Modern Vespa

Hi everyone

My Vespa 150 LX Touring is relatively new, 5 months old and around 2k KM on the clock. There is a strange sound, i think coming from the engine, when riding at a constant speed / revvs and not excellerating a whizzling / cricketing sound can be heard. When you accelerate and change revvs this sound is gone and when you settle in a constant speed, comes again.

Anyone had similar experience? Other than this sound ( which is bugging me) its a fantastic scoot!

Thanks everyone!

Aloha and welcome to the forum from Hawaii. Does the noise come from the rear of the scooter? Whizzing might be the rollers and the crickets might be the swingarm. Only 2k on the bike so the rollers shouldn't be making the sound unless something came loose in there. Is it still under warranty? '07 LX'S (some of them and color specific) had a swingarmm problem. Sounds like chirping. Mine didn't. Hope this helps a little. Good luck

Hi Judy

Thanks for your reply much appreciated.

Yeah its kinda coming from the 'engine' area you know. Its the 2013 engine model (3 Valve) and still under warranty of course. But I was told it might be a 'normal sound' for the new engine models.

Thanks again!

Hard to tell if i can't hear it. I know what roller noise is,unfortunately.The rollers could been displaced during shipping. If the dealers prep them well they catch those things. I have a carb one so i couldn't tell you about the break in noise on yours. Mine didn't have any tho. Will you take it back in soon for anything? If so have them check it and take it in if the noises get worse. Always better to be safe than sorry IMHO. Good luck

The only cricketing sound I know of that's considered normal is from the brakes.
Wisdom from MV's FAQ wiki I had an LX150 for a while and loved it. Hope you enjoy yours, too.

Thank you for your replies, much appreciated!

I've seen that post and that's my hunch too, but I could'nt tell about the other sound since I am not conversant with the engine parts and the sort.

Once again, thank you!

I wouldn't worry about it, my S150ie makes the same noise and just put it down to bearings are still a bit tight as like you I have low Kms (4k).

I would have them check it out when you go in for a service. If the sound is coming from the rear it might not be the brakes. The swing arm noise was a documented problem on some of the '06- '07 models but i haven't seen the problems on any other ones. Good luck.

The noise comes from the transmission area but gets less when it warms up, well thats what happens in my case.

Also the idle pulley sounds loud until it warms up. Mine is not a 3v like the OP but sounds similar to the OP description.

I know some of my fellow riders has the same noise. But they said its pretty normal, but if you want to be sure better have the dealer check it for you jus to be safe.

I lied up above it could be brakes(duh rears) But it's usually front squeaking because of dust. I wouldn't lose sleep over it. If it gets worse or if the bike doesn't run right take it in sooner.i would have them look at the rollers tho. Had some whizzing on mine and they weren't in right or came out of place just a tad. Good luck

Thank you everyone for your replies much appreciated.

I will keep an eye open and will see how it goes until my next service at 6k KM. giramassi, I agree its like coming from the transmission area so I guess it can be pretty 'normal'.

Will keep you posted.

Have a nice Xmas.

Merry xmas Dejvborg

You might want to check your belt as it seems here in Australia that they are fitting vespa's with non OEM belts, not sure if the are doing the same over where you live as well. When I did some searches on MV a few threads indicated that a cheaper belt can be the culprit, especially evident in the MP3 threads where the belt was not sitting correctly in the pulley and slipping at idle.

I ordered a Piaggio belt from SIP and it has piaggio written on it where the belt that came with my scooter had really strange writing. Anyway just some food for thought.

I will change my belt and see if the noise is less prominent ad let you know.