Modern Vespa

Greetings all you Vespa folks!

I am new to this forum but not so new to scootering.

I have been through the chineese scooter woes and now I find myself the soon to be owner of a nicely maintained BV-250 from 07.

As I am new to Vespa and Piaggio what things sahould I be aware of when taking ownership of my new ride?

Thanks to all for any replies.

Some of the '07's may have bad fuel pumps. There was a recall for certain serial numbers. Vespa Sherman Oaks owner, SDG, is a member here. He was gracious enough to run the VIN number and found that our BV did not have the recalled pump.

Ours has been pretty much trouble free. The original battery was VERY low on water, as the scooter was delivered and I have heard from a few other owners that they experienced the same problem. Batteries are just consumables, though.

You're getting a great ride. Oh, and the black ones are the fastest, you know.....

Congrats. Check the service records. If none available change spark plug, oil, gear lube, antifreeze and brake fluids, make sure tires have good tread and no weather checking,clean an re-oil air filter. That way you know their condition/history. How's it run, any backfire on quick deceleration?

THANKS to you both!

IT has only had one owner, dealer maintained and only 2400 miles on her.
[and yes, it's black!]

It was owned by a Harley rider's wife who was tired of all the abuse and jeering. She doesn't even ride her. Shame that she feels the need to toss the scooter, but all the better for me!

So I am making out like a bandit on this deal, I just want to double check.

I am also aware of the CA evap cannister issue, I forgot to check to see of it had been removed yet.

If I can I will get the VIN to see if I can track down any known fuel pump issues, and I will tag up with the dealer as well.

Anything else folks? I did a search for anything with BV-250 on this here forum and read every single thread I could find but there is always something else......

We have several Harleys and have no problem riding the scooter. In fact, every time I ride it to the H-D dealership, they try to buy it from me!

The evap is probably best removed although our BV still has it. I've always heard that if one doesn't make a habit of overfilling the fuel tank there will be no problems, and we have experienced none.

It sounds like you are about to get a sweet ride. Don't forget to bet all the Harley riders that you can beat them across the parking lot (keep to a shorter distance, no Home Depot size): I used to win all kinds of money that way, until they smartened up.....

We need more riders like you and yours!

Here in Reno NV there is definitely a "scooter? screw you!'" vibe from MOST HD riders.

I still wave though. 8)

I personally don't understand the problem, as two wheels is two wheels no matter the transmission. Scoots and motorbikes are two sides of the same fun coin in my mind.

That said, when the big bike rallies come through town I keep my scoot at home just to keep things mellow.

I do not believe any of the '07s were on the fuel pump recall list.

Welcome to Modern Vespa from a fellow Reno-ite!
If you haven't already get in contact with the guys at Freedom Cycle. They handle everything Vespa related in this area and are the best! I got no problem riding with the big boys during Street Vibrations. Also there are a lot of great vendors in town that have everything a rider could want. I even had a Harley customizer shave the seat pan down on my GTS300's seat and inset memory gel foam for a smoother ride.

I've never had an evap system problem on any of my Piaggio bikes either. I'd say no sense trying to fix a problem you don't have . (now, if the system malfunctions - sure, disconnect it)

Congrats for joining this Forum. For buying a used scooter, you should check record of total covered distance with mileage. Check the exterior appearance of Vespa BV-250 that it doesn't have any scratches, scuffs, cracks, or dings on the body. You need to take a Vespa mechanic with you to check the sound of scooter, it should be clean. You also need to check service record that how many time it has been serviced. You should take test ride of scooter before buy it. Take a mechanic with you, who check it all parts like spark plug,brake fluids, tiers and all.

I have a 2007 BV250 that I purchased new from old stock last year and it's been a delight. I have 4.500 kms on the dial now and zero issues to date. It just keeps making smiles while getting 80 mpg.

I have heard both that the recall did, and did not, include some of the 07's.
That being the case I felt it appropriate to inquire.

Since the evap has been known to cause riders to become stranded with a scooter that won't run, I consider removal to be in the realm or "preventitive maintenance." If I understand correctly, no other Piaggio scooters are supplied anywhere else in the world equipped with an evap system. So, in my opinion having one will never help, and might hurt.

But like you, we still have ours installed, hypocrite that I am.

Malfunctioning of the evap system only affects tank venting. The problem can be temporarily resolved by loosening the cap on the fuel tank. Thus no one who understands the problem would be stranded beside the road. (and if loosening the cap doesn't solve the problem - the evap system isn't the cause). There - a perfectly good justification for your inaction .

(Oh, and here is the list on the pump recall - though not all VIN numbers in these years are included. http://www.ivespa.com/_vesparize/fuelpumprecall.html )

Great post. Thanks!

This BV has been dealer maintained and I have test ridden her. I never buy without trying out the product first.

It's clean and 2400 miles in 6 years is what I consider lightly used.

I am in contact with Feedom cycles where it was originally bought so no issues there.

Overall I am leaning towards removing the cannister, but I will tackle that when I have the bike in hand.

Congrats on the BV. You may wanna check the belt and maybe change it a little earlier then recommended (using only stock Piaggio belts), as they can rot from lack of use. Keep an eye on the exhaust and carry an extra exhaust bush and you are good to go. Also be careful when washing around the speedo, mine took water and damaged the odometer and it lost a digit. Hopefully your newer bike won't have that problem. Service manuals can be downloaded too. Happy scooting and welcome to MV.

Well, *that's* handy info to have! I guess I am one who didn't completely understand the problem; I thought that if the evap went south the earth would open up and suck the whole scooter in, rider(s) possibly along with it. Thanks for educating me: If it ever happens to us on the road, my wife will think I'm so smart in being able to fix it. (I still might do something around the rear end, with my Swiss army knife, just for show.)
Thanks again, Dooglas.