subject: Getting Used To Your New 50cc Moped [print this page] It is always a good idea to be prepared, when you first buy your new 50 CC moped or scooter.It will certainly help you in the long run if you understand the scooter and it's behavior, every moped is different.This is doubly true if you've never ridden a moped before
Assuming you have passed your CBT, it's a good idea to get some miles under your belt on the open road. Do this in relatively clear and traffic free conditions before committing yourself to the hurly-burly of the rush-hour.
The first thing I did after passing my test, was to take my new 50 CC moped for a spin down my street. With hindsight this was a bad idea.For a start my own bike was quite unlike the moped I had taken the CBT on in about every respect The first time I stopped in traffic I accidentally rolled my hand over the accelerator, the bike front wheel reared up, and I promptly fell off the back of it while the bike rolled into the gutter. Not a good start.
I reckoned that a nice Sunday morning spin on a private road away from traffic was the best bet - luckily there was a parking lot nearby where I could go and get my confidence back.
It's worth remembering that 45Kph is quite fast for a car park, so this wasn't a place where I could really open the throttle. However the experience allowed me to practice the handling starting stopping and turning of the scooter.
It's a tactic I would advise anyone new to mopeds take. Just spend some hours preparing yourself and learning about your bike's handling in a stress free area.
After riding around the car park for over an hour, I decided to make my way back home following a slightly longer and more adventurous route than I might have otherwise taken. It was still quite early on a Sunday morning, so the traffic was minimal. It proved to be just the step up I needed, stopping in traffic, taking off cleanly, remembering the safety routines. For the first time I felt in control of the scooter in a real traffic situation.
That afternoon I went for a second ride, taking the moped for a spin to do a few chores. Taking a trip to the local supermarket to buy bread and milk (which I stored in the helmet compartment for the journey back).
There was more traffic again during this trip, and once again I felt as if I was growing into both my confidence and ability as a new rider. I was learning about the specifics of my moped.It's easy to think that once you have passed your CBT, that you should just jump on your bike and head for the open road. For some people I'm sure this is all they need. But in my case, and I'm sure this applies to others, the extra time on the moped getting used to the handling was time well spent.
If you are new to moped and scooter riding, take the time to familiarise yourself with your vehicle. Consider practising first in safe areas off the main highways, and then progressing to lightly trafficked areas on the road.
Your confidence will grow as your ability with your new moped improves, and this will make the whole process much safer both for you, and for other road users.
