(Part 3) 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.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Club-motorcycle-MC-305/dp/B000L9U4CE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345909311&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+lock

its cheap but I have ha great sucess with it.

I first use a Kryptonite lock but then I tried this one and like it more. It is big enough to fit around any fence/pole/whatever you want to lock it to. I have a Honda Ruckus so I just loop it around my seat frame, and also just close it around the seat frame when I ride so thats nice too

It is good for being used as just a tire lock as well as locking it to a pole

Cheers!

>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.

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/

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.

This is very important. All shops will keep the scooter overnight in order to let it cool.

I picked up a set of these tools, they make it so much easier to do:

http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0073-Tappet-Tool/dp/B000JP31T8

^ 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.

I suggest this Gates Fuel Line Hose instead. It's top quality reinforced hose. I also suggest these hose clamps. That petcock seems OK. It should be replaced because it will likely go out while you own it, and this might be why the scooter stopped running suddenly.

I replaced mine as well. I'm currently using the 500Hz horn from this package.

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

Sea Foam comes right to mind.

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

Ah, ok. Thank you! What charger should I get if my scoot has a dead battery?

Would this work? This seems similar to the model I borrowed from the neighbor. https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SE-82-6-Dual-Rate-Battery-Charger/dp/B0009IBJBM/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1523926129&sr=8-14&keywords=12V+battery+charger

Or this one?
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-G750-UltraSafe-Battery-Charger/dp/B004LX3AS6/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1523926129&sr=8-16&keywords=12V+battery+charger

I guess my questions is... what amperage do I need?

Heavy duty expensive lock, very hard to cut through. It can be found cheaper on Ebay I paid $73

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