Modern Vespa

Brand new (2016) with less than 10 miles on the engine. Was delivered last week. I noticed that the mechanic who delivered it had a hell-of-a-time getting it started. He said it was because he was holding in the wrong break lever. Once it finally started, it ran just fine.

Now I have the same problem every time the scooter sits overnight in the garage... even at 50 degrees. Removed the plugs and they are, as expected, covered in light coat of carbon.

I've had nearly 2 dozen motorcycles over my lifetime and this is the ONLY one with this problem.

Any suggestions???

Ken

Any of the fuel-injected MP3's will start on the third or fourth cycle of the crank- like withing a fraction of a second- whether it's old, new, or whatever. There's something really wrong with your bike. You don't want to debug it. Take it back to the dealer and invoke the lemon law.

If it's the case that you're stuck with it somehow, it's possible that it has the original gas from Italy in it, and it just needs the fuel replaced and the fuel system cleaned. But I don't see as how that would be your problem- with 10 miles on it, the dealer should have taken care of this. It makes me wonder what else the dealer didn't do.

^This. I also expect old stale gas, but if so you really need to remove the tank to clean it and most importantly replace the fuel filter.

Chances are the filter is clogged and this will cause your pump to burn up very prematurely.

This is a HUGE red flag regarding either the skill level of the mechanic, or BS you were given.

Having said that, it is an annual ritual for me to start my MP3 after several months of storage. It takes about maybe a minute (crank a few seconds, stop, wait a few seconds, crank a few seconds, stop, wait a few seconds, a few times). Whether it is gas filling the fuel lines (gravity drain to the tank over a few months???) or whatever, once it gets started it is good to go the rest of the season.

But this is only on the very first startup of the season....

Since this happens more than the once I mentioned I have, I'm thinking battery. Do you keep it on a tender?

well that mechanic is an IDIOT. pulling in the brake lever either one does the same EXACT thing not only lighting up the brake lights but also allows you when you push the starter button that it engages. if only 1 and not the other works then there is an issue with the one that does not light up the brake lights. Its probably the micro switch at the lever and the dealership should replace it for FREE since you only have so few miles on it.

As far as why it takes so long to crank up probably like others have said the gas is junk. Todays gas does not do well sitting for over 2-3 months. If you know its going to sit you need to use gas treatment like Stabil this will help but but sure and use it in fresh gas and run the engine long enough to get the treatment thru the whole fuel system. 5 miles should be fine.

Gas make sure you use a good quality brand gas like shell, exxon etc and premium grade. if you can get it 100% gas as well and never any more than 10% ethanol.