Modern Vespa

Hello,
I'm new here and new to Vespa, I've recently bought an 04 GT200 and I absolutely love it!!
My only issue, if it is an issue is that it sounds clunky when I push the start button the engine is running absolutely tiptop it's just the chug chug doing when it's starting, if that makes sense.
The best way I can describe it is the starter sounds rough. I'm used to riding a Honda cbr600 and that lovely.
I'm do my own maintenance so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
T

That sounds normal to me. Remember that a Vespa has only a single cylinder engine. It's not going to sound as smooth as your CBR.

I might try a new spark plug and see if that makes any difference.

Welcome to MV!

Thank you very much, that's put my mind at rest!
Thank you for the welcome

You mean the sound of the starter engine, not of the engine once started?

If it sounds like this one: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=vespa+gt+200+2004 and go to 1:00 minutes then I think all is normal. Sounds a bit rough, I agree.

Yes that's right the starter sounds rough. The engine itself sounds sweet.
I'll have a look at the linked video

Yep sounds exactly like the video!!!
That's perfect guys thank you. I can sleep easy tonight!!

Welcome and lets see your ride

Welcome from Kansas United States.


I rode the gt200 for years and that sounds just normal. Once it gets going it sounds like a sewing machine and very quiet.

Hello from Cornwall, United Kingdom!!
You are right it does sound like a little sewing machine and I was really surprised by just how quiet it is when running and it's very very smooth to ride. I'm extremely happy with it. Needs a bit of new trim (ordered) but one owner and full service history, I'm happy!!

Here's mine

Lovely machine! Welcome to the forum.

My wife and I enjoyed the Masterpiece series "Poldark" in which much of it took place in Cornwall. It looks so majestic! Are the roads Vespa friendly, and can you ride along those cliffs?

Please don't tell me the streets are lined with car lots, thrift shops, and liquor stores!<G>

I live down in the far south west (Penzance) where most of Poldark was filmed & the roads are very Vespa friendly and you'll be glad to here that no it's not lined with those abominations and yes I can and do ride along the cliffs, being all the way down here the coast lines are only 20 or so miles apart so can ride all the way around the coast.

Sounds AWESOME!

Have fun!

We have quite a large group of people on our forum who have a lot of knowledge about the gt200.

I am pretty sure that in case you have a problem they will be super happy to help.

Thank you, so far I've found everybody very helpful and welcoming 😊

My GT 200 had it about 8 years now with no problems had about 1000 miles on it when I got it now about 6000, I think its about broke in LOL it is a 2006

Welcome to the forum Tracey, get some rest and then maybe you can change your Username.


I love Cornwall, I toured it on my Triumph last year and will probably have another go this year on the GTS. It's just getting there and back on that pesky M5 motorway that spoils it a bit.

That's a beautiful colour!

I'm always tired 🤣 tis a lovely place Cornwall and most excellent for biking but yeah the motorway is a drag

In 2017 we rented a pair of Vespa GTS and spent 10 days riding around England and Wales. Originally we intended to spend a few days in Cornwall but weather didn't cooperate with some big Atlantic storm. So we ended up spending longer in Cornwall. Seems like every time we are supposed to go to Cornwall something happens. Last time it was Covid shutdowns in 2020. One of these days we will get there.

It's a beautiful county, you should have come this summer, it was perfect!

Gorgeous part of the world, Penzance is a lovely town.

And a great looking scoot too!

Aww thank you very much. Welshman? I went on a 3 week tour of Wales this summer in our little classic vw camper, South wales is very similar to Cornwall, whilst the north is just blew my mind a stunning place.

It was late May and we take cruise ships to cross the pond so that's usually April-May or October depending on direction. That trip was in mid May. While we didn't get to Cornwall we did get to Wales and visited the town my husband's grandmother was from. She came to the US as a child. We rode into Wales from the Wirral peninsula south through Cardiff.