Modern Vespa

Any informations as to what happens to the bike when the belting breaks at a speed of 50mph? Having a phopia about this cos' one fine day the belt might breaks on me before I have the time to change it. Cheers.

Brother SH lim, ( I wrote your name that way coz it's hard to read a big H, small l and small i together)
You worry more than I do
Make a list of all the spare parts and tools you may need for what might happen, and you wouldn't have room to carry them.
Still, ordering parts ahead of time will get you back on the road quicker.
I'm all for a spare tire, but beyond checking everything before you ride, who know's when what will happen.

I hope Jim can tell you when your belt will break (what belt?).

the cradle will fall

1.) Be aware that the engine will rev. very high.
2.) Hit the engine kill switch.
3.) Head for the side of the road as you will not have any power.

Best regards,

Mike Lynch

had it happen at 70mph on a tuned 2 italjet dragster

just had engine squeal back wheel locked up for a sec then engine died and stopped side of road in that short time the belt had been shreeded to bits

there is no need to panic on the MP3 the belt if regular changed at service intervals is more than capable to withstand abuse,the engines are so within tolerances they are bulletproof, if you can make it snap you will be the first MP3 owner to do so !!!! as same engine is in the GTS never heard of a belt go on one of them yet, keep std belts on you will be fine.

Well before the belt actually breaks you'll notice (if you look!) some yellow wisps of Kevlar sticking out of the transmission air vent. You're probably good for 1000 miles of gentle riding if you spot it when it first happens. I always check this before every ride, as it is just an eyeball check. I've now caught 4 belts starting on their way out like this.

Best I've had out of a hard-driven X9 250 is 15,000 miles on a belt - only changed it as I was about to go on a 1250 mile trip.

The OEM belts are now cheap enough that it's worth having them replaced at the 6000 mile mark just like the 4/500's, the extra cost of labour just for a belt-change at an intermediate 9,000 miles just isn't worth it. I wouldn't guarantee a belt lasting 12,000 miles even on a 250.

Ah! I guess its high time I have to change the belt as I am still using the original belt and the bike have done about 15000km! The belt here cost about USD 100 and probably USD20 for labour. Whats it like in Europe and US? Cheers! . And John, I make a mistake on the name, its like this SH Lim.Tq

piaggio bits have dropped in price think ther £25 at the mo

Thanks Mike for that tip, that's good use of that kill switch. Easy to forget it's even there.

Good Tip,

Dave

Mp3 250 07 10,600 miles



I had my belt replaced last month. I kept the original Piaggio style. Pretty sure it was around $100.oo U.S. for the belt. THe rollers were also replaced.

Dave

8) 8) 8) SINCE THE FEED BACK HAVE STOPPED, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL YOU GUYS COS IT SORT OF GIVEN ME A REASON NOT TO FEAR TOO MUCH ABOUT THE BELT BREAKING ANYMORE! IF IT DOES, I WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO EXPECT! CHEERS! (BTW, JOHN W, IS THAT A VOLCANO ERUPTION IN YOUR AVATAR, OR IS IT THE BEAUTY OF THE SUNLIGHT?)

Kilauea Eruption

I had my belt changed today at Motorsport Scooters today and they only found one tooth missing..It sure runs a lot better with the new belt..And only 3 rollers had flat spots..

ufo could you report about how many miles you had on the belt before replacement? Thanks

A tooth missing from the belt? A close call...

My first belt change was at 6000 miles..It showed a few cracks..12000 miles another belt change a few cracks..and 18000 and 24000. Then as the bike broke in the belts looked great at 10000 miles but I had it replaced no cracks...But I negelected the belt over 8000 miles and between 10000 and 12000 miles I heard the noise and the slippage..Toof my personal mechanic at Motorsports looked for cracks until he saw a tooth missing on the belt..He only replaced 3 rollers and my second clutch was fine..Well he replaced all 6 rollers but gave me back the 3 good ones..I have always had only 3 rollers with flat spots every check-up and just replace with the 3 good ones. The first clutch I replace was good but rattled...These 250 cc engines in my opinion are bullet proof..

You are a Legend UFO and if anyone can ride a belt off, it's you. Piaggio should hire you for R & D.
it's good to hear you found it, repaired it and your MP3 kept running despite needing a belt.

Newcomers would benefit from clicking your title and learning of your experience.

Happy it wasn't your tooth, though it would be complimentary