Modern Vespa

Hello!

I am new to the forums; I guess I should first introduce myself. My name is Dan, and I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and bought a new 2009 Piaggio Fly 150 at the end of September. I have affectionately named it the "Pootermobile" (after a song, which is a long story; it also seemed to fit). I use it a lot, and intend to use it all year, including during the winter when the roads are in good shape.

My basic question is one that has probably been asked a million times over here: what can I do to it without voiding the warranty? My dealer told me that I cannot even change the oil without taking it to them. Is this true?

I also want to know what mods I can install. In particular, I want to install one of the Stebel air horns. Where is it on the Fly 150? I was looking, and it appears to be under the running boards; how are these removed?

Is there anything that I can do to get another half a horsepower out of it, too? I assume that putting the 190 cc mod on it would basically instantly void the warranty, but what about things like exhuast and so forth?

Sorry about the ramble, but all of these things have been in the back of my mind for some time now, and it seems as though this is the place to go for advice online!

Later,
Dan.

Q. My basic question is one that has probably been asked a million times over here: what can I do to it without voiding the warranty? My dealer told me that I cannot even change the oil without taking it to them. Is this true?

Your dealer lied to you. You can change your own oil. Just keep receipts for the oil & oil filter and keep a log of the date & mileage in a notebook or computer. Federal law is very clear about the purchaser of a new motor vehicle being able to perform mechanical maintenance without voiding the warranty (and it's been that way for a long time.)

Q. Is there anything that I can do to get another half a horsepower out of it, too? I assume that putting the 190 cc mod on it would basically instantly void the warranty, but what about things like exhuast and so forth?

If you put a 190cc mod on your scooter, you will void the warranty. Just wait until the warranty period has expired.

Correct. If you do choose to perform your own maintenence it is crucial that you log the dates and the mileages of the oil changes - it is also a good idea to keep the reciepts for the filters and lubes just in case.

To take this one step further - yes, adding performance products DOES technically void your warranty HOWEVER - a good shop will have your back regardless, especially of the warranty claim is unrelated to the modifications.