The seasons are changing, and The Scoot Shop is gearing up for our second winter in Midtown! As scooter riders in the Sacramento Valley, this time of year leaves us all with just two options for our scoots: winterize and store them so we can hunker down and wait for spring; or wrap up in layers and enjoy those brisk morning rides. Luckily, The Scoot Shop has you and your scooter covered whichever option you choose.
- Option #1: Pack it up and wait for warm weather!
If you get ANYTHING out of what I’m writing to you today, please let it be this: DON’T just pull your scooter into the garage and park it for the winter! When scoots sit for more than a month or two without being ridden, things can start to go wrong. If you leave your scooter “as is” over winter, you may wake up in spring to find it unable to start, and in need of some repairs. These can be anything from a minor annoyance, such as needing a new battery, to a pretty major service, such as needing carburetor work, or even a new fuel tank! These issues happen because batteries self discharge, and require a “trickle charge” when not in use, and because components in oil and fuel break down and leave a goopy sludge that can seriously clog, or corrode parts in your bike. This news may worry you, and frankly, it should! Being proactive now will save you lots of headaches later. Winterization and proper storage of a scooter can be a real pain though, which is why The Scoot Shop has a plan to take all of the stress out of the process, to allow you to sip your cocoa by the fire in peace. We call it our Scooter Hibernation Package!
This is the perfect option for those of you getting ready to call it a season. This awesome package offers it all:
* Pick up of your scooter from your home or office within 5 miles of The Scoot Shop*
* Full wash with Motul scooter cleaner and protectant. (Road grime and bugs lefts on the paint will deteriorate
your finish before you can blink an eye)
* Oil and filter change (4 stroke) or top off (2 stroke)
* Transmission fluid change
* Coolant flush and refill with anti-freeze (liquid cooled bikes)
* Fuel stabilizer added to gas and run through engine / carb
* Indoor storage in our secure building on an insulated storage pad
* Safety check of major components in the spring.
* Spring shower with Motul protective scooter wash
* Delivery of your scooter back to you ready to hit the road in spring! *
You get all of this, a $700 value, for the price of just $450. The Scoot Shop is proud to be the only shop in the region to offer such a package, and with limited spaces available, we’re sure to book up fast. If you’re not quite ready to leave summer behind, you can reserve your space now with a deposit, or pay in full if you want to start your package soon. As I said, these spaces WILL fill up, and with other area facilities charging up to $100 per MONTH for storage, you won’t want to be left out in the cold.
Now then, for those of us planning to brave the elements and charge on through winter, let’s move on to option #2.
Option #2: Gearing up for Winter Fun!
For some of us, it’s a calling- for others, just an intense disdain for riding public transit! We each have our own reasons for scooting all winter long, but there is one thing we have in common: a need to stay warm, dry and safe! I personally fall into this category of intrepid people who enjoy their scooters all year long, so I’ve compiled a list of things I plan to do to get ready for winter. The list is not all inclusive; there are certainly other things you can do, and more gear you can buy, but this will at least get you off to a good start. Here we go.
1st things first: take care of the machine! Go and get your oil changed, and use 5W40 instead of 10W40 to make it easier on your scooter in the cold months. While you’re doing that, go ahead and be sure to get antifreeze into your coolant as well- you can’t be too safe around here. Also, PLEASE check that your tires have good tread, and that your brakes are in good shape to keep you safe on the wet roads. Now that the chores are done, let the fun begin! (Oh come on, you know you love to get new scooter gear!)
The number one thing you will be grateful for when it’s chilly: a full face helmet! Get yourself a nice comfortable full face or modular helmet which will keep you warmer and dry, and safer than a ½ or ¾ helmet will. Next, I strongly recommend a winter armored jacket. If you wear a mesh jacket (or no jacket at all) in summer, then you need a nice quality jacket to serve as a three season comfort. You know you’re going to need a jacket anyways to keep warm, so you might as well buy one that will make you more visible to drivers who stop looking for two-wheel vehicles during winter. Also, with wet roads and gusty winds, the armor can add a nice sense of security to your ride. I ride in a Corazzo 5.0 jacket, and I find it to be very comfortable in almost all weather conditions. Along with the jacket, I add in an underhoody by Corazzo. Which adds an extra layer of warmth, along with a hood that is designed to fit under a helmet to keep your neck and face warm without bunching up or blocking your vision.
Now that our heads and torsos are covered, let’s move onto the legs! I’m going to be investing in a couple of pairs of Kevlar padded jeans for extra protection, as well as a Corazzo lap apron, Which keeps your legs warm AND dry, while also allowing you to put your foot down when you come to a stop; very essential, and surprisingly at a very reasonable price. Now, the last item on the menu is gloves. They serve the obvious purpose of keeping your hands warm, as well as protecting them in a crash and reducing fatigue and cramps on longer rides. I have not decided 100% on which ones to wear for winter, but I’ve narrowed it down to a pair either from Corazzo, or Racer, both of which are top of the line products at a very reasonable price. Along with the gloves, you can even go for heated grips, or a few hand/ toe warmers to keep under your seat in case you find yourself out on an especially brisk day.
If you get yourself into these few essential items, you’re sure to be ready for almost anything Mother Nature can throw your way! So remember, whichever route you choose, be it pack and store, or suite up and ride, The Scoot Shop has everything to keep you and your scooter happy and road ready! Come on down and visit us at the shop, and get out there and Get Scootn’!
*Scooters will be driven to and from the shop to ensure proper functioning of all components prior to and after storage. If you prefer your bike to be trailered, or if you are outside of the 5 miles radius, extra charges will apply.
