Going to town Honda ct90 in Arizona

[wagoneer]

Using a 89cc Honda scooter for town trips, shopping, store runs. What are the pitfalls ?

 

[cdiggy]

Everybody else's bad driving habits and blind spots.

 

[minimotos95]

+1 on what cdiggy said. And the selfishness of car drivers.
I can rant about blind, greedy drivers for hours.....

As long as you have a motorcycle endorsement and the ct90 is plated you're good to go in just about every state, atleast on roads up to 45mph. I have taken slow bikes on 55-65mph roads but you have to be ready to pull over and let cars pass.

 

[LeeRevell]

When it overheats, DO NOT toss a glass of water on the cylinder head!

(I had a girlfriend in high school who'd do this with her Honda Trail 90.)

 

[akrvbob]

Quartzsite is very accessible to scooters from the RTR. Lots of guys run around town with the gas powered bicycles and even their ATVS. It's perfect for Trail 90!

However, where I am at in Ehrenberg, you have to get on the freeway to go to Blythe, won't work here. But, there is a pedestrian pat across the freeway over the Colorado River, I bet you could walk it then get on surface roads the rest of the way. Might work.
Bob

 

[wagoneer]

It's not quite running yet, Thanks to all for injecting your wisdom. It was OK on my last year bike ride into town. Just want a bit more mobility this time. See you all at "Q"

 

[LucyImHome]

You'll be invisible to most motorists. They can look right at you, eye contact, and still pull out in front of you. If you can make yourself more visible, like a bright helmet?

 

[LeeRevell]

You'll be invisible to most motorists. They can look right at you, eye contact, and still pull out in front of you. If you can make yourself more visible, like a bright helmet?

ABSOLUTELY! And bright colors seldom help. Drivers do NOT see motorcyclists. Our mantra is, "Ride as if you are invisible, because you are!"
If you can swing it, a bit larger bike will be better if you need to go on highway. A 150cc Scooter is better, a 250cc dual sport MC is better - depends on how you will carry it.
I have been on highway roadtrips with guys using 500cc scooters. They handle highway use very well, but bog down on even smooth dirt roads. They simply don't have the suspension for it.

 

[light trip]

Great little bike, had one. But two things working against all bikers.

First is a study that showed what many of you already know. Bikes are invisible to drivers. This just isn't suspect, it's fact. Drivers zone out and unless it's another car, they don't recognize it or see motorcycles, bicycles and people in the study.

I didn't think this was possible until a driver was headed directly for me while walking. She didn't respond until I raised my arms. It was then it was if I just appeared in front of her with only 20 or 30 feet before she would have hit me. Admittedly she was on a cell phone.

The second is less known. It's called “sight targeting” so wearing bright colors is helpful but can also lead drivers to a collision with you. This is the same reason drivers hit police cars on the side of the road with bright flashing lights. They simply drive to the location they are looking.

 

[Almost There]

Hey, if a woman can hit the rear end of a full size blue Ford Van parked on the side of the road in broad daylight and then try to tell me that she didn't even see it, a bike is invisible to all those who have never ridden a bike.

The 'loud pipes save lives' crowd does have a point.

I see the bikes because, having ridden on more than a few, I'm aware of them. Besides, I'm probably seeing them more because I'm forever checking out what they are and wishing I was on one. But then, I'm the exception rather than the rule.

 

[highdesertranger]

well in the small rural towns out west most of the locals get around town on side by sides, and atv's. most have trails next to the highways to ride on. after all it makes a lot of sense if you have to make a milk run to take the atv instead of the f-250. highdesertranger

 

[LeeRevell]

Hey, if a woman can hit the rear end of a full size blue Ford Van parked on the side of the road in broad daylight and then try to tell me that she didn't even see it, a bike is invisible to all those who have never ridden a bike.

The 'loud pipes save lives' crowd does have a point.

I see the bikes because, having ridden on more than a few, I'm aware of them. Besides, I'm probably seeing them more because I'm forever checking out what they are and wishing I was on one. But then, I'm the exception rather than the rule.

I believe that to most drivers totally unfamiliar with bikes, we are simply a part of the scenery like trees, clouds, etc. We don't occupy 'space' in their minds. Same with bicyclists. I see drivers everyday sliding right over into the bike lane with no regard if there are bikes over the next hill.