Modern Vespa

Hi all,

I've been lurking on here for the last year since getting my Vespa last January, but this is my first time posting.

Here's a couple of pictures of my scooter adventures last year too. I absolutely love her!

Just a quick question... I'm about to take my Vespa for it's first MOT and am going to do an engine and gear oil change myself before... Does a high quality 10W40 oil suit a 2018 Vespa Sprint (125)? I know 5W40 is supposedly better but I've read for longer distances 10w40 is a good choice.

Thanks in advance

What's your camping set up? Interested in keeping mine as light as possible this summer.

I would use what's recommended in the owners manual.

I'd say a fairly standard set up... Tent sleeping bag, spare blanket, airbed, clothes, cooking stuff and washing stuff.

Probably adds about 7-10kg weight.

It's amazing what you can squeeze under the saddle and strap to the bike. I bought a really lightweight and tiny towel which saves weight.

So fun setting off somewhere with everything you need for a few days strapped on to the bike... You can see the picture with it fully loaded up

I like the little camping chair. Getting on the floor is no problem, it's getting up again lol

I didn't actually have an owners manual when I purchased it JKJ as it was 7 years old, but having researched I've seen that either 5w40 or 10w40 is okay, but just wondered if anyone has any experience I can learn from

Haha yep sitting on the floor is no good. Got the camping chair for avout £15 from amazon. Again, packs up so small!

I didn't actually have an owners manual when I purchased it JKJ as it was 7 years old, but having researched I've seen that either 5w40 or 10w40 is okay, just wondered if anyone has any experience I can learn from

The owner's manual for my 2019 Primavera 150 says 5W40. As my manual is for a 125 or 150 Primavera, and the Sprint is essentially the same, the manual should be the same for your scooter.

I would use the 5W40, but 10W40 probably would do no harm.

Thanks, I guess I'll go 5w40...just curious as I do quite often do longer rides and can't remember where I saw it, but someone said 10w40 was better for longer rides on our type of scooter

Both of your listed oils have the same summer number (-w 40), in the heat both oils should have the same properties. But I heard that the practice is different. They used to put thicker oil (10w40) in air-cooled engines. But I think that the selection of 5w40 oils will be larger and there are quality synthetic oils among them, if you put it, you won't do wrong.

Nice one, thanks puno. Will definitely be fully synthetic and high quality oil.

Appreciate the message

You can get the owner's manual from https://manuals.vespa.com/

Thanks Steel, I guess I was more asking if my type of riding (longer distance) changes whether I should use the recommended 5W40.

Appreciate the link though

Either will do - just ensure it's synthetic (Fully Synthetic in the US, where just synthetic can be a mixture with dino included...).

Thanks Jim! It seems there isn't a huge amount of difference as long as you're not chucking olive oil in there

How often should I be changing my oil - once a year?

I did 1800 miles in the last 12 months since it was serviced

According to the owner's manual, replace the oil and oil filter every 10,000 km and every 12 months.

Get yourself an owner's manual from the link SteelBytes posted above.

That lime green is absolutly gorgeous.

Thanks Rado. It's lush isn't it, in the right sunlight it's great

Regarding oil, 5W40 is more suitable for your environment (lived there for 20 years). Some might disagree with me but if your oil change is due now but you've done only those 1800 miles, wait and change it after the winter.

I did read about ideal time to change oil being when it has warmed up slightly, I'm kind of keen to do it asap though as it will be the first change since I've owned it so I know exactly what's going in to it