(Part 2) Top products from r/scooters

>What are some ways of preventing theft of the scooter? Does it involve some specialty lock or perhaps being specific about where I park?

I have a [Gorilla Alarm] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J3QM4SS/ref=twister_B00WGCGQWQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) on my scoot but sometimes it goes off unexpectedly and it drains the battery quick if you don't ride your scooter often.

I use to use a U-Lock to attach to my wheel but I've almost rode off a couple of times with it still attached so I hardly use it.

You can get one of [disc brake locks] (https://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-8303DPS-Disc-Brake/dp/B0009V1WR0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469235803&sr=8-1&keywords=disc+brake+lock) that attaches to your front brake disc and comes with a reminder strap that you attach to the handlebars so you don't ride off with it still attached.

But I highly suggest getting full coverage insurance if you don't have it already in case the scooter does get stolen. Scooters are so light that 2 people could lift it onto the back of a truck and take off. The money you get back from full coverage insurance is surprisingly fair, at least with State Farm.

>I live in Houston. The sun is pretty intense and I love the paint job on my scooter. Is there a way to protect the paint with products or is a simple scooter cover the solution?

This is a great question because if you don't protect the body, it will start fading on you.

You can either use a [paste wax] (https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05500-California-Brazilian-Carnauba/dp/B0002U1TVW/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1469236135&sr=1-1&keywords=mother%27s+wax) or [liquid wax] (https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05750-California-Brazilian-Carnauba/dp/B0002U1TX0/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1469236135&sr=1-2&keywords=mother%27s+wax) to give you the best protection. Remember to follow the instructions that come with the wax.

You can use a [spray wax] (https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05724-California-Gold-Spray/dp/B001MXX5D8/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1469236261&sr=1-1&keywords=mother%27s+spray+wax) which is the easiest to apply and remove but it doesn't offer the same kind of protection that a paste or liquid wax gives.

Btw, I only used Mother's as an example but most of the brands that you find at your local auto parts store should be fine. Also, make sure to always use a Microfiber towel when doing anything on the scooter's body. Microfiber towels scratch the body the least vs. any other kind of towel.

I definitely would not have a test ride of someone else's scooter be your first experience.

I recommend everyone, even if you never plan on riding a motorcylce, to take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course. It's a 2.5 day course that will teach you everything you need to know to ride safely and it does it in a relatively safe, controlled environment. Depending on your area, they may even offer the Scooter Safety Course. Having to learn how to operate a manual bike at the same time may seem intimidating, but operating the controls is one of the easier parts of the course. The majority of it is how to handle the bike when things go wrong and that is something that translates directly to scooters as well.

Since you are looking at a freeway legal vehicle, you will really be doing yourself a favor to be properly trained. I have had incidents while riding that I know would have resulted in a crash had I not taken the course.

If you don't have a center in your area, I would recommend picking up the book Proficient Motorcycling. It won't replace hands-on instruction, but it will teach you the concepts that you need to understand.

Also, if you want a learner bike, go with something in the 150-200cc range. Buy it used and once you feel comfortable, you can sell it back for basically what you paid for it and purchase a bigger scoot.

Good luck and ride safe.

I use RAM Mount hardware for my phone and camera, When I'm not riding the bike it's easy to remove the attachments and leave the bases in place. They also sell locks you can put on the knobs to keep people from operating them.
http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-KNOB3LU

I'd recommend some saddlebags for shopping, It's no fun wearing a heavy backpack while riding, You can get inexpensive saddle bags that are for large dogs off amazon for pretty cheap
https://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Saddle-Bag-for-Dog/dp/B000HJJHXK

Alarms with pagers are not that expensive actually!
https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Automotive-9100-Motorcycle-Paging/dp/B00J3QM4OC/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1485296833&sr=8-1&keywords=gorilla+alarm+with+pager

I'd recommend always locking your bike to a large immovable object, 50cc bikes are small and light and easy to pick up and toss in a van or truck if they are untethered.

I have never had my bike messed with or moved in a parking lot, I always make sure to park near the back of the space so drivers see my bike, If I'm shopping and the store has a cart corral that doesn't take up a full spot I'll park my bike in those spots with the carts.

Oh for pants if you can't afford motorcycle specific ones I'd go for a set of 'Firehose' pants, they are more durable than denim.
http://women.duluthtrading.com/store/womens/work-clothes/wm-fire-hose/work-clothes-fh.aspx

There was a guy who used to ride with my club that was handicapped and had a handicapped plate on his scooter, he always parked in the reserved spots and never had a problem doing so.

>Do You guys know any tricks?

Yup.

You want to use some of this stuff:

https://www.amazon.com/Solv-22608-Orange-Citrus-Solution/dp/B000BQWVTQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1FEBR6W2HE9DR&keywords=de+solv+it&qid=1561954006&s=gateway&sprefix=de+sol%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-3

It won't ruin the paint as long as you use Windex and wipe it off as soon as you get all the sticker gunk off but this stuff is amazing. I've been able to get the most stubborn stickers off of any surface without damaging the surface. Also, De Solv It is the best bong cleaner on earth, and trust me, I've tired a lot of different cleaners.

I'll always have a bottle of De Solv It in my house as long as I live.

For that short of a ride, everything I've said here is relatively irrelevant... I misread your original post and thought you said "1000mi." You're just a quick drive from home, it's not that big of a deal for someone to pick you up in case of breakdown. :) I'd say you're being overly-cautious, but that's a good thing. I regularly do 300+ mile round-trips in one day that begin and end at my house with no prior preparations, or without packing anything said here, so you should be fine! Just remember to have fun and not worry too much...

Tire patch kits are all the same, but you can get this kit: http://www.amazon.com/Slime-1034-A-Tire-Plug-Kit/dp/B000ET525K/ref=sr_1_17?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1333403186&sr=1-17 from Wal-mart for less than that. I have a really old one that I pulled out of a wrecked car, but it looks the same. Slime makes good stuff, that kit will hold up. The inflaters are all the same too, just pick up the CO2 inflator that Slime makes when you get the patch kit. The patch is more to get you to a shop for a new tire, rather than to get you to your destination. I really don't recommend riding on a patched tire for any length of time.

What I usually pack when I go motorcycle camping (off the top of my head):

• hammock tent -- Hennesey Expedition
  
• sleeping bag
  
• change of clothes per day (tshirt, jeans, underwear, socks)
  
• shoes
  
• riding jacket
  
• helmet
  
• bodywash
  
• deodorant
  
• toothbrush
  
• small towel
  
• screwdriver (phillips / flathead)
  
• 2x adjustable wrenches
  
• allen wrench
  
• duct tape
  
• tire patch kit
  
• CO2 inflator
  
• LED flashlight
  
• food and water (instant noodles, crackers, kippers, trail mix, energy bars, etc... )
  
• Camping stove
  
• fuel
  
• mess kit (small pot / skillet, bowl, mug, chop sticks)
  
• knife
  
• small first aid kit w/ insect repellent
  
• phone
  
• phone charger
  
• camera
  
• small tripod
  
  I generally ride until past dark, then just put up the tent at a public park and leave again at sunrise. No one will mess with you, and if they do, tell them where you're riding and where you're from (and that you did that on a scooter), and they'll usually not care and let you stay.
  
  If you're on facebook, look up GASS (greater atlanta scooter society) or the Terminal Scooter Club. Both groups occasionally go on longish (~200mi) rides in a group. A group ride would be a good way to get your feet wet without any worry of getting stuck, alone, in the middle of nowhere. :D

Because they are wimpy. FYI this is huge, heavy and sucks way too much power. I'm hoping the ooga horn will work better. Also contemplating how to fit a 500mm long truck air horn and compressor.

Is it permanently fogged (plastic damaged) or is this just condensation a.k.a. does it get better with time? If it's the first one you might be able to remove the instrument cluster window and use plastic polish on both sides of the plastic. If it's condensation check to see if gaskets, o-rings, etc that create a seal are in good condition. That's where I'd start at least...

Sometimes the little battery tenders won't charge a completely dead battery. I recently bought this to replace my cheap battery tender and it has been awesome. (pricey)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FRLO9Y/

A friend told me to get this:

https://www.amazon.com/Motrocycle-Engine-150cc-4-Stroke-Electric/dp/B07T8QP1J3/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=gy6+motor&qid=1565808099&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Honestly that looks decently simple to do solo, I can just disconnect the engine and power train from everything and reconnect this one, really simple. But how do I know 100% this one is going to fit my scooter? I need to know before I drop $300 and wait two weeks for delivery. Is there some way I can check?

For sure man, thank you. The oil seal will be the last thing I check and only if the problem isn't resolved by the carb replacement and a good cleaning and probably a new belt. I'm looking at this kit if you have any input on it.

Tubeless or tubed? For tubeless tires, I've been carrying the Stop-n-Go Tire Plugging Gun coupled with a Slime 12V air compressor for a couple of years now, used them four times so far, it's a lifesaver for me and anyone I'm riding with.

For tubed, I can't help ya.

I can't seem to find any airleaks. I've sprayed starter fluid all around where there could possibly be one while the scooter was running and I didn't hear any differences.

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Can you explain a little more what you mean about the throttle slide being impeded?

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And this is the carb I bought on Amazon. I have a 49cc IceBear. I still have my old carb, so what should I look at to compare the two to make sure the new one is correctly compatible?

^ This is the correct answer. I have this one. It keeps stuff hot for 8+ hours, and since it has a flip top you can easily drink right from the thermos in case you don't have a mug handy.

Like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001SMUB7G/ref=pd_aw_sim_468_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TDTNRHDDEQK93A61B8FB?

Does it scratch the scoot at all?

Found this, looks like it will help me in the future but doesn't really help me now.

Get one of these, take off your wheels and lock them to your frame. If you lock your frame upside down, people can't steal your seat or handle bars.

http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1620081199

Same here in VA:

https://www.amazon.com/Kryptonite-999492-Black-Fahgettaboudit-Chain/dp/B001SMUB7G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1501213914&sr=8-4&keywords=Kryptonite+New+York

I use these on my scooters and my motorcycle.

http://www.amazon.com/piece-Easy-Screw-Bolt-Extractor/dp/B0002UJNWE

You need some Mothers Back to Black

De-icer as a few others have stated. Once you get it un-stuck pick up a can of this (auto parts store or Walmart) and get the lock internals coated.

Always had lock freezing issues on my old Miata after snow/ice storms and this did the trick!

https://www.amazon.com/AGS-LE5-Lock-Ease/dp/B000CIJUGA/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1543500925&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=lock+graphite&dpPl=1&dpID=417G7eiU2wL&ref=plSrch

I have some of these thick steel cable locks. You can hook them together as long as you wish, but 2 will usually work fine for a scooter. Maybe there's something similar in the BENELUX area.

I have purchased motorcycle alarms with 2-way remote like this one. The alarm notifies you on the pager with the sensor that was triggered.

I've also purchased GPS trackers like this one. It uses a GSM sim card to notify you by text message if the tracker has left an area that you define. It can also text you if it travels faster than a defined speed. It doesn't only rely on GPS for tracking. It also uses GSM/GRPS to triangulate a position and give you an actual street address. You can call or text the device to engage constant tracking with updates every few seconds or minutes.

One of my scooters has a remote start with engine kill.

There are also alarms like this one that have a proximity sensor that triggers an audible warning if anyone approaches the scooter, besides sending notification to the remote control pager. I haven't purchased this one.

I'm assuming the shop checked to see if the pads were worn? Brakes are designed to screech unpleasantly if the pad is worn out.

If you think the pads are dirty maybe try taking them out and cleaning them off with some brake cleaner and an old toothbrush?

edit: clean the rotor, too.

another edit: some research tells me that some folks have had noisy brakes due to the brake piston rubbing on the metal back of the brake pad. Some people have put a piece of duct tape between the piston and pad, and there is also a product called CRC disk Brake Quiet