Modern Vespa

I mean, it doesn't keep the bike from being stolen. Just not driven until the thief bypasses the chip. Or sells the parts. It doesn't even help the owner locate the stolen bike. It just really makes it something of a pain to have to be sure to use this key and not that key for operation. It makes it even more of a pain if you lose something or the immobilizer goes on the fritz (apologies to Fritz). I'll bet the little flashing light, which is only on for forthy eight hours anyway, does more to deter a would be thief walking by. I'd be happy with the little flasher and nothing behind it to make me, the owner, not have to buy a super duper ultra expensive and durn near useless chipped key just so I, the owner, can start it again.

I would love to get that dealio that can locate your stolen bike by signal to a reciever. Now that would be a much better idea. Does that place do any work in say... Minnesota?

The Roadbum

The flahsy light also displays the 'Piaggio Code' to diagnose problems.

I think as a theft deterrent it is excellent and I would personally always keep the immobilizer because I see it as a way to keep my scooter put when somebody goes jamming a screwdriver in the ignition thinking they can easily jack it. Better to replace the immobilizer than the scooter!

Beyond the 'walk-by' theft, it always comes back to the point that if somebody is serious about stealing your scooter, pretty much nothing is going to stop them (New York chain, immobilizer, pitbull, etc.). So I see the immobizer as an effective tool to mitigate some of the theft risk. Not a hassle for me at all.

That being said, my immobilizer failed this past summer and I was lucky enough to have it replaced under warranty (as I'm sure it's not a cheap job). The shop told me they sometimes fail for no good reason. Mine failed and left me stranded after visiting the ATM. Interestingly enough, I was able to diagnose the problem using my shop manual (kindly hosted on this site) and the Piaggio code.

+1

I've had a bunch of kids f* up my ignition by trying the screwdriver job and they ended up going home empty handed.

The screwdriver thing presents a real enough issue. I also didn't read about the light being a diagnostic tool. I can be fairly handy around my bikes so I didn't think of that. Still a new technology to me lol.

Maybe all I'm looking for is a GPS locator if the bike ever were stolen.

Thanks for the replies guys.

The Roadbum

There is Lojack.
http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7655

I'm surprised people would try using a screwdriver - would that ever work?

I thought GPS locators only existed in the movies. They really make these things for vehicles?

It is good that you mentioned this.

I wouldn't have automatically known that there was a code.

Now I'll know to investigate if it were to fail.

Here is the page from the ET2/ET4 Tech Manual describing the Immobilizer code. Kind of hard to understand at first but becomes clear after a few reads over.



(sorry for the crappy quality, best I could do @ work!)

Very nice, thanks for the list of stuff.....

but one problem, my LX doesnt have a helmet storage, only a Pet Carrier

Scott

I think there should be a warning sticker on the dash that states there is an immobilizer fitted & the bike is useless without yhe ride key etc.
This might discourage would be thieves.
A few weeks ago I went to a salvage auction to bid on a stolen/recovered ET4, when I had a look at it the ignition barrel had been ripped out in an unsuccessful attempt to start it. There were heaps of old blokes hanging around it saying they were going to bid on it, so I informed them that it would require a new immobilizer etc and that they were rather expensive.
These old guys then told me that I didnt know what I was talking about because "you can just bypass the stupid immobilizer". I left them to bid on it & the guy that bought it paid way too much for it.
Anyway last week I'm at my local dealers & the dealer is telling me about this old guy that is driving him mad by pestering him about the cost of parts(ignition system etc) for a stolen/recovered ET4 that he got at an auction.....Made me smile!

It's kinda true - it actually just terminates at the CDI, so if you replace the CDI you'll be fine. E.g., get a Malossi CDI kit and your immobilizer won't work anymore. Means you can get away with a regular key cut for it, I guess.

Not that I told anyone that...

In countries where scooters are common thieves know exactly which ones have immobilisers. Most thefts are by opportunist joy riders and will automatically go for bikes that are easier to steal and ride immediately. Yes, most bikes can be ridden with a screwdriver jammed into the ignition lock. Immobilisers stop that. The stolen bike statistics show that immobilisers are very effective at encouraging thieves to steal someone else's bike.

sure it is, it keeps num-nuts from hot wiring and driving away ,sending them to another country,cause i would think its not easy to replace without the bike being registerd to you. its a good thing

There wouldn't be anyway to bypass the immobilizer system because it sends a signal to the coil when to fire and also limits the spark (Rev Limiter). Also the turn signal rely is located in the CDI unit, so without it you will have no working turn signals. Also what a lot of people don't know is that the headlight rely is a direct power circuit for the immobilizer. If your headlight high and lo beam are out and the LED light on the dash does not come on replace the rely and your back in business.


Jon

Holy CRAP I had no idea about all this stuff!

I'll just shut the hell up now.

rb

Ironically, one reason people replace the CDI with the malossi CDI is that it removes the rev limiter, thus giving you "extra" speed (at the expense of your engine).

Malossi has 2 iterations of each unit - one for bikes that have the immobilizer and one for those that don't. Neither will result in a bike that has a functioning immobilizer, obviously. But to my knowledge, without replacing the entire ignition system that's the only way to bypass the immobilizer and still have a functioning bike.

I did a google for those interested.

http://www.lojack.com/products-services/auto-security-system/lojack-for-motorcycles-request-information.cfm

That's cool Bwyn. No hawaii Does anyone have this? Does it work like it says?

Don't know Judy. There's a company in Alaska that sells a motorcycle locator. I didn't follow up as I was moving. I'm under t he impression that it'll work every where since it works off the satelites. If I find out more I'll post it.

Judy, found this using google. http://cgi.ebay.com/1-GPS-SPY-TrimTrac-Vehicle-Asset-Tracking-Locator-NEW_W0QQitemZ150084391017QQihZ005QQcategoryZ73362QQcmdZViewItem

It is different than LoJack . This site has a detailed explanation and description.

I work as a police dispatcher and I've had calls from Lojack saying a customer had hit the emergency alarm and our officers have found the vehicle in a parking lot. They actually tell us where the car is within feet. I don't have Lojack nor would i want Onstar because I don't want corporate America knowing where I am, thanks. Government employees have no incentive to keep track of you or your spending habits, no matter what the conspiracy theorists tell you. Yeah Lojack works- as long as you hit the button!

On the scooter fact page of the I Scoot NY site is an alternative solution. http://www.iscootny.com/scoot_faq.htm#lojack

(Q.) Do it yourself LoJack idea

(A.) From a suggestion first posted on the GothamRally forum:
LoJack uses a hidden transmitter registered with the police that they can turn on remotely when you report your vehicle stolen. Then they home in on the signal coming from your ride. They have it for bikes. It costs $595 but there are alternatives.
Since '02, Federal e911 regulations require all new (G3) cell phones be locatable so Big Brother can know your position by sensing your closest transmitting tower. Some providers let you find your friends this way. It's a little creepy. The buzzword for such gizmos is "Location Based Services." It's not GPS. GPS uses satellites in space and, yes, there are also GPS locators for stolen cars. There's at least one anti-theft device that uses LBS. You have to set up a cell phone account ($20 or so per month) to support it so it can contact you, then you hide it in your bike and it sends you periodic text or e-mail messages telling you where it is. (Sending lots of text messages can also cost $$$.)
Fuck that. Why not make one yourself?

If you have a Cingular/AT&T phone (for example), get yourself an additional line account with a new free phone for $9.95 a month. Hide your old phone in your bike (under the fuel tank) and invisibly rig it to your scooter battery with the clipped wires of a cell phone power cord for a car cigarette lighter. Set the phone to allow the "Find Friends" feature. Anytime you wannna know where your bike is, just pick up your own AT&T phone and use mMode ($3/month) to find out. And the police can use e911 do it much more precisely if your bike is stolen.

You'll want a phone/provider capable of e911 "Phase II service" for the best locating capability. Phase II is fairly new (2004). Maybe it would count for insurance discounts, too? Don't tell your
broker where you got it, just tell him you have such a system
installed. Rob S.


I have no idea how well this works.

Thanks Bwyn. I have that locater option on my cell phone turned off but if i was going hiking or someplace remote here, turning it back on would be a good thing. If i fell and didn't come back they might be able to locate me via the phone. That being said does this feature work if your battery is dead and have no signal? Just wondering. I think think it's a little un-nerving that people you don't even know would know where you are. Big brother is watching