From the Scooter Narcotics workshop
Two minutes before every ride. These ten checks catch the problems we see towed into the workshop every week — most of them were preventable.
1. Tyres & pressure
Look for cuts, nails, cracking on the sidewall and check the tread. Cold pressure matters: underinflated tyres wear the edges, overheat, and ruin your handling in the rain. Check the sticker under your seat or ask us for your model's spec.
2. Engine oil
Level between the marks on the dipstick or sight glass, bike upright. Dark and thin past its change interval? Book an oil change — it's the cheapest insurance your engine gets.
3. Brakes — lever feel & pads
Squeeze both levers: they should feel firm, not spongy. Spongy = air or old fluid. Look at the pads through the caliper — less than 2mm of material means they're due.
4. Lights, horn & signals
Headlight (low and high), brake light from BOTH levers, all four indicators, horn. Thirty seconds — and it's what keeps drivers seeing you at night.
5. Belt & CVT noise
Rattling, whirring or juddering when pulling off from a stop is the CVT telling you something. Worn belts snap without warning — and a snapped belt is a recovery truck, not a ride home.
6. Coolant / airflow
Liquid-cooled: check the reservoir level when cold. Air-cooled: make sure the fins and fan intake are free of debris. Overheating kills engines quietly.
7. Battery & starting
Slow cranking or a sluggish start is the first sign of a dying battery — they rarely give a second warning in our climate. If your idle stop-start feels lazy, get it tested.
8. Throttle & cables
Twist the throttle with the engine off — it should snap back cleanly. Any sticking or notchy feel means a cable or throttle body issue. Don't ride a sticky throttle.
9. Leaks & drips
Look under the bike where it's been parked. Oil spots, coolant puddles or fuel smell = do not ride. Take a photo and send it to us.
10. Mirrors, stand & final look
Mirrors adjusted, side stand springs back firmly, nothing loose or hanging. One slow walk-around saves more breakdowns than any single part we sell.
Something not right on the checklist? That's exactly what our 1-hour diagnostic is for. Book a diagnostic slot online or WhatsApp us — 60 Jln Lam Huat, #04-28 Carros Centre.