Modern Vespa

I drive my 500 pretty hard, commute 100 miles round trip up 680, 24 in East Bay. At about 6000 rpm at about 70-75 mph it feels to be at max comfort in terms of vibration and control. Can do higher but I think that would be maxing out the engine. MPG about 50 at those speeds.

Should i get synthetic for hard riding? Anybody else do this? I'm up for 620 mile checkup now. Any other suggestions appreciated and thanks for all your posts. I think I'll get an F1 windshield if the company can ever fill up demand.

Thanks

ed

Synthetic is what I use all the time. Let's see what others think.

My only two comments are:

1. Synthetic ALL THE TIME.
2. I don't think you're supposed to be going that fast during the break in period, but then again, I'm one to talk.

Maybe JimC will chime in on the oil thing. I'm just going by what the dealer, my local mechanic, and others on here have said.

Almost forgot, if you're commuting over 100 miles a day, I would look into a windscreen. I have a Givi which I love, but each has his own preference. Best $ upgrade I've added. I commute about 70 miles daily and it is the difference between arriving with arm strain and back pain and arriving feeling like I road in a big SUV(wind wise). I also think it adds to the looks(and the looks I get), but it takes a week or two to grow on ya. Now when I see a 500 without a screen it looks 'naked' or small.

After careful break-in I went to Mobil 1 T-4 10W-40 Racing. About $10.00 per quart. Like you, I do extensive freeway riding at 5,700 to 6,000 rpm and can feel the difference! I use Shell Premium 95% of the time. My alternate gas is Chevron Custom Supreme.

Fully synthetic ALL the time. Preferably 5-40W as recommended by Piaggio. With that in there the engine will be happy at WOT all day.

FYI,from the Modern Buddy Forum:

"I actually have my scooter oil tested just to see whether the manufacturer numbers are realistic.

My Vespa ET4 will get around 4000 miles out of Amsoil 5w-40. My GTS250 will get over 5000 miles out of the same oil. That is based on actual oil testing. The lab I use is: http://www.oaitesting.com

For the record,I believe if oil filters were even more advanced, then the higher quality synthetics could easily go longer between oil changes.Many people think the reason oil needs changed out,is because it wears out/breaks down.Not so, it's actually because the oil gets dirty with impurities,from the aging oil filter.

emptynest..what weight oil do you use?

Look in the manual, proper oil is 5W-40

Wayne b