Capin Billy's Whiz Bang Owner's Manual page 26

Scooter electric
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The technique is called progressive brake modulation. Instead of jerking the brake lever to the position where you think
you'll generate appropriate braking force, squeeze the lever, smoothly increasing the braking force. If you feel the wheel begin
to lock up, release brake lever pressure just a little to keep the wheel rotating just short of lock-up. It's important to develop
a feel for the amount of brake lever pressure required for each wheel at different speeds and on different surfaces.To better
understand this, experiment a little by walking your scooter and applying different amounts of pressure to each brake lever,
until the wheel locks.
When you apply one or both brakes, the scooter begins to slow, but your body wants to continue at the speed at which it was
going.This causes a transfer of weight to the front wheel (or, under heavy braking, around the front wheel hub), which could
send you over the handlebar.
A wheel with more weight on it will accept greater brake pressure before lock-up; a wheel with less weight will lock up
with less brake pressure. So, as you apply brakes and your weight shifts forward, you need to shift your body toward the
rear of the scooter, to transfer weight back onto the rear wheel. At the same time, you need to both decrease rear braking
and increase front braking force.This is even more important on steep hills, because descents shift rider weight forward.
The keys to effective speed control and safe stopping are controlling wheel lock-up and weight transfer. Practice braking
and weight transfer techniques where there is no traffic or other hazards and distractions.
Everything changes when you ride on loose surfaces or in wet weather.Tire adhesion is reduced, so the wheels have
less cornering and braking traction and can lock up with less brake force. Moisture or dirt on the brakes reduces their
ability to grip.
The way to maintain control on loose or wet surfaces is to begin cautiously and travel more slowly.
PAGE 24

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