OP
@randyjaco avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
 
Enthusiast
@randyjaco avatar
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
UTC quote
I have had this bike for over six months and I thought I would bring up another issue. It is a 2019 GTS and most of you are familiar. It recently had a complete 30K miles service and runs great. When the bike is cold, it starts right up like a new one, but when it's hot, it struggles to start. The starter just doesn't have the power to do the job. It really struggles to turn over the engine. This problem has existed since I bought the bike, but seems to be getting worse. If I let the bike sit for over 15 minutes, it will start easier, but if I only let it set for 5 minutes or less, there are problems.
The battery is less than a year old and I recently had it checked.(no issues) The terminals/cables are like new and corrosion free.
Any ideas on what the problem might be?
@jkj-fz6 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
BV400, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4723
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
 
Ossessionato
@jkj-fz6 avatar
BV400, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4723
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
UTC quote
Maybe this has been mentioned before, but have the valve clearances been checked?
@steelbytes avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2019 GTS 300 HPE w Malossi cylinder & cam
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8432
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Aus
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@steelbytes avatar
2019 GTS 300 HPE w Malossi cylinder & cam
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8432
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Aus
UTC quote
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10178216-0001.pdf
Quote:
TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION P_200297_TC_EN 21/07/2020
Model: Vespa GTS 300 hpe, MP3 300 hpe
Subject: Failure to start with hot engine

Dear Dealer / Service Centre,
We hereby inform you that in order to solve any problems with irregular engine operation, or
starting difficulties with engine hot on the Vespa GTS 300 hpe / MP3 300 hpe models,
proceed according to the procedure described below.
INTRODUCTION
The better combustion efficiency of the hot engine, in combination with the foreseen ignition
advance, entails the achievement of high pressure in the combustion chamber before the
TDC
The failure or difficulty starting the hot engine is actually generated by excessive pressure at
the end of compression.

...
OP
@randyjaco avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
 
Enthusiast
@randyjaco avatar
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
UTC quote
Interesting, makes sense, but is there no fix for it?
@steelbytes avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2019 GTS 300 HPE w Malossi cylinder & cam
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8432
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Aus
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@steelbytes avatar
2019 GTS 300 HPE w Malossi cylinder & cam
Joined: UTC
Posts: 8432
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Aus
UTC quote
Randyjaco wrote:
Interesting, makes sense, but is there no fix for it?
I guess replacing the camshaft + decompressor with a correctly matched set would fix it

Also using a lithium battery has more cranking power so could mitigate
OP
@randyjaco avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
 
Enthusiast
@randyjaco avatar
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
UTC quote
A bottle of cold water to pour over the head, might be cheaper
⬆️    About 2 months elapsed    ⬇️
OP
@randyjaco avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
 
Enthusiast
@randyjaco avatar
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
UTC quote
Does anyone make a higher torque starter for the 300 GTS?
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 45936
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 45936
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Just get an LiFePO4 lithium battery - no more high compression starting woes.
@oskuk avatar
UTC

Hooked
Vespa 300 GTS Super 2024
Joined: UTC
Posts: 367
Location: Finland
 
Hooked
@oskuk avatar
Vespa 300 GTS Super 2024
Joined: UTC
Posts: 367
Location: Finland
UTC quote
SteelBytes wrote:
Also using a lithium battery has more cranking power
On this warm/hot situation, and the oposite if battery is cold, under 5c.
OP
@randyjaco avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
 
Enthusiast
@randyjaco avatar
2019 GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 92
Location: Friendswood, Texas USA
UTC quote
The Lithium battery seems to have solved the problem. I installed a 12 ah Banshee battery. I rode around in the 95+ degree heat and made sure that the engine was hot. I shut down the engine, waited around for a minute or two and restarted the engine about a half dozen times. Not a single time did the started balk. It started up every time like it should.
Thanks for the help. Clap emoticon

Modern Vespa is the premier site for modern Vespa and Piaggio scooters. Vespa GTS300, GTS250, GTV, GT200, LX150, LXS, ET4, ET2, MP3, Fuoco, Elettrica and more.

Modern Vespa is made possible by our generous supporters.

Buy Me A Coffee
 

Shop on Amazon with Modern Vespa

Modern Vespa is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com


All Content Copyright 2005-2026 by Modern Vespa.
All Rights Reserved.


[ Time: 0.0107s ][ Queries: 3 (0.0018s) ][ live ][ 343 ][ ThingOne ]