Modern Vespa

Is it damaging to continuously star the scooter via the electric start button with the throttle engaged ?

I think the answer hinges on just how "engaged" you mean. A little throttle won't do any harm in my opinion, but it may be counterproductive to the normal functioning of the automatic choke.

Thanks ... For years I'd been doing that until a mechanic saw me and told me not to start up bike with the throttle near enough fully engaged