ground.
• Take care of your moped. Check the oil and such. You take care of your moped, your moped will take care of you.
• Remember to turn OFF your blinker! I can't tell you how many times I forgot to turn that damn thing off and just kept on driving like an idiot... lol Unlike cars, with bikes you have to manually turn them off.

That's about it.

Oh and last but not least, don't be a dick. Be respectful to the drivers around you.

 

And if you see another biker driving by you and he/she waves at you, return the wave. If not, don't.

 

The biker wave is a way to acknowledge other bikers. However, most bickers don't consider mopeds and dirt bikes to be TRUE bikers.

But if they wave at you first, take some pride and wave back.

 

Edit: So many typos! <_>

Edited July 11, 2016 by Kagami-sama

[EpicEnergy 23,224]

I haven't driven one before, so I don't know how it is.

[Splashee 28,566]

On 6/30/2016 at 3:53 AM, Denim&Venöm said:

I'm asking cause I just bought my own a few days ago and looking for some advice. Any tips you'd give to a first time rider?

Well, take it easy in the beginning. Store it inside or under cover (not out in the rain). Use the right petrol and oil.

 

And have fun!