Modern Vespa

hi all. hope you're well.

i have a 2008 vespa lxv 150. 15K miles. last night i drove about 15 miles to an event. about two hours later i came out to my bike and it wouldn't start. zero electric. a guy gave me a jump and i was on my way but after about 10 miles i noticed my headlights were dimmer and soon they were almost gone! i also noticed that my gas needle was at empty ! around the same time. (it had been reading at half a tank when i started back). i suspect that these are two different issues… that i may need a new battery and my gauge may be faulty, but would love your thoughts. thank you. (i've had issues w the battery but have managed to keep it relatively happy w a battery tender.)

how old is the battery?

I'd say you need a new battery. And I'm guessing that the fuel gauge issue is related and may be cured with a new battery.

good question. it's a couple of years old. i haven't driven the bike a ton since i replaced it. bike's been in the garage mostly.

And there you are. Pretty much a recipe for a failed battery. When they go, they go quickly.

OFG

If the battery was failing, once started the bike should run just fine, with the stator providing more than enough power to both run the bike and re-charge the battery.

So I'd be carefully checking the charging system once a new, properly charged battery is in place before driving off. My bet is that the stator, regulator or the connection between them has failed somehow.

Thank you. How would I do that?

Diagnosing Charging System Problems

Thank ye kindly.

Batteries seem to be a source of problems for many of us. Until I started battery tending both my scooters off season, I had to replace many over the years. I really have not had problems with recharging while riding. My GTS300 seems to be simple - keep a well maintained charged battery and she pops off first push of the starter.

My 2022 Kymco AD550 has so many electronics it has to be plugged in after every ride. The dealer installed a plug in plug out lead off the battery. I simply plug it into the tender in the garage between rides.

The other issue is the Kymco has a keyless system with a remote FOB. The small battery in the FOB dies about every 12 months. Easy fix (replace the small flat round battery). Maybe I prefer the old key system. Call me old fashioned. I still haven't figured out all the electronics on the Kymco. Nerds would love it.

Bob Copeland

I agree Bob, I have been using tenders on several vehicles, and battery life went from 3-5 years to 6-8 years. I use to use tenders only in the winter, I now plug in every time I bring a vehicle into the garage....

Geez, I've had scooter batteries last at least 10 years, and I don't baby them...

UPDATE—NEW PROBLEMS

Hi, folks. Thanks for all your help so far. I am still having issues:

After my last round of issues I put in a brand new battery and my bike seemed happy. I didn't get to ride it much after that, unfortunately—maybe once.

Yesterday I took the bike out. It started up great. I drove it maybe 100 feet. Just as I was pulling out of the driveway I noticed that my gas level was reading very low. I took out my emergency can of gas and filled up. The gas was over a year old As soon as I tried starting the bike up it turned over once and died. After that nothing would happen. I had to leave it out overnight. This morning when I tried starting it, the electric wouldn't even turn on—no lights at all. Any/all advice welcome! Thanks in advance.

new battery back then ie over a month ago or just recently? did you leave the new battery to die?

And did you give the new battery the mandatory forming and equalising charge before first use?

About a month ago, actually.

About a month ago, actually.

Yes.

Check the charge ion the battery. Check the battery for a clean, tight fit at the terminals. Does the brake light go on when you are compressing the brake lever? Check the main fuse.