ANYONE using an electric kick scooter daily should think to check it regularly to avoid breakdowns or failures that could put the scooter out of action or even cause an accident. Here are five essential things to check to make sure your scooter stays roadworthy.
Tyres
Ideally, you should check the quality of your scooter's tyres every month, especially when you ride it almost daily. Tyres can wear out quickly, depending on the type of terrain you ride on and the various obstacles you encounter.
In the case of tubeless tyres, ie, without inner tubes, heavy wear will affect the stability of the scooter and consequently your safety. It is fairly easy to see if one of the tires is looking too smooth.
If this is the case, to avoid a fall, it's better to change both tyres simultaneously. For tyres equipped with an inner tube, like a bicycle, you'll need to remember to keep them properly pumped up.
Brakes
An essential safety feature, brakes must be regularly checked to make sure they're in full working order. Generally speaking, a simple adjustment of the brake cable tension is sufficient to manage any problems with sensitivity.
If this doesn't work, don't hesitate to have them checked by a professional, who may decide to replace them. For scooters equipped with disc brakes, it's necessary to regularly unscrew them in order to check their wear and tear, and to change them when necessary.
Lights
To make sure you can see and be seen in the dark, it's essential to ensure that your lights are always in perfect working order. For obvious safety reasons, you must therefore remember to check the proper functioning of your front and rear lights.
The same goes for the brake light, which can be turned on by simply pressing the brake handle.
Battery
As with any electrical device powered by a battery, it's important to regularly check that it is functioning properly. Even if the battery life decreases over time, that does not necessarily mean that you have to change it.
To keep your battery in good condition for as long as possible, follow the same advice as for smartphones. For example, it is important to avoid completely discharging it or systematically charging it to full capacity.
Ideally, it is better to recharge it from 20 to 80%. In any case, it is advisable to let it cool down a little after use before plugging it into the mains.
Finally, since a battery tends to lose charge more quickly when it's very cold, it's better to bring your scooter inside in winter, if possible.
Screws
Finally, it's worth tightening the bolts from time to time, so that nothing is loose or at risk of coming apart. This involves checking all the screws and bolts on the scooter, from the handles to the wheels and of course the frame, each time with the appropriate wrench.
The folding system should in turn be checked. Even if you don't use it that often, you should check from time to time that the scooter can still be folded up properly. – ETX Daily Up, February 15, 2023
