| The scooter was received and assembled, now finally | | | | 8. Let the kick start come back up |
| to the long awaited moment, starting the scooter. The | | | | 9. Kick the kick start vigorously 3 or 4 times in a row |
| urge to stick the key in the hole, press the button and | | | | making sure the starter goes all the way down and |
| hear the engine purr is close to irresistible... | | | | comes all the way back up every time |
| But it must be resisted. Though above may sound | | | | 10. Then keep on accelerating all the way (step 6) and |
| ideal, is not the case. Imagine a car that was parked | | | | kicking all the way a few times (step 9) |
| for six months; it may not start at first try. In this case | | | | 11. Do not accelerate while kicking |
| we are talking about a scooter that may have been | | | | Try the electric start only AFTER having tried to start |
| sitting for 6 or more months in addition to having | | | | the bike as described above with the kick-start. |
| traveled by sea for 2 or 3 weeks; carburetors love | | | | Electric start procedure: |
| fresh salty marine air. | | | | 1. Follow steps 1 to 6 in the kick-start procedure above |
| This article aims at guiding first time scooter owners to | | | | 2. Hold the rear brake |
| properly start their scooter without blowing anything | | | | 3. Gently turn the accelerator to pickup the slack; do |
| out. | | | | not accelerate, just hold the slack |
| Dos and don'ts: | | | | 4. Press the start button for 3 seconds and let go |
| 1. If the scooter is 50 or 150cc, don't try the electric | | | | 5. Accelerate all the way and let go, hold any slack in |
| start; at first kick start only | | | | the throttle |
| 2. Do not, under any circumstance, try to jump start | | | | 6. Press the start button for 3 seconds and let go |
| the scooter | | | | 7. Let the electric start motor cool down for 30 or 40 |
| 3. Avoid using a charger. The engine will recharge the | | | | seconds and repeat the steps above one more time. |
| battery when it is started. If a charger is used, insure it | | | | Overheating the electric start motor may also damage |
| is a motorcycle charger set to no more than 2 amps | | | | the scooter by blowing the starter motor, the fuse and |
| 4. If the scooter is equipped with an alarm, do not try | | | | other electrical parts. |
| the alarm or the remote start until the scooter started | | | | If the bike did not start, do not try the electric start |
| 5. Buy the most expensive fuel and fill the gas tank all | | | | procedure more than 2 times; rather go back to the |
| the way up | | | | kick start procedure and repeat it 2 or 3 times. It may |
| 6. Do not use any fuel additives or carburetor cleaner | | | | take a few tries, most bikes start at the 2nd or 3rd try. |
| solution | | | | If all else fail: |
| 7. Once the scooter is started, be ready to ride it for | | | | Some scooters my have a hard time starting. This |
| at least 15 minutes to charge the battery - letting the | | | | may be due to several factors. In 90% of the cases, |
| engine charge the battery is by far the best | | | | the failure to start is due to no or insufficient fuel |
| Remember that a new battery is very fragile. If it runs | | | | getting to the carburetor. The simplest way to check |
| all the way down, it may get permanent damaged as | | | | and cure this, is to prime the carburetor manually: |
| well as damage other components such as the fuse, | | | | 1. Open the seat |
| voltage regulator and / or the CDI unit. In order to | | | | 2. Unscrew the carburetor access panel screw |
| protect the battery and the other components, all 50cc | | | | (usually a single screw) |
| and 150cc scooters should be first started with the | | | | 3. Remove the access panel and locate the |
| kick start then try the electric start a couple times as | | | | carburetor |
| described below. | | | | 4. The top of the carburetor looks like a metal dome |
| Since most 250cc scooters don't have a kick start, | | | | with 2 screws holding it |
| 250cc scooter owners should follow the electric start | | | | 5. Remove the 2 screws from the top of the |
| procedure. | | | | carburetor |
| Kick start procedure: | | | | 6. Put 3 to 4 spoonfuls of gasoline directly inside the |
| 1. Fill the gas tank all the way up with the best gasoline | | | | carburetor |
| available | | | | 7. Replace the top of the carburetor and secure with |
| 2. Put the bike on the center stand | | | | the 2 screws |
| 3. Check that the kill switch is pointed towards the | | | | 8. Follow the electric start procedure only if it was not |
| circle, not the X | | | | followed more than 3 times; otherwise kick-start |
| 4. If the scooter came with remote, click the UNLOCK | | | | If the scooter does not start after the above, those |
| two consecutive times | | | | with limited mechanical knowledge and those who |
| 5. Turn the key to the on position | | | | know just enough to be dangerous are encouraged to |
| 6. Accelerate all the way and keep throttle open of 1 | | | | contact the tech support department of the scooter |
| second, repeat 3 times | | | | dealer where the purchase was made or seek advice |
| 7. Unfold the kick-start; gently push it down with your | | | | from a professional motorcycle mechanic. |
| foot half way | | | | |