Modern Vespa

Hi all,

I have a 2018 GTS that I bought new. It had been sitting on the showroom floor quite a while. I noticed that sometimes when I hit the starter button, nothing happens. If so, I have to try again, then it fires right up. I have started putting it on a battery tender and it always needs charging even right after a ride. I am going to ask when I take it in for first service (500 miles on it now), but was wondering if you thought it could be a cut off switch, the starter, battery, stator or something else? It's not like it wont start, it wont turn over. Thanks in advance.

It likely needs a new battery.

Thats what I was thinking and hoping. It fires up fine when I take it off the tender. I wonder if this would be a warranty issue, since its so new.

Tenders can take a while to charge a battery if it is marginal. Try using a charger.

I doubt the battery is covered under warranty, but you can always ask.

batteries should be covered for the first year. just like when you replace one, they normally are covered for a year.

If it starts second push every time without being on the tender it could be something other than your battery. Could be the switch, wiring, starter relay, a fuse, something in the system.

If it never started at all or when it did catch you could hear the starter bendix whining/ weak try then I'd be worried about your battery.

As far as the tender always charging after a ride thats normal with all my bikes. It usually is showing green pretty quick though. Its topping it off to 100% from whatever the battery has dissipated to.

Check that the battery connections and clean/lube/tighten. After that go to the engine compartment and make sure the electrical connections to the starter are tight.

Most auto parts stores or even a scooter dealer will perform a battery load test for free.

When did you actually buy it? It should have had a new battery fitted at that time. Dealers normally only fit batteries to their demo bikes.

Just a thought are you waiting long enough after you have turned the key for the ECU to boot? I.E. wait for the fuel pump to stop?

I have had it just a couple of months. I dont know if they put a new battery in it or not. I will ask and ask them to test it. I will check the connections as well. I am pretty sure I am waiting enough. I will do some more measured testing to see if I can find a better pattern. Thanks!

This kind of problem is very difficult to diagnose via the forum but extremely simple to diagnose with a voltmeter and a circuit diagram. If you post voltage readings from the battery terminals and the starter motor terminals in both working and non working conditions myself and plenty of other forum members will be happy to help.

Actually that is the sign of a bad battery. The first try puts a load on the battery. That kind of kick starts the left over power the battery has and the next try it starts. You can do the same with head lights on a car with a low battery. Turn the lights on for a few seconds, then try starting and a lot of the time it will turn the motor over enough to start the motor.
Old trick from years ago.r