Modern Vespa

Before someone asks, yes I did a search and came up with nothing.

2010 GTS 300ie Super

So by 'High Speed', I mean sustained speeds of 60 mph + over 40 to 50 miles or so. When I changed my belt and rollers at 10,000 miles, there was evidence of overheating of the driven pulley/clutch (minor discoloring). I don't know if that would have been from me testing the top speed....or from the DPO during his 3400 miles of ownership. I don't often take it out of town but today I did a run of about 20 miles and hit 60 for a bit (also noted a vibration at that speed but that is a question for another day.)

thoughts?

Short answer: Yes. Absolutely.

Longer answer: Rubber parts, in particular, shed more (i.e. wear more) when they are hot. So short bursts of high speed probably won't change much. But sustained highway riding (for instance) absolutely will. "Sustained" isn't exact, but anything that heats up the rubber bits will cause them to wear faster.

Tires and belts are the most affected.

The clutch isn't affected by high speed in the same way, but you will definitely wear a groove in the top edge of the variator pulley, and probably the clutch pulley as well. This isn't a function of "high speed", so much as just a function of the belt riding in the same spot for prolonged periods of time.

True, WOT for extended periods would be harder on the belt than a more pedestrian pace. But what are these things made for? I'd not worry about it.

Clutch, I'd not think so as it's locked up well before that. So no heat from sliding friction there. (Driven pulley, which some may consider as part of the clutch, will see more heat. As will the variator, belt, rollers, sliders, engine, tires, etc...).

60 MPH isn't exactly "High Speed" on a GTS 300 though.

Perspective: I have 46,000 miles on my MP3 500 which has gone most of those miles at 70 MPH for about an hour at a stretch, twice daily, as a commuter vehicle on interstate highway.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I am aware of more wear on the rubber bits, should have limited my question to 'hard parts' as that is what I was wondering about. I'm not really worried about the wear as I don't get out of town that much but was curious as much as anything. Once again, thanks.

And no, 60 is not high speed. I GPS verified my speed at 73 before I decided that was fast enough on 12" tires.

I'm at almost 18,000 miles now so will pull things apart in another couple k and see what they look like.

Hi, I do run my 2 gts almost WOT when commuting 190 kms at least 3 times a week. Surely wears a few parts faster. BUT if you do service it by the book, and in my case even more as I do oil/filter change every 5000kms instead of 10000, then it should last you almost as long as if you were driving it slower.
Don't forget to check oil every 1000 kms if not more often. And for the rest enjoy!

If you're constantly at freeway speeds on an HPE, the oil will change itself every 1000 miles. 🙃

+ 1

Absolutely no need to worry about wearing things out at sustained speeds of 60mph. I cruise on our motorways (your highways or interstate roads) at between 60-65 all the time. The bike is designed to run that speed or faster if you want. I don't suggest going at WOT all the time as that does heat things up much more and creates more top end engine wear, uses more oil etc, but other than that you can ride it how you wish. The GTS engines are very robust whatever year you have. Your top speed run will not have caused any issues with heat regarding pulleys or clutches etc.

I have serviced several GTS bikes both 250 and 300 models with very high mileages on them (78,000 to 92,000 miles). These bikes had nothing other than normal servicing and replacement of consumable parts (which includes variators, pulleys, the odd water pump etc) but absolutely no main engine parts. The only condition to getting high trouble free mileage like that is to make sure to use quality motorcycle oil, NOT car oil, NOT diesel engine oil. Those are very different in make up to motorcycle oil. And do the maintenance at the right time using all the right fluids. Check the oil and coolant regularly, don't thrash the engine until it's warmed up. It takes at least 3-4 miles for the oil to fully warm up depending on ambient temperature.

True that ^

Test with a chinese scooter ...

Just follow the upcoming cannonball. On days 5 and 6 there will be many "It's a brand new belt."

"No, it was a brand new belt 5 days and 2,000 miles ago. It's worn out from high speed long distance riding so blown up and by the way it took your oil seal out too."

This is a truly succinct answer and very useful, IMO. I think of these items as wear items and plan for their replacement. IMO, if there is any criticism to be had of small displacement bikes, it is that their parts wear out quicker than their larger cousins. It seems to me that it there is more wear and tear on a Vespa 300 going 60 mph than a C650 at the same speed...

.... boh ... I have doubts, I think it also depends a lot on the spare parts manufacturer and for this reason many scooter riders replace wear parts with others but of more famous brands.
It is advisable to replace the belt, rollers and clutch a little before the maximum distance indicated in the use & maintenance manual; the transmission is the most stressed part in an automatic CVT scooter, also pay attention to the gearbox oil in the wheel hub.

meaning it consumes the oil?

I did one long trip with long days - I don't remember exactly, but it was around 700 miles a day or so - on the interstate and on highways - two days to my friend's house and two days back.

I did notice a small groove on my variator after that. Since I am normally not on a highway often, I haven't bothered to replace it, but I often wonder if I should.

I started with a new belt and replaced it after I returned.

I have to admit I didn't come away from the trip with a love of cruising the interstate on my Vespa. For me, about 60 mph is the sweet spot. Going WOT, with most of the other traffic still moving much faster than you... Not my favourite thing.

It's true. And that's why the secondary roads are really quite a bit more enjoyable.

Then there's Scooter Cannonball, where you're on secondary roads AND you're riding WFO.

But that's a different thread.

Indeed it does. Seems to be the nature of the new beastie. Not to worry - but check it frequently until you have a feel for the appetite of your particular machine.

yeah, been thinking i need to check it.

to note, from strom bro, if you're rolling 60~65 you're getting run over. out here 65 is limit and every body is doing at least 10 over. get into the flat lands and it's 75 and if you're not doing 90 you're holding up traffic.

Same over here in Florida. Was just telling someone that my Stella is set up to fly by everyone on highway easily below full throttle in nyc, where everyone seems to drive 50-55. But down here im taking my life in my hands if i take the highway where limits are suggested at 70 and if you ain't going at least 80 preferably 90, it's your fault if you get hit and killed. And my wot all day speed is asking for someone to target me here

Yeah, we have some roads like that but mostly drivers here control their speed pretty well. This is in no small part due to our cops and the extensive use of average speed traffic cameras constantly checking compliance. Penalties can be harsh for speeding over here. When visiting the States I noticed over the years traffic is generally not unlike what we get, depending where you are driving of course. But certainly you do have some fast flowing traffic in places. Never had any issues though.

The Melody Chronicles: £µ©%, I Did It Again

Here in New Mexico, the speed limit is 75 mph on the interstate, and most traffic is doing 80-90 mph. The Vespa does fine over in the slow lane, but I'm definitely slower than most traffic. I try not to take the interstate often.

On my long trip, I planned to take back roads through Texas, assuming the speed limits would be 55-65 mph. Instead, the speed limit was 70, and the traffic was still moving 80-90 mph.

I need a guide to the true backroads of the U.S.A.

Wise words, this is what I do too ...
But even if I had a scooter capable of over 90 mph I would still behave, it's kind of a mental discipline and it makes me feel good.

From my German perspective I must admit, a speed limit of 90 or even 100 mph on the Autobahn would be nice to have... But I admit it: on back roads I can hardly limit myself to the existing speed limit of 62 mph. At least the Vespa limits my speed for me to just under 80 mph.