Registration is currently open for the 2012 Colorado Chaos Scooter Rally. Registration is limited to the first 100 registrations.
This year's rally theme is "gone to the dogs". It is a fundraiser for Freedom Service Dogs of America.
Events for the rally start on Friday June 8, 2012 and wrap up on Sunday June 10. Activities include a Friday night social, Saturday scavenger hunt, and rides on Saturday and Sunday.
Registration forms and more information are available at http://www.coloradochaos.org/
Online registration by credit card is available. Registrations also accepted at the Friday night social if the 100 participant limit has not been reached.
© 2012 G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters. Unauthorized use and/or
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this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and
links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G.
Kunkel and Colorado Scooters with appropriate and specific direction to
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Friday, May 18, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Can you ride double on a scooter in colorado
Kind of a strange question I came across. Can you legally ride double up on a scooter in Colorado?
That really depends upon your scooter and your driver's license.
If your scooter is built for two people, knock yourself out. The more the merrier on a scooter ride. Be aware of the scooters handling characteristics for riding two-up.
Those who are 18 and under may be restricted from having two people on a scooter in Colorado. Colorado does not allow those under a certain age from having passengers who are under a certain age. I think it's probably okay for mom or dad to tag along.
Engine size could also determine the feasibility of riding with two people on a scooter in Colorado. Big hills and altitude really suck the power out of small engine scooters. Mountain rides could really be a challenge.
Try two people out on your scooter on a flat deserted road to test things out. If it doesn't work, have your friend buy their own scooter.
© 2012 G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
That really depends upon your scooter and your driver's license.
If your scooter is built for two people, knock yourself out. The more the merrier on a scooter ride. Be aware of the scooters handling characteristics for riding two-up.
Those who are 18 and under may be restricted from having two people on a scooter in Colorado. Colorado does not allow those under a certain age from having passengers who are under a certain age. I think it's probably okay for mom or dad to tag along.
Engine size could also determine the feasibility of riding with two people on a scooter in Colorado. Big hills and altitude really suck the power out of small engine scooters. Mountain rides could really be a challenge.
Try two people out on your scooter on a flat deserted road to test things out. If it doesn't work, have your friend buy their own scooter.
© 2012 G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The best scooter motor oil
The best scooter engine oil for your scooter is one that meets all the specifications listed by the scooter manufacturer for your scooter model. Not all scooter oil is the same or works for all engine types.
Scooters come with either 2 stroke or 4 stroke engines. Four stroke engine parts are lubricated by oil contained within the engine - sorta like a car engine. They use a oil filter and need to have the oil and oil filter changed on a regular maintenance schedule.
Two stroke engines require oil but either have a tank that injects it into the gasoline as it is consumed or need oil mixed into the gas tank when it is filled. They don't have oil filters or require oil changes.
Use the engine motor oil that the scooter manufacturer recommends. Don't scrimp - use quality oil. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish with your scooters hard-working engine.
The owner of a local scooter shop told me a story a few years ago of a 2-stroke scooter owner who tried to save money by using lawn mower oil in his scooter. He did that for a few years. He then came to the repair shop to say his scooter wouldn't run. After checking everything, they looked at his exhaust pipe. It was almost completely clogged with oil residue. It was several hundred dollars to replace that exhaust.
One scooter engine oil I really like for my Vespa ET4 is Motul. I use their 300V Factory Line double ester 5W40 4T 100% synthetic motor oil. Motul makes a full line of scooter motor oils for 2-stroke and 4 stroke engines.
It can be hard to find Motul oil. I found it from a dealer on the internet for around $16 per liter. The shipping took about a month but I saved some money on that deal.
There are other quality scooter motor oils around. Check with your local scooter shop first. Shipping heavy liquids is expensive for online purchases.
Some 2-stroke scooter motor oils come with scents. It's kinds nice smelling those during rallies rather than some oily-smelling cloud of smoke.
Read your owner's manual and find out what oil your engine needs. Change the oil filter when changing the oil. Clean any filters too.
Want to understand the difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine better? Here's a great article explaining the difference - http://motorscooterguide.net/Articles/2StrokeOR4Stroke/2StrokeOR4Stroke.html
I wrote up a fairly simple guide with pictures on How to change the engine oil for a Vespa ET4 a few years ago. I still use it.
© 2012 G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Scooters come with either 2 stroke or 4 stroke engines. Four stroke engine parts are lubricated by oil contained within the engine - sorta like a car engine. They use a oil filter and need to have the oil and oil filter changed on a regular maintenance schedule.
Two stroke engines require oil but either have a tank that injects it into the gasoline as it is consumed or need oil mixed into the gas tank when it is filled. They don't have oil filters or require oil changes.
Use the engine motor oil that the scooter manufacturer recommends. Don't scrimp - use quality oil. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish with your scooters hard-working engine.
The owner of a local scooter shop told me a story a few years ago of a 2-stroke scooter owner who tried to save money by using lawn mower oil in his scooter. He did that for a few years. He then came to the repair shop to say his scooter wouldn't run. After checking everything, they looked at his exhaust pipe. It was almost completely clogged with oil residue. It was several hundred dollars to replace that exhaust.
One scooter engine oil I really like for my Vespa ET4 is Motul. I use their 300V Factory Line double ester 5W40 4T 100% synthetic motor oil. Motul makes a full line of scooter motor oils for 2-stroke and 4 stroke engines.
It can be hard to find Motul oil. I found it from a dealer on the internet for around $16 per liter. The shipping took about a month but I saved some money on that deal.
There are other quality scooter motor oils around. Check with your local scooter shop first. Shipping heavy liquids is expensive for online purchases.
Some 2-stroke scooter motor oils come with scents. It's kinds nice smelling those during rallies rather than some oily-smelling cloud of smoke.
Read your owner's manual and find out what oil your engine needs. Change the oil filter when changing the oil. Clean any filters too.
Want to understand the difference between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine better? Here's a great article explaining the difference - http://motorscooterguide.net/Articles/2StrokeOR4Stroke/2StrokeOR4Stroke.html
I wrote up a fairly simple guide with pictures on How to change the engine oil for a Vespa ET4 a few years ago. I still use it.
© 2012 G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Monday, May 7, 2012
The best piece of scooter safety equipment
Being seen by inattentive car drivers is the biggest challenge to scooter riders. People will be staring right at you and just turn or pull out right in front of you. Yeah, you have the high beam highlight on but they still don't see it and you end up slamming into the car.
The best visibility solution to be seen by car operators while driving your scooter? Wear a High-Viz vest. Many motorcycle operators wear them and I bet you notice them on road construction workers. It may not be fashionable - but you'll have a better chance of being noticed and staying alive.
Not all high-viz vests are the same. Some are better suited to scooter riding so they don't flap around or look totally dorky.
A popular high-viz vest with scooter riders is the ICON Mil-Spec vest. It fits snug, comes in a variety of sizes, and it meets U.S. Military Regulations for motorcycle riders in the military.
The vest comes in either high-viz yellow or orange. Most people I know get the yellow. That's the color I have. It comes with reflective taping on the front and back.
It's constructed of light-weight mesh material so you don't get hot on those summer riding days. There are several interior and exterior pockets and a card holder that will get you through the security gate at work.
One caution - these vests do run small. Order a size larger than you normally would. Get a supersize and it will fit over a jacket or armor.
They can be purchased for around $60. I bought mine online from Motorcycle Superstore.
I've noticed more people wearing high-viz vests for scooter safety these days. Guess they don't want cars pulling out in front of them either. I've had less people try to run me over since I started wearing one.
For more scooter safety ideas, read The Best Scooter Safety Modifications and Gear
© 2012 G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
The best visibility solution to be seen by car operators while driving your scooter? Wear a High-Viz vest. Many motorcycle operators wear them and I bet you notice them on road construction workers. It may not be fashionable - but you'll have a better chance of being noticed and staying alive.
Not all high-viz vests are the same. Some are better suited to scooter riding so they don't flap around or look totally dorky.
A popular high-viz vest with scooter riders is the ICON Mil-Spec vest. It fits snug, comes in a variety of sizes, and it meets U.S. Military Regulations for motorcycle riders in the military.
The vest comes in either high-viz yellow or orange. Most people I know get the yellow. That's the color I have. It comes with reflective taping on the front and back.
It's constructed of light-weight mesh material so you don't get hot on those summer riding days. There are several interior and exterior pockets and a card holder that will get you through the security gate at work.
One caution - these vests do run small. Order a size larger than you normally would. Get a supersize and it will fit over a jacket or armor.
They can be purchased for around $60. I bought mine online from Motorcycle Superstore.
I've noticed more people wearing high-viz vests for scooter safety these days. Guess they don't want cars pulling out in front of them either. I've had less people try to run me over since I started wearing one.
For more scooter safety ideas, read The Best Scooter Safety Modifications and Gear
© 2012 G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Does a scooter need a license plate in Colorado?
I still see car drivers get angry when they see a scooter without license plates. The local cops used to be the same way until they learned the rules and regulations governing low-power scooters, mopeds, and motorcycle scooters.
Scooters registered in the state of Colorado may or may not be required to have license plates depending upon the engine cc size.
If the scooter has an an "internal combustion engine not exceeding 50 cc or electric power not exceeding 4476 Watts", it does not need a license plate. It does however need to be registered with the Colorado Dept of Revenue and have the registration sticker attached to it.
Scooters exceeding 50 cc or 4476 Watts must be registered with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles as a motorcycle. A license plate is required on motorcycles in Colorado.
Proof of insurance will need to be provided before any scooter can be registered with either the Dept of Revenue or the Dept of Motor Vehicles.
Local government regulations can not change the Colorado state registration requirements.
Sources:
Impending Changes to Colorado Scooter Law
© 2012 G. Kunkel and Colorado Scooters. Unauthorized use and/or
duplication of this material without express and written permission from
this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and
links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to G.
Kunkel and Colorado Scooters with appropriate and specific direction to
the original content.
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