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08-28-2008, 01:17 PM
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carbon-based life form
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Saint Louis City
1,974 posts, read 887,273 times
Reputation: 479
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Two Scooter Questions
I want to buy a 49cc scooter, but have two questions ...
1) Weather: What happens if your scooter gets rained on? I've been told by a dealer that rain can potentially mess up a scooter. Seriously? That seems absurd to create a vehicle that is supposed to get you around outside, but can be broken by rain. Surely not everyone who owns a scooter has a garage to keep it in. Surely it ocassionally begins to rain when people are in the middle of driving somewhere on their scooters. Surely people leave their scooter outside of their workplace - and it begins to rain at random times. Right? If so, how does that work? Does rain hurt scooters? If so, what do all of you scooter riders w/o garages do? Do you seriously buy a tarp-cover and cover it every time you get to work, go to a store, or call it a night at home? Talk about inconvinient. Please, someone tell me that is not what you have to do.
2) Theft: A much lessor question, but what keeps someone with a pickup truck and no conscience from just picking up your scooter, putting it in the back of their truck, and riding off? I know they wouldn't have the keys and that is a huge diterent, but still. Technically, couldn't anyone just take your scooter if they really wanted to while you leave it outside your work, a store, or your apartment/house at night?
Thanks for any responses!
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08-28-2008, 01:42 PM
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Ehdnucbaldeja Asu Nyhkan
Status:
"Super Glue - it fixes video games."
(set 21 days ago)
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Terca Lumieres
4,125 posts, read 2,482,920 times
Reputation: 1773
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For the weather problem, my scooter's gotten rained on many times and works beautifully fine. If I'm just running in and out of a store, I don't cover it. If it's going to be parked for at least 4+ hours, I will put my cover on. It's really not as inconvenient as it sounds. You just put it over and connect the S-link to the hole underneath.
As for the stealing issue, I chain my scooter down to something sturdy and solid (like a cemented pole). I spent a little extra on a chain that is bolt-cutter proof. But I would also question that if somebody would just pick up my scooter and leave - why not do it to a motorcycle that sells for way more money? That, and I only use the scooter to go to places that have an area to chain it.
I would also recommend scooter insurance.  Mine costs me about $45/year.
__________________
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08-29-2008, 07:16 AM
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Rejoice and be glad
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Suburban Chicago
3,398 posts, read 1,669,280 times
Reputation: 11850
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WEATHER---I'm not familiar with new scooters. Mine is over 10 yrs old and has no trouble with weather. I suppose newer scooters may have electronics that could be effected by prolonged (sitting overnite in the rain) exposure to moisture. What would the dealer gain by telling you something that wasn't true?
THEFT---I have always believed that locks "keep honest people honest". There is no lock that will keep a determined thief from stealing your scooter. Something else I have always believed, never insure anything you can afford to replace. Insure your scooter if you don't have the money to replace it. Check with your house owners insurance. It may cover something something stolen from your house.
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08-30-2008, 07:21 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maine
410 posts, read 302,696 times
Reputation: 323
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The dealer must be wanting to sell you this so he can have an add-on to the sale or to move you to a larger machine. There is no reason rain should hurt your scooter. Same thing with my motorcycle - rain doesn't hurt it. Riding in the rain sucks, but a two piece rain suit fixes that.
I have not in 12 years lost anything off my motorcycle. People tend to leave them alone here. I have heard of people stealing smaller bikes and racing bikes in larger cities. A small scooter - 49 cc - could easily be loaded into a van or truck in seconds by two guys. I would definitely carry a lock/chain device. It wont keep thieves out if they really want it, but it will slow down the crime of opportunities.
And while I don't know the exact laws in your location, I would recommend insurance. Collision with a car that might be your fault would mean paying repairs on that car. Liability? I wouldnt be without it in todays society.
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08-30-2008, 12:49 PM
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Happiness is a direction, not a place
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: The Old North State
10,434 posts, read 9,570,033 times
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the tread on scooter tires are meant for dry smooth surfaces keep that in mind when you pick the tires for your scooter. YOu have to take curves extra extra slow or you will skid out onto your side make a cut on your elbow, slam your head on the pavement in the middle of a intersection bust your signal light and scratch your fender while the scooter just slam you on the side of your ankle with that 100 pds resting on it.
That is the experience I have had in the rain.
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09-11-2008, 02:06 PM
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Ehdnucbaldeja Asu Nyhkan
Status:
"Super Glue - it fixes video games."
(set 21 days ago)
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Terca Lumieres
4,125 posts, read 2,482,920 times
Reputation: 1773
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Quote:
Originally Posted by studedude
Something else I have always believed, never insure anything you can afford to replace. Insure your scooter if you don't have the money to replace it. Check with your house owners insurance. It may cover something something stolen from your house.
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Well, the "insure" part I was speaking of wasn't just to replace if stolen. You should insure your scooter for the off-chance that you cause damage with it. Because you never know when that freak accident can happen - and I don't have the money on hand to fix somebody else's vehicle.
__________________
We feud in life and struggle towards death. It is sometimes the history not found in books that is the truest.. ~Elyon
Reading the Terms of Service once a day keeps the Mods at bay.
Have a problem with another user? Click here to add them to your ignore list!
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09-11-2008, 02:12 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2008
131 posts, read 109,173 times
Reputation: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by studedude
THEFT---I have always believed that locks "keep honest people honest". There is no lock that will keep a determined thief from stealing your scooter.
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That is certainly true, but there are plenty of lazy thiefs who won't bother to steal something chained down but would steal if the opportunity presented itself and there were no barriers.
I never had a (people-powered) bike stolen when chained, but the ONE night I left it unlocked, it disappeared.  I lock up everything.
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09-13-2008, 06:01 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Granby, CT sometimes NH.
1,076 posts, read 568,985 times
Reputation: 478
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In terms of weather proof, you get what you pay for. I can't imagine any quality product, such as a Vespa, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, etc., not being suitable for the weather.
My advice would be to stay away from the cheap Chinese $800 machines. A quality one will last many more miles and is easily serviceable.
Quality scooters often have built in theft deterrent systems.
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09-13-2008, 07:36 PM
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All things work together for good....
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Oxford, OH
1,388 posts, read 678,518 times
Reputation: 594
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I have a 250 Honda Helix scooter that I LOVE!  I've had an 80, 125, 150 and now the 250. This is my second Helix. I've had this three years and have 12th on it already. I don't like riding in the rain, it's hard enough for the cars to see you in good weather. But the rain doesn't really hurt anything. I keep mine in the garage but have friends who keep theirs outside much of the time with a cover over them.
I have an extra trunk over the luggage rack and put my jacket and stuff in that. I have a helmet lock and some of the time I lock it up. I have never had anything taken off the scooter although some of my friends have. Most scooter you can turn the wheel and lock it in place so someone cannot push it. I have my insured also.
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