A scooter is the tool of a courier covering large zones or delivering in all weather. But at 15,000-30,000 km per year, it needs to be maintained like a professional vehicle, not like a student's scooter. If neglected, it costs more in repairs than it brings in revenue.
Wear-and-tear specific to scooters
A scooter has simple mechanics but wear parts that come back fast with intensive use:
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT): rollers, belt, and guides wear out. The belt is checked and replaced on schedule (often 15,000-20,000 km) — a broken belt immobilizes the scooter completely.
- Tires: the rear wears fast (torque + load). A smooth tire in the rain means a fall.
- Brakes: monitor pads and any drums.
- Engine oil (4T): more frequent oil changes, since stop-and-go city cycles heat the oil. For a 2T, watch the oil level in the fuel mix.
Service intervals adapted to professional use
Service intervals assume moderate use. As a courier, plan on:
- More frequent oil changes than the manual specifies (oil suffers from constant stop-and-go).
- Regular CVT transmission checks.
- Weekly tire and brake checks.
