Eye Protection In Florida, wearing eye protection is mandatory for riders. You can opt for a helmet visor or riding glasses to shield your eyes from debris. Riding without eye protection is against the law and can lead to a non-moving, non-criminal violation, resulting in a ticket and penalty.
Familiarize Yourself Take time to become accustomed to the location and function of your scooter controls such as turn signals, the horn and lights.
Braking Master the crucial skill of effective braking by using both brakes together. Keep your handlebars straight, and apply both the front and rear brakes simultaneously. Do so confidently but avoid abrupt braking that may lead to wheel skidding, which can lengthen your stopping distance.
Smooth Cornering Reduce speed and maintain a forward view, scanning the road for traffic and road conditions. If you need to slow down during a turn, do so smoothly without sudden movements or heavy braking. Keep your feet on the floorboard, knees in, and lean with the scooter into the turn. Try to maintain a steady throttle, and be prepared for a slight increase as you navigate the turn.
Tire Check Look over the surface of the tire checking for cuts or foreign objects lodged in the rubber. Check your tire pressure regularly. If your tires are regularly low, you may have a slow leak which should be addressed before it becomes a fast leak.
Control Check Make sure all of your buttons function properly including your horn.
Light Check Ensure that your headlight, tail light and turn signals are functioning properly.
Check the Oil Check your oil level regularly and always check it with the vehicle on the center stand. If you don’t have a center stand, position the bike in an upright position, not leaning to the front, back or to the sides. If your bike is on the side stand or an uneven surface it will most likely give you a false reading.
Prioritize Safety Always wear a DOT approved helmet.
Increased Safety Measures Wear proper safety gear, including a helmet, gloves, and protective clothing. Enhance visibility with high-visibility gear featuring bright or reflective materials.
Road Safety Awareness Be mindful of blind spots when riding near vehicles.
Night Riding Wear reflective gear and night riding glasses. Make sure your front and rear lights are on and ride in well lit areas.
Passengers While good company is enjoyable, adding extra weight to your scooter impacts its handling. Ensure your scooter is designed for passengers, with a suitable seat and footrests. Adjust the suspension and tire pressure as per the owner's manual.
Riding in the Rain Exercise heightened caution during the initial stages of rain, as water collects in road dimples and mixes with surface oil residue, creating slippery conditions. As time passes, the oil is washed to the side of the road, but traction on wet surfaces remains inferior to dry roads.
Riding in the Wind Beware of strong winds, especially gusty ones. A steady 25 mph side wind can be challenging. Lean slightly into the wind and stay on the side of the lane from which it's coming. Be prepared to react if a strong gust pushes you.
The Exhaust Will Get Hot! Despite the plastic cover on most scooters' exhaust pipes, riders, especially passengers, can still get burned due to the extreme heat. To prevent burns, wear protective clothing such as thick, long pants like jeans. For added safety, consider purchasing proper riding gear from specialized stores.
Careful Maneuvering in Traffic Ride defensively and always assume that other people on the road do not see you. This will help you avoid accidents.
Adjust your Mirrors Don't overlook the importance of your scooter's side mirrors. Always adjust them before starting your engine to maintain visibility of vehicles behind you and those attempting to pass.
Theft Prevention Most scooters may be secured by locking the neck lock on the vehicle. For additional security, a simple u-lock, cable lock, etc. makes it impossible to wheel the vehicle away thereby preventing the typical thief from targeting your ride. Scooter alarms are also available.
Battery Maintenance Regularly charge and maintain the battery to ensure your motorized scooter operates efficiently. A battery tender may be indicated if the scooter isn’t driven regularly in order to maintain the life of the battery.
Avoid Distractions Avoid using electronic devices or engaging in other distractions while riding your motorized scooter. Signal Usage
Regular Maintenance Regular maintenance for your motor scooter is crucial to ensure its safety, longevity, and optimal performance. It helps identify and address potential issues early, enhancing reliability and preserving your riding experience.
Inexperienced Rider To improve riding skills as an inexperienced motor scooter rider, consider taking a safety course, practice in safe areas, and focus on braking, throttle control, and cornering. Invest in proper riding gear, stay informed about safety guidelines, and ride regularly to build confidence and proficiency.
Road Debris When encountering road debris like sand or leaves on a motor scooter, reduce speed, maintain a straight line and avoid sudden braking or maneuvers. Ride cautiously through the debris and regain normal speed once safely past to ensure stability and safety.
