Motor Scooter Tire Maintenance

Tire Maintenance

Only vary few top-of-the-line brands of scooter carry a spare tire and many tire stores will not touch scooter tires.

One quick and obvious solution to flats is the "Slime" flat deterrent. “Slime” has a long-standing reputation for being able to seal punctures up to 1/4 inch in diameter automatically and prophylactically. Note: Slime will not prevent nor repair side-wall tire damage. Scooter tires are not likely to last much more than 10,000 Km, so be prepared to replace them regularly.

Changing your Motor Scooter's Oil

The Oil Change

The manual admonishes one with: "Please replace the oil and keep the usage too long" which probably means that frequent oil changes will improve the longevity of the engine and is not likely to be a suggestion that one run as long as possible between oil changes -- however much it might sound that way.

Your modern inexpensive scooter will be ready to drive if you go to a dealer, or, if shipped, may arrive assembled, or require some assembly. The assembly process takes a couple hours and at least two people.

Change the oil right away. The oil generally supplied with new scooters is often of low quality. On a scooter or motorcycle, your proximity with, and direct feel for, the state of the motor are far more poignant than they are in a car -- you can tell when it is running well or badly just by feel. Treat yourself and your vehicle by immediately replacing the oil with a high quality synthetic brand -- Synthetic 10/40 is good, but always use weight recommended by the manufacturer. Also, use high quality gas -- not just premium, but gas of a better brand. Shell or Chevron are best. BP has been fine in the past, but after its merger with ARCO (which is not) who knows? The slight difference in price is so insignificant when the tank holds only 1 1/2 gallons, and the performance differential is dramatic.

Change the oil frequently. Most motor scooters official instructions state: first oil change should be done after 300 Km and then every 1000 Km thereafter. Note: these are kilometers. Most American drivers are not used to changing oil every 625 miles but these are small engines and they run hot. It is worth the extra bother and expense.

The oil changing process is just a bit tricky. The drain plug underneath when unscrewed will release the stream of oil -- together with a spring and a filter screen that extends down into the helical spring from the top. Don't lose them, and put them back as they were.

The oil fill is on the right side of the engine and is not really accessible to be poured into without a funnel. It takes less than a quart -- measure with the dipstick periodically while when filling.

Starting your New Motor Scooter for the First Time!

Many online scooter customers have problems getting the scooter started for the first time. This is due to a number of factors. Firstly, although most scooters are started and tested before shipping, fuel is not put into the tank. This is because a tank that has been used to hold fuel is not legally shippable. They use an external temporary fuel container connected directly to the carburetor. Secondly, there are a number of little things that must be done correctly before the scooter can be started. Here is a checklist:

1. Check the fuel line for connection problems and kinks. Because this is the one part of the system that has not actually been tested before shipping, it is the most likely place for problems and many have difficulties.

2. Fill the gas tank. Gasoline must get through the system for the first time. Apparently, a full tank helps a lot in this process.

3. When starting, the key must be in the start position, the shut-off switch must not be in the shut-off position, and the left brake handle must be depressed. Failure of a scooter to start is overwhelmingly due to one of these three things not being done.

4. If necessary, it is usually possible to use the kick starter.

If your scooter still doesn't start after doing all of the above, check them all again. Then check for presence of spark and fuel or resort to support from the dealer or local mechanic.

Scooter Battery Charging

Battery Charging

Make sure the battery is fully charged. Most scooters use 12 volt batteries. Having a charger handy is advisable. Be sure to keep your motor scooter battery healthy!

The battery in a motor scooter is unlike the one in car. It has relatively little capacity, is constantly drained by alarms and headlights, and does not charge as readily as a car battery does.

The Problem:

A motor scooter battery may lose significant charge if the scooter has not been run for a week or two, and it usually takes more than a short run to charge it. One tends to see dead scooter batteries in winter when scooting is at a minimum. Also, Chinese scooter batteries are clearly inferior, but domestic ones are not much better. The always-on headlights, together with the on-by-default alarm systems on most scooters both contribute quickly to dead scooter batteries.

The Solution:

Keep your battery charge up, with a charger if necessary! Of course, it is usually possible to kick start your machine, but, particularly if the plug gets wet, it can take a good bit of fast cranking to get it going again and the kick starter can't seem to do the job (kick starting can also be painful, depending on the design. You have to ride them very consistently to keep the battery up, so a trickle charger is almost essential equipment for a scooterist who does not ride on a daily basis.

Watch Out, don't jump it!

If your scooter won't turn over with the electric starter, a jump-start is not necessarily advisable. Even with the car engine off, a jump from a car battery can overpower the scooter electrical system, blowing fuses or worse (I've done it…The headlight fuse blew!). Keeping a fully charged battery is a much better solution.

Having trouble calculating your Helmet size?

It is an unfortunate fact that the freedom of helmet-less wind-blown hair as one tours the countryside has vanished in compliance with current helmet regulations in most countries; Italy having been one notable exception until safety regulations of the European Union became universally applied. One needn't however wear something that presents the image of a hog-rider or dirt-biker. Subdued elegance is more suitable on a motor scooter, or perhaps something very personal and idiosyncratic. Here is one simple suggestion:

To Save 65% on DOT German Scooter Helmet 115Matt Click Here

PRICE: $29.95

Sizing Chart:

Use a cloth tape to measure the circumference of your head one inch above the eyebrows, or at whatever point gives the maximum dimension. Some directions state: "If you find that your measurement falls between two sizes choose the smaller size," while others say "Choose the larger size”. It's not clear which is best. In ambiguous cases perhaps it is best to soak your head and measure again.

XS - 20 1/4 - 20 7/8" ( or 52-53 cms)
S - 21 - 21 5/8" ( or 54-55 cms)
M - 21 3/4 - 22 3/8" ( or 56-57 cms)
L - 22 1/2 - 23 1/8" ( or 58-59 cms)
XL - 23 1/4 - 24" ( or 60-61 cms)
XXL - 24 1/8 - 24 7/8" ( 62-63 cms)

Roadside Assitance with Motor Scooters

SCOOTER BREAKDOWN?

Breakdowns on scooters can be a problem, particularly in view of the fact that roadside assistance for two-wheeled vehicles is not necessarily included in most club memberships and requires an extra fee. Some roadside assistance programs do, however, cater to scooter and motorcycle drivers. One service that does handle scooters, and, in fact, concentrates on smaller vehicles, is the GE Motor Club, whose prices are also very competitive.

From the GE Motor Club Manual: Whenever you, a secondary member of an associate member has a problem with any disabled car, motorcycle, or small truck or RV under one (1) ton capacity, help can be obtained through your Membership.

From the web application page: When you enroll online, you will be billed only $9.99 a month/$104 a year (save over $15 a year) for Premier membership $7.99 a month or $79 a year (save over $16 a year) for Standard membership; you may cancel at any time. If you cancel and you are being billed monthly, you will no longer be billed; if you are being billed annually, you will receive a prorated refund of any membership fees you paid for the period remaining in your membership.

Please Note: The GE Motor Club is not available in CA, MD, and WI.

Another roadside assistance service this does seem to be available in all states is Partspro Direct. At $85 for two years, it is fairly reasonable but their website is abysmally uninformative.