Maxi Scooter, mini engine

[Steevw]

Not too sure if I've come to the right place here. Before Christmas, I bought myself a nice big Suzuki Bergman. The reason I'm not sure if it'll fit in is because it's the 125 version (still got my L plates on).

Either way it's got me back on 2 wheels, after about 10 years off, in an interesting mix of loving it and s*******g it - I'd never ridden a big scooter before, they don't go round corners like normal motorbikes do they?

[horobags]

you are at the right place, a fair few 125's on here. welcome.
After 10 years you will be a bit rusty, check tyre pressure and go for a long ride to get used to it and build confidence.

[stevew]

Too true, it does feel different but you will be surprised how good the handling / roadholding of modern scoots is. Takes a while for it to feel normal but it will and then you will really start to love it.
If anything the handling is better than some bikes and roadholding is slightly inferior. Once you get used to it you will find that rider ability is far more important than the machine.

[SH125Paul]

Best advice and thing i found with the bike v scoot thing is it feels like you are riding behind the rider input, and always with a little clutch slip...
Where you would usually corner on a constant throttle on a bike, slow a little first and drive through on the auto scoot, that would then tend to keep the revs more constant and the drive engaged...
Enjoy...

[Steevw]

Thanks chaps, that all makes a lot of sense. I hadn't really thought of the handling and the roadholding as separate entities until now. I keep my CBT in date, but I've always done it on a geared bike, so I'm a bit aware that I haven't got any training on this sort of vehicle.

Bit of a question of tyres, I'm on Avon Viperstrykes. I normally run avons on the cars because they're soft and grippy, but these feel a bit hard to me. Anyone else found the same, or is that just me?

[michaelphillips]

welcome lad, id try and get some michelin city grips fitted they are really good for feel on the smaller scoots, 175kilo ish rides. very grippy and warm up better and better rider feel on scoots up to the 300cc 200kilo rides, at least get one immediatly for the front and wear out the rear before changing over. if you have a bike tyre fitter near you get the tyre online at openeo etc for £35 to forty quid and take the rim down, have the rim balanced as well as they dont tend to bother unless you ask ..

[roadster]

I've used Avon Vipers and although OK when new they deteriorated as they wore unevenly. They are made in the far east and definitely a budget tyre.

[SH125Paul]

+1 on the city grips...

[kishan]

welcome to MM

[Scootypuff snr]

Welcome