Starting a scooter with a stroller is a useful skill that all riders should know. Sometimes referred to as rolling, stroller, or jerk starting, it involves rolling the scooter, engaging a gear, and releasing the stroller to run the engine and start the scooter.
This method is often used to start scooters with dead batteries, which have a starter problem or that are difficult to start. Almost all motorcyclists will need to do a stroller start once in their life, so familiarizing yourself with the basics is helpful.
Step 1: Check for common scooter-to-stroller starting errors
The first thing to check (and usually the most common mistake) is anything that could prevent the scooter from working. Things like ignition with the circuit breaker on 'run' are the main offenders. Check the few things below before trying to start your scooter with a stroller, it could save you or your classmates some serious scrambling!
- Is there fuel in the tank?
- Is the fuel tap 'ON'?
- Is the stop switch set to 'RUN'?
- Are you at a standstill?
Step 2: Position the scooter for rolling
In order for your scooter to be pushed, it must be rolling before you engage a gear to run the engine. You must put the scooter in the driving position, which depends on your surroundings and the possible presence of another person.
The easiest method is to push your scooter up a small hill and let gravity take you back down. If there is no hill, find a flat spot and have a friend push you. If there are no hills and you are on your own it is still possible, just find a flat spot and prepare to push the scooter yourself before getting on it.
Step 3: Shift the scooter into 2nd or 3rd gear
DO NOT USE FIRST SPEED. This is a common mistake that can block your rear wheel and cause a collision. Always use 2nd gear, or 3rd if you can select it.
Too many how-to guides recommend using first gear and we've seen a lot of failed attempts and rear wheel slips because of it. Most engines have too much compression to be able to run successfully in 1st gear.
So you have a scooter ready to hurtle down a hill or push on level ground, shift into second gear and you are ready for the fun part!
Step 4: Hold the stroller and start pushing
Pull out on the stroller so that you can start rolling the scooter, making sure it is still in 2nd gear. Push from the top of a hill or have your companion push you on the scooter. Make sure your companion keeps pushing until the engine starts!
You need to roll the scooter as fast as possible to give it the best chance to start, but the pace of a jogger is usually sufficient.
Step 5: Once you ride, release the stroller
Once you are riding at a reasonable pace, release the stroller so that the spinning rear wheel begins to spin the engine. It is exactly the same as using the starter, except that you are using the momentum of the scooter instead of the battery.
When the stroller is disengaged and the engine is running, give a little throttle and when you hear the engine start (not just spin) put the stroller back in place and spin the scooter a bit to keep it spinning. .
Step 6: Continue to roll
Now that you have started your scooter, you need to spin it. With the stroller back in place, increase the speed to make sure the engine does not choke or die.
It may be that the scooter malfunctions due to starting problems or other issues, so it is important to rotate it once it has started to avoid having to restart it with the stroller. By running the engine, you will also begin to recharge your battery, provided your charging system is not faulty.
Now that your scooter is working again, it is important to ask yourself why it did not start initially. If you've left your lights on for a short time, a good ride should recharge your battery to a usable level. If the problem is more serious, it is best to drive home or visit the nearest mechanic to resolve the issue.
What you will need:
- Multimeter: To check your battery
- Chargeur the batterie
Learn more about your scooters:
Here is an article that serves as a guide and helps you choose your scooter better before purchasing. For this, we give you the details on the characteristics and the different types of scooter.
