Modern Vespa

Hi all -

I've got a 2021 300HPE with 6900 miles. I live 5 hours from the dealership so I change the oil regularly myself. I noticed recently that it seems to not want to accelerate very well. It'll get between 20-40 and then kinda back off even if the throttle isn't. If I feather it it'll get to 65 and seems to hold steady. I don't really need to get that fast ever (basically in town driving). I need to do the 6K service but wondering since it's out of warranty - if this service could be done by my local motorcycle shop. The don't sell Vespas but have sold other brands, but almost exclusively motorcycles. I just don't know enough about this type of service to determine if that's a good idea. I guess if there are parts needed - that may be an issue? I can get to the dealership but not for weeks, and it's a real hassle going that far.

Thanks!

if the techs are skilled and knowledgeable, it shouldn't be a problem having them do the service.

that being said, if you can change the oil chances are a transmission service and valve adjustment aren't too much of a leap for you. that is, if you wanted to tackle it yourself.

at any rate, if you were wanting to go with the motorcycle dealer I'd go by the place and talk to them and gauge their interest, maybe see if you can speak with the tech who would be doing the work. I'd 100% ask if you could supply your own parts, and if they balked at that I'd think twice-- unless they had the parts in stock, that is.

I suppose you might get very lucky and find a motorcycle dealer that would be willing to do work on your Vespa, but around my area, no dealership will touch my GTS with a ten foot pole, but I knew that when I bought it, from an Indian/BMW/Suzuki shop no less, so I have been mentally prepared to tackle the maintenance myself from the beginning even though I'm not an accomplished mechanic by any means.

And like you, my nearest servicing Vespa dealer is about 400 miles away.

The only thing they I could coerce a local dealership to do for me concerning my Vespa was to mount a set of new tires on my wheels, which I removed and brought in.

Without meaning to sound condescending, but if you read the owners manual, you'll see that it needs a pretty major service at 6000 miles including a belt change.

If yours is struggling to accelerate past 40mph you may find your belt is about to let go or is already disintegrating.

Personally, I'd either learn how to maintain it myself, or get it serviced before riding it any further.

John

I don't know what the valve adjustment intervals are on the GTS, but these are quite important to keep the engine running well. You tend to get much better fuel economy and power when the valves are correct - but also it does sound like it could be belt / roller related as well.

Definitely check the intervals for what needs to be changed and when.

Just to add, 69K = 69,000? Or is it 6,900?

This.

Here's my '20 GTS 300 HPE drive belt at 6200 miles. Ran fine right up to the second it didn't.

I was advised by members here that my bike's belt may have prematurely(?) given out due to the higher speed highway miles that I usually use the GTS on.

I replaced the belt myself and it's running fine again, but I will be changing out that belt every 5000 miles from now on.

Seems to me the chap just missed out the decimal point on his topic heading.

6.9K or 6,900 miles.

I have no clue if this will narrow it down, but can you try turning off the traction control and doing the 20-40mph run?