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After you Dress your scooter for the Holidays, let’s talk about proper cold weather riding gear for you.

Our weather lately has taken a turn for the unseasonably worse, but I’m not about to have my cold, frostbitten hands pried from my bike. Especially when we have some great winter weather riding equipment for you.

I’ve been maintaining riding comfort with just a couple additions to my riding gear so far. I zipped the liner back into my riding jacket and I wear a fleece top or wool sweater underneath. I also wear a fleece neck gaiter and a pair of long underwear under my pants. A pair of snowmobile mitts keep the cold off my fingers. I wear rain suit pants to keep the cold air from going through the material of my pants. The same full face helmet that I wear in the summer keeps my head comfortable with a balaclava. All of my riding lately has been in lower temperatures. I’ll keep riding until there is snow and ice on the streets. Then I stop until the snow and Ice is removed. Then I start riding again. Repeat as often as required.

Here is what we have to make that ride more comfortable:

Rain suits – perfect when it’s wet but also perfect to keep the wind off your legs – try this! (only $29.95)

Heavy gloves – Ski gloves, snowmobile gloves, we also now have Gerbing heated battery powered gloves in stock ($199.95) you can use with any bike, skiing, spectating…

Heated vest – Gerbing heated vests available too ($149.95) – like the gloves, Lithium ION battery powered

Heated seat cushion – Also from Gerbing – take to all outside events ($99.95) – Great gift!

Scooter Mitts – Mitts that attach to your handlebars that you slip your hands in – practice feeling where your switches are before you go live ($19.95)

Balaclavas- Keeping the cold wind off your neck is huge (be careful with scarves – I don’t like dangly things near wheels)

Textile/Leather Coats – Get windproof/waterproof clothing for that cold and wet weather

Snow tires – Vee Rubber and Hidenau scooter cold weather tires (~$100/bike + installation)

With today’s challenging economy, our customers are looking to get more utility out of their bikes. If you are riding a 50cc scooter so you don’t need a motorcycle endorsement, think about upgrading to a larger bike. With the available selection and deals, there has never been a better time to trade. That sounds “salesy” but, there has *never* been a better time to trade up! (nudge, nudge, wink, wink!)

Let’s talk about what it takes to get that Learner’s Permit and then your endorsement in PA (NOTE: NJ residents you have different requirements – rules here).

1. Read the Handbook here
2. Read it again.
3. Do the practice test (answers provided)
3. Go to your local DMV and take the Motorcycle Learner’s Permit test. As soon as you pass your permit test you will have your Permit to operate/practice on a Motorcycle (or Motor-Scooter).

There are only a few things that you will be restricted from until you take your riding skills test.

a. You may not ride after dark
b. You may not ride with a passenger

4. Buy a scooter from your friendly, neighborhood scooter dealer staff

Once you think you’re ready to take your skills test you will schedule your appointment with the DMV where you have to maneuver through a course to show your riding abilities.

The other option, which we strongly recommend, is to sign up for the approved Pennsylvania (or New Jersey) Motorcycle Safety Foundation Training Course (MSF). The course is free in Pennsylvania, and can be very educational to many beginners and experienced riders alike.

Upgrading from a 50cc to a 125cc will add at least another 20mph to your top speed which really opens up where you can ride. Buddy and Fiddle 125’s are what we call BuxMont capable scooters – almost all roads. Going larger to, say a 250cc, will put you on an “Anyroad” capable scooter – Turnpike Capable.