[rohan_iitr]

Hi friends,

I just saw an advertisement on TV for scooty pep plus with training wheels !

In this advertisement, it is shown that a girl who can't even balance a 2-wheeler drives home a scooty (with the help of training wheels).

I really don't know how to react to this product and its advertisement.

On one hand, it may be useful for learners who find it difficult to balance a 2-wheeler.

But on the other hand, if someone can't even balance a 2-wheeler, does he even deserve to be driving on the road ? He/she is just an accident waiting to happen.

What is your opinion on this product ?

My opinion is that this product should be banned. Those who can't balance a 2-wheeler should first learn to balance a cycle (with training wheels if required).

Rohan

[smenon]

And I thought people graduate from bicycles to motorbikes. If some one can post a video of the ad, I'd love to see it. From the first opinion I have, it's gotta be hilarious

[s.prashanth]

your point is well taken, even if you know to ride a cycle does not wualify you to ride a motorised cycle. hat is where this comes in. TVS should be commended on the product which has been launched afther R & D by them. other manufacturers should take a cue from them

[Samurai]

Lot of people do start directly into 2-wheelers without learning the cycle first. You can make out from their riding style, sense of balance, etc.

I remember this incident from ooohh.. 1992. I was 50 ft behind this lady who was driving a Hero Puch. I saw her slowly leaning to the side eventhough she was still going straight. She made no attempt to correct the lean by quickly twisting the handle, something any cyclist would know. So she continued to lean helplessly and then smashed into the tarmac. Since everybody behind her saw the whole leaning process, we all had enough time to avoid running over her.

Anyway, she was not hurt badly, she had slowed down when the leaning began. When she got up and looked around, she was more embarassed than hurt.

[rohan_iitr]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Lot of people do start directly into 2-wheelers without learning the cycle first.

This is very true, thats why even I have mixed reactions to this product.

While it is useful for learners (such as the one mentioned above), but I feel that these learners are dangerous for others on the road.

As far as I know, learners are required by law to be accompanied by someone with a valid license.

Someone who can't balance a 2-wheeler properly would generally not be allowed to go out alone by his well wishers. But with such a product, the learners and their well wishers are being provided a false sense of security by these training wheels. Hence, these learners would be left unsupervised even before they are fit to drive alone. Also, these learners would develop a sense of overconfidence (because they can't fall) and insist on driving alone even before they are well trained. This is the point which is bothering me so much.

I feel that a these 2 wheelers with training wheels should be used by learners to learn balancing (off the road). Only when they can balance properly should they be allowed to drive on the road.

I propose that these 2 wheelers with training wheels should be made illegal on the roads.

Rohan

[rrahul_2778]

IMO it is a wonderful idea by TVS

Any sensible individual would not use the training wheels on main roads to cause any injury to self or others, but it will be of utmost use to have the training wheels when learning on empty stretch of roads or backroads.

[vinaydas]

with all the uneven surfaces on our roads.
i think this will be more of an hazard than an driving aid.

[rohan_iitr]

Originally Posted by smenon

And I thought people graduate from bicycles to motorbikes. If some one can post a video of the ad, I'd love to see it. From the first opinion I have, it's gotta be hilarious

Here is the link - (open this link and click on COMMERCIAL)

Scooty Gals

Rohan

[JayPrashanth]

This is an old move by TVS, at least a year old IIRC. Knowing how to balance a cycle is certainly a great advantage while learning to ride a powered two wheeler. However, riding a motor powered vehicle is a different ball game altogether as the chances of losing balance are much more than on a bicycle. What I have observed of most people learning to ride on two wheelers, especially the un-geared vehicles is that they struggle to maintain a sense of balance while using the throttle(I mean power of the engine). This move will also help the beginners to learn the dynamics of using the throttle and the brakes, etc. IMHO, this is a great move by TVS as it makes learning safer. Many learners quit learning once they have a fall. Meanwhile, how can one conclude that TVS is encouraging learners to learn riding on a public road?

Cheers,

Jay

[f1head]

I do not see any problem with the product, it might also be a good product for handicapped people and others who may be losing confidence in their driving skills (happens to veterans also).

[amit V8]

one should always know how to ride a bicycle before moving to a scoot/bike. this will be much safe. falling with a cycle & with a scoot/bike is hell & heaven different.
i remember when i learnt cycling i had a major accident, smashed with somebody, who was hurt badly. imagine this kind of accident with a scoot/bike. this ad should be banned & TVS should promote cycling before scooting . that will be much safe on roads.

[rohan_iitr]

Originally Posted by f1head

I do not see any problem with the product, it might also be a good product for handicapped people and others who may be losing confidence in their driving skills (happens to veterans also).

This product is not meant for physically handicapped drivers. There are special vehicles available for them, which have 2 extra proper wheels.

This scooty has 2 tiny training wheels (similar to the ones found in kids bicycles like tobu cycles).

I can understand a newbie not able to balance, but how does someone loose confidence in their driving skills ? Do you mean to suggest that people forget balancing as they age ?

My opinion is that anyone (whether a newbie or a veteran) who can't balance a 2 wheeler properly should not be left unsupervised while riding on the road.

The advertisement says - khud chalaana seekho. Meaning - learn driving yourself. I feel that the company is promoting a wrong idea by suggesting that the learners learn by themselves rather than learning under the supervision of a person with a valid licence.

Another point which bothers me is that the target customers for this product are young college girls. If you happen to have an accident (for no fault of yours) with such a learner girl, the girl would simply put on her teary face and immediately get the sympathy of the gathered crowd. People won't bother checking whether she's a learner who can't even balance properly. You would be blamed for hitting an innocent girl.

Rohan

[kannan666]

So when I now come across a Scooty, I will first check for the training wheels and if I spot any, will try and steer clear of them to avoid any unforseen mishap ! Initially when I read this thread, like f1head, I too thought that it was about the scooty for the handicapped, now I know better !

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by vinaydas

with all the uneven surfaces on our roads.
i think this will be more of an hazard than an driving aid.

Correct. The wheels are small and if they are in a deep pothole then the wheel will get struck in there resulting into loss of balance. I have seen this on a not so busy road where and ideal child of ideal parents was riding this type of side wheel scooty. Somebody had mentioned that this move is an year old. Yes it is. This is just leading to crashes and nothing else.

Motorized two wheeler have a lot of power as compared to bicycle to propel to higher speeds. Its only when a crash happens one comes to know what amount of momentum was there.

The ad itself is misleading. Any manufacturer must never show these things.

[sudharma]

Originally Posted by f1head

I do not see any problem with the product, it might also be a good product for handicapped people and others who may be losing confidence in their driving skills (happens to veterans also).

Many of you might have noticed that as long as the training wheels are there, kids cannot balance properly on the bikes and goes zig-zag as the "wheels" touches the ground. When the training wheels are removed, within a few minutes they get the balance. (Experience with my grand son )
Also with the potholes and humps in our roads, this is an accident waiting to happen. Till date every motorcyclist started off without the training wheels on the bikes, So what is the need now for the training wheels?
This is just a sales gimmick.