Ride to Harrison Hot Springs - Riding Gear

A few of the guys from Urban Riders got together today for a ride. It was a great ride to Harrison Hot Springs, but still very cool for July.

Didn't see a lot of the Hot Springs but wanted my pic taken in front of the sign.

The main reason for this post is that today I finally finished buying the last of my protective gear.
When buying a scooter, the cost of the bike and the insurance is only part of the equation.
We all know that the helmet is mandatory. Mine is a Scorpion full face modular and costs around $300.o0. The face shield doesn't fog up and there is plenty of ventilation.
I now have two jackets - a leather one and the textile one in the photo. The one is the photo cost more but you can plan on spending $200 on a decent jacket with armor.
Gloves (with protection for the knuckles etc) will cost about $50.00. I carry two pair with me in case one pair gets wet.
Today I finally bought the pants. These were made by Rubber Side Down in Richmond. This is a small store that makes a lot of their own garments for scooter and motorcycle riders. They also stand by their products. My pants cost $200 and have lots of ventilation and zippers from the outside of the knee to the foot, so that you can put them without removing your boots.
Oh yea, you need boots. The main thing is that you have protection for your ankles. I wear a heavy soled boot with hard toes. I bought the boots at Mark's for just over $100.

A lot of people think that since they are only riding around the city they don't need to get all the protective gear. My guess is after their first fall their scooters go up for sale. It hurts when you fall and have to go to hospital to have bits of rock and gravel and tar removed from your legs, chest or wherever you made contact at 50 kph.
Buy the gear and continue to enjoy scootering.

Scooter categories and tax

I currently am trying to sell a scooter on Craigslist, Buy and Sell and on Kijiji. As a result I have received some questions and I thought I would use this blog to address some of those questions.

TAX:
One person wasn't sure about the taxation on the personal sale of a scooter. A dealer had told him that if he purchased a scooter from a private seller he wouldn't have to pay tax. Well, in British Columbia that just isn't true. As a matter of fact auto dealerships persuaded the BC Government in 2010 to demand that private sales be subject to both GST and PST (previously on GST was payable). The Dealers felt that private sellers had an advantage over dealerships who had to charge both taxes. It's a moot point now because it is July 1, 2010 and the HST has leveled the playing field anyway.

What the dealer might have meant is that some private transactions are "gifted". The seller in this case declares that no money was received for the vehicle.

SCOOTER CATEGORIES:

I place scooters into 4 categories:

1. Electric scooters: These are powered by a 300/500 or 800 watt motor and are considered bicycles. They do not require vehicle permits or insurance. Although you might consider asking your household insurer if you can add your electric as a rider on your existing policy. They can range in price from $300 for used to $3,000. These scooters can ride on streets, bikes lanes and can be parked with regular bicycles.
   
2. 50 cc: The 50 cc scooter is the most popular type in Vancouver and their popularity continues to grow. Insurance is relatively inexpensive. Riders in BC need to know that their road star rating does not apply to this scooter series. With full coverage - $3 million liability, collision and theft I was paying about $500 per year. To operate a 50 cc scooter you require a class 5 or learners license in BC.
   
3. Scooters over 50 and under 400 cc: Because insurance rates go up significantly over 400 cc I have separated them from this group. Most of the scooters over 50 cc are highway capable, but depending on the engine size the amount you ride at full throttle (on the freeway for example) should go down as the # of cc's decrease. Insurance rates are a bit higher but still not as high as for cars and motorcycles. To operate these scooters a Class 6 motorcycle license is required in BC. However, you can get a Class 6 restricted to scooters if you take your final road test on a scooter over 50 cc.
   
4. Scooters over 400 cc: These high end scooters, also called maxi-scooters are often as or more powerful than some motorcycles. I am aware of scooters up to 650 cc. Although I hear there are more powerful ones out there. These are heavy bikes - some weigh over 600 pounds (272 kg.). Insurance rates can be high in BC if you don't have the full 40 % discount. But worth it!
   

Scootering in BC

How I got into scootering:
It is hard for me to believe how much I enjoy riding my scooter. Being newly retired I was looking for a ways to save money and a major factor in that is the relinquishing of my car for a (at first public transit).

I didn't enjoy public transit. I think I am a pretty nice guy, but to be honest I am not tolerant of people who have to yell into their cell phones on the bus. Also, for someone used to the freedom a vehicle offers, taking the bus can be a downer.

So in 2009 I bought a 500 watt electric scooter and it was a blast!!! It was eco-friendly and could do a fair clip within the city. Well it wouldn't win a race and I was always left behind at a light but I was free.

The reality set in. I am a person who can be considered too short for my weight. Truth be known, if I was height weight proportionate I would be about 7' 1". Instead I am indeed 5'6". This meant that going uphill on an electric was a challenge - for the scooter. But I was enjoying the ride so much I decided to trade the electric for a 50 cc scooter.
I don't want to dissuade people for buying electric though. If you are under 200 pounds (90 kg.) and live in an area less hilly than Vancouver you can happily enjoy the quiet, guilt free pleasure of an electric scooter or bike.
There is a Meet Up Group in Vancouver for electric vehicle enthusiasts : www.meetup.com/vancouver-electric-vehicles