new to forum: question about wind knocking over scoot.

[kirbyjo3]

Hi -- I've had my buddy for about two years and I recently moved to a place that sees a lot more wind and rain that the last.

I don't have a garage and I have to park on the grass. My scoot has been knocked over by the wind/rain about three times now. Once on the oil side and twice on the other.

How bad is this?

It breaks my heart when it happens, obviously -- but what damage, if any (that I cant see), is this causing?

Are there any solutions other than running outside in wind storms and taking the cover off? (or moving, but I can't do than for another year).

[ericalm]

Aside from bashing up the exterior, this can cause some (non-permanent) damage, depending on how it falls. Generally, it'll involve oil or gas winding up where it doesn't belong, in the air filter or evap system. If it floods either, your scooter may not start. The charcoal canister in the evap system may need to be dried out or replaced.

I'm assuming you always use the center stand (not side stand) and lock the front wheel in place.

A couple possibilities:

One is to fashion some sort of support that threads through the "loops" in front of the feet of the center stand. This is a Vespa, but the Buds have similar holes:



You can also secure the scooter to a pole or railing if something is available and accessible.

If you have to park on grass, anything flat and secure under the center stand feet will help somewhat. I use a stand puck like this (which has other uses, as you can see):

[dkw12002]

Wow. Good idea with the bar. I am amazed that the scooter would fall over in the wind though. I wonder if it had help? One thing that happens frequently is when someone gets a motorcycle lowered, but does not also shorten the kick stand. Then the bike is too upright and subject to tipping over, but that Buddy center stand looks very stable provided it didn't sink into the grass on one side.

[kirbyjo3]

Thanks guys. I'm going to have to rig something up like this. I guess I also need to check my filters!

Thanks again,
k

[bgwss]

Man has blown over once but I had a cover on it and it was like a sail in 40 mph winds. Now when is going to be windy I do not put my cover on and have not had another incident.

[skully93]

we get gnarly winds here and there, and I often parked on some gravel.

My solutions were to get some wood for the scoots to sit down on, and the occasional puck for the stands.

Mostly now the covers just blow around, but they haven't escaped the bounds of the yard yet.