So you heard that petrol scooters get great mileage and now you'd like to get better mileage? Well read on for some easy ideas for improving your scooter's gas mileage. No more blowing money at the pump!
1) Go easy on your acceleration, Earnhardt!
Just like a car, how you operate your motor scooter will have a tremendous effect on how many miles you are able to obtain from your scooter per gallon. Out of all of the fuel-saving ideas, the use of your acceleration will have the greatest effect on your overall fuel consumption. The key is to increase your speed slowly, instead of trying to chirp the tires from a standstill.
2) Inflate your tires to the correct PSI
If you are riding on under or overinflated tires, you are not only wasting fuel, but you're putting yourself at risk. Check your tires' PSI (pounds per square inch), and adjust them accordingly. Keep in mind that your tire pressure will climb in the hotter months and go down in cooler months.
3) Keep your motor scooter tuned up
Many people think of a motors scooter as a set it and forget it thing. They buy it, ride it, and rarely think of maintaining it. But just like a car, your scooter needs some TLC to run properly and continue getting great mileage. Keep your scooter in good mechanical order, and you'll be rewarded with scooter longevity and exceptional gas mileage.
4) Change your oil frequently
You change your oil in your car every 3,000 to 6,000 miles, I assume. But it can take some serious riding for your scooter to see that kind of use, especially if you use yours primarily for neighborhood riding. Regardless of mileage, you should try to change your oil at the beginning of every riding season.
To illustrate, if your riding season is in the summer months, from May through September, but you usually only put 700 miles on your petrol scooter over those months, you should still change your oil every May.
So what kind of mileage can you expect to get out of your scooter with these tips? The answer varies quite a bit depending on the type and size of your petrol scooter, but you are looking at significant savings.
Keep in mind that some smaller scooters only have a useful life of 20,000 or so miles, and these ideas can also make a difference in the lifespan of your scooter.
