274 replies to this topic

[Dave Burrell]

I don't know why, I can't explain the reasoning... but shorts are ok on a scooter.

because you're riding at lower speeds? ...and its comfy?



and to Mike - here's our poodle....




ok, I kid, we don't have a poodle, but that is a heckuva funny pic of one

[chris v]

because you're riding at lower speeds? ...and its comfy?

I don't know, 80 mph on a scooter is the same as 80 mph on a motorcycle.

[Orangetj]

Same reason it's OK to ride a Harley wearing a T-shirt. There is no good reason, but it sure feels good (unless you fall!).

Edit: Maybe it's OK to wear shorts on a scooter because there are fewer exposed hot parts on which to burn your legs.

[Andrea V]

I'm going to admit that I am a gear nazi at times... but for some reason all that goes out the window on my scooter. I don't know why, I can't explain the reasoning... but shorts are ok on a scooter.

Yeah but girls... SHORT SKIRTS are HARD to wear on a scooter!!

I though I'd be ok.... so I wore one last summer, and went to Fair Oaks.... I had a big problem every time I had to stop at a red light!!

[MSgt]

I am experiencing a problem. When riding for more than half an hour in the heat, the alarm light comes on – red (item 12 below). I notice that the radiator fan is on when I stop and the alarm light also comes on some time after the fan comes on (usuallly when I stop and it is hot out). Once I start moving again the light usually (eventually) goes out. This was happening when it was about 95 degrees out. My oil and water levels are good.



This isn't a pic of my panel (I cut and pasted it out of the manual)

The manual says that if the warning light comes on another light will also coming on the control panel indicating the specific problem (in pic above it is indicating oil press prob), but there are no other lights coming on. This is happening daily in the heat on the way home. Yesterday evening it came on for my whole commute home (20min). Later yesterday evening (about 7:00pm) it came on for a couple min and then went off during a short trip to Radio Shack. I don't get it. Since the light comes on when the fan is on (but not every time the fan goes on) and it happens when it is hot out, it has to have something to do with engine temp. However my coolant liquid temperature indicator (#8) remains @ 1/3 position (and does not go higher). Wierd huh?

[Dave Burrell]

Same reason it's OK to ride a Harley wearing a T-shirt. There is no good reason, but it sure feels good (unless you fall!).

Edit: Maybe it's OK to wear shorts on a scooter because there are fewer exposed hot parts on which to burn your legs.

so true! and I do like riding comfortably

I used to wear shorts sometimes while riding but it's too darn hot on the legs with the motor and pipes so I don't do that anymore

I think everyone should wear what makes them feel the most comfortable - both with weather and safety - everyone's different and has different riding levels and experience.

[Dave Burrell]

I am experiencing a problem. When riding for more than half an hour in the heat, the alarm light comes on – red (item 12 below). I notice that the radiator fan is on when I stop and the alarm light also comes on some time after the fan comes on (usuallly when I stop and it is hot out). Once I start moving again the light usually (eventually) goes out. This was happening when it was about 95 degrees out. My oil and water levels are good.

This isn't a pic of my panel (I cut and pasted it out of the manual)

The manual says that if the warning light comes on another light will also coming on the control panel indicating the specific problem (in pic above it is indicating oil press prob), but there are no other lights coming on. This is happening daily in the heat on the way home. Yesterday evening it came on for my whole commute home (20min). Later yesterday evening (about 7:00pm) it came on for a couple min and then went off during a short trip to Radio Shack. I don't get it. Since the light comes on when the fan is on (but not every time the fan goes on) and it happens when it is hot out, it has to have something to do with engine temp. However my coolant liquid temperature indicator (#8) remains @ 1/3 position (and does not go higher). Wierd huh?

it does sound like an engine temp warning and yes that is strange that your coolant temp isn't higher - but its best to wait for our resident scooter expert Chris to check it out and tell you what's really happening.

[Darth Lefty]

Aw, what a hassle. I'm sure that's the equivalent of the check engine light. Might be the temp switch for the fans? Or is that done in the computer? No way of knowing what's wrong unless you can read the code somehow. I'd take it back to the dealer and get em to fix it if I were you. One more and it's legally a lemon, right? Or you could find a scooter forum and ask there... I'm sure there's one out there.

[Andrea V]

Aw, what a hassle. I'm sure that's the equivalent of the check engine light. Might be the temp switch for the fans? Or is that done in the computer? No way of knowing what's wrong unless you can read the code somehow. I'd take it back to the dealer and get em to fix it if I were you. One more and it's legally a lemon, right? Or you could find a scooter forum and ask there... I'm sure there's one out there.

GOOD scooter forum!

[Darth Lefty]

I think everyone should wear what makes them feel the most comfortable - both with weather and safety - everyone's different and has different riding levels and experience.

That would be heresy in some circles but I'd tend to agree... you're not in as much danger on a Harley as you are on a sport bike. You're more relaxed, less exposed, and don't have the capability of pulling a lot of gees. I'd really still avoid the shorts though unless you like pebbles in the knee at 70 per...

[Dave Burrell]

That would be heresy in some circles but I'd tend to agree... you're not in as much danger on a Harley as you are on a sport bike. You're more relaxed, less exposed, and don't have the capability of pulling a lot of gees. I'd really still avoid the shorts though unless you like pebbles in the knee at 70 per...

Exactly!

There has always been the argument between sport biker riders and harley riders about the level of safety gear that should be worn but I've always related a lot of it to the speed capability of the ride.... when you ride a crotch rocket heck yeah you should have a full suit of armor on but when on slower a bagger harley which I will readily admit I rarely ride over 70 unless I'm doing a very long haul on the freeway - its safe to wear less armor....course the bottomline still always falls on the riders experience and capability.

and yeah pebbles in the knees don't feel great - course neither does rain in the face at 70 per either

[chris v]

Bottom line is this. At 30 mph even jeans will only last for about a second sliding on the asphalt. Thats all I'm saying.

[chris v]

I am experiencing a problem. When riding for more than half an hour in the heat, the alarm light comes on – red (item 12 below). I notice that the radiator fan is on when I stop and the alarm light also comes on some time after the fan comes on (usuallly when I stop and it is hot out). Once I start moving again the light usually (eventually) goes out. This was happening when it was about 95 degrees out. My oil and water levels are good.



This isn't a pic of my panel (I cut and pasted it out of the manual)

The manual says that if the warning light comes on another light will also coming on the control panel indicating the specific problem (in pic above it is indicating oil press prob), but there are no other lights coming on. This is happening daily in the heat on the way home. Yesterday evening it came on for my whole commute home (20min). Later yesterday evening (about 7:00pm) it came on for a couple min and then went off during a short trip to Radio Shack. I don't get it. Since the light comes on when the fan is on (but not every time the fan goes on) and it happens when it is hot out, it has to have something to do with engine temp. However my coolant liquid temperature indicator (#8) remains @ 1/3 position (and does not go higher). Wierd huh?

I honestly couldn't tell you exactly what it is... the dealer needs to hook it up to their computer. Does the scooter run differently when the light is on? Anything feel funny?

[Dave Burrell]

Bottom line is this. At 30 mph even jeans will only last for about a second sliding on the asphalt. Thats all I'm saying.

and with shorts on you will hit bone very quickly while sliding.... just sayin'...

I seriously could not wear anything heavier then jeans while riding - if I had to wear a vast amount of armor then (to me) I may as well be driving because I'd be more comfy in the car then on the bike overloaded with gear and sweating like crazy in the heat.

[MSgt]

... Or you could find a scooter forum and ask there... I'm sure there's one out there.

I have been using the Aprilia Forum on AF1racing.com. Only one guy as replied.

I honestly couldn't tell you exactly what it is... the dealer needs to hook it up to their computer. Does the scooter run differently when the light is on? Anything feel funny?

No, everything seems fine. I would worry more if the temp indicator went up.