How much did easy maintenance figure into your decision....

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 3:21 pm

...to buy a Stella?

That's something that keeps occurring to me. I'd rather have something with a little more top end but it seems that a Stella must be about as basic and easy as MCs/scooters get.

Especially tires. Am I wrong or are those little split rim wheels with the tube tires on those one-sided axles pretty easy to change? Plus how many 2-wheeled vehicles carry a spare?

Changing a MC tire, especially a heavy one, is a pain. And I ain't touchin' a tubeless tire. With those, I just have to bite the bullet and take it to the shop.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:02 pm

Honestly, I don't think a Stella—particularly a 4T—is any easier or less complex than most auto scooters. It needs an equal amount of attention and care.

I prefer tubeless tires for the most part because they won't blow out. They may be more difficult to change, but unlike a patch on a tubed tire, a plug in a tubeless can last as long as the tire does. You can get a tire changer for $40 at Harbor Freight.

The big difference of course is the transmission, but a CVT (automatic) is actually a very simple design and very easy to work on.

desmolicious · Post by **desmolicious** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 6:17 pm

The 2T Stella is easier to work on, and less work, than the 4T Stella.

No oil filter to change - and on the 4T it is in a really strange location requiring the removal of the rear wheel.
No valves to adjust on the 2T
Easy air filter access on the 2T vs really awkward on the 4T (again involves removing the rear wheel).

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:21 pm

As much as I liked my old 2-strokes, and I still have one, I really wouldn't want a new one unless they updated them with things like direct cylinder injection. They aren't even as prominent as they used to be in motocross.

I never thought of mine as being fuel hogs like so many people portray them now, though.

Considering the Stella's max speed, tube tires wouldn't concern me too much. I ran some sort of sealer slop in my old bikes and it worked pretty well. Unless tubes cost a lot more than they used to, I'd probably just trashcan one with more than a minimal puncture.

I wouldn't put overmuch confidence in a plugged tubeless tire, either. I keep one of those plug kits on my bike but I would probably just use it in order to get home and then replace it. Can't see myself wrestling a 640 pound bike beside the road to change a tire, anyway.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:47 pm

I like the simplicity of My 2T, but that being said they are "crude but simple"...Not many moving parts.

As far as tires? You both have a point. I"ve changed motorcycles and scooter tires for 20 years, both have their pluses.

I too am a fan of tubeless tires, very easy to maintain, and a good plug will get you home. If its an expensive motorcycle tire, you can do a patch-plug combo from the inside, but that envolves removing the tire from the rim once you get it home, but those are pretty permanent.

The split rim on the Stella is VERY old tech, BUT, as someone said. It works, and yes Those rims are VERY easy to change on the roadside. I make sure to locktight the rim on, those bolts coming loose makes me nervous. LOL

But, yeah I like my 2T stella, fun to ride, and real simple. She always gets me there ( since I disconnected the kill switch permanently

).

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:58 pm

And if you're a true belt & suspenders person, not only is there the spare under the left fender flare, I believe there are luggage racks and at least one more method of carrying a spare, are there not? I wouldn't want to sacrifice the glove box in order to carry one inside the legshield, though,
as I understand that carrying a spare clutch cable is advisable. That seems odd as I don't recall ever breaking one on a MC, ever.

The original Vespa design has always struck me as ingenious. I'm glad to see it survives in the Stella.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:33 pm

There are racks that will hold a tire vertically, behind a backrest. Some put it horizontally on the back. Or you could strap it to a front rack.

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:55 pm

Now, that's versatility.

I guess I need to learn more about CVT. What I've been reading on various forums has lead me to believe that changing belts, etc. is a royal pain.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:13 pm

Southerner wrote:Now, that's versatility.

I guess I need to learn more about CVT. What I've been reading on various forums has lead me to believe that changing belts, etc. is a royal pain.

Nah. Probably easier than replacing a clutch cable.

I had zero mechanical experience when I started working on my scoots and I had most of the transmission stuff down on my second go at it.

izark47 · Post by **izark47** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:49 am

I purposely chose a 2t for it's simplicity. Commuting 50 miles each day on back roads does not make me comfortable, but to not be able to do the minor things to get me home when stuck out there is not good. And to make things worse I leave for work @ 1:30 am. The last thing i want is to be stuck 15 miles from home in the middle of farmland, not being abe to limp the bike home. The 2 t is simple and the engine has like 8 moving parts, I can figure most things out on the fly.

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:46 am

A 50-mile commute on a scoot? Wow!

izark47 · Post by **izark47** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:22 am

it is a bit of a commute but all back roads and is so much fun, i cannot stop, lol.

Keith · Post by **Keith** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:09 am

I've got 17,000 on my 2-T and have never needed to deal with a flat tire. Good roads, avoiding potholes, keeping them inflated, and replacing worn tires before the tread has disappeared is the secret. Of course, now that I've said that, I'll end up with a flat today!

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:42 pm

Southerner wrote:Now, that's versatility.

I guess I need to learn more about CVT. What I've been reading on various forums has lead me to believe that changing belts, etc. is a royal pain.

It';s a lot easier than splitting the 2T cases to change the cruciform which, like a CVT belt is going to wear out sooner or later

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:31 pm

Keith wrote:I've got 17,000 on my 2-T and have never needed to deal with a flat tire. Good roads, avoiding potholes, keeping them inflated, and replacing worn tires before the tread has disappeared is the secret. Of course, now that I've said that, I'll end up with a flat today!

^^^ So didja?

...as I was reading that I"m thinking...watch him get a flat. LOL

I like the simplicity of the 2t, but yeah I have worked on both, and the CVT system is really quite simple once you have one apart. But yeah, I like my gears

Southerner · Post by **Southerner** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 9:44 pm

You guys are pushing me towards a Blur.