Should you go touring on a scooter? Going touring on a scooter is still a question that leaves many people hesitant. This is because many believe that choosing a scooter as a means of transport for backpacking trips would be very inconvenient and not as comfortable as a gear bike or a manual-clutch bike.
However, many people also believe that exploring nature by scooter is perfectly normal, as long as each of us always maintains a cautious mindset when participating in traffic. To better understand the issue of whether you should go touring on a scooter? Find out in more detail in this article.
Should you go touring on a scooter?
Advantages of a scooter when touring
If you are still wondering what touring is, it refers to long journeys exploring nature, culture and life in new lands, where the means of transport plays an extremely important role. Therefore, choosing a scooter to explore a long journey makes it easy for bikers to discover many interesting things as well as stop and rest comfortably.
Usually, the engine designs of scooters are quite simple, allowing the rider to simply twist the throttle to begin their adventures. Moreover, scooters often use fuel-efficient gasoline engines, helping to reduce costs during travel. This not only helps save costs but also creates convenience when stopping for fuel along the way.
Moreover, most scooter designs always have a wide footboard and a long seat that helps long-distance touring bikers stay in a comfortable sitting position.
Highlights of choosing a scooter for touring
Disadvantages of a scooter when touring
Although it has impressive advantages, touring on a scooter also has various drawbacks. The first obstacle is the disc brake system, which allows for quick deceleration but conversely can also cause accidents more easily.
It can make the bike brake abruptly, lose balance, and even easily cause the biker to skid on the road, leading to an accident.
The next weakness of most scooters is that they usually have low ground clearance, so it is difficult to travel on rocky, rough terrain.
Should you go touring on an SH, or scooters in general
Even so, one thing needs to be clarified: whether riding a gear bike, a scooter or an affordable manual-clutch bike, collisions or accidents on the road cannot be completely ruled out. Avoid the misconception that riding a gear bike means you won't get injured, while a scooter is more prone to risk. The most important things are still a steady hand on the handlebars, reasonable speed control, careful use of the brakes and calm handling of situations.
If you are a touring enthusiast who loves scooters and wants to explore new routes together with this companion, then let's explore the following “tips” to make your trip more complete and safer.
“Golden” experience for touring on a scooter
Equip protective gear
Besides considering whether to go touring on a scooter, touring enthusiasts must also always prioritize preparing their gear so the journey stays comfortable. Ensure you are protected from the risks of accidents or weather during the tour.
One of the first indispensable pieces of equipment is the helmet. A helmet not only protects the head from collisions but also reduces the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of helmet designs, such as fullface helmets, 3/4 helmets, modular (flip-up chin) helmets, and so on, allowing bikers to freely choose one that suits their style and preferences.
A complete touring journey with a helmet
Next, protective armored clothing - Besides preventing scratches, it keeps the body protected from injuries in case of a collision. At the same time, the features of protective gear usually include water resistance and wind blocking.
In particular, with a distinctive, sporty design, it helps elevate and highlight the wearer's aesthetic style. Don't forget protective boots either, which shield not only the feet but also the ankles from slipping when encountering slippery roads, keep the feet comfortable and absorb shock on long rides.
Using protective gear increases safety
In addition, necessary accessories such as arm and leg protective armor, a windshield for the helmet, a headscarf, and so on should also be prepared.
Bigbike - The go-to address specializing in supplying protective gear products for touring bikers. With the mission of bringing safety and comfort in long-distance activities, Bigbike focuses on providing quality and diverse products from famous, reputable brands worldwide for bikers.
Check and maintain the bike
The step of giving the bike a general check before a touring trip is essential; this ensures the bike runs well and delivers wonderful experiences.
The inspection includes parts such as the brake system, brake fluid, suspension system, engine oil, lights, horn, and so on. If you detect any problem, take it to a repair center so it can be fixed in time.
Scooter riding technique for descending mountain passes when touring
Before going into each specific technique, you need to clearly understand the overview of what descending a mountain pass is? Descending a mountain pass is the process of controlling the bike downhill on mountain pass and mountain routes, where the terrain is high and the slope is steep. This is a very important skill when riding long distances, especially for touring enthusiasts, because if it is not handled with the right technique, descending a pass can carry a very high risk of accident.
- Adjust the speed: You should not keep a single speed but need to change it appropriately according to each terrain and road condition, to easily control the bike and handle emergency situations.
- Ride in the correct lane: Avoiding overtaking and riding in the wrong lane helps prevent and resolve situations such as sudden lane changes and the risk of collision.
- Use the rear-view mirrors: This is the device that helps the biker observe the situation behind without turning their head, as well as know when it is appropriate to turn the bike around and avoid being caught off guard if another vehicle overtakes.
Be careful with the throttle when touring on a scooter
At the same time, the brake design of a scooter is different from that of a normal gear bike, so in order to control it correctly, especially when riding on mountain pass roads or downhill, you need to note:
- Avoid squeezing the right-hand brake abruptly, as it can cause the wheel to skid and make you fall more easily. Instead, squeeze both brakes gradually (releasing and squeezing at the same time); the bike will then stop more slowly.
- When on a pass or going downhill, do not turn off the engine, nor brake too abruptly.
The article above is information shared about whether you should go touring on a scooter. In reality, choosing a scooter for touring is perfectly normal, as long as each of us always obeys traffic laws and is fully equipped with safety protective gear.
We hope that with Bigbike's suggestions, bikers can pocket useful knowledge when using a scooter for touring.
