It can be dangerous and stressful to drive a car during the winter months, but for scooter drivers, it is even more dangerous as you are a vulnerable road user and you will be continuously exposed to the elements. You should only ride your scooter when you have to when the conditions are bad, but here are a few tips that should help.
Carry Out Basic Maintenance
You should always carry out basic maintenance on your scooter and get it serviced before the weather starts to turn. A few key maintenance tasks that you need to perform to keep the vehicle in the best possible condition include:
- Checking battery health
- Checking the tyres (replacing if needed)
- Testing the lights
- Keeping the chain lubricated
- Topping up fluids
- Changing the oil and filter
Clean the Scooter
It is also a good idea to clean the scooter after riding it, especially if you have been traveling in muddy/wet conditions. This can prevent damage and rust from occurring and ensure that your bike is safe to ride during the winter months.
Keep the Bike Sheltered
If possible, you should keep the bike sheltered to prevent the cold air and rain from damaging the vehicle. A garage or secure shed is ideal, but if this is not possible then it is worth investing in a high-quality cover to protect the vehicle from the elements while it is outside.
Plan Your Routes
If you do have to head out when the weather is less than ideal then it is vital that you plan your route in advance. Try to choose a route that will be as safe as possible and always let people know when you are leaving/plan to arrive and what route you will be taking.
Wear Protective Gear:
Before you start driving, you must wear specialized clothing and equipment that will protect you from any injury. If you are a new rider then don’t forget to take a motorcycle theory test.
Here are some protective gear-
i) Put on a Full-faced Helmet:
A full-faced helmet not only provides safety but also brings comfort to riding a scooter. You must always wear a helmet to protect your head from any unexpected injury. Wearing a helmet in winter will also keep you warm and protect you from feeling cold.
ii) Wear Protective Gear on the Joints:
Due to the slippery road in winter, there is a risk of injury including falls and bruises. Thus, to protect your joints from any injury, you should wear protective gear on the joints.
iii) Put on Gloves:
If you expose any area of your body in winter, you will lose heat. Therefore, to keep your hands warm, you should wear a pair of gloves. Besides protecting you from cold, gloves will make you feel flexible and prevent your palms from injury. Then, you can also go for wearing a lightweight waterproof jacket that is battery-powered and works on a self-healing mechanism, thus keeping you warm, and unmindful of the strong winds you encounter while you’re riding your bike or scooter. Here, you can go for “Wear Graphene’s” GAMMA range of graphene clothing, especially heated jackets that are perfect for outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, cycling or motorbike riding in the winter.
Drive With Caution
You always need to drive with caution on a scooter, but particularly during the winter months. This will involve reducing your speed, being aware of longer stopping distances, gentle cornering, and letting your intentions be known well in advance of making a manoeuvre.
Arrange Scooter Insurance
You also need to make sure that you have sufficient scooter insurance in place before setting off on any journey. This will provide important financial protection if you encounter any issues while also giving you peace of mind knowing that you have protection in place.
Pack an Emergency Kit
It is also helpful to have an emergency kit with you in case you encounter any issues on the roads. This should include a torch, phone charger, warning lights, food and drink, and a first aid kit.
Hopefully, these tips will come in handy for any scooter owner. It is best to avoid driving when the conditions are bad, but if you must set off then these tips should give you confidence.
