Modern Vespa

So I've had this LX 150 for a little over a year now. I love it to death but its been a bit troublesome. For a while now the top end just hasnt been there. I was averaging about 52 with wide open throttle on a smooth level highway yesterday according to the gps. I am a pretty small guy and weigh about 125 and after break-in was consistently able to get to ~70 mph. Its been months since this has been possible. Ive got 2600 miles on her and have had three oil changes/tune ups, the last of which was a week ago. I performed the last one myself thanks to the wealth of information I found on this site. I'm puzzled as to where my power went. My tires are well inflated, I've got fresh oil, my air filter is good, I've used some carb cleaner. The only thing i've observed is that I seem to be consuming oil at a pretty voracious rate. Three months and 500 miles after my second oil change my low oil light came on and much to my dismay I had to add almost a full liter. Also about a month after my first oil change I overfilled the tank and didnt know that this was the cause of my stalling, rough running etc and had a dealer check it out. They warned me that I was low on oil [only a month and 300 or so miles after my first oil change].

Is this a normal rate to be going through oil? If a car were going through all of its oil every 500 miles i'd say there was something severely wrong.
Now my warranty has expired and I've been communicating with vespa about it and keep failing to call me back and when I call them they tell me the same thing every time 'ill forward this to tech support and call you asap'

Anyway I hope I get some feedback, and just want to say thanks to everyone in this forum. I just registered but have been reading for a while and learning quite a bit.

It should normally use almost no oil whatsoever - a full sump should last for a normal service interval (4000 miles for carb'd models, 6000 for EFI ones).

So something is wrong. Get it fixed under warranty ASAP.

I'd suspect low compression as being the cause of the lack of power. Have the dealer do a compression check. If it is low, that is likely the cause of the oil loss, too... a broken ring or scored cylinder wall, or something of that sort. Is there blue smoke from the exhaust?

At any rate, it sounds like a warranty issue to me.

He said his warranty has expired, so unless Vespa or Piaggio is an abnormal company, he's screwed.

warranty is expired. I've been complaining to dealers about this for months and theyve been blowing me off which is why I finally called vespa customer service but they told me my warranty had expired the day before I called. They said they may work with me though since the issue existed prior to the expiration of the warranty...But no, theres no blue smoke which is sort of surprising considering the rate that I'm losing oil.

To you guys with 150s, what is your normal top speed on level ground? (actual, not indicated)

Sorry... I should have read more carefully. I'm no expert on warranty law, but I'd think if you called either the loss of power or oil loss to their attention before the warranty expired, it should be covered.

My top speed on level ground with no tailwind is a very consistent 67 mph indicated (don't have any way to measure "actual", but it is probably at least 5 mph less). I'm 225 lbs., and have a flyscreen on my LX.

No wind screen. 200 pounds. 65 mph indicated for me and about half of my mileage has been flat out on the highway. I do not think that I have ever burned a drop of oil in 4500 miles.

Sorry you are having troubles, squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I'm 150lbs, mid-height windscreen, my LX tops out at an indicated 65MPH. It has hardly used any oil in almost 2500 miles.

Mine doesn't use any oil. If i go up the mountain roads out of here (very steep grades) uphill i max out at 50-52 (steepest points). I'm no lightweight Otherwise i can do 65 but i rarely do that since i don't take mine on the freeway.

I'm on a new 2009 150. I'm 155lbs and regularly get 70 and have taken mine up to 75. Just had my 650 mile check--oil was full.

2007 top speed down hill 65mph. 6'0" 235lbs no wind screen. Never an oil leak.

thanks for all the feedback guys. when i told my dealer that i was burning oil his response was "dude... if you only put 2500 miles a year on a vehicle you cant expect it to run right"

After that I asked him if he drove a scooter and he said "no I have a motorcycle." I asked how many miles a year he put on it and his response was "about a thousand."

I think its time to find a new dealer, eh?

Try scooters Originali which is in northern NJ. Andrea should hook you up. I don't know where you live in relation to their shop. Yup it's time to get a real dealer

Hit 70mph today, but that was with an uber tailwind.

Normally on the flats I can hit about 63mph and 52mph on a moderate incline (not gps'd). I'm about 205lbs.

seems as though my top end isn't bad at all but this oil situation is definitely a problem... thanks again everyone

First of all, smack him in the face for saying that, that is just stupid.

Second, there is definitely something wrong, you really shouldn't be losing oil like that. Other than my nasty experience yesterday on the highway with my 300, I've never had oil loss as you're experiencing with any of the four Vespas that I have owned.

Next, I ALWAYS post my problems here before going to the dealership when possible because I find that the experienced people here, JimC, Starr, Jess, DougL, Greasy to mention just a few are always helpful with ideas as to what might be wrong. That can arm you with some ideas prior to going to the dealership. That way if you get a stupid response from them you'll have some ideas to throw back at them.

Here's some threads that may help you picking a new dealer/shop;
Buying a Vespa in NJ, Initial signs of a Vespa downturn in the state of New Jersey

If your problems were documented by the dealer within the warranty period, and went unresolved, you may have reason for a good faith repair by Piaggio. It's worth a try!
Good luck with it!


Harvey

i would not go to a dealer like that in less if i had to. my theory is that one of your gaskets near the engine is broken or leaking. i have some oil that has been burnt up but that is normal when riding at high speeds over about 4000 miles. your scoot has something wrong and i think it is a gasket. i would highly suggest not riding it until you get it fixed. and maybe call some other dealers up and see what they think it is. i am going now to look at my vespa workshop manual and see what is says could be the problem. ok it does not say anything about it burning excessive oil but if the bike is sluggish. air filter and carb is clean so that is not your problem. automatic choke device (on carb) faulty......check wiring. Low Compression: wear of linings, cylinder and valve.......replace warn parts. valve seat deformed...... Replace head unit (they sell the top end at scooter west pretty cheap fyi) also make sure that the bolt and oil filter is on tight. i am sorry if this is hard to read but it is info from the workshop manual for the lx150. if you still have problems give me a message and i can give my phone number and give somewhat better advice easier. best of luck but post as much info about the bike's condition. and from what i have heard is that a vespa will experience alot of problems in the first year or last "forever". and worse came to worse. I hate to say it but a new vespa motor is 3200$ and a generic is 2000$ and easy to replace. so if you really love your bike, she is not doomed.

I don't know what I'd do without you guys! Thanks much. I'll be back on the phone with Harlan at customer service Monday and I'm going to give Stumpy's Yamaha & Vespa a call today.

Mike from stumpy's was extremely nice and said he will send a report out to vespa customer care for me. He said that he had one other bike with the same problem (also purchased at metuchen) ended up having some serious issues with the engine when he took it apart. I'm wondering what the deal is with these Metuchen people. Theyve always been jerks, for one. Also when I checked the invoice for my oil change I saw that they gave me the wrong weight of oil. Finally, if you tell a dealer that youre burning oil shouldnt they take you seriously and not write it off to 'losing some oil into the air box?' Oh well. It is kind of horrible that this problem has been around since I had a warranty but I was just dicked around until it expired. I'll keep you guys posted. As of right now for anyone in new jersey I advise you to stay AWAY from vespa metuchen. I'll let you know how things go with stumpy's.

Hoping stumpy will get it done for you. Glad you found him I totally understand about bad dealer's. Our only one sounds just like yours Good luck and keep us posted.