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Hello friends,

Just got a new GTS Supertech.
Wonderful scooter.
50 miles in, it started making a noise, seemingly coming from the variator cover area.
Can be heard at idle with full face helmet on.
Contacting dealer on Tuesday.
But wanted to see if any of you folks have an idea of what it is and if I shouldn't ride it until dealer sees it.
Thanks.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B44e3HMwTn8aYzBZVHMtYlhjc0dESHJIT25BMzdsNUxUZFhN/view?usp=sharing
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Normal you are good to go.
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Thanks for the feedback.
I'll keep an eye (ear) on it for now and hope nothing further develops.
My previous scooter, a 300GTS Super didn't make noises like this at all.
If this turns out to be something benign that some bikes have and others don't, great. Still, it's kind of annoying.
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I had a sound like that on my 250 GTS years ago. It disappeared when I abandoned the J. Costa variator I had and went back to the OEM variator and Dr. Pulley sliders.

Best
Miguel
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Re: What's this noise?
zoan wrote:
Hello friends,

Just got a new GTS Supertech.
Wonderful scooter.
50 miles in, it started making a noise, seemingly coming from the variator cover area.
Can be heard at idle with full face helmet on.
Contacting dealer on Tuesday.
But wanted to see if any of you folks have an idea of what it is and if I shouldn't ride it until dealer sees it.
Thanks.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B44e3HMwTn8aYzBZVHMtYlhjc0dESHJIT25BMzdsNUxUZFhN/view?usp=sharing
Tell motorcyclists it has a dry clutch. You could add "It is Italian"

So "It is Italian and has a dry clutch"
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Re: What's this noise?
waspmike wrote:
So "It is Italian and has a dry clutch"
...dry clutch is better than dry petrol tank ...
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When replacing the roller weights it is a good idea to gently file them so they don't get stuck. It sounds like you've got one or two weights occasionally being stuck to the variator plates.
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Re: What's this noise?
zoan wrote:
Hello friends,

Just got a new GTS Supertech.
Wonderful scooter.
50 miles in, it started making a noise, seemingly coming from the variator cover area.
Can be heard at idle with full face helmet on.
Contacting dealer on Tuesday.
But wanted to see if any of you folks have an idea of what it is and if I shouldn't ride it until dealer sees it.
Thanks.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B44e3HMwTn8aYzBZVHMtYlhjc0dESHJIT25BMzdsNUxUZFhN/view?usp=sharing
That noise can be the belt support pulley bearing. The belt is not always in contact with the pulley so it can be intermittent. If it continues, take it to your dealer for investigation. Sometimes they are just a little noisy when new and it just goes away. Sometimes, (very rarely) they come out the factory with no grease or very little and fail.
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Thanks for all the responses!

I sent the video to the dealer and they want to pick up the scooter and have a look at it.
I'd say that's pretty responsive service.

Funny about the dry clutch. It does sound a lot like my old Ducati 748.
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Max6200 wrote:
When replacing the roller weights it is a good idea to gently file them so they don't get stuck. It sounds like you've got one or two weights occasionally being stuck to the variator plates.
I have to file down my new roller weights?
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Max6200 wrote:
When replacing the roller weights it is a good idea to gently file them so they don't get stuck. It sounds like you've got one or two weights occasionally being stuck to the variator plates.
There is one of the member here who polishes the insides of the variator as well.
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waspmike wrote:
Max6200 wrote:
When replacing the roller weights it is a good idea to gently file them so they don't get stuck. It sounds like you've got one or two weights occasionally being stuck to the variator plates.
There is one of the member here who polishes the insides of the variator as well.
Or just got a brand new OEM variator and rollers.
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I have the exact same "ringing" "pinging" high frequency sound that's in your video. It only turned up after like 800km (500miles).

It's apparent only when I give it a little throttle. Not during idle.

Did the dealer fix it for you?
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Dealer picked it up yesterday.
I'll report back after I hear from them.
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zoan wrote:
Dealer picked it up yesterday.
I'll report back after I hear from them.
Thanks mate, looking forward to your report. the ringing kind of gets to me. I'm fine with the usual clattering of Piaggio engines; used to own a 2003 GT200.
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Any noise is nearly always the CVT transmission. They rattle, clack, whine etc etc. Piaggio engines themselves are normally very quiet indeed even with high mileages on them.

Main problem causing rollers to stick is just lack of maintenance. Dirt and dust builds up in the variator. Strongly advise not to start filing the rollers. Not required.
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Stromrider wrote:
Any noise is nearly always the CVT transmission. They rattle, clack, whine etc etc. Piaggio engines themselves are normally very quiet indeed even with high mileages on them.

Main problem causing rollers to stick is just lack of maintenance. Dirt and dust builds up in the variator. Strongly advise not to start filing the rollers. Not required.
In the Vespa the noise is greater than in many japanese scooters that also use additional carter covers sometimes with soundproofing material inside.
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Spoke to dealer today.
They are replacing the rollers under warranty.
They didn't feel there was anything mechanically wrong of significance.
But since they were annoyingly noisy, they dealer went ahead and replaced them.
I'll pick up scooter tomorrow and I'll let you all know how it turned out.
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Attila wrote:
Stromrider wrote:
Any noise is nearly always the CVT transmission. They rattle, clack, whine etc etc. Piaggio engines themselves are normally very quiet indeed even with high mileages on them.

Main problem causing rollers to stick is just lack of maintenance. Dirt and dust builds up in the variator. Strongly advise not to start filing the rollers. Not required.
In the Vespa the noise is greater than in many japanese scooters that also use additional carter covers sometimes with soundproofing material inside.
Even with the extra insulation in the transmission covers, CVT transmissions are noisey. Listen to all the Burgmans with CVT (not the 650 as that uses E-CVT). The Kymco's, the Yamahas and Kawasakis all are noisy. I don' think Piaggio engines are any noisier Attila. You can always hear the rollers jangling around.
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Stromrider wrote:
Attila wrote:
Stromrider wrote:
Any noise is nearly always the CVT transmission. They rattle, clack, whine etc etc. Piaggio engines themselves are normally very quiet indeed even with high mileages on them.

Main problem causing rollers to stick is just lack of maintenance. Dirt and dust builds up in the variator. Strongly advise not to start filing the rollers. Not required.
In the Vespa the noise is greater than in many japanese scooters that also use additional carter covers sometimes with soundproofing material inside.
Even with the extra insulation in the transmission covers, CVT transmissions are noisey. Listen to all the Burgmans with CVT (not the 650 as that uses E-CVT). The Kymco's, the Yamahas and Kawasakis all are noisy. I don' think Piaggio engines are any noisier Attila. You can always hear the rollers jangling around.
Yes, but imagine without the extra covers how much noise they would make, i say this not to denigrate Piaggio products ... no really, i say it to highlight how sometimes the excessive noise of the transmission can be misleading.
Often the evidence of things does not make us see or hear (in this situation) the side effects, quiet friend ... I do not say things with a dual purpose but only to compare the reason why minimal differences in construction can create what some they see it as a flaw but it's just a different concept of doing things.
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Oh yes, absolutely Attilia. I agree completely.

I'd like to hear what the OP has to say about his noise once he gets the bike back. I'm guessing it may not make any difference.
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I remember the first 250 maxi scooters, the ones that had a noisy transmission and after the first thousand kilometers they looked like diesels and especially when you opened all the gas when stationary; in this regard, I wanted to remind you that on a new vehicle the transmission must also be run in smoothly, without sinking the accelerator.
PS: Attilia is Attilio's feminine ...not good for me ...
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Update.
Got the scooter back from the dealer.
They said nothing was visibly wrong, but they replaced the rollers just as a precaution. Said there was some minor scuffing, but nothing extraordinary.
Rode home 20 miles and it still makes some noise, not as much as before.
Haven't been able to ride at all this week so I'll put some more miles on it over the next few weeks and see how it goes.
Thanks for all the responses.
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Over time it will become quieter and you will get used to the typical rattling noise of the transmission.
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zoan wrote:
Spoke to dealer today.
They are replacing the rollers under warranty.
They didn't feel there was anything mechanically wrong of significance.
But since they were annoyingly noisy, they dealer went ahead and replaced them.
I'll pick up scooter tomorrow and I'll let you all know how it turned out.
Same. Spoke to my dealer about it during the 1000km service. They checked everything and there seemed to be no fault.
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Re: What's this noise?
Attila wrote:
waspmike wrote:
So "It is Italian and has a dry clutch"
...dry clutch is better than dry petrol tank ...
It's also better than a wet crutch which means you'd pissed yourself.
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Re: What's this noise?
smeghead wrote:
Attila wrote:
waspmike wrote:
So "It is Italian and has a dry clutch"
...dry clutch is better than dry petrol tank ...
It's also better than a wet crutch which means you'd pissed yourself.
...but no! What did you understand..? I am not pissed ... if you knew me well you would know that I am difficult to do it, absolutely.
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S.Ro wrote:
Max6200 wrote:
When replacing the roller weights it is a good idea to gently file them so they don't get stuck. It sounds like you've got one or two weights occasionally being stuck to the variator plates.
I have to file down my new roller weights?
No, you do not. Install them as delivered. If they're difficult to fit return them for another set. They should fit snugly but move freely.

-g
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Attila wrote:
smeghead wrote:
Attila wrote:
waspmike wrote:
So "It is Italian and has a dry clutch"
...dry clutch is better than dry petrol tank ...
It's also better than a wet crutch which means you'd pissed yourself.
...but no! What did you understand..? I am not pissed ... if you knew me well you would know that I am difficult to do it, absolutely.
I think this was 100% lost in translation, which makes it even more hilarious.

Cool it both of yous. No harm, no foul.
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greasy125 wrote:
S.Ro wrote:
Max6200 wrote:
When replacing the roller weights it is a good idea to gently file them so they don't get stuck. It sounds like you've got one or two weights occasionally being stuck to the variator plates.
I have to file down my new roller weights?
No, you do not. Install them as delivered. If they're difficult to fit return them for another set. They should fit snugly but move freely.

-g
Thank you for clarifying that. Your advice is Gospel to me.
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zoan wrote:
Update.
Got the scooter back from the dealer.
They said nothing was visibly wrong, but they replaced the rollers just as a precaution. Said there was some minor scuffing, but nothing extraordinary.
Rode home 20 miles and it still makes some noise, not as much as before.
Haven't been able to ride at all this week so I'll put some more miles on it over the next few weeks and see how it goes.
Thanks for all the responses.
Hi Zoan, any updates? I had a Malossi delta clutch lying around so I swapped it out temporarily and the problem sound went away.

I still have my stock set though. Much quieter than the Malossi transmission.
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Roller weights?
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Stromrider wrote:
Even with the extra insulation in the transmission covers, CVT transmissions are noisey. Listen to all the Burgmans with CVT (not the 650 as that uses E-CVT). The Kymco's, the Yamahas and Kawasakis all are noisy. I don' think Piaggio engines are any noisier Attila. You can always hear the rollers jangling around.
I beg to differ. At idle, the variator in a Vespa sounds like a rock tumbler. I've never heard that out of a Honda, Yamaha, (insert any other brand here that is not Piaggio, etc). It doesn't mean it's bad, or that it needs to be fixed, it's just how they sound.
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It's ok to differ Motovista. I'm relating to my experience of fixing and owning those brands with CVT's. The Suzuki's are so noisy they have very heavy insulation to quieten them, but it only works to a point. My B400 was very noisy, at least as noisy as my GTS and maybe more so. Worth noting that most CVT transmissions are noisier when they are cold, getting a bit quieter when very hot as the rollers expand a little more than the variator.
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