Some of you may know I'm a "scooterist" (as defined in the following article). Starting today, a group of approx. 30 riders are making a cross-country trek from Portland, OR to NJ on scooters ranging from 80cc to 250 cc. I know the two guys portrayed in the article from the DC scooter scene. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/04/AR2006090401039.html?nav=E8 The first SCR was done two years ago, and as the article points out, Rob Downs was nearly killed by an eighteen-wheeler somewhere in the Nevada desert. This was - by far - the worst incident on the entire run. The group going this year is much larger (there were only a dozen or so in '04), so the potential for mayhem is increased. Say a prayer for these folks!
The article said they go up to 80 mph during the run. How stable are those things at that speed? Their engines sound like they are going to explode when they are accelerating on just local streets. I can't imagine what it's like when they get cranking on the highways.
The larger (and newer) automatics will hit that speed - they're four-stroke motors and can maintain that speed for longer stretches. The two-stroke motors - 200cc and above - can be modified to hit that speed, but you wouldn't be able to hold it very long before you soft-seized, or possibly hard-seized. They'll likely hit a comfortable cruise speed of 60MPH. The smaller scoots have probably been modified to hit at least 50-55MPH. The problem Rob and Mike have is that they're both riding highly-modified Italian scoots that are over 40 years old. They weren't designed to go such long distances or be ridden for such prolonged periods. Shit starts going wrong a lot sooner on those, no matter how much you try and account for it.
Nice. I nearly bought a used F650GS Dakar, but my wife can't handle the idea of me riding. So I gave it up, not long after I got my endorsement.
Prayers may be needed. New Jersey motorcyclist deaths have greatly increased in the last few years & now comprise 10% of all vehicular fatalities, far greater proportionately than the percentage of riders or of cycles on the road!
Much of the recent rise in motorcycle deaths has been attributed to aging baby boomers getting their first bikes, usually a Harley or other such large-displacement, 600lb cruisers. These bikes handle like crap to begin with, but put a new rider on them and they're more dangerous than usual.
A new rider who doesn't think they need to wear a helmet... or other appropriate PPG. I've got less than 20 hours on a bike in my life, and you would never find me riding one without the full kit. ATGATT saves lives.
Can't find the article, so don't know the divide between newbies losing control & long-timers getting clipped by 4 through 18-wheelers on NJ's congested highways. If you're using the interstate, have you considered requesting a NJ State Police escort?
I've been riding for over 20 years, and there's no way in hell you'd ever find me on the interstate in NJ, especially northern NJ.