Mistakes to avoid when riding a scooter

Some mistakes that scooter riders should avoid include starting the engine immediately after it starts, going too slowly, overusing the front brake, or idling in place during the break-in period.

Scooters are becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam. The number of people riding scooters is increasing rapidly. However, not everyone knows how to use their scooters properly to ensure the engine lasts longer, the vehicle runs smoothly, and fuel efficiency is maximized.

Many Vietnamese people make mistakes when riding scooters.

Here are some mistakes that scooter riders should avoid:

Start the engine and start operating immediately.

Just like with manual transmission motorcycles, owners of scooters also often fall into this habit. However, for scooters, this habit is far more "destructive." Typically, scooters have higher engine RPMs compared to manual transmission motorcycles.

Therefore, at the time of starting, if the initial idle speed is not applied, the clicking or even rattling noises coming from the engine's valve system will cost the owner a considerable amount of money to get the car running smoothly again.

Abusing the front brake

With the habit of being right-handed, many scooter riders instinctively apply the front brake when startled. Using the front brake on a scooter is very dangerous due to the small wheel diameter and short suspension travel. Always use both the front and rear brakes simultaneously for maximum safety.

On some newer scooter models, the CBS (Cycle of Simultaneous Braking) system allows the user to stop the vehicle using both brakes by simply applying the left brake lever.

Scooter riding feels like riding... a manual transmission motorcycle.

Performing sudden acceleration followed by abrupt braking will cause the clutch assembly and drive belt to wear out faster. Furthermore, this constant acceleration and braking is also a wasteful way to use up fuel.

When you accelerate hard, the car provides a strong and powerful burst of acceleration, allowing you to travel further. However, when you brake suddenly, the car decelerates abruptly, requiring you to refuel with a corresponding amount of fuel to continue. Always maintain a consistent speed and throttle control; this will extend the lifespan of the clutch and drive belt, and save fuel.

Do not clean the fuel float.

Many newer scooters, such as the Honda Sh and Honda SCR, use a fuel float system designed with a "leaf-shaped" filter surrounding the fuel intake pipe. The fuel float assembly is submerged directly in the fuel tank.

Cleaning the fuel float helps scooters save fuel.

Many car owners overlook this detail during maintenance and use. This causes the fuel filter to accumulate metal shavings and dirt over time, leading to clogged fuel lines, damaged fuel pumps, or, less seriously, preventing the car from reaching its maximum power and speed due to insufficient fuel. Therefore, always check the fuel float during regular maintenance to ensure your car runs smoothly.

Do not wait for the fuel injection (FI) indicator light to turn off before starting the engine.

Offering fuel efficiency and smooth operation, electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems have many advantages over conventional carburetors. However, EFI systems must be used correctly to function properly. Therefore, after turning on the ignition, be sure to wait for the FI indicator light to turn off before pressing the start button.

If done correctly, this method allows the fuel pump system sufficient time to fill the injectors with fuel. Simultaneously, the fuel injection system has time to complete its startup process, ensuring more accurate and durable fuel injection. Conversely, doing it the other way around can easily damage the fuel pump system. Additionally, you should also remember to regularly clean and maintain the fuel injectors according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Drive the vehicle at a slow speed.

Most young people, women, and older adults prefer to ride scooters slowly so they can chat, admire the scenery, or simply for safety. However, with scooters that use a radiator, this inadvertently causes the engine temperature to rise and the vehicle to consume more fuel.

When operating scooters with a radiator, you should maintain an average speed of around 40 km/h or more, depending on the safety conditions of the road. Driving slightly faster will allow more airflow to cool the radiator and save fuel.

Furthermore, the temperature sensor should not be adjusted to activate the cooling system later or earlier than originally intended. The engine will not function properly if it is too cold or too hot. Many mechanics have inadvertently adjusted the cooling fan to start earlier to save electricity, causing the engine to overheat, the coolant to boil at high temperatures, and increasing the likelihood of scale buildup in the radiator. Always clean the radiator and replace the coolant as part of your complete vehicle maintenance routine.

Scooters are capable of wading through water.

Many scooter owners believe that, with their "spaceship" design, these scooters can easily and safely navigate through water. However, the engine design contradicts this belief. With a low-mounted engine, a transmission assembly with numerous air vents, and a centrifugal clutch system, water is their sworn enemy.

The vents on the transmission assembly and the low-mounted air filter housing are always the easiest places for water to penetrate. And when water has "contaminated" the centrifugal clutch assembly, it means the vehicle will be stuck in place while the engine continues to "roar" due to clutch bearing slippage.

After a while, the clutch system will easily rust, leading to the vehicle jerking (this also happens when the clutch assembly is dirty). Don't turn your car into an "unwilling boat," and regularly cleaning the transmission assembly will help keep your car running smoothly.

Any oil will do.

The mindset of many scooter owners – "use whichever oil is cheapest" and "all oils are the same" – often leads to engine malfunctions and reduced lifespan. Currently, the market offers many types of oil with different uses and properties. Therefore, choosing the right oil for your scooter is crucial.

There are many ways to find the right oil for your scooter, but the best way is to carefully read the type of oil specified in the owner's manual when you buy a new scooter. When changing the oil, don't skimp on money, as scooter oil is always more expensive than regular motorcycle oil. Be sure to ask about the specific type of oil for scooters before changing it. The simplest way is to look for the word "scooter" on the label of every bottle of scooter oil.

Installing an alarm system will not affect the vehicle.

The problem of vehicle theft is always a headache for many car owners, especially expensive models like the Honda Sh, Piaggio LX, and Honda Spacy, which are prime targets for thieves. Many car owners have had to install alarm systems on their vehicles. However, with unclear quality and origin, and low-skilled technicians, your car may experience problems such as: vehicle fires, electrical short circuits, or the ignition lock detecting "wrong" signals, causing the IC to lock the entire electrical system of the vehicle, leading to the owner having to spend a large sum of money to replace the entire IC and ignition lock system.

Installing additional alarm systems requires a high level of skill, knowledge, and expertise from the installer. For vehicles using magnetic locks, such as the Piaggio LX and Honda Sh300i, installing an additional alarm system is extremely dangerous for the vehicle's electrical system. The best approach is to always park your vehicle in a supervised area. The most important thing is to always be vigilant and careful with your vehicle to ensure maximum safety, not relying on any modern or advanced equipment.

Break in a new car on-site.

To this day, many people still believe that it's necessary to break in a newly purchased scooter. However, letting the engine run in place for many hours will cause the engine temperature to rise, affecting the durability of the vehicle's components.

With a new scooter, for the first 1,000 km, users should not exceed 60 km/h, should not ride on highways, should not carry overloaded passengers, and should only carry a maximum of 2 people.

More expensive scooters will be more durable and require less maintenance.

The reason for point number 10 is that the author has witnessed many expensive, even relatively new, scooters having to undergo complete engine overhauls due to misconceptions about the value of the vehicle being directly related to its durability!

Many scooter owners neglect proper maintenance procedures and schedules. For a scooter, regular and thorough maintenance is crucial. It determines its durability, fuel efficiency, and smooth, comfortable ride. Therefore, always pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions and take the time to care for your scooter regularly.

According to Zing