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Post by Gary on May 15, 2007 11:04:30 GMT -5
I'm starting to do the freeway thing with my Viva 250. Its OK, but I have noticed that I'm buffeted by the wind a lot and the scooter is a little bit "jumpy." Sort of feels like the tires may be sticking in the freeway grooves some, and/or the frame is flexing a little. Is this normal? I've checked the steering, suspension, axles, etc and nothing seems loose.
(By the way, I'm probably doing about 70 mph or so. That's normal freeway speed around here unless there is traffic.)
Thanks!
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Post by scooterollie on May 15, 2007 11:11:38 GMT -5
I really don't prefer the typical Chinese 250s for high speed cruising. All the things you said are true of most of them, especially with the smaller 10"/12"/13" tires. I think they are more acceptable for speeds of + or - 60 mph, for local roads. They have ample power for that speed. I would want one of the larger, heavier cruiser-type scoots with taller tires for anything more than a very short hop on the freeway.
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Post by luciano136 on May 15, 2007 11:18:20 GMT -5
Looking at the assembly quality of the chinese scooters, I'd be a little worried too about getting on the freeway. If something would come loose at high speed, it might be a painful crash. Especially in Socal.
I retightened most bolts and nuts again last night (except under the engine cover). Some of those plastic attachment points for the covers are definitely cheap! Luckily most mechanical points seemed fine...
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Post by lewtwo on May 15, 2007 17:58:19 GMT -5
I get the same feeling on the Vespa. The Worst case is behind one of those boxy things referred to as a SUV. Try meeting a string of tractor trailers at night on a two lane road with the traffic on both sides going about 75mph. Main reason I bought the Honda 450 and put the fairing on it. That works but at high speeds (85+) I still feel the effects of dirty air behind other traffic. I have come to the conclusion that bigger wheels may be better for bumps but for stability at highway speed nothing beats mass.
Having said all that I have no fear of traveling on the interstate at speeds up to 75mph on a good 250 (or my GT200 for that matter with its 12 inch wheels), but pay careful attention to the roadway, traffic and the other vehicles.
Speaking of potholes: Watch out in Miami ... Last November I saw sections of the interstate with chunks missing big enough for my front wheel to fall through.
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Post by monty57 on May 15, 2007 18:44:12 GMT -5
I have ridden many size motorcycles and scooters over the year and as far as freeway travel, "bigger is better". Lightweight bikes or scoots are going to be moved much more easily by the wind and "dirty air" caused by traffic.
Also, larger diameter tires do make the ride much more stable (gyroscopic effect). All in all Gary, I think the ride you describe is a normal ride for this size scooter. Be careful, watch the pavement and give larger vehicles plenty of room.
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Post by oldscooterguy on May 15, 2007 20:27:56 GMT -5
Riding most scoots on the highway is as fun as sitting in a lawn chair in a hurricane.
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Post by runrun on May 15, 2007 20:56:58 GMT -5
Riding most scoots on the highway is as fun as sitting in a lawn chair in a hurricane. I don't think I would ride no 2 wheeler on the freeway. People are driving to fast 10mph faster thank the posted speed limit. |
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Post by cloudaz on May 15, 2007 20:58:53 GMT -5
I do get the wind buffeting on my ride, but I have gotten used to it, my uc250z seems pretty stable at freeway speeds, however I have been breaking muffler bolts when I go more that 80mph( even grade 8 bolts).
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Post by scooterollie on May 16, 2007 5:19:05 GMT -5
I really like that!!!
"Riding most scoots on the highway is as fun as sitting in a lawn chair in a hurricane."
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Post by pressman1966 on May 16, 2007 7:26:45 GMT -5
I do rides from my small town of Tulare to Fresno on 99 about a 50 mile ride there. The 4 wheelers there do around 80 to 90 most of the time because of the long straight aways. I have riden 2 wheelers of different sizes most of my life and on a freeway, you will feel all the concret groves, bumps, and wind from all the 4 wheelers.
What I do is simple and I think the safest way I could ever make the trip. I spend a few minutes making sure my helmet, gloves and clothing are good and squarded away while looking for a trucker being passed by other truckers. Good hint that that truck is governed and would max out at 65 but will cruise at 60. I'll fall in behind him at the point where the backend of the scooter is the part buffeted. About 20 to 30 feet if it is a 53 foot trailer. Everyone will see the trucker 90% of the time and if he had to make an emergancy stop, you should be able to stop, find a bush, get back on and stop behind him before he does. (lol)
The biggest benifit of being being a trucker like that, it is going to cut the wind for you, move or hit most of the bugs, and also they are proffesionals that driving is thier money maker and thay are the safest drivers on the road per miles driven.
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Post by jackthefuzz on May 16, 2007 8:37:26 GMT -5
Riding most scoots on the highway is as fun as sitting in a lawn chair in a hurricane. been there and DONE that, its really pretty fun. Now as to riding a scoot on the freeway at 70mph. Its just not all that safe and your experience level must be pretty high in order to do it withouot paying the price. There are ways to make it handle better over expansion joints that you were complaining about. Change the fork oil and change the rear shocks to something that is adjustable and you will smooth alot of that out. |
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Post by Dennis D on May 16, 2007 9:55:58 GMT -5
I ride state highways, decomissioned hiways(that were thought to be outdated by the interstates), and some of the lesser traveled roads in the old federal highway system. I see far more bikers per mile, including big touring bikes and cruisers, on those roads than I do when I need to go somewhere in the cage on an interstate or freeway. You have to watch so much more than just what's ahead of you, that it isn't fun at all on the interstates.
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Post by WarrenS on May 16, 2007 10:59:01 GMT -5
I love to ride the Burgy on the freeway. It feels better than around town. The Morph is not too bad on the freeway but is great around town. That is why I have them both.
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Post by Gary on May 16, 2007 12:08:20 GMT -5
Thanks all for the interesting replies. Sounds like what I'm expereincing is more or less normal for a chineese 250. I think I'll keep experimenting with short hops just to see how it goes.
Cheers,
Gary
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Post by Leader on May 18, 2007 21:59:53 GMT -5
I ride a 2002 Reflex with 17,000 miles. I've put 14000 on it since I bought it in August 2004. I find it to be very solid on the road at 70 mph. I do get buffetted somewhat, but that is part of the ride on two wheelers. I find it exhilarating to ride in less than optimum conditions.
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Post by Dennis D on May 18, 2007 22:39:31 GMT -5
I find it exhilarating to ride in less than optimum conditions. It's what Patrick McManus called "A Fine and Pleasant Misery" the title of a book of fishing short stories. |
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Post by buckeyescoot on May 19, 2007 7:02:28 GMT -5
Gary -
I did my first freeway ride, only a few miles between exits as a first test. Some wind buffeting but all in all okay. I too have a streath of highway on my commute to work that I would like to use the scooter for, about a 10 miles of a 22 mile commute. I was able to get to 75 on a slight down hill grade. Was able to run up hill with a passenger later in the day and ran between 65 and 70.
I have some non highway routes that adds about ten minutes to my commute. If I can get my pre-teen age kids up and out the door in the morning for school, I can decide which route to take. I enjoy the back roads, but got the 250cc to use the highway if I need to.
I see you are from San Diego. Beautiful place. We visited two years ago for summer vac. Sea world, the Midway, ran up to Legoland and up to Disneyland. Did my USMC basic there way back in '75.
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Post by WarrenS on May 19, 2007 9:59:26 GMT -5
The first time I took my Helix on the highway I was very tentative. Then I discovered it was the same as riding at slower speeds only faster.  |
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Post by Charlie on May 19, 2007 10:29:45 GMT -5
Hiway riding will become second nature to you much as driving a cage on the hiway is now. The difference is that your levels of awareness are more keen when on a scoot or bike. You also have a better view of what is happening around you.
The only real downside is heavy traffic riding as you must be ever vigilant.
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Post by Dennis D on May 19, 2007 12:31:41 GMT -5
Thing about it is, as I get older and my testosterone level gets lower, interstate driving, even in the cage, is no longer exactly second nature to me. Used to be... back when I was one of the aggressive ones, but now the level of aggression on the freeways and interstates is much higher than it was, and I just don't care to play anymore.
However, when I'm in the cage, and someone messes with me, or worse yet... messes with really cautious, obviously timid drivers, I get pissed off and if I can get in front of them, I begin "pacing" traffic in the slower lanes enough that I slow em down for awhile. For the most part I'd rather just stay away from that whole situation unless freeways are the only reasonable option. And if I had a bigger scooter that would do the speeds... I couldn't afford to get in situations like that on a two wheeler. I have no desire anymore to be the fastest one out there, and if I know I'm going into a situation that's likely to get me upset, saving a little time isn't worth it.
I'll drive from here to Indy on the interstate, but usually during low traffic time periods. Other than that I'll hop on one for 6-12 miles or so for convenience once in awhile(again during off-peak hours), and that's about it. I've gotten on the interstate loop around town from one exit to the next on the Strada twice and run flat out til I'm off of it... OK for low traffic times, but certainly not what you'd call freeway travel.
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