DAILY CHECKS
1) Brakes
Auto scooters
Front and rear brake check: Apply four fingers and squeeze the lever, push the scooter lightly forwards. As you apply pressure to the lever, you should soon feel resistance. Do this on each brake individually.
Geared scooters
Front: Apply four fingers and squeeze the lever, push the scooter lightly forwards and continue to apply pressure to the lever, until you lightly feel resistance.
Rear: Apply foot pedal, push the scooter lightly forwards, apply pressure to the pedal until you feel resistance.
2) Electrics check
Turn the ignition on (for some scooters, the engine will need to be running in order to fulfil the checks described below).
Lights
Headlight: Check the dip and main beam. When on main beam, check that the dashboard main beam light indicator shows. You can use a hand in front of the headlight when moving from dip to main beam to see it change.
Rear light and brake light Rear light: Use a hand to see the light’s reflection on the hand. Apply rear brake and use the same technique to check that is also working.
Indicators
Turn on left side – check dashboard indicators light works. Then check front and rear indicator lights are working. Then check the right hand side utilising the same procedure.
Horn
Press horn switch.
Emergency cut-off switch (kill switch)
Start engine, then operate switch to stop engine.
3) Steering
Put the scooter on its main stand. Push on the rear of seat to lift the front wheel off the floor.
Turn steering left to right or right to left; you are feeling for any stiffness or whether notching maintenance and replacement are necessary before any more riding. Also check for any cables catching. Put steering into middle position and turn slightly either way, feeling for tightness and notches. If movement is smooth this indicates it’s okay in general.
4) Tyres
Gently kick the tyre in middle of the tread; the amount of ‘give’ will indicate the amount (if any) of deflation.
5) Petrol
Check your fuel gauge: If you’re scooter doesn’t have a fuel gauge, simply open the fuel cap and have a look in.
Check the fuel tap: (if fitted) check that you’re on the main feed. When the scooter runs out on main feed, always pull up, stop and change on to reserve. Once you have refilled your scooter, make sure to put tap back to main feed.
6) Suspension
Front: Take scooter off stand, wheel forward and apply front brake. You should feel the scooter’s front end compress and return.
Rear: Press down on rear of the seat to compress suspension and then relax pressure. The scooter should return to its original position.