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Post by luighseach on Sept 26, 2009 13:45:14 GMT -5
So I've been thinking, what's the point of putting away the scooter for the winter? I may as well just keep it going all winter long. I don't mind cold at all, but will be avoiding ice and snow when possible. Soo I'm looking for some opinions and tips on riding during the winter. Any special gear that you can recommend? Things to do to the scooter to get it ready for cold weather riding? If you have any experience or knowledge of winter riding, post it up, It'd be great to hear a bunch of opinions on the subject. Thanks!
Edit to add that I will be in the State College area during the winter. Considerably more winterlike than the practically tropic Lancaster county that I am in now.
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Post by CCProf on Sept 26, 2009 13:56:08 GMT -5
There's a lady that rides with the Three Mile Island Scooter Club (www.tmisc.org) that rides a lot in the winter. I think she works at the Vespa dealership in Lancaster. If I recall correctly, she has heated mittens. I rode once in March in 27 degrees. Not for me. I had insulated hunting coveralls and a down coat on. Army surplus leather gloves with wool inner gloves. Combat boots with 2 pair of socks. FF helmet. You don't have the snow and ice down there that we do in the mountains. I figure my season runs from 4/1 thru 11/1. Anything else is a bonus. Have you thought about a snowmobile suit?
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Post by luighseach on Sept 26, 2009 14:29:29 GMT -5
Being an avid mountaineer and ice climber, I think that I am mostly set on warm gear. I may have to add a couple pieces here and there, but overall I should be set on the clothing scene. Though I see that battery powered clothing comes highly recommended from winter riders... I'm thinking to get one of these: www.motorcycle-superstore.com/5/18/169/950/ITEM/Battery-Tender-Junior-Charger.aspx Since the Pegasus does not have a kick start. And I guess I should probably change to a lighter oil once things start cooling down? |
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Post by G-Bo on Sept 27, 2009 0:47:07 GMT -5
luighseach, I've tossed a bone over to ya...great topic to discuss!
I'm looking into this as I sold my car to a needy 19 year old(my daughter) so my scoot is primary transportation. Wife still has her car, so I'm not totally dependent yet my scoot will be 90% of my commuting transportation.
First idea is RAIN TOGGS-a name brand rain suit.. Had a friend gift me with some recently, so that starts my journey into winter wear. I have a rain jacket, but it is like a solar blanket...rain toggs keeps the water off, yet breathes so you get some air in there.
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Post by luighseach on Sept 27, 2009 8:15:15 GMT -5
Thanks! I too rely on the scooter as my only transportation. Well done on the rain gear! It is a step in the right direction for sure. Hopefully we can get some people who have done some winter riding to post on here. In the meantime, take a look at this blog about riding a scooter through the winter in Minnesota. www.ridetowork.org/files/baroninwinter/index.html |
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Post by backroads on Sept 27, 2009 11:09:08 GMT -5
I rode motorcycle in the winter and even when there was snow on the roadway. You really have to watch out for "black ice"! (you cannot stay upright on that stuff imo) You should have a windshield to stay out of the cold wind. I didn't and found myself riding "dangerously" close to the back of semi-trucks to stay warm.  I used my feet as outriggers to stay up on compact snow. |
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Post by luighseach on Sept 28, 2009 10:04:49 GMT -5
Yes, that is what the general word seems to be... Snow is not too bad if handled right, but ice should be avoided at all costs. Makes sense to me. Here is a pretty good article about winter riding tips: www.sqream.org/seattle/ScooterWinterRiding.php |
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Post by harrywr2 on Sept 28, 2009 12:36:35 GMT -5
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Post by CCProf on Sept 28, 2009 15:41:41 GMT -5
And fer sure - watch out for those Susquehanna Valley drivers! I worked in Harrisburg for 6 1/2 years and for most of it commuted from out near the Carlisle exit from the turnpike. . I couldn't believe the way some of those yum-yums drove in the winter on I-81. Of course I did see a fair number in the medial strip too.
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Post by maxximtl on Sept 28, 2009 16:11:12 GMT -5
I think tires come into play on multiple levels. Tires grip differently in cold temps vs. warm....even on a dry road. Instead of breaking away smoothly like they do in warm temps, they may "let go" in cold temps with no warning. Then you have gravel/salt, snow and ice. Aggressive tread is a good thing.
Secondly, because scooters are so light on the front end, I'd probably adopt a more rear-brake biased braking technique. Locking up the rear wheel is no big deal, but locking up the front means a bad day is about to happen.
I'd also allow for a bit longer warm up before going WOT. If you anticipate actually riding through snow, I'd definitely use dialectric grease on all the electrical connectors. Snow packs into strange places and could wreak havok on your electrical system.
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Post by luighseach on Sept 28, 2009 18:26:31 GMT -5
New tires is a good call. Looks like those Kenda's don't come in the right size for the Pegasus... Know of any more aggressive tires that would fit on the peg? 100/80-16 and 110/80-16. I'll post up if I come up with any that would work.
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Post by harrywr2 on Sept 29, 2009 17:53:06 GMT -5
New tires is a good call. Looks like those Kenda's don't come in the right size for the Pegasus... Know of any more aggressive tires that would fit on the peg? 100/80-16 and 110/80-16. I'll post up if I come up with any that would work. Kenda has 16" dirt bike tires....don't know how well they'd ride on a scooter...maybe a bit too aggressive. www.kendausa.com/motorcycle/dual_sport.html |
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Post by luighseach on Oct 2, 2009 17:26:18 GMT -5
So I went out today and bought a battery charger/maintainer for the colder months ahead (I figured it was a good idea since the Pegasus does not have a kick start). And while figuring the whole thing out I went to take a look at my battery, and wow, that thing is a pain in the arse to get to. Take off the rubber foot mat, remove three screws, pop out the plastic panel, and repeat in the opposite direction while trying to thread the screws correctly. Not really something that I want to go through all the time during the winter to keep my battery charged. Has anyone come up with an easier method of getting into the battery compartment?
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Post by titanrider2008 on Oct 2, 2009 19:37:17 GMT -5
My maintainer has a plug and wire that you put on the battery and it stays there, you run it outside the battery box and plug the charger into it instead of using the clamps that way al you have to do is unplug the charger and you are ready to go.
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Post by luighseach on Oct 2, 2009 19:41:32 GMT -5
Ahhhh... So thats what those are for! You get a bone for that, thanks!
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Post by chaz12 on Oct 3, 2009 23:59:58 GMT -5
Winter... I never actually quit riding my scooter. Temps below 32 degrees, I let it sit but days above 32 degrees, I start it up. If no snow, well I ride it. If snow well I just warm it up and make sure parts are working well together. When no snow I ride to the filling station and add gas.. It is like in January of last year, it was 58 degrees a few days. All the way through the winter one can expect a warm day here and there. But I like in Missouri where weather changes quite frequently..
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Post by fong47 on Oct 7, 2009 15:25:26 GMT -5
I am thinking of moving to Florida were the weather is much warmer and can ride pretty much year round.
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Post by backroads on Oct 9, 2009 14:28:05 GMT -5
Oh! and I needed to go "really" slow on the compact snow too.
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Post by luighseach on Oct 17, 2009 12:38:24 GMT -5
Well, winter is pretty much here. Its snowing all over the place. Though here in Lancaster county it is just rain.  I'm about to head out for a bit of a ride too, nothing like a good cold ride in the rain. I'm going to start the search for a new set of tires for the peg now, its getting to be about that time. |
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Post by luighseach on Oct 20, 2009 20:28:54 GMT -5
Looking around at tires, and I'm not seeing too many pairs of tires that would work on the Pegasus. Would it be a bad idea to put different tires on the front and back (different brands for instance)? Or a front tire on the back? There are a bunch of the right sizes out there, just not in pairs, or for the right end of the scooter.
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Post by scosgt on Oct 24, 2009 18:21:42 GMT -5
Install a 12V socket. Most battery tenders can be had with at 12V plug. Just plug it in. Way easier than trying to get to the battery
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I'm about to head out for a bit of a ride too, nothing like a good cold ride in the rain. I'm going to start the search for a new set of tires for the peg now, its getting to be about that time.