Modern Vespa

Hello

A very reputable shop near me recommends service every 2000 miles and belt change every 7000. I have heard about the belts for sure, but I was under impression it's more than 2000? I am not handy, and do not do anything myself.

J

Look in your owner's manual for service interals. I believe the belt is 6,000 miles on your bike as well as an oil change and valve clearance check. What do they suggest be done every 2,000 miles beside seperate you from your cash?

See: There is no 3000 mile service!

Dealers have been trying to rip-off unsuspecting customers for all time.

I do not consider myself handy either. But a simple oil/filter change is something I think anyone can learn to do, if they want. Give it a shot when the time comes and you will be happy with the knowledge you pick up and the money you save.

Yes oil changes are easy to do. Follow maintenance/repair manual ( on line-free). If you are sceptical about bolt/screw torque those values are listed in the manual also. Buy an 1/4" drive torque wrench from Harbor freight. Also watch videos by " Robot" from Scooter West. Shows any/all service and maintenance videos. Just watch over and over untill you get it. Looking at and reading the online manual, then watching the videos untill it " clicks" in your head. You won't need too many tools to do the work. The first oil and filter change you do yourself will more than pay for the tools.

Modern synthetic oils are so good that 5,000 mile intervals are more than safe. That said, scooters rarely rack up the miles the way motorcycles and cars do, but time is universal. Seals, brake fluid and pads, valve clearances (maybe), coolant, the various bolts checked to see if they need re-torquing or tightening... Stuff like that is worth checking at least every 18 months IMO. If most of your riding is around town, 10-20 minutes, the components are going through the hot/cold cycle a lot, the oil might not get hot enough to evaporate the accumulated water... It's just a good idea to have an experienced mechanic check things out before something breaks or malfunctions when you're in the driver's seat. Many of the things I mentioned you can do yourself, and all aren't nearly as expensive and inconvenient to address as repairs.

Good to know how to do yourself - it's not always convenient to get to the shop.

That said, I think it's worth paying an expert to regularly inspect the thing you risk your wellness on. While I may be able to open a drain plug and top up the oil, I don't expect that I'll notice if something's out of the ordinary. I've only seen one of these - he sees a dozen in a week.

If you get a good mechanic, it's not a bad idea to let him do the maintenance. Gets a second set of eyes and ears on it every now and again.

Here is the scedule:

While I usually can get through maintenance and installs by myself, I can also say that I don't have a whole lot of confidence in my own abilities. LOL. So, yes, I don't mind paying to have a professional mechanic do the bigger services, and like you pointed out, give the bike a look over with their trained eyes. Thought about doing the 6.2k mi. service by myself, but instead am heading to Vespa Bklyn tomorrow AM to have them do it, fully knowing that it's going to be a hefty $ cost.

Not so reputable perhaps. I'd find another more pragmatic outfit.

Yes, even I believe with premiun oil 10 000km is not a impossibility, I change on 5000km with full synth, and they do the 10 00km service. and I get the "warranty stampings".

Nah, they are as good as it gets and have an excellent reputation. I trust with full confidence that they just know I do not do anything myself - even though I should - and they are keeping an eye on my well being by me dropping off every 2000-3000 miles to have them look it over. I have over 15,000 on my bike in less than 3 years of ownership and I had another shop involved up to 7000 miles and there were always problems......ever since I started using this smaller independent shop I have had 8000 miles with no issues. Yes, sometimes it's expensive......but I am willing to pay for the expert care - I am a good judge of character too.....These folks really care about their craft and are not just in it to take advantage of people. That is not how I felt about the other shop

A bit over 1 liter oil is not a lot , i change it every 5000 km , cost with filter about 20€ so ….

There's also Scooter Bottega in Gowanus. They did my last checkup.

Seemed like good people. Were recommended by an Italian Vespa rider in the neighborhood.

The thing is - there's NOTHING to do at 2,000 or at 3,000 miles. I'm assuming you do at least check your oil level and tire pressures occasionally anyway? That's all they'll do, everything else waits until the 6,000 mile service. If they charge you more than two minutes time for that then they're just robbing you.

Just a look over every few thousand miles for me is peace of mind that I need. Yes I can take care of my tire pressure…….i know that I took it to another shop for my 625 mile service - and there was a problem. Then for two services after that when I was at 8000 miles and still issues (and this was a Vespa dealer) and then since I have been with this guy it's been smooth sailing…..

Fair enough, your wallet.

Scooter Bottega is on my radar, but have no issues with Vespa BK yet. Just got back from there for my 6.2k mi service, for what was specified in the manual. $628 after tax - while this cost is "significant", it's actually pretty much insignificant in my life so to me it's worth it for peace of mind. To others, they feel more comfortable knowing they did the work themselves, but for me, I'd rather have the pros do it.

Bottega is where I go
Best of the best

So 10 cents per mile? Phew!

I like how you come here looking for opinions then discount everything said by some very knowledgeable people. Why ask the question if you're firnly rooted in your own answer?

Those bass boat payments aren't going to make themselves!

I enjoy reading peoples opinions and feedback. I knew many would disagree, but I see others that are on same page as me. I wasn't completely firm - but after reading a lot of these posts it helped me make my decision.

I still don't get it - that although Piaggio don't require anything to be done by a dealer at any mileage between first service at 625 miles and second at 6250 miles, you still want to pay someone else to check your oil level at 2000 mile intervals in between?

Puzzled.

Can you even pump your own gas?

Just imagine how much peace of mind would come from a dealer visit every 1,000 miles. Or 500, or even 200! One could leave the scooter at the dealer and attain nirvana.

I kid. I have zero stake in how often you have the scoot checked by the dealer. TBF if I won the lottery might have an on-site mechanic taking care of a huge full of barn of classic cars and bikes. "Yes, Hans, I'll be taking the 930 out today. Can you please have it waiting outside, and make sure my life insurance is up to date?"

It's a two hour or so ride to get to the shop - I very much enjoy it. He looks over the bike - sure he checks the oil etc - unless it's the time frame of a major service the bill is minuscule - the peace of mind is worth it to me - I had an ET4 for 15 years and kept it to the factory intervals but there was often something that went wrong in between and it would require a tow etc…..this is just better for me and I enjoy having bike looked at by a professional that can get ahead of any issues —- He isn't taking advantage of me -

Be puzzled - that's fine - doesn't bother me —- i am puzzled why someone ever orders take out when they can cook for themselves - but I don't judge them - silly

I enjoy having an expert look over my bike every few months. I enjoy the long ride there…… unless it's a major service interval the bill is minuscule …..

I get the belt, rollers, sliders , oil and filter plus the air filter changed every 3000 miles.

4/5ths of my riding is on the highway which tends to shorten the life of the belt somewhat, even if it is a Malossi.

Shortest lifespan was 2500 miles with an OEM belt.

Yes, but you only took a week to do it, not many months.

Yeah that's fair and worth noting.

1000 miles and then 7 days later 1500 miles non-stop highway ruins an ordinary belt.

Most of it turned into candyfloss.

Malossi aren't much more expensive than the OEM version.

Whats the symptoms on riding you notice the bets going?
And whats the diffrence on malossi parts to oems when new if we forget prices? I never noticed other than roller rattle the need of service.

Not all drive belts contain Kevlar. The good one's do.

Gates and Malossi are both highly rated.

It helps maintain the belt's structural integrity when it's under load or used for long periods.

You rarely get a warning when the belt is about to let go.

The belt that I've got right now did 1150 miles in one go but the rest of it has been run at highway speeds which is why I'm not going to push it past 3000 miles.

+1

For my riding partner last year it was sudden loss of power....350 miles from home. Ran fine up to the moment.

And then it will wrap itself into the hub and you'll never get it out.

Ever.

First sign is 'candy floss' (US cotton candy) appearing out of the rear vent of the transmission. Easy to spot if you're taking reasonably short journeys so get a chance to approach the bike and notice it - not so easy if on a long-distance mission!

FWIW, Scooter Bottega just quoted me $709 for a belt-and-fluid service.

Vespa BK quoted $588.

[edit] I ended up at Bottega after all. When I got to Vespa BK, they said coolant and tax weren't included in the quote, and wanted nearly $900.

There was zero warning when the belt on my '20 GTS300 let go at 6200 miles.

Had I kept the Vespa, I had planned to change it out at no more than 5000 after that.

I was able to clean out the belt fiber mess afterwards, but it wasn't easy.

Due to no Vespa service for 400 miles, I had to learn to change that belt myself, so bought the appropriate tools from Scooter West, watched a couple of videos, and had at it. Either way, I wouldn't pay a shop $700+ (USD) to do that job.

Owning a Vespa in this area forced a good measure of mechanical independence that my motorcycles hadn't, other than routine oil changes, etc.

Having only experienced "classic" P series Vespas previously, I do pause to wonder how all the PLASTIC bits, and fasteners into plastic, hold up with miles. I am more concerned that some screwed on trim will come loose and wrap up in the tires or cut through vital electrical wires than I am of any wheel nuts coming adrift.

I would be interested in hearing what "issues" the OP had that lead him to seek frequent professional service.

For myself, I am spoiled.
First, I enjoy "Wrenching" on two wheeled vehicles. I have Never NOT HAD a motorcyle or scooter since I pushed home my first one at age 13. (Yamaha YG-1)

In a previous life I was a Yamaha certified mechanic, and managed a shop that sold and serviced BMW-Hodaka-and Penton motorcycles.

I carry an FAA Repairman's Certificate in my wallet, though I have not been current for many years.

My home shop would be described as "very well equipped". A motor bike lift, air compressor, welding set ups, sand blast cabinet, and a full machine tool shop with multiple lathes, milling machine and grinding machines.

I really should return to the revitalization of my MotoMorini SeiV2

Still, I worry about those self tapping screws as I feel the GTS pounding over a rock strewn abondoned road through the forest.

Perhaps I should seek proffessional help

When the mental load becomes too much, I suit up and take a ride on the VFR800 though the most motorcycle friendly roadways I can imagine.