This guy could be heading straight for your scooter. Photograph Courtesy Of: Cedarposts.Blogspot.com

I took a ride this morning. The weather is be-yoot-iful. But some say it can’t last. Some say, the milder the Fall, the worse the Winter. Who knows? I prefer to think more optimistically. Given the engine on my Jet 200 had been on the surgeon’s table at Scooters Originali for most of the last couple of months (thanks Gene, she’s running like a dream,) I’m hoping for a continued riding season to squeeze as much out of this year as possible.

However, one thing is for sure – Eventually the weather is going to turn nasty, and even if it’s not full-fledged snow, it could be ice that will prevent you riding. It’s therefore time to start planning a winter strategy for your scoot.

Many scooterists choose to store their scooter out on the street during the Winter months. And with some basic prep-work to winterize your bike, especially if it’s a two-stroker, this is certainly a viable option. But it can quickly become a bad call if the snow comes in and you wake up one morning to find your bike under a pile of snow, or worse yet, your bike scrapped away unknowingly by a NYC Sanitation Department snow plow (yes, it happens.)

And that’s why most of the area’s local scooter stores and mechanics offer off-road Winter storage solutions. With limited space available, it’s better to call around now before the weather turns and competition for space rises.

Northvale, New Jersey’s Metro Scooter has been offering a storage service for several years now with a pick-up and drop-off service for Manhattan bikers. Owner Alan Townsley recently pointed out to us that saving a buck by leaving your scooter on the street over the Winter can sometimes mean “Penny-Wise, Pound-Foolish.”

Alan got several distress calls this past Spring: scooters damaged by snow removal activity, customers issued tickets for parking issues related to being immobilized and many more that had mechanical issues needing serious money spent to get the owner riding again: “Winter 2010 was a blood bath. Many customers unfortunately had to spend much more to get their scooters sorted in Spring than they would have spent in storing them.”

Metro Scooter charges $349 for storage over Winter until April 30th and offers pick up and delivery in NYC at no additional charge. They also go a step further than simply putting a roof over your head and provide an oil and filter change plus a full safety inspection of all bikes before they roll out on the road for another year of riding.

So your call. Many seasoned scooterists pretty much ride all Winter long. As with all things, it’s about having the right apparel. But even the toughest scooterist can’t commute in the snow. Others who are more familiar with the ins-and-outs of their bike might opt to store their bike on the street. Again, viable as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into.

For those looking to store their bike outside, some local dealers have in the past hosted Winterization seminars so it’s worth keeping an eye on your favorite dealers’ websites for upcoming events. If you’re a Stella rider looking for tips, we have some great videos courtesy of Scooterville Minnesota, a state where you can be sure they know snow when they see it.

But if you don’t intend to ride through the harsh weather, or you’d like that shiny paint job to remain just the way it is, then worry-free storage is the way to go. If you’re interested in storage options call around your local friendly scooter dealers. Metro Scooter can be reached at 201-564-7003 or emailed at metroscooter@optonline.net.

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