Modern Vespa

She won't turn over. 2009 LX150.

Haven't ridden in over a year, got a tender and it's at 100%. Ignition feels loose, the lights flicker if the key's turned too far clockwise.

Maybe fuses or lever switch?

Anyone else let their rides sleep too long and get these symptoms?

Also if you're in Raleigh/Cary NC I'm thinking about selling soon. Hit me up if you're interested.

Thanks gals and guys.

How long did the battery sit discharged? More than a few hours and it'd be compromised - more than a few weeks and it's doubtful it'll ever work properly (at least one shorted cell), more than a few weeks and it's absolutely, definitely toast.

Just because the battery tender is happy doesn't mean the battery is any use.

Easy check - leave it alone (no tender) for a half an hour then test the voltage. Anything below 12.6V and it's duff. Then check the voltage when trying to start (starter motor turning the engine over) - anything below 10V and it's time to replace.

Yep. Just checked and battery is at 0% now. Thanks Jim, I'm a little embarrassed the answer was that simple.

Mice love to nibble on wires when the scoots sit...

And it doesn't have to sit long either. My brother went to go on a carrot cake ride on his BMW. It took multiple tries to get it started then it ran like crap. He was rather pissed because he'd just had it serviced $$$$ just 2 weeks before and he'd ridden it less than a week before without problems. So instead of going the 70 miles to pick up carrot cake he rode straight to the BMW dealership. They called a couple hours later and said that at least 2 of his 3 wiring harnesses were compromised by rodents chewing on them. They gave him a price quote assuming that the third harness that they couldn't get to without another hour or two of labor was not similarly chewed.


That was how my younger brother decided that he would not longer be a BMW rider. Fortunately insurance covered it and he now owns a Vulcan.