Winterizing Your Vespa Scooter

High oil prices resulting in gas for more than $4 a gallon helped boost the sales of motor scooters, such as the Vespa, one of the world's most popular brands. With its fuel-sipping mileage (up to 60 miles per gallon) and hip, stylish appearance, the Vespa is a fun, fuel-efficient mode of transportation, especially in urban areas.

Many people, however, may not want to bundle up and ride those two wheels during the cold winter months. Those that do should invest in very warm clothing, good gloves, and a windscreen for your Vespa (trust me on this, especially the third item; that windscreen will make a world of difference when you're riding in cold weather).

But if you plan to park your Vespa or other motor scooter for the winter, here are a few steps you should take to ensure its ready to run come spring. While far less expensive than cars, a scooter is a big investment and lack of proper care can run into hundreds of dollars in costly repairs. Winter can be especially hard on a scooter; so take the following steps to "winterize" it.

1. Shelter - If you have a garage, that is best option for storing your scooter over the winter. If you don't have a garage or some other kind of enclosed shelter, buy a good quality motorcycle cover for it. Many scooter owners also advise putting a 2-by-4 under your wheels, prolonging the life of your tires.

2. Fill your fuel tank - The tank can quickly gather rust, which can get into the fuel line and really cause you problems. So fill your tank. In addition, you should add a fuel stabilizer. Gasoline, if left for a long period of time, can thicken and fill your fuel line with gunk.

3. Remove the battery - Leaving the battery in the cold is almost guaranteed to wear it out. If you store your scooter for the winter, take out the battery and store it in a safe place.

4. Raise both wheels - Put your scooter on a center stand that's high enough to keep both wheels off the ground, while at the same time supporting the body. This will prevent your tires from developing flat spots and other damage.

Finally, hope for better weather - when you can get your scooter out of winter storage, rev it up, and cruise the streets.