Piaggio 294398 Starter Button – Ape 50, Zip, Typhoon, NRG, Free, Hexagon and Skipper

The Piaggio 294398 starter button is the start button for the right handlebar control: the one you press to turn the starter motor. It is the square button found in the group's historical catalogs—it is fitted to the Ape 50, the Zip in all its versions, the Typhoon 50 and 125, the NRG, the Free, the Hexagon, the Skipper, the NTT, the Skr City, the Velofax, and the Gilera Easy Moving and Storm. When the contacts oxidize, you have to press it repeatedly or hold it at an angle to get the engine to start, until one day it stops responding altogether.

✓ Strengths

• Original Piaggio part number 294398: original equipment button, standard housing and contacts.
• Low-cost repair: avoids replacing the entire control block, which costs significantly more.
• Solves intermittent starting issues, the typical defect of worn contacts.
• Fits original housing: no modifications required, no cables to cut.
• Covers thirty years of catalog listings: from models up to 1997 through to the 2018 Ape 50.

Technical specifications

Compatibility

Compatibility source: official Piaggio spare parts catalog (B2B area). If your vehicle is not listed, please send us your chassis number before ordering.

Who is this perfect for?

For those who have a Zip, Typhoon, NRG, or Ape 50 that needs two or three attempts to start. It is the cheapest part of the starting system chain, and in most cases, it is the culprit: it can be changed in half an hour without removing anything from the vehicle, except for the cover of the right-hand control.

Frequently asked questions

❓ How do I know if the button needs replacing?
The classic symptom is intermittent starting: you have to press multiple times, or hold the button at an angle, for the starter motor to turn. This is due to oxidized or worn internal contacts.

❓ What is included in the package?
The starter button only. The complete control block, wiring, and screws are not included.

❓ Does it fit my Ape 50?
Yes, on the Ape 50 2T from 2009 to 2018 and the Ape Mix 50 2T from 1998 to 2008.

❓ If the scooter doesn't start, is it always the button's fault?
No. A flat battery, starter solenoid, side stand switch, and engine kill switch can show very similar symptoms: it is best to rule these out before ordering.

❓ Is it an original Piaggio part or a compatible spare?
It is the spare part with the original Piaggio 294398 code, matching the original equipment.

❓ Do I need special tools to install it?
No: a screwdriver and half an hour are sufficient. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before opening the right-hand control and reassemble with a thin layer of contact grease on the terminals.