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...how many ladies out there ride maxi scooters? I still get odd looks when I am out on mine - like I borrowed it off my big brother.....but then again it could be the extra wheel on the front does it! :-)

Hope Y'all are having fun on your scoots!

 

I've had a mix of reactions to date. Anything from - "well done, it's almost like a REAL bike" (from the yahoo knobs at work as well as a friend who used to ride a motorbike & hates scooters) to "that is far too big for you. You're such a tomboy" (from my grandmother who has never driven a car let alone ridden a bike). Recently a bypasser, a man in his 50's, asked me if the bike was my boyfriend's. Of course I put a big smile on my face & said no, the bike is all mine! After that experience I bought some stickers which are individual letters spelling out "HER SCOOTER" on the windscreen.

The best reactions to date have been from my neighbour, a woman in her 80s who rode a Lambretta in her younger years, and a man who approached me at the shops telling me a little about his days as a Mod scooter rider in England.

I still laugh at the thought that my Le Grande could be considered to be a Maxi scooter.

The MP3 250cc is a great bike, it's such a thrill to ride. Steve@Ace was kind enough to lend me his demo MP3 250cc initially for a few hours during which myself & Dobergirl (who has a Le Grande as well as a MP3 400cc) rode down to the local cafe strip being admired & receiving favourable comments the whole way. I was in so much awe of the MP3 after that ride that I could only waffle to Steve about it being "like the first time I rode a rollercoaster. All the adrenalin, excitement with a touch of fear". He then leant it to me for a few days while my previous scooter was being serviced but after the experience on my driveway I was terrified of the bike & didn't touch it except to ride it back to Ace. I'm sure I would also have become comfortable with the MP3 as well, Steve@Ace was certainly very encouraging saying it was perfect for me, but didn't give myself the chance as I have the bad habit of not listening to the advice of others.

I REALLY love riding my scooter, Sorry Dobergirl  but it was built for ME! 

Hi Ladies,

I have two scoots my Honda Foresight 250cc (model before the Forza) and the Mighty Mio 100cc.

The Mio gets loads of comments that its cute, I have had many people come up to me and tell me about their bike or scoot riding past, not many nods though from other bikes or scoots. The Honda on the other hand is a very different reaction from people, lots more nods from other riders, but the tin tops and pedestrians don't often challenge me to 'who can get there first' scenario. When I have been out on the Honda and take the helmet and jacket off sometimes I get stares, I think they were expecting a male rider (well my helmet and jacket are not exactly feminine).

I used to take the Honda to uni sometimes and I always got comments from the toll collectors on the motorway that were positive, "Be carefull" , "Watch out for the idiots up ahead", "Do you have far to go, looks like a storm, take care". I was pulled over on the M1 near Mt Gravatt in the T2 lane by the boys in blue,  when I lifted up the visor  he smiled and  said "Your right to go love" the other guys already pulled up were not impressed.

People that know me were not surprised when I got a scooter or two as I am independent person and have always had a passion for scoots and bikes. My Husband is very supportive, he bought my first scoot for me for Mother's Day some years ago, he doesn't ride though. Friends joked and said it was only because my life insurance is paid up.

 I think that you have to be a active participant in life not a passive recipient, so if scoots are your go, it doesn't matter your sex or age, just go for it!

Cheers,

Denni:) 

 
 

I get a lot of "Why dont you just dive a car"

"You cant be safe on that thing"

"you go girl"

And of course "get a  real bike"

MerrilyW:

...how many ladies out there ride maxi scooters?

 

At this end, heaps: Sexxxim Girls. Seen here before, I know, but may be worth some new ones:

 

  

 

 

 

I think in Japan the ladies would get the respect that their scooter "acquires" whereas in Australia a scooter (no matter who the owner is) has very little respect with a loit of non-scooter riders or the general public - Bogan mentality again I suppose.

 

WOW those Japan girls and their scoots are cute - Have not seen those before - thanks! 

I guess with regards to Scotts comment about the attitude to scooters here in Oz - it is going to take a gentle bit of persuasion that they are certainly NOT uncool. The Maxi scooters are most likely best placed to help this shift as many Execs in the cities are starting to climb out of their gas guzzling 4x4s and onto the "Executive" looking Maxi Scooters. (My boss is even considering that shift and told me his two reasons are as follows:.. The first one is that he wants to encourage zero carbon as a company initiative (yeah right!)  and the second is that he is trying to get in touch with his feminine side - Now doesnt that say it all ...That he feels the need to have an excuse at all!.But I think it is a bit like the time that seatbelts were introduced and a lot of people resisted with the approach that it was "sissy" to wear them - Yet now it is uncool NOT to. 

And when scooters in general become less "uncool" with the petrol crisis driving the change - then it will be a natural progression to the smaller cheaper to register ones for those who prefer them - and without feeling the need to make excuses all the time.

Lead by example I say - and lets get out there to set the pace! :-) 

Yes & don't forget to announce loud & proud exactly how much it costs to fill the scooter! LOL I can't shake the slight sense of ridiculousness about this whole scooter thing - the fuel costs & mileage, parking, registration virtually everything. When I fill the scooter I cant help but chuckle. I had to fill the car today & felt like crying!

Tell me about it - I filled up the car for my husband before the weekend and it cost $85...(not even a 4x4 with reserve tanks!) .If we keep going at this rate, he'll have to take out a loan just to go to work (He can't take a bike or scooter for reasons I won't bore you all with!)

 I think you probably get some of the attention just due to your ride. I now my blue mp3 gets lots of attention. It is starting to slow (thank goodness). It seems funny to me people expect a male on an mp3, but they do. I have put smiley stars on mine so you would think they would guess, but I guess when you tell people it leans and they still ask if the front wheels come of the road they really are a bit vacant.

I have been riding for doncs and these days get more surprised looks because of my grey hair than my age. :) 

 I rode to the supermarket last week, and rode up to the priority motorcycle parking that is usually empty, only to see a massive Yamaha Majesty. I parked up, went inside to do the shopping, and upon return, I notice a lady preparing to leave on the Majesty. I cheerfully said hello, and "Nice Scooter" and she snarled at me and said "thanks" and then rode off. She was about 50years old, and obviously not into scooters like me.

I always say hi to everyone on scooters.

Smiley Stars are cute ! I bought me a feminine pink jacket and girly helmet...but I am concentrating too hard on my riding still to take too much notice of the admiring glances hee hee! I know what you mean about the questions - One guy asked me if it had inbuilt sensors so that it knew when to lean ROFL and even after I showed it all to him he still did not get it...vacant is a great word!

Looking forward to the day I can say I have been riding for doncs - but in the meantime I am still making steady progress.

Now the snarly lady (?) at the supermarket I have no idea about unless she has completely and utterly gotten over all the questions - If you see her again say hi to her from me too please...hopefully staying friendly will help to break through some cynicism?

Now - best away - off to the hairdresser to cover up those grey hairs ....Happy Scootin!

I have ridden a motorbike (Virago - cruiser style) for about 6 months, just sold it to pay for my bug hawk.

I got more disapproving remarks about the scooter (is it safe? ride carefully - do you want a lift home?) etc  than riding the motorbike.  go figure.

I plan to get another motorbike soon because I love "cruisin" on the weekends. but scoots make commuting during the week so much more fun, and still practical!

my Hawk isn't a traditional maxi though, not physically big enough so maybe it's different when you ride a proper maxi

Hey that is pretty cool - I had a Virago 250 myslef a few years ago - A great mini Harley look alike butTo be honest it was not the easiest riding position. Funny what we fall in love with and put up with in the name of an addiction hee hee!

I agree re the scooter commute - I have been having the best times recently just making an excuse to go get some bread and milk etc so that I can get out on the scoot and tell myself how much money I am saving petrol! Sunny days are upon us again!

Love the AVATAR!! :-)