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Loose Change:

OK, I gotta question, just exactly what kind of training are you after that maybe wasn't adequately covered in your L's course in enough depth?

Thanks for that, Loose Change.

Well anything really! I'm not saying the basics weren't covered. I felt the L training was really pretty good for someone who started with very little idea. The instructor was great and I did learn a lot. However, it's silly for me to think that 7 hours of very basic training, on a small area of flat bitumen, in a very controlled environment, in good weather, will equip a person (me), for riding on all sorts of roads, terrains, traffic and weather. Because I don't have biking friends around me who can focus their time on helping me whenever I need it, I'm happy to pay for someone to give me further help. It makes sense. (Stayin' alive, stayin' alive!).

As an example, the problem I have with opening the throttle as I'm trying to brake is one very important issue that I need to resolve - and quickly. Forums like this are invaluable, and I'm doing my best to implement the advice so kindly given here, but having an experienced trainer actually showing me is a different thing entirely.

It's hard to know 'exactly what kind of training' I'm after, as I'm new to all this and really don't know what I need to know, until I'm in a situation where I need to know it!! I know how I learn best and it isn't by reading, but by asking, seeing, and doing, so that's why I think further training is the go for me anyway.

I guess, so far, the things which concern me are the braking issue, going around bends and staying upright, wet weather riding, and I suppose a host of things which will undoubtedly come with more experience, but would certainly be helped with a professional trainer.

I think, for experienced riders, it might be difficult to reflect on the time when you were like me, and not confident on the scooter. It's a bit like me, with 35 years driving experience. I really don't think too much about it, I just drive. Pretty much everything I do is so completely natural to me, I only have to watch the road and other users and anticipate what might happen. But being on a new type of vehicle, the scooter, I'm not only trying to do those things, but also trying to get to know and master the machine, be aware of the centre of gravity of the scooter, the environment (which is now a much more critical factor), the weather and all sorts of things I don't actually think too much about when in my car. It really is such a different experience. Being older, too, adds it's own element to the mix, as we simply don't learn as well at this age, and are much more aware of the possibilities of bad outcomes. I learned to drive when I was 17 and hadn't lived much. At 52, and being a nurse, I have seen many things most of us never want to see. I've lost many friends in accidents - some of them just horrific. I'm aware this can happen to me. So, I am just trying to do what I can to minimise the chances of me hurting myself or anyone else.

I wish I could be more specific, Loose Change, but as I say, I'll only know what i need when I need it - and that may be too late.

But all up I just want to have fun and stay safe!

Scooternut:

but our Lizzie is MINUS 8000 years old, I don't think she quite qualifies

Sorry Nutters - you were right and I was wrong. Don't even know my own age!!!

Faerie nuff answer Lizzie, I was genuinely interested to know about your concerns as I don't think that a lot of what works for bikes will always also work for a scooter due to differing handling characteristics caused by the different geometry of the two beasts. Bikes generally have larger diameter tyres, the engine placed more centrally between the wheels, a lower centre of gravity and also a longer wheel base and all those things combined would I think make it difficult for a trainer, unless he/she specialises in scooter training, to translate to a scooter. I myself have just got onto a scooter for the first time, so I am by no means an expert on scooters, having said that I do have many years experience on big bikes, the last two bikes I had were both BMW's a K1200RS and an R1150RT. While they were both wonderfull bikes I found that I didn't do enough long distance riding any more to warrant keeping them as they are not nice in an urban environment.

May I suggest that as an adjunct to getting more training that you also consider going out on rides with lots of like minded people on scooters and gather all their collective wisdom as you go along. I think someone on here mentioned a book once called "A Twist of the Wrist" by a bloke called Keith Code, I have that book and let me say that you can learn things out of a book, providing you learn one thing at a time and practice it while thinking about how it was written in the book. If you like you are very welcome to my copy of the book as it has helped me immensely and I would like to think that there is still a lot of valuable information in it to help a newcomer like yourself. Keith Code by the way, started and ran the American Superbike School, so the bloke does know his subject.

Nowra is beautiful this time of the year if you and some friends need an excuse to go for a ride and I have seen quite a few other Nowra-ites listed in this forum.

There is a link to that book on the forum somewhere to get a free pdf copy

Thanks  Loose Change and Pyrah. I appreciate the offer of the book, Loosey, but I'll just try and get it over the net. You never know, you may  need it at a later date. Thanks so much for the recommendation!