Mopeds and motor scooters are great vehicles to have around when you need to drive yourself to any point across Oahu.
We at Hawaiian Style Rentals & Sales believe that educating our clients about the proper care of our two-wheelers is part of our service to you, not just as our clients but as responsible members of our community. Like any machine, these vehicles experience wear and tear, so ensuring that parts are checked, cleaned, and repaired will lead to optimum performance, longevity, and most of all, your safety as a rider.
With a lot of you out there looking forward to a new riding season after months of sheltering in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time to get your Genuine moped and motor scooters tuned up before you hit the road again or drive longer distances than you did before the lockdown.
Let’s take a look at some tips on how to maintain a moped and scooter:
Tires
Your tires lose pressure over time. It’s best to check your owner’s manual for the ideal tire pressure, although it would range from about 18 to 24 pounds per square inch (PSI) for the front tire and 28 to 36 PSI for the rear tire. Your rear tire should have a high PSI if you regularly ride with a companion or load up your cargo carrier. Buy a tire pressure gauge to get an accurate reading.
Over or underinflated tires can cause premature wear due to increased friction with the road and can make them easily punctured. Getting your air pressure right reduces the risk of crashing due to blowout or loss of traction as well as getting stuck because of a flat tire.
You should also check if your tire still has enough tread or rubber that gets in contact with the ground. Replace your tires when the tread’s thickness reaches 2 millimeters. It shouldn’t get worn down to
below 1/32″.
Oil
To avoid damaging your engine, check your owner’s manual so you can fill up your moped or scooter with the right type of oil at the right time. We recommend JASO FD-rated oil for the Genuine line of mopeds and motor scooters that we sell and rent at Hawaiian Style Rentals & Sales. We also advise that you use ethanol-free gas, because ethanol can absorb water over time and eventually cause the deterioration of your vehicle’s plastic tanks, rubber gaskets, and hoses.
The frequency of your four stroke motor scooter oil change varies, depending on your driving style and how often you ride your two-wheeler. Engine oil changes are usually done every 1,500 to 2,000 miles. Transmission oil should be changed every 2,000 miles. A four stroke scooter oil change makes your engine lubricated, resulting in better mileage.
Make sure you also check if there’s any oil leak from your engine or under your scooter.
Breaking in your new vehicle
When riding a new moped or scooter, take normal breaks and avoid driving on full throttle until you’ve covered 600 miles to prevent overheating. Ride slowly at the start, making sure you always warm up your engine before you finally drive. Then cool down after a long ride. Please checkout our YouTube video on how to properly break in your moped.
Brakes
You can look inside the drum brake to see how much pad there is left: most mechanics will advise you to replace it once the pad is just 3 millimeters thick and not to let the pads go below 1.5-mm thick. This will prevent any damage from the pads’ steel backing making contact with the disc. Another indicator of worn-out brake pads is the amount of pressure you exert on the pedal for the brake to work. Your pad’s friction material may be wearing out if you have to press your pedal farther. A whooshing or deep groaning sound can also signal worn out pads.
The brake discs also need checking. Replacements are needed if they are worn thin, deeply grooved from the pads, or discolored due to excessive heat buildup.
Battery
Your moped or scooter’s battery can die if you let it sit idle for too long. Invest in a voltmeter to read the voltage of your battery and a battery charger to power it up. Connect your power leads (positive and negative clamp) to the battery first before connecting the charger to a power outlet to avoid generating sparks.
Most motor scooter batteries last 2-3 years when properly stored during long rest periods. But they can start losing charge quickly or lose their ability to hold a charge after 24 months. Your battery has reached its “critical level” when your vehicle is slow to start up even when fully charged.
You can extend its lifespan by detaching it from your vehicle when you won’t use it for several days. Letting it stay connected will drain the battery. However, don’t store it in cold or hot spaces or under direct sunlight. Keep it fully charged as often as possible but avoid overcharging. Your owner’s manual should contain the recommended charging duration. The battery is usually found beneath the floor panel, on a side mount, or beneath your vehicle’s seat.
Spark plug
The spark plug is a vital part of your vehicle’s ignition system, so you need to check it regularly with a spanner if you have a hard time starting up. A caramel or light brown-colored porcelain insulator nose indicates that it’s in good condition. Also check for cracks or damage. You can use a wire wool brush to clean it from debris before applying WD-40 lubricant. Spark plugs are usually good for 1,800 to 2,500 miles.
Cables
Examine your cables for any damaged housing and frayed ends. Bring your vehicle to a mechanic if you see any stretched, cracked, or brittle cables. You’ll also know that it’s time to lubricate your cables when your throttle, clutch, and brake start feeling hard to move around.
Air filter
Clean air filters prevent start-up problems and other engine difficulties because they stop particles from entering your moped or scooter’s engine system. Particles can disrupt the fuel-burning process of your engine, forcing it to work harder. Check your air filters every 2,500 miles or as your manual suggests, especially if you frequent dirty and dusty roads. As much as possible, park your two-wheeler in a shaded area and put a waterproof covering over it to protect it from moisture and dust.
Some steps may be too complicated for non-DIYers. Hawaiian Style Rentals & Sales is committed to providing you with assistance in case of any issues. Get in touch with us and we’ll help you find the best
solution for your Genuine Scooter and to keep your existing warranty valid.