tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post115886363830272120..comments2024-01-30T22:53:34.269-08:00Comments on Musings of an Intrepid Commuter: irondadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1159231674041135882006-09-25T17:47:00.000-07:002006-09-25T17:47:00.000-07:00Yes, we're in early Spring down here, Dan, althoug...Yes, we're in early Spring down here, Dan, although global warming means that a couple of days ago Sydney (a little north and a little warmer, but not all that much larger than Melbourne) experienced runaway bushfires waa-aay earlier than usual. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, although it's great to be riding in warm weather, we get some strong winds with the change of the seasons, so I'm just beginning to experience having the Scarabeo abruptly reposition itself sideways. <BR/><BR/>What with still trying to assimilate the concepts of countersteering, head-pointing, rolling and leaning, it sharpens the mind wonderfully. <BR/><BR/>I was planning to move up to a Scarabeo 500 when my restriction period ends, so I'm particularly interested in scooterguru's remarks on "squirrely" conduct in the wet. We don't have squirrels down here, but I imagine it means the bike gets a touch too active for comfort. <BR/><BR/>I'm not aware of the 250 falling in, but I'm such a novice I wouldn't really know. I'm taking some private tuition on Friday to hone my cornering skills, having noticed a tendency to get a touch wider than I would like. <BR/><BR/>The compulsory skills course that prepares one for a Learner's licence in my State (Victoria) helps somewhat, but you're always in an enclosed training area, where the speedo scarcely reaches 20 kph - and that's for the emergency stopping test. So the move to the street is much like moving from a playground to the jungle. You're suddenly surrounded by fast-moving potential predators, feeling a little like you're sitting on a lunch box. <BR/><BR/>Much like learning Unix, feeling out of your depth, if not terrified, seems like a rite of passage. It's better than it used to be, but we could do much more, I think. Hence the private lessons.<BR/><BR/>I'd love to spend a little more time in Oregon. Who knows, one of these days ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1159155172946539652006-09-24T20:32:00.000-07:002006-09-24T20:32:00.000-07:00scooterguru,did you adopt the name I gave you? Ho...scooterguru,<BR/>did you adopt the name I gave you? How big are the tires on your scoot? It used to be that scooters had 10" tires and they were squirrelly on anything. Some are larger now and it helps. I actually found Dunlops to be one of the better gripping tires on my bikes.<BR/><BR/>I can see how you would have to cement in a new set of parameters. I'll bet it would be really hard to keep switching back and forth between a more traditional bike and a scooter.<BR/><BR/>mistfrog,<BR/>thanks for weighing in! We're just winding down Summer so you must just be starting, huh? Interesting how you and scooterguru both comment next to each other and have Scarabeo rides. I am honored by your compliment. My blog just expresses my enthusiasm for riding. Glad it carries over. A compliment from someone with your background is a pleasant surprise. Kind of like finding extra cream filling in the middle of a cupcake. :)<BR/>Let me know if you are coming back to Oregon.<BR/><BR/>DanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1159147245234355042006-09-24T18:20:00.000-07:002006-09-24T18:20:00.000-07:00steve,I'm no engineer. The coefficient of frictio...steve,<BR/>I'm no engineer. The coefficient of friction as it applies to traction combined with thermodynamics makes my head spin. The actual composition of the pavement doesn't change with temperature within the normal range you'd see. Remember, traction is friction between the tire and road. Tires get traction by interfacing with the road irregularities. Parts of the rubber get squished down into the little holes in the blacktop. The road temperature can affect this action somewhat. <BR/><BR/>It's tire temperature more so that affects how much of this squeezing into little holes happens. Cold pavement will contribute to tires not warming up the same as hot pavement will help warm tires but it's not the biggest factor. <BR/><BR/>What affects tire temperature more is the compound and how it reacts to the movement of the tire. Belts and tread blocks rub, sidewalls flex, and so on. This is what affects tire temperature more than ambient temperature. <BR/><BR/>Barring ice or extreme heat, after a tire has come up to operating temperature, road heat makes little discernable difference.<BR/><BR/>Wet roads are another story because of the water layer between the tire and road. So my program cards are "Dry", "Wet", and "Slippery substances". Not exactly that simply defined, but you get the drift.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1159010950399348752006-09-23T04:29:00.000-07:002006-09-23T04:29:00.000-07:00Dan: I wholeheartedly second mistfrog's assessmen...Dan: I wholeheartedly second mistfrog's assessment of your writing, enthusiasm, and commitment to riding!<BR/><BR/>You bring riding alive in your blog.<BR/><BR/>steveSteve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1159003327559604122006-09-23T02:22:00.000-07:002006-09-23T02:22:00.000-07:00Hmmn. Should have been my own proofreader! Of cour...Hmmn. Should have been my own proofreader! Of course I meant "communicate", rather than "community", but perhaps it was a Freudian slip. Because you are certainly building a little community of riders.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1159003237677673252006-09-23T02:20:00.000-07:002006-09-23T02:20:00.000-07:00I'm reading this in Melbourne, Australia - a good ...I'm reading this in Melbourne, Australia - a good deal south of Oregon (for that matter, a good deal south of the rest of Australia) - but your writing reminds me of how much I loved Oregon during my three or four visits. <BR/><BR/>I'm surprised by your ability to impart so much information and still community the sheer joy of riding. Having owned a Scarabeo 250 scooter for just three weeks, your journal is inspirational.<BR/><BR/>While I'm a young scooterist, I've been a journalist for 44 years, writing for magazines and metropolitan daily newspapers, so I hope you won't think me presumptuous, if I congratulate you warmly on your style.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1158988435135145962006-09-22T22:13:00.000-07:002006-09-22T22:13:00.000-07:00Hi,I own an Aprilia Scarabeo 500 scooter, and have...Hi,<BR/>I own an Aprilia Scarabeo 500 scooter, and have found it to be pretty squirrely turning in the rain. It already likes to fall-into the turns, far enough that if I am not mentally on top of things the rear end will drift slightly. That's just on dry pavement. In the wet, things get really interesting, especially over painted lines. I have switched from the OEM Maxxis tires to Avons, and will try Michelins next. As a long-time motorcycle rider, I am definitely re-thinking my techniques right now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1158931017431414282006-09-22T06:16:00.000-07:002006-09-22T06:16:00.000-07:00A full-time job in motorcycle safety---that would ...A full-time job in motorcycle safety---that would be a merging of passion and work for you. Not many people have the chance to impact the safety and lives of people. You already do that. Working full-time would just expand that. Good luck with the interview process.<BR/><BR/>And don't go thinking you're a catylst for two-wheeled disaster. You're not responsible for the bad decisions, unfortunate luck, or lack of skill of others. Heck, I can screw things up just fine without the help of others...<BR/><BR/>I'm interested in your program cards. I assume dry pavement in the warm weather offers more traction than dry pavement in the cold. Seems like the road should be "stickier" in warm weather. Does it make much difference? I find myself making turns slightly slower when it's cold. At stoplights I grind my boots on the road surface to get an idea of what the traction is like. I just have this idea in my head that the road has less friction when its cold.<BR/><BR/>steveSteve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.com