When you come to use your bike, there are a few checks you can do to make sure it’s OK before you set off. These apply to motorbikes and all scooters not just 50cc mopeds:
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Now, the reality is that you’re not going to do these every time, because life’s not like that, I know, but you have to understand that every time you get on your bike without doing these checks, you are taking an extra risk. So, here’s how you do them. Please do them regularly and stay safe:
- Tyres – the tyres on 50cc mopeds are going to take a lot of punishment, so check them frequently. When you brake it’s the tread that helps you stop, so keep an eye on it and change the tyre long before it’s illegal. Also look for any bald patches and for nails stuck in the tyre. If anything is wrong with your tyres, get them fixed or replaced – motorbikes and scooters with dodgy tyres are lethal.
- Chain – you need to check that it’s not dry. It should be oily at all times. See if you can spot any links that are not like the others, say they are out of place or somehow different. The tension should also be checked regularly – how much slack there needs to be is stated in the scooter’s manual.
- Lights and horn – should be working, duh! You could get caught out if it goes dark and you are away from home with no headlight so don’t risk it. Besides, you’re advised by those who know about these things to have your headlight on, dipped, even in the daytime.
- Damage – you need to check the forks and chassis, especially if your poor bike has taken a knock. If anything is bent or cracked, you’re going to risk a serious accident if you go out on that bike.
- Mirrors – make sure they’re not too loose. You don’t want them flapping around when you ride. Also keep them clean – mirrors are a real lifeline on 50cc mopeds. On all motorbikes in fact.
- Brakes – the levers need to move smoothly without any weird catching. Take the bike off the stand and roll it a little, then apply one brake, then the other. Did they WORK?
- Cables and hoses – watch out for frayed cables and worn hoses. Get them replaced or your bike could let you down.
- Steering – sit on the bike with it off the stand and check that the handlebars can move nice and smoothly all the way from one lock to the other, and without catching on any cables.
- Oil – check the engine’s oil level regularly because if there’s not enough, you can grind to a halt and to serious and expensive damage to the engine.
These checks apply to any motorbikes and scooters, whether Aprilia, Vespa, Honda or whatever – not just 50cc mopeds.
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