Scooter news

[robotech_master]

Well, it looks like I'm getting a new (used) scooter tomorrow. Six years old, needs a new battery, but less than 500 kilometers on it and a very good brand.

Now I just need to figure out how to keep it safe.

Comments

[foomf.livejournal.com]

Do you have room in your apartment?

[robotech-master.livejournal.com]

Probably. And my Dad is making noises about carpentering up a ramp so I can drive it up the steps. The problem is I'm worried it would drip oil and make my apartment smell like gasoline. :P

I am looking into insurance and locks with built-in alarms though.

[ninjarat.livejournal.com]

Spend $20-$30 on a lock cable so you can, you know, make it inordinately difficult to steal?

[robotech-master.livejournal.com]

You mean like the $25 Krypto brand hardened steel cable lock I had on the old one that was defeated by a cheap and widely available bolt-cutter when it was stolen at Christmas?

[ninjarat.livejournal.com]

Kryptonite gear is overpriced.

You can find good OnGuard or Bully case-hardened cables (rubber-sleeved chains, really) at clearance for that much and they're way better than Kryptonite.

A U lock is a good investment.

Disc locks are probably not so useful for a scooter. Too easy to simply pick it up and toss in the back of a van or something.

[foomf.livejournal.com]

Dripping oil is not likely to be a problem if it's well maintained. Smelling like gasoline, mmmmaybe, but if you put together a "scooter cozy" to drape over it that should prevent most such issues.

The real problem would be road tars and oils from the tires; the answer would be to use a carpet runner between the door and where it would be 'parked'. One other thing: do you have a covered patio or other less on-the-street outdoor extension to your apartment?

[hyuri.livejournal.com]

Something like this or this, perhaps? I'd suggest grabbing some oil-absorbent pads as well: they're a lot tidier than kitty litter, which is in turn tidier than spilling the tray.

Where?

[robotech-master.livejournal.com]

Where would I find such cables/locks?

I went to both bike dealerships today, and they had nothing (though they could order me a $100 galvanized chain Krypto lock). I checked a nearby motorcycle dealership and it had some stuff of that brand, but only disc brake locks or a little tiny OnGuard cable about half the thickness of the one that got cut, for $12.