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Moped vehicle guide

Introduction:

Greetings from the Scoot Tribe!  We thank you for buying your new vehicle from us, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you more in the future!  This pamphlet is meant to help introduce you to your vehicle as well as what to expect during its lifespan.


Operating your scooter: 

Starting - Starting a scooter can be done one of two ways: electric start or kickstart.  Both share the first three steps, which are turning on the key, flipping the kill switch to the “on” position, and pulling in one of the brake handles.  With the brake engaged, either press the start button for electric start (right handle with lighting bolt design) or kick the kickstart pedal (metal arm connected to crank case).  When kickstarting, the scooter must be on the center stand.

Power/braking - Your scooter throttle handle is on the right side of the handlebars.  When the scooter is running, twisting the handle towards you will give the scooter gas and propel it forward.  The brakes are located on both handles, with each side controlling your front or rear brakes.  Models can differ as far as which handle controls which brake, inspect your scooter to determine this.  It is recommended to rely more heavily on the rear brake than the front brake.


Safety:

Protective equipment - PPE is not legally mandated for all vehicles or riders; however, we STRONGLY recommend you wear protection for your eyes and head at minimum.  Eye irritation decreases visibility and reaction time.  Moreover, debris can be kicked up on paved and dirt roads alike.  Regarding head protection, even “small” and/or “slow” accidents can cause concussions or other head injuries.  Heavier clothing is also recommended when possible.  In certain situations, bailing off your scooter is the safest thing to do; therefore, the thicker you can bear, the more protected you are.

Kill switch - The kill switch on your vehicle is a red button on one of the handles.  Two designs should be etched on either side of the switch.  The designs will look the same, with the exception of one featuring an “X” through the whole design.  The side with the “X” is the “off” position and the side without is the “on” position.  The kill switch must be in the “on” position in order to start.  Additionally, the kill switch can be used if you need to quickly turn the vehicle off.

New Riders - If you lack experience operating your vehicle, TAKE IT SLOW and seek guidance when needed.  Our employees would be happy to give the primary rider a minor lesson on safe operation of the vehicle.  

Legal Considerations:

Registration - If you bought a scooter larger than 50cc, you are required to register it.  You will pay sales tax for the vehicle at your relevant government office, and you must submit the MCO in order to receive a title.  Registration information must be kept with the scooter at all times during operation.

Insurance - All scooters require minimum liability insurance, which can be found for as low as $50/year.  Insurance information must be kept with the scooter at all times during operation.

Caring for your vehicle:

Pre-ride inspection - We conduct two inspections of every new vehicle we sell (after assembly and prior to purchase).  While we fix any issue we find, we are not perfect, and some things can go overlooked.  For this reason, we recommend visually inspecting your vehicle after purchase for any damage or other issues.  Finding these issues early increases the likelihood they will be covered under the warranty.  Additionally, we recommend inspecting the vehicle before every ride in order to ensure safety.

Vehicle limits - Every new vehicle needs to be “broken in” after purchase.  “Breaking in” a vehicle entails running the vehicle well below its top speed for 45 minutes to an hour.  This will improve the reliability of your vehicle.

The leading cause of engine issues is overexertion of the vehicle.  Do not run the vehicle at top speed for extended periods of time, and familiarize yourself with the weight limit of your particular vehicle.  Never use one of our vehicles for jumping or racing.

Carburetor care - The carburetors on small engine vehicles are just that: small.  The jets are approximately the size of a pen tip, making the carburetor more susceptible to clogging.  Dust, hair, and miscellaneous grime can build up over time, and cold weather only accelerates this issue.

The best way to maintain your carburetor is to run your vehicle regularly.  If you do not ride everyday, run the vehicle through a heat cycle about once or twice a week.  This involves starting the vehicle and letting it idle for approximately 7-10 minutes.

Another preventative measure is using non-ethanol gasoline in your vehicle.  At normal gas stations, premium gas will contain the lowest amount of ethanol, but some stations offer non-ethanol gas, in which case unleaded may be used.

Storage - The weather has a tremendous influence on the performance of your vehicle.  Colder weather can cause the carburetor to clog up and the battery to die.  Rain can get into various parts of the scooter, causing issues with the carburetor and/or the electrical system.  For this reason, we recommend storing your vehicle in a covered area or inside.  

Proper storage of your vehicle is also necessary to prevent theft.  If you are unable to store your vehicle indoors, invest in multiple locks to secure it when not in use.