Just test rode a Stella..

[JerryH]

I'm sure glad I got a 2 stroke. I love the sound, the powerband, and that wonderful 2 stroke smell. I have always removed all the emissions crap from my bikes, and the Stella was no exception. I had less than 200 miles on it when I replaced the catcon exhaust with a standard exhaust for a vintage Vespa. Direct bolt on replacement.

[kittty]

Originally Posted by Cortez

I think it goes without saying that everyone should test ride ANY bike before
purchase, but yeah, the suspension/brakes and overall stability is horrible,
especially if the tires are bad (I've ridden some 1980s original Vespas).

Kind of old thread, but must chime in. The tale of my Powder Blue 2009 Stella 2T (that I did not test ride)

I bought my Stella based on looks, as well as no desire to have an automatic scooter as I've never owned an automatic car and they bore me. No motorcycle license, walked into my local dealership and said, "I'm buying that Stella." That was that. When I said I had never been on anything with two wheels, they (very politely) treated me like an idiot I had done as much research as humanly possible (I wanted one seven years ago but lived in California and was out of luck) and when I started finishing his sentences and throwing in other info, he was surprised and relieved. After the sale he told me nobody had ever come in with zero experience and bought a Stella. Typically first time scooter buyers ride ten different twist and gos before picking one. For me though, there was no question. It was Stella or nothing. Well, or vintage I guess.

So I had Stella home with me for a day before I even SAT on her, lol. A few days later, went out for a ride, which was slightly less than disastrous. Waited like a week before I tried again, slightly better, less stalling at least. I had a feeling I might have made a mistake, had I gotten a twist and go I'd be fine. But I kept telling myself, old women ride them, you can do it. Finally another week later, 4th of July, I said that's it, I'm mastering this scooter today. Rode about 50 miles that day, just over one month ago. I'm coming up on 900 miles now

I absolutely love this scooter, I just love her. I love the sound, the smell, the gears, the cute color, the looks I get from jealous middle aged women in boring SUVs. At first I thought I was being silly, this is a splurge, it's impractical, what do I need a scooter for. I basically never drive my car now, unless it's raining, or I have to get a case of soda, the only grocery item I haven't mastered transporting on her yet. The forecast looks bad, and I dread driving my car to work tomorrow, and I've got a pretty neat car.



She's so dreamy.

[scootertrash]

Good on you, kitty the scootergirl!

[Dabears]

Hi Kitty- good to see you over here on Battlescooters from MV. You've got a great Stella. No reason why that can't serve you for years to come provided you learn the lesson early of not tinkering with it unless absolutely necessary.

The folks on ScootCentral and MV are experts at ripping these apart and making changes, but you'll notice that once they make one change they seem to be in tinker mode for months after that. I learned my lesson. I fix what breaks and proactively address parts that are wear out items, but beyond that I am leaving things alone.

I just got it running again last night after a debacle that started with an oil leak, then turned into decayed wires needing replacement, then blown headlights, then a new voltage regulator. It can get very frustrating quickly.

Question for you- I just installed the same luggage rack you have since I may start carrying this scooter on my RV. What are you using to tie down things to the rack- regular bungee cords? I'm trying out some Saddlemen loop straps http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o02_s00_i00 today to hold my laptop bag, but haven't decided if I like them that much. Would appreciate your input on what has worked best for you?

[kittty]

Mostly I use a bungee net, it's BRILLIANT. But I do keep some bungee cords on hand in case they might work better. I've put a milk crate on which I attached with the bungee "loops" I guess you could call them. They're a loo with a ball on them, if that makes sense. I picked up a tube of about 12 various bungees and they were in there. About $5 at Big Lots, I've seen them all over though. Walmart, Target, whatever.

[JerryH]

I am planning on a luggage rack for mine, right now I just use a backpack. One thing that takes the fun out of riding a scooter here in the summer is the extreme heat. By the time I leave for work in the morning it is already 100 degrees, it reaches about 115 degrees during the day, and is still at least 105 degrees when leaving work. I'm 53 years old, and that heat is just too much for me on a daily basis. We still have over 6 months a year when it is very fun to ride a bike places.

I agree about the modifying. People on most of those forums spend all their time and money trying to get just a little more performance out of the things, and constantly blow up motors. I actually saw one of them say, "well, since I have to rebuild it again anyway, I might as well see if I can make it even faster" They never learn. Or it is more fun to them to work on it than ride it. I like doing both. I had never taken a bike to a shop to have it worked on until I got the Stella, and I had NO experience with the design, or what parts I needed, and the shop had a good reputation.

Mine did seize up at about 300 miles, it was repaired under warranty, and I rode it a couple thousand more miles, then took it to a local vintage Vespa/Lambretta shop, and had them build me a good solid motor, with a new crank, bearings, and top end. I told them performance was not an issue, reliability was what I wanted. That was over 5,000 miles ago, and Stella still runs great, and is still as much fun as ever. This is a scooter that can be kept going forever. It is not disposable like an Asian twist and go scooter. When something wears out, it can be rebuilt or replaced. Vintage Vespa parts fit it, and they will be around forever. I plan on keeping mine for the rest of my life.

[Warney]

Stock Stellas are jetted too lean and have a restrictive exhaust. At 1200 miles I added the Sito+ exhaust and rejetted per Stellaspeed/Bald John's settings, approximately 30% more power. Now at 6000 miles and zero reliability issues. If she blows I'll rebuild it with better components as others have done.

[kittty]

I really really want to add an exhaust but I don't want to start screwing around with her.

[Warney]

I would also prefer to not travel the slippery slope of Stella engine modifications but mild upgrades like a Sito+ exhaust, P200E air filter, and Bald Johns jetting is probably the best money you'll spend on your Stella. Edited to add that I waited until it had 1200 miles on it and that the warranty had long expired.

[kittty]

Warranty expired at 1200? I thought it went to 5000 or something?

[Warney]

I bought my 2005 Stella used in 2008, already well past the warranty term.

[kittty]

Wow, I still don't get how people buy them and don't ride them. I've had mine just over a month and it has 930 miles on it. Would have been 25 more if it didn't rain yesterday and I got to ride to work.

[SPOFF]

Originally Posted by JerryH

I am riding an actual MACHINE, not a highly refined, plasticized, emissionized, electronicized, computerized, fuel injected kitchen appliance.

There was I time when I enjoyed tinkering in the garage. But in the new reality where I'm working six days a week at two jobs to barely survive I'll stay with my reliable water cooled, fuel injected, 105 mpg Honda. I really don't have any extra time to mess with soft seizures, falling parts, and walking home.

[cbolling]

Are they really that unreliable? I have a Zuma 125 that is the easiest thing in the world to own and ride but the Stella just grabs my attention everytime I see one.

[kittty]

I don't think "unreliable" is the word as much as maybe "finicky" perhaps. Mine takes a few kicks to start sometimes, and I have to rev her up right away or else she stalls. Hasn't left me stranded or anything (knock on wood) but she needs caressing. I still would never trade her charm for a scooter that was less bitchy. Think of it like a woman, most men will put up with some hell from a good looking woman, but not from a homely one