Drive belt life span on Piaggio BV 250

lechib · 08-06-2012, 09:14 AM

Is there anyone who owns a 2009 Piaggio BV 250? I would like to know why the life span of BV 250 is so short. It's about half of the 2009 Aprilia SC 250,

I read on the manual. It requires to change drive belt at 6500miles. 2009 BV 250 shares engines and drive trains with Aprilia SC 250 and Vespa GTS 250. Maintenace schedule of SC 250 ask to replace drive belt at 12500miles, Vespa GTS 250 at 10500miles. Do they all share the identical belts ?

gizmo309 · 08-06-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lechib

Is there anyone who owns a 2009 Piaggio BV 250? I would like to know why the life span of BV 250 is so short. It's about half of the 2009 Aprilia SC 250,

I read on the manual. It requires to change drive belt at 6500miles. 2009 BV 250 shares engines and drive trains with Aprilia SC 250 and Vespa GTS 250. Maintenace schedule of SC 250 ask to replace drive belt at 12500miles, Vespa GTS 250 at 10500miles. Do they all share the identical belts ?

I changed the belt on my bv200 at 11,166 miles. It was still in spec. That belt now has 10,000+ miles on it. I will be changing by the end of the riding season.

Bob

Canuman · 08-06-2012, 04:34 PM

Just get a competent mechanic to check if your belt is in spec. On my former (now inmate Barbsironbutt's) Scarabeo 500ie, which is a relatively similar Piaggio product, the original belt is still within spec and serviceable at over 15000 miles. Ms. Barb will likely change the belt and variator weights before the next riding season, but she's got a little KLR rider in her also. This is indicated by her choice of an Actionpacker as a top box:

Barbsironbutt and Ms. L on their way to Wyoming -- 5050 miles round trip, on a scooter.

The Actionpacker makes the scoot look butch, and costs $20, plus a few bolts and some "item bar." PM me, I'll tell you how to do it.

When you're going to both the belt and the variator weights, get Dr. Pulley weights. They are splendid, and really give the scoot a kick in the pants.

chazbird · 08-06-2012, 09:21 PM

2006 BV250 here. First 9000mile belt replacement recommended by the manual. I don't know why mine is more than a 2009 model, I thought the only difference was fuel injection. Anyway, I replaced the belts at 9000 miles. They looked perfect and the Vespa shop said it was still good for at least for a few thousand more miles. So I am going to do the next replacement at 21,000 miles (moving to 12,000 intervals).

gogogordy · 08-06-2012, 09:51 PM

Piaggio likes selling belts, and recommends replacing them at intervals which some people adhere to, and others (myself included) push their service life by 10, 20, even 30 percent.

In the Vespa world, OEM belts always seem to outlast aftermarket and "Kevlar" enhanced belts which many people consider brittle. Indeed, I've herd more than one tale of a new, Malossi or other "aftermarket" belt, breaking unexpectedly a very few miles into it's service period.

I only use OEM belts and there re many good sources for them if youre a DIYer, if not Make sure you know what type of belt your shop is installing so YOU can make the decision.

That being said, when a belt fails it's usually messy, often dangerous, and always inconvenient. So, when I'm approaching the point of Piaggio's published belt replacement intervals on either of our Vespas (different models, different published replacements) I often visually check the transmission case cover outlets for tell-tale yellow threads, and always make certain the intake filters are kept clean as heat is definitely the enemy and the intake filter is crucial for cooling.

I also pre-emptively blow the tranny out with compressed air from time to time, also through the rearmost air outlet. You'd be amazed at what comes out!

Our belts typically look great showing no cracks between the ridges, and "spec out" well when I do change them usually 15 to 20% past published intervals.

I also know others who have had OEM belts fail, at before or near the published intervals, so your mileage may vary. If extreme riding conditions or a high-miles trip, etc. lie ahead, and youre second-guessing your belts condition, change it. Just saying.

Belts, tires and brakes are not places I scrimp on on my scooters as those are all vital safety and reliability components.

08-06-2012, 09:14 AM	#1
lechib ^OP Adventurer Joined: Feb 2012 Oddometer: 18	Drive belt life span on Piaggio BV 250 Is there anyone who owns a 2009 Piaggio BV 250? I would like to know why the life span of BV 250 is so short. It's about half of the 2009 Aprilia SC 250, I read on the manual. It requires to change drive belt at 6500miles. 2009 BV 250 shares engines and drive trains with Aprilia SC 250 and Vespa GTS 250. Maintenace schedule of SC 250 ask to replace drive belt at 12500miles, Vespa GTS 250 at 10500miles. Do they all share the identical belts ?

08-06-2012, 04:34 PM	#3
Canuman Cheese, Gromit? Joined: Jun 2008 Location: The Palace of the People, VT Oddometer: 3,278	Just get a competent mechanic to check if your belt is in spec. On my former (now inmate Barbsironbutt's) Scarabeo 500ie, which is a relatively similar Piaggio product, the original belt is still within spec and serviceable at over 15000 miles. Ms. Barb will likely change the belt and variator weights before the next riding season, but she's got a little KLR rider in her also. This is indicated by her choice of an Actionpacker as a top box: *Barbsironbutt and Ms. L on their way to Wyoming -- 5050 miles round trip, on a scooter.* The Actionpacker makes the scoot look butch, and costs $20, plus a few bolts and some "item bar." PM me, I'll tell you how to do it. When you're going to both the belt and the variator weights, get Dr. Pulley weights. They are splendid, and really give the scoot a kick in the pants. __________________ We have no resources. We produce nothing. But...we have plenty of MEAN. Fearless Leader Motorcycle Racks Handmade in the US! Support a fellow Rider! Dual Sport Luggage Racks for: DRZ-S, SM and E, DR 650 and KLR650: http://www.moto-racks.com

08-06-2012, 09:51 PM	#5
gogogordy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula, So. California Oddometer: 1,365	Err on the side of safety Piaggio likes selling belts, and recommends replacing them at intervals which some people adhere to, and others (myself included) push their service life by 10, 20, even 30 percent. In the Vespa world, OEM belts always seem to outlast aftermarket and "Kevlar" enhanced belts which many people consider brittle. Indeed, I've herd more than one tale of a new, Malossi or other "aftermarket" belt, breaking unexpectedly a very few miles into it's service period. I only use OEM belts and there re many good sources for them if youre a DIYer, if not Make sure you know what type of belt your shop is installing so YOU can make the decision. That being said, when a belt fails it's usually messy, often dangerous, and always inconvenient. So, when I'm approaching the point of Piaggio's published belt replacement intervals on either of our Vespas (different models, different published replacements) I often visually check the transmission case cover outlets for tell-tale yellow threads, and always make certain the intake filters are kept clean as heat is definitely the enemy and the intake filter is crucial for cooling. I also pre-emptively blow the tranny out with compressed air from time to time, also through the rearmost air outlet. You'd be amazed at what comes out! Our belts typically look great showing no cracks between the ridges, and "spec out" well when I do change them usually 15 to 20% past published intervals. I also know others who have had OEM belts fail, at before or near the published intervals, so your mileage may vary. If extreme riding conditions or a high-miles trip, etc. lie ahead, and youre second-guessing your belts condition, change it. Just saying. Belts, tires and brakes are not places I scrimp on on my scooters as those are all vital safety and reliability components. __________________ You really need to get out more.

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08-06-2012, 09:21 PM	#4
chazbird Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Oddometer: 2,045	2006 BV250 here. First 9000mile belt replacement recommended by the manual. I don't know why mine is more than a 2009 model, I thought the only difference was fuel injection. Anyway, I replaced the belts at 9000 miles. They looked perfect and the Vespa shop said it was still good for at least for a few thousand more miles. So I am going to do the next replacement at 21,000 miles (moving to 12,000 intervals).