Motorcycles Harassing Scooters?

[aelucas]

Hey fellow scoots. I posted this to the general forum, but I'm posting it here too to get feedback -- does anyone else have this problem?

Hello All,

Maybe I'm paranoid, but I get the impression that many people riding motorcycles in my neighborhood (socal) cannot respect the right of my 250cc scooter to share space with them.

Am I right? and if I'm right, why? Or is it possible that I am doing something unknowingly to provoke people?

It seems like every time I approach a motorcycle that has been going along without incident there is a 50/50 chance that they will suddenly do something weird: suddenly speeding up and/or maneuvering to get in front of me are the big favorites. Sometimes this has happened with pairs of motorcyclists riding together. Its not normal behavior: I've seen motorcycles racing or otherwise interacting and challenging each other and it is not that. A couple of times what ever they did got them honked by the cars around them.

In urban socal, I have to share a lot of space with lots motorcycles. Traffic being what it is, there is hardly a relationship between how cool or powerful your bike is and how fast you are going half the time. And that may be the problem. A smaller bike moves faster in traffic: I fit nicely between cars on the freeway and on the street. For this reason, it is it not uncommon for me to pass a motorcycle, or go faster than a motorcycle.

That is, if they will let me pass . . .

Maybe I'm preaching to the choir, but I bring this up here because I've only been riding eight or nine months, so maybe I am misunderstanding something. Also, I especially get the impression new riders are bothered by it. I say that based on the fact that I am more likely to be cut off or otherwise harassed when 1. the motorcycle is a new model and/or very shiny and clean or 2. the gear (if they even have it) is bright, clean and matches. People with new matching Harley gear are pretty bad, but people with bright shiny sports bikes are the worst


My general sense is that I am just trying to get home and somebody's ego is getting in the way.

There are so many good riders out there I see everyday -- and many helped and encouraged me. Thank you so much. I don't mean to make every motorcycle out to be a jerk

I just don't get it -- am I paranoid?

Ann in LA


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[CaptGoodvibes]

Have you ever seen the movie Quadrophenia? It's all about the issues between Mods(trendy scooter riders) and Rockers(50's throwback bikers) way back in 60's England. It's based on actual events. There is a lot of contempt from bikers towards people the ride "hairdryers"

Seriously though, I was a proud Mod in High School and rode a Vespa all over the streets of L.A.

Two things you should remember about bikers: They are worried that you are new and inexperienced and that you will cause them to crash somehow. And they also don't want their friends to see them riding "with" a scooter.

If I were you, I'd ignore them and just blast on through. Find some Mods to hook up with, only if you ride an Italian scooter though

[LoDownSinner]

You are in the company of morons. Avoid them if possible.

[A_Pmech]

Hi Ann, welcome!

Some motorcyclists buy a motorcycle to "look cool" rather than ride it. You don't fit in with their image of "coolness", so they feel the need to bully. It happens to other motorcycle riders as well, although most of it seems to be in the form of trash talk. I've never had another person on two wheels try the stunts you're talking about, but I don't doubt that you've experienced it.

I'm not sure what to say other than ride your own ride and watch out for the idiots of the two and four-wheeled kind. I certainly wouldn't let it deter you from riding!

I lead a scooter ride from a Vespa dealership near me every once in a while. They're a great group of people, some on motorcycles, others on scooters. We all have a good time and ice cream afterwards. To me, that's what is important, enjoying the ride and the company, regardless of what you ride.

[Wolfie]

Don't feel paranoid, it seems to me like they feel threatened by you and feel the need to act out. Sad but true.
It could also be that they are trying to show off to get some attention from a female rider.
Ignore them and avoid them if possible.
The last thing you want is to get wrapped up in the accident that they may cause.

mark

[HappyPuppy]

Last summer in Seattle they had a Vespa National meet, much like , the Honda Hoots , BMW, etc. My "scooter commuter" is a Y400 Majesty because it works well in the cilt and I stuff my laptop etc, under the seat. I dropped by a local pub that a lot of the scooter riders were at and spoke to a few. Some were pretty cool into vintage scoots and restoring them. Others were right out of Quadrophenia and speaking in a strange mix of Italian greetings and seemed a little bit odd. The females I spoke to seemed to have some very strong opinions on "bikers" Whatever that means, and did not like them at all. They told me the Y400 I had was not a "scooter" they are "all metal and have very small wheels" it seems. whatever, I like most riders, from sport bikers to Goldwings. If it is on 2 wheels it is good in my book , but this bunch was unlike any other I had encountered. To each there own I guess.

[aelucas]

Yeah -- my Aprillia is Italian, but its a bit beyond the Rocker/Mod conflict. My Italian scooter brethren see me as a black sheep. Yes, its Italian, but . . . its big and looks a bit more like a motorcycle. Is it possible other riders in traffic don't realize its a scooter at first? Most people in socal ride the small, small vespas and then there is the occasional Honda, usually ridden by someone who also has a motorcycle in the garage. Mine is neither. I don't know why 250+ scooters aren't more common in California: it is a great urban bike and freeway worthy.

[CaptCrash]

I love seeing scooters. I think they're cool. Here's a thought that just passed through my head on how I look at them:

I kinda see them as "little brothers/sisters". In other words, my immediate reaction is 'they're a bike--but not an total equal'.

Which is wrong. In fact, my gut reaction is kind of a patronizing 'shucks there lil' cowboy I'll try not to hurt you...bein' your so young and tender."

Now that the rest of my brain is working and I realize that since I ride a 400 there are LOTS of larger scooters and I'm kinda feelin' bad. Scooters are motorcycles! Perhaps the friendly "scooter" label is part of the division. "Scooter" sounds like the guy who would hang with Jimmy Olson and say "jeepers" alot...

Boy. I have issues. This is the part where I say "I know lots of scooter people--some of my best friends are scooter peoples"...

I need to upgrade my thinking.

[walturd]

Interesting observation(?) about 'cycles harassing scooters....never gave it much thought before, but I'll be more mindful of the image. I started out on a moped back in 1960, then got a Cushman scooter in 1962, and then a Harley in 1965....I don't care WHAT you ride, just that you DO ride.

[NathanArizona]

I was harassed the other week by three cleverdick sportbike riders who blew by my 250 Honda a few inches away on an otherwise empty road, endangering my life and theirs. A few miles later, I cruised by them where sportbike boy #1 was sitting on the side of the road in the sand that had dropped his brand new bike (I think it was a B-King -- couldn't have been more than a month old). His idiot friend was parking his bike in the middle of the road. I offered to help, they declined. People like that get ground down by natural selection. Don't even think about them.