Daily Driver

phatch · Post by **phatch** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:42 am

Hey guys! I'm gettin' the "itch to shift" but currently use my Buddy as a daily commuter (when not driving the GTI my wife and I share). Who here uses their Stella daily? Would you recommend sticking with the Bud for more reliability or is the Stella up to the task? And yes, I read about the clutch cables

alexandercase · Post by **alexandercase** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 4:18 am

I drive mine as a daily driver, mine is still new, and with the 2 yr factory warranty and road side assistance i'll take my chances. After that I definitely plan on carrying and learning how to change an extra set of clutch cables.

jartist · Post by **jartist** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 4:28 am

Just get the Stella and keep your buddy. Problem solved!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 5:28 am

I've been riding Stella 4Ts (almost) daily for almost 2 years now. No issues other than a blown fuse. I've got about a 12 mile (one way) commute through usually heavy traffic.

Others have had some problems—usually small—with their new Stellas. Many have been due to dealer prep issues; as far as I know, all have been taken care of under warranty.

I don't know of anyone that's had a "major" Stella 4T issue or a problem with the engine.

Now, is it as bulletproof as a Buddy right out of the crate? Nope.

SockyTX · Post by **SockyTX** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 11:13 am

I got my Stella 4T at the beginning of July to serve as my daily driver, I now have about 1200 miles. My commute is 5 miles each way on non-highway roads. One stretch is a road with a soles limit of 50 miles and the ol'girl has been running like a top.

JoshWED · Post by **JoshWED** » Wed Sep 12, 2012 7:21 pm

Daily driver in dense, urban traffic. Did it for 2 years on a 2T...and a month or so now on the 4t. No issues...but I definitely carry a clutch cable/pinchbolt and a 4th hand tool.

I also always have a lock on me in case I'm forced to leave it on the route.

jmer1234 · Post by **jmer1234** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:22 am

I got mine around the same time as SockyTX, and have the same mileage. It has been good every day so far. I replaced the turn signal beeper when it went out. The dealer was surprised that I wanted to replace it since most people want to kill them anyway, but I was tired of driving for miles turning to the left.
I have it in the dealer right now for a second service (oil change), and am having them check my throttle, which is not snapping back when I let it go, and of course my fuel gauge is dead already. All should be covered by warranty. Any issues I have had are minor. Everybody says that they are mechanically rock solid, and I can not dispute that.

Tipper · Post by **Tipper** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:37 pm

I have been riding Stella's or LML star's as they are known in the UK daily to work and back for about 5 years now.

My first one was a 2000 model 2T which I rode 30 miles a day in rain,snow,wind and sun. It never let me down until it eventually developed an air leak which cause a pretty catastrophic seize.

I then bought an 09 model 2T,again this scooter was faultless for 5000 miles. Then one day a brass shim next to the big end bearing disintegrated taking out bits of the engine with it.

The engine was rebuilt and the scooter is still going strong.

Earlier this year I bought myself a 4T which is now my daily ride. No problems what so ever so far except for a front hub that likes to eat speedo drive worms

.

Keep everything greased up nicely,cables adjusted and oils topped up and you shouldn't have any problems.

Maximus53 · Post by **Maximus53** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:12 pm

ericalm wrote:I've been riding Stella 4Ts (almost) daily for almost 2 years now. No issues other than a blown fuse. I've got about a 12 mile (one way) commute through usually heavy traffic.

Others have had some problems—usually small—with their new Stellas. Many have been due to dealer prep issues; as far as I know, all have been taken care of under warranty.

I don't know of anyone that's had a "major" Stella 4T issue or a problem with the engine.

Now, is it as bulletproof as a Buddy right out of the crate? Nope.

I found out yesterday that my 4T (that I purchased new in April this year) had a 'defective' crank and now is getting a new crank, piston, jug and other bits and pieces.... Basically an entire engine rebuild.

Thank goodness for the warrenty, but my confidence in reliability has taken a huge blow

Tipper · Post by **Tipper** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:26 pm

What were the symptoms of the dodgy crank ?

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:59 pm

Tipper,

Where did you get that nice flyscreen fitted to your blue bikes?

Tipper · Post by **Tipper** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 9:27 pm

I had this one,

But I was never really sure about it so I recently bought this one,

If its the same as it is over here any genuine dealer should be able to order you one from LML italia.

There is a whole selection of them here including part numbers.

http://www.lmlitalia.com/moduli/accesso ... ategoria=1

OR,

if you are interested in the first one, I am selling it im not sure how much shipping would cost to get it to you but 60 English pounds (+shipping) and its yours.

Maximus53 · Post by **Maximus53** » Thu Sep 13, 2012 10:42 pm

Tipper wrote:What were the symptoms of the dodgy crank ?

It started as a subtle 'whirring' sound from the engine which became louder and louder almost to sounding like a diesel also a lot of vibration in the engine

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 12:31 am

Well Max,

It seems you are the first 4t owner to have a actual mechanical problem with one.

How many miles were you showing?

Rob

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 12:53 am

To the OP,

On dry days I commute on my 09 Stella.......in general, a 60 mile day.
It has just crossed 5000 miles since purchass this last April, and there have been no problems.
A mix of stop and go and some 50 mph stretches.

Had to adjust the rear brake at around 2500.....I am a heavy front brake user so this may have been needed cause it finally seated into the drum.
Re adjusted throttle and clutch free play around 1000 miles and haven't had to touch them since.

I have no complaints with the machine.

Rob

Maximus53 · Post by **Maximus53** » Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:12 am

Robbie wrote:Well Max,

It seems you are the first 4t owner to have a actual mechanical problem with one.

How many miles were you showing?

Rob

~2700 miles

phatch · Post by **phatch** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 9:28 pm

Lots of good stuff... thanks guys! I'm assuming the 4T's are more reliable, but time will tell...?

jartist wrote:Just get the Stella and keep your buddy. Problem solved!

Tell that to my wife!! LOL

jmer1234 wrote:I replaced the turn signal beeper when it went out. The dealer was surprised that I wanted to replace it since most people want to kill them anyway, but I was tired of driving for miles turning to the left.

I just watched a YouTube vid of a Stella turn signal... is it that high pitched whiney sound? Yeah, that would have to go

Tipper wrote:... pretty catastrophic seize....brass shim disintegrated taking out bits of the engine with it....

Glad the 4T is doing well! Cool scoots, btw.

Maximus53 wrote:I found out yesterday that my 4T (that I purchased new in April this year) had a 'defective' crank and now is getting a new crank, piston, jug and other bits and pieces.... Basically an entire engine rebuild. Thank goodness for the warrenty, but my confidence in reliability has taken a huge blow

Yeah, that sucks!! Even with warranty...

Tipper · Post by **Tipper** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:17 pm

Just to add to this,a guy over at the lmlocgb has just had to call out a tow truck after his 4T broke down.

Aparently the engine was 'Very noisy clangyand rattly'.

However he has covered around 14,000 problem free miles.

Maximus53 · Post by **Maximus53** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:49 pm

Tipper wrote:Just to add to this,a guy over at the lmlocgb has just had to call out a tow truck after his 4T broke down.

Aparently the engine was 'Very noisy clangyand rattly'.

However he has covered around 14,000 problem free miles.

That sounds like mine! If you can post what his issue ended up being. The tech from Genuine said mine was the first 'major engine issue' he has heard of in the 4T

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:02 am

Tipper wrote:I had this one...

OR,

if you are interested in the first one, I am selling it im not sure how much shipping would cost to get it to you but 60 English pounds (+shipping) and its yours.

Tempting offer. I'll have to check if it's available here. If not, I might just take your offer. Was never big on windscreens, but it looks pretty natty and would likely help on those interstate sprints.

Tipper · Post by **Tipper** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:13 am

Maximus53 wrote:
Tipper wrote:Just to add to this,a guy over at the lmlocgb has just had to call out a tow truck after his 4T broke down.

Aparently the engine was 'Very noisy clangyand rattly'.

However he has covered around 14,000 problem free miles.
That sounds like mine! If you can post what his issue ended up being. The tech from Genuine said mine was the first 'major engine issue' he has heard of in the 4T

I think he is going to sign up to the forum,if not I'll let you know what they find.

Tipper · Post by **Tipper** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:14 am

az_slynch wrote:
Tipper wrote:I had this one...

OR,

if you are interested in the first one, I am selling it im not sure how much shipping would cost to get it to you but 60 English pounds (+shipping) and its yours.
Tempting offer. I'll have to check if it's available here. If not, I might just take your offer. Was never big on windscreens, but it looks pretty natty and would likely help on those interstate sprints.

Sounds good,let me know how you get on.

Modern Buddy

Daily Driver

Daily Driver

yeah