How to Ride a Metropolitan Scooter

Honda's Metropolitan is one of the company's best-selling scooters. Learning how to ride a Metropolitan is simple enough for most people to grasp within the first few rides. You may want to practice in a large parking lot until you are familiar with the scooter's controls before you venture off into the streets. Be sure to wear a helmet while riding your Metropolitan.

Instructions

Basic Operating Technique

1. Place the scooter's key into the ignition switch on the right side of the dash panel, below the handlebars. Turn the switch to the On position.

2. Flip the kill switch on the right handlebar up into the Run position, indicated by a circular arrow on the switch housing.

3. Pull in the rear brake lever on the left handlebar. Press the starter button on the right handlebar to start the scooter's motor. Release the rear brake lever after the motor has started.

4. Push the scooter forward using a rocking motion to lower the scooter off its center stand. The stand will raise automatically once the scooter's wheels are on the ground.

5. Twist the right hand grip back to accelerate. Twist the grip forward to close the throttle, allowing the scooter to coast under its own momentum.

6. Use either brake lever on the handlebars to slow down. Pull in the brake lever on the right handlebar to engage the front brake. The left handlebar's lever engages the rear brake. Use the front brake to decelerate in most riding conditions, while both brakes should be used to slow to a stop.

Steering and Turning

1. Twist the right hand grip to open the throttle and accelerate to 10 mph.

2. Under 15 mph, turn the handlebars toward the direction you wish to go to steer the scooter. Example: Turn the handlebars to the left to go left.

3. Accelerate to 20 mph.

4. Turn the handlebars away from the direction to counter-steer the scooter at speeds over 15 mph. Example: Turn the handlebars to the right to go left.

Parking the Scooter

1. Twist the right hand grip forward to close the throttle. Pull in both brake levers to bring the scooter to a complete stop.

2. Switch the kill switch on the right handlebar to the Off position, indicated by a round arrow with an X, to stop the motor. Turn the ignition switch to the Off position and remove the key.

3. Hold the scooter upright, using the handlebars, and step off to the left of the scooter.

4. Grasp the left handlebar and the grab rail on the back of the scooter's seat. Place your right foot on the center stand's tang, protruding out from under the scooter's motor. Push the center stand down and lift the scooter's grab rail simultaneously to lift the scooter onto the stand.

Tips & Warnings

• Learning to counter-steer a scooter at higher speeds is not instinctive and may not make sense, since you are essentially steering away from the turn. Start slowly and practice turning until you are comfortable with the technique.

• Read your owner's manual for detailed instructions for operating the scooter's lights and electrical equipment.

References

• "Honda CHF50 Metropolitan Owner's Manual"; Honda Motor Co.; 2009
• "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles"; Holmstrom, Darwin; Alpha Books; 2001
• Motorcycle Safety Foundation: You and Your Scooter Riding Tips (PDF)