Winter Reminders (again!)

Lady's and Gents!
Keith K here with another message from the folks at Vespa KC, AKA Vespa @ VanWall! It's cold. We've had snow. Heck, I've already hit my head and have gotten a face full of snow while boarding this season! What does this all mean???

That's right, it's Winter!

In the spirit of the season, and from a rider's perspective, I decided that it would be nice to share a few pointers with you and make sure that your scoot is tip-top when the ice thaws and a new season of riding comes peeking around the corner:

• Keep your fuel fresh! Either use fuel stabilizer or run your bike to operating temps on a regular basis
• Keep your battery fresh! Do the scoot warm-up trick and/or keep a battery tender attached to your machine to keep the battery level nice and charged. During the Spring, we sell out of batteries due to folks forgetting to keep 'em fresh. That's a $60 to $90 item that otherwise could've been a nice dinner and a movie!
• A clean scoot is a loved scoot! Don't let dust and dirt settle onto the paint. With your scoot tucked away into a corner in the garage, its easy to forget about it until the temps get warmer, and when it does, unless you take the time to clean off the machine thoroughly, you run the risk of damaging the paint by creating scratches and swirls, simply by handling it. A California Duster or similar tool can be found at most shops for cheapo dollars (Walmart sells them for $10) and will keep your scoot dust free and beautiful. If you don't have time to dust and clean, invest in a scooter cover. We sell the Nelson-Rigg brand, and they're a perfect fit at $40-$60!
• Watch those tires! It's bound to happen: Amidst all the cold and frigid days of Winter, we'll be blessed with an occassional 60 degree or warmer period. Your first thought it to warm up the scoot and join all the other motorcyclists and scooterists out on the road. NOT SO FAST! Remember that if you let your scoot sit for any extended amount of time, you're gonna lose air pressure in your tires. Not only does that mean a potentially soggy ride, it can lead to potentially life-threatening injuries! If you're not checking your tire pressures on a weekly basis, the Winter months may be a good time to start building on new habits.
  

There are plenty more tips for you, but I think these cover the issues most folks tend to overlook. If you need other pointers, just give me a ring or shoot me an email.