Modern Buddy

it scared the crap out of me. I was on the highway going about 60 and the scooter started to pull back intermittently ...it would decelerate and then accelerate for a second, but it only did this at WOT. I have got the scooter going faster and it has never happened before - am i encountering a mechanical issue here? i have about 1300 miles on it already.

Since it's a new Buddy it'd probably better to let your dealer take a look at it. Is that a possibility? Even for an experienced mechanic, troubleshooting an intermittent problem is hell of hard.

P.S. One straightforward thing you can check that sometimes causes loss of power at top whack is the spark plug wire. Sometimes the cap slips on the sparkplug but doesn't fall all the way off. You can resolve that by re-seating it on the plug.

Sounds like a misfire to me also.

as always - thank you for your comments! I haven’t had it happen since, but I am also avoiding the highways now. I called the dealer and he said that it could be something to do with the ventilation with gas tank. Ultimately if it happens again, I’ll be taking it in.

1300 miles... Did you have your 500 mile first service performed by a Genuine Dealer? It involves an awful lot more than just an oil change. If perhaps you didn't, it could explain a lot.

The issue the dealer mentions is called vapor lock (or vacuum lock). Take a look at your gas cap. Is there a small (1/16") hole in the top and on the underside? If not you have an unvented gas cap which could cause the vapor lock.

You can vent your gas cap yourself easy enough by drilling a small hole in the top and one more on the underside (not aligned with each other). That allows air flow and eliminates the vacuum.

Did you recently fill up? That kind of thing can also happen if you over-fill your gas tank.

Skootz Kabootz - i think you nailed it. that is exactly what the dealer told me it could be, and if i experienced that again, i could bring it in to have them drill another hole. Also - i did have my 1st service, and although i didn’t watch them, it only took about an hour, so i assumed it was a simple oil change.

Drew - i did just fill up. earlier that day i filled up and i had troubles getting the cap back on after that fill which i never have had before. That’s probably what did it.

I have been trying to hit WOT at max speed to see if it happens again, but it hasn't. I have avoided the highways all together - i haven't really ever liked riding them on my scooter anyway.

On another note - I laid my bike down this morning. i haven't been on it in a few days so when i jumped on it this morning i was instantly on cloud 9 with a big fat smile on my face. Within 40seconds of leaving my home, a car surprised me and i panicked. All my fault - i was on cloud 9 and wasn't "in the zone" that we have to get in to when getting on our scoots. I honestly am super grateful for the way it happened. I mean - i knew i would lay it down at some point...everybody made sure to tell me "you know you will wreck it…. it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when" I did hardly any damage because i hadn't really even left my street, so i wasn't going but a few MPH. I just scraped the paint on the light area. I’ll have bruises, but that is it. i was so bummed that i scratched that beautiful apocalyptic black - it sure is a kick ass bike. i never have to wash or wax it - it’s the perfect color! just thought I’d share. thanks for responding to this post guys. This forum kicks ass.

flat black spraypaint

just adds to that apocalypse warrior look.



-duo

glad you and the bike are basically fine. it's that pesky short radius or every day drive that usually gets you!

let it be a gentle lesson in being alert. I know when I've been 'off' in some way I've done dumb things or not been able to control my emotions. Such things are really bad on 2 wheels.

Lesson taken and i fully agree. I've heard so many times that it is close to home where most wrecks happen. i was dissapointed in myself for doing that. i am always attentive on the roads as i know that i have to be for my life, really. Just glad it happened that way.

Glad you are OK. Personally, I consider the time I low sided my scooter about the best learning experience I could ever have had (I hit a patch of oil on a steep downhill left right turn). It helped make me a better, more aware, rider. Definitely try to take the best from the experience.

BTW, here is what should be done at the 500 mile first service:

http://vimeo.com/5377019

sounds too new to be a stator issue, but you never know. Does it have any of the similarities that I've posted in this thread? My issue ended up being a faulty stator. Either way, if it's still under warranty, the dealer should be able to fix you up.

topic22910.html