Modern Vespa

I have been riding my GTS for four months and am wondering why I didn't do this earlier (probably because I was too obsessed with boats). Now that I am approaching my first service, I was wondering--How many miles is a GTS good for? Assume regular diligent maintenance chores are performed on a timely basis, and no extraordinary mechanical issues or crashes (knock on wood).

I know it's a hugely variable number, but consider this--In my prior days of General Motors and Chrysler cages, I was lucky to reach 80,000 miles before major failures and their repairs (i.e. transmissions, engine needing ring job/rebuild, suspension, wheel bearings) were more expensive than the vehicle was worth. Now I have two Hondas--one 1999 with 62,000 miles and one 2000 with 102,000 miles, and each shows every indication of lasting for quite a while longer before the repair bills outcost the value of the vehicle.

So what is the wisdom of the group? What is the equivalent of, say, 100,000 cage miles on a GTS? (Sounds like comparing dog-years to people-years).

Would love to hear the experiences of high-mileage Vespa owners in general, whether MV or vintage.

To tell you the truth mine with over 31,000 miles on it amazes me. Uses no oil and just keeps going. Have had some problems with it but most were owner caused screwing around with stuff. I cruise at 70 MPH indicated and ride a lot of 2-up, fully loaded for long (for me) trips.

If I had to guess I'd say I should get around 80,000 miles or more out of my top end. The bottom end will probably go a lot more. The 250 engine really amazes me for what it'll put up with.

You sure haven't had good luck with cars, Bill. My pick-up ('95 Ford Ranger) is pushing 300,000 miles. Only repair needed was a replacement of the clutch throw-out bearing. My coupe ('89 Mercedes 300CE) is only at 175,000 miles. Only "major" repair on that was having the driver's door lock replaced because it would set off the alarm when unlocked. Turned out that the previous, original owner did a kludge repair on it previously.

I'm curious on what you find out too. I'd be disappointed if my GTS didn't last at least 75 or 80 K miles before needing a major repair.

I just picked up by 06' GTS 250ie used from a guy. I've been thinking about taking it in to VESPA to have the 6k service done and have a strange noise checked out (metallic rubbing, not harsh, from rear of bike, when leaning left) and they charge $250 for the service, $139/hr for the inspection on the noise...

Seems a little excessive to me. Since the warranty is clearly dead, would I be safe taking it to a more local motorcylce/scooter dealer/repair facility?

How simple is the oil to change? I do my own car, I can probably do this too right?

Thanks

Interesting thread. My Vespa/Piaggio mechanic volunteered this information early on in my ownership. He reckoned that a scooter in general would wear three times as fast. So 30,000 miles on a scoot equals 90,000 on a cage.

I would think this would apply to a Vespa GTS too, although they are proving to be ultra strong. He was talking in terms of 125 Gilera Runners and the like.

You are correct, although my Hondas seem like they will last forever. Maybe I should have been buying Fords and MBs all along!!!

Be wary! Concerning Ford trucks, it has been said that they make the best 6-cylinder engines in existence. Couple that with a stick shift and you have an auto that will last long after the payments stop.

And, Mercedes... Even though "repairs" are infrequent, routine maintenance is absolutely necessary, and depending on where you have it done, costly. Of Mercedes, it has been said, "Never own a Mercedes newer than a 1996 model. That's because Mercedes sold before that were designed and built by engineers, since then they have been designed and built by accountants."

I'd recommend at least one major service from a good Vespa shop as they are familiar with their quirks. You can do your own service, but follow the service manual recommendations, and always use a torque wrench.

Changing oil is easy if you have a sidestand, a bit of a bear if you don't--do a search of this site for good instructions, and make sure you give the oil plenty of time to run back into the sump before checking the level. The bike takes only a little more than 1 liter, and overfilling is easy to do, and very bad for your bike.

P.

If you want a qualified Vespa mechanics opinion, take it to SF Scooter Centre. They are good people and don't charge Vespa SF prices.

As far as maintenance, the people I know that do their own car maintenance are perfectly happy doing their own scooter maintenance.

Take it to one of the independant shops in S.F. - San Francisco Scooter Center or Scuderia West. In the South Bay, there is Moto Amore in San Jose, but that might be a bit of a haul for you from Daly City.

Honda's that are properly maintained do last forever. Unfortunately, I don't drive my 95 Acura enough to accumulate miles as I just broke 70,000. At this rate I will be driving it for another 15 years. Ford Ranger is a solid truck. Have you noticed that they have not changed its design in almost 20 years.

......................"michaelsvespa" will post and tell us where he is mileage wise with his GTS....gotta be near 50k or better by now!

Randy, how many miles does your bmw have?

Current one is at 60k. The one before that 177k.

JUST TURNED 40K....... NEXT YEAR IT WILL TURN 50K

I knew you were out there!!!!

I am almost at 18K with one snapped header bolt, one replaced water pump, and some weird arcing with the coil wire (which is still in there...just cleaned up a little and is runnin fine)

plus, a wife works just as good as a side stand for changing the oil (prettier than a side satdn too )

Well my 2009 250 Super made it a whopping 350 MILES, before breakdown.

My local shop is so backed up with other stuff mine is kinda on the backburner.

My 96 acura integra has 170,000 miles on it and has never broken down once. I have only had to do oil changes and tire changes. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that this continues on for a couple more years.

My 94 ford f-150 has about 210,000 miles I don't know for sure the speedometer and odometer went out on it, probobly my fault while i was changing the clutch. So it hasn't been to bad but I need it to last me acouple more until I finish school. My GT 200 only has about 6k and I have to say I'm a little disapointed. I've had to do alot of work on it considering the relatively low miles

I will keep our GTS forever. If I get another scooter I will not be getting rid of this one and it is one of the reasons I love upgrading it every chance I get. We have 12000 miles on the 2007 GTS, 15000 on the 2006 Yamaha FJR and 22000 on the 2006 Madza 3. I sold the 2007 BMW 335 with only 5000 miles earlier this year when I found out how much fun I was having on these bikes. I drive a 2008 Ford Taurus Limited with about 15000 miles and this was one of the reasons why I sold the BMW.

Like Jess, BMW bikes make me weak in the knees and after all of these upgrades for 2009 I need to stay out of their showrooms like the plague. That 1300GT keeps wispering to me, "Trent, just come and sit on me". With this economy I will be riding and driving our cars for many years so I hope we will see 100,000 plus out of the GTS. When the engine dies I will put in another before buying a new one.