Modern Vespa

Okay, please treat me like a full on baby...I mean, explain like I'm full on five years old, please . First, my history:

I rode a 50cc Yamaha Zuma when I was 15 as my first vehicle. It represented full on freedom for me, I loved it so much. Once I got a car, life happened, and haven't ridden since, and I'm now 34. So that's my full knowledge of scooters.

I have basically zero knowledge of Vespas, though I did a good amount of research before buying mine. I got it from a private sale for $3k. It has about 2500 miles on it. It's never had an oil change, so I'm setting that up, and it needs new tired BADLY, so I'm setting that up. It rides well, or I think it does, though I've only ridden it around my neighborhood until I get the new tires on it. The man I bought it from drove it to my house, and he had to go on the highway to do it.

Okay, so here are my questions: The throttle is not as smooth as my Zuma was. Accelerating from a stop is a tad jerky, but not too bad. Accelerating while in motion isn't jerky at all. Rolling off the throttle is VERY jerky, like as soon as I take any pressure off the throttle at all, the scooter wants to come to a stop. Is that normal? Could that be the result of it badly needing an oil change? Could it be a different problem, or is it just a difference in driving that I have to get used to?

Lastly, today I took it out for a dip around the neighborhood. At this point, I'm really only driving it every few days so it doesn't sit for too long, and I drive it about a mile. I was making a wide left turn around a court, and something on the rear wheel, left side, scraped a bit. I can't see anything obviously wrong with it--center stand looks to be in the right place, nothing seems loose or anything--except that the tires are BAD. Like, no tread, cracks in them, like real real bad. Could that be causing the scraping? Could it be something else?

Again, I ask you to please treat me like I'm 5, I'm a total Vespa virgin but I'm trying to learn! I love my burgundy beauty already and I want her to be happy. Also, her name is Elenore.

Thank you all so much in advance and I'm so happy to be part of the MV community! ^_^

How have you "set up" the oil change and tire service? At a dealer? How far away?

1. Stop riding on those old tires.

2. Before you ride any more, check the oil. Level ok? Looks "good" (not black and dirty)? Get it changed anyway.

When you get the scooter in for service, have them replace the belt. That may be the cause of the rough running. Also check the brakes and change the brake fluid. It's due.

Have a pro do this first service. After that you can DIY if it suits you.

Welcome to MV and the scooter community!

3. Download a copy of the owners manual from here: https://manuals.wotmeworry.org.uk/Vespa/LX150/LX150E3%20Owners%20Manual.pdf Lots of useful stuff in there including service recommendations.

I've got feelers out to the nearest well-reviewed motorcycle mechanics to get some quotes. Unfortunately the nearest vespa dealership to me is about 40 min away, so it'll be a little harder for me to get it there without actually driving it.

I'm not planning on riding it again until after the maintenance is done. I'll have the mechanic check the belt and brakes as well. Is the rough deceleration being caused by old oil or a worn belt?

It's not the oil. It's possibly caused by a problem in the transmission (variator, rollers, belt, or clutch). An inspection will sort that out.

A Vespa dealer within 40 minutes isn't bad. Regular motorcycle mechanics may not know scooters very well. They could perhaps change the tires for you.

Your future resale value just tanked from your report of prior maintenance. But always good to be honest be safe and enjoy. I too had a long hiatus (had a Honda Elite 80 at age 15 and then a gap to my current scooter at age 48). It's still a blast.

It's already been sitting too long. That's not your fault. The problem is, the rubber bits including the tires and belt will have deteriorated over ten years. The tires aren't safe, and the belt may have lost some of its flexibility resulting in the rough acceleration.

Other rubber parts like fuel and vacuum lines may also be brittle and cracked. If you can, get the scooter to a dealer and have it checked out, or search Modern Vespa for tips on servicing these things yourself. Good luck!

Not necessarily, in my opinion. It can still be brought up to snuff, though it will take some investment of time and/or money.

I rather think, with its (lack of) service its value should have been lower when you bought it. You probably paid too much, but that's water over the dam now. Get it back in shape, and enjoy.

Did you get both keys? Brown and Blue?

I am just going to throw this out there - the ride on a scoot with fuel injection is different than one with a carb. You get a quicker response with FI, but it is touchier. The more you ride it, the more you will learn to feather it at the throttle and the jerking will go away.

Yes I made sure to do that!

Okay, I think I'll get the oil and tires changed at the nearest mechanic, and then take it to the dealer to get the belt and other bits inspected. Thank you!

My dealer is 40 minutes away , I think thats acceptable. Im sure Ive read of folk on here who's Vespa dealer is roughly 200 miles away. Now thats tough !