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@shaggy4241 avatar
UTC

Member
2007 GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 32
Location: Chicago, IL
 
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@shaggy4241 avatar
2007 GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 32
Location: Chicago, IL
UTC quote
Hi Everybody,

Seeking your advice and expertise.

I just purchased a used GTS 250. After I got it delivered to my home and started riding it around the neighborhood to get a feel for the bike, I noticed that sometimes in a turn the back end will feel like it "skips" a little bit. Can't really think of a better way to put that, except to say that it almost feels like the tire moved over a little bit. Didn't notice it in the test drive. Which I guess makes sense. It only happens sometimes, so I guess I got "lucky" (or unlucky) and it just didn't happen then.

I'm going to admit that I'm pretty much a noob when it comes to buying a used scooter, and there's some stuff I bone-headedly missed in my excitement to buy my first Vespa. I feel like one of the things I missed could be causing what I'm experiencing but don't have the knowledge to say for sure. Or it could be something else entirely that you guys know about and I don't.

Also, as long as I'm seeking advice from the experts, I'm going to throw this in: if any of this constitutes a condition where I should NOT ride it to the shop for repairs and get a tow instead, definitely let me know. I'd rather ride it, but when push comes to shove, a tow's a heck of a lot cheaper than a visit to the emergency room.

Ok. So here's what I missed (that I know about so far):

1. The back tire looks like it was ridden over-inflated for a fairly long time. Most of the tire looks great, like new in fact, and probably why I failed to notice that the strip down the center is pretty flat and pretty dang bald (maybe 1/8" tread or less in some areas).

2. On the test drive, I did notice that the rear suspension felt a little on the spongy side. Not terrible. Just a little bit. Thought to myself, "no problem, I can buy a little time by cranking up the preload." But I forgot to check what the preload was set at. Turns out it was at 3 already, so not a lot of hope there. Shocks are gonna need replaced.

I'm not feeling like I got a lemon yet. I went into it knowing it was probably going to need some work. And considering the fact that I entirely financed the purchase by selling my used 2002 Vino 50 and 2014 Buddy 50 that I wasn't riding, it almost feels like I got it for free. So even if I have to put some money from savings into repairs, it still feels a whole lot cheaper from my perspective than a new GTS for $7,000 + $2,000 in dealer fees (yeah, that's what they charge here in Chicago).

Just so you don't think I'm a total idiot, here's some of the good news: No rust (if you can believe it, except a bit on the muffler), body in near perfect condition (one small scratch on the glovebox door), brakes seem good, front and rear rotors nice and glassy smooth, wheels free spin with ease, handlebars travel side to side freely with front wheel raised, new belt and rollers.
@jkj-fz6 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
BV400, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
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Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
 
Ossessionato
@jkj-fz6 avatar
BV400, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4425
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
UTC quote
Sounds to me like you need a new rear tire, possibly a front one as well. The "chicken strips" of unworn tread on the sides of the tire are normal for a scooter that hasn't been leaned hard in the turns. Unless you're trying to save money by changing the tire yourself, I'd say ride it (carefully) to the dealer, have them change the tire(s), and while it's there check the shocks and the transmission. You may need a new belt as well as tires. Oops, missed the part about the new belt.

Good luck and have fun![/s]
@garthhh avatar
UTC

Addicted
2020 Liberty 150, 2020 MP3-500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 627
Location: Reno
 
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@garthhh avatar
2020 Liberty 150, 2020 MP3-500
Joined: UTC
Posts: 627
Location: Reno
UTC quote
Check the condition of the rear wheel axle bearings
Wiggle the wheel from side to side to check relative condition of bearings
The motor & back wheel pivot as a unit, check for loose or worn
The tire was probably run at the sidewall max, instead of 29-31 psi
OP
@shaggy4241 avatar
UTC

Member
2007 GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 32
Location: Chicago, IL
 
Member
@shaggy4241 avatar
2007 GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 32
Location: Chicago, IL
UTC quote
Garthhh wrote:
Check the condition of the rear wheel axle bearings
Wiggle the wheel from side to side to check relative condition of bearings
The motor & back wheel pivot as a unit, check for loose or worn
The tire was probably run at the sidewall max, instead of 29-31 psi
Thanks! Just checked. Wheel does not seem to have any side to side wiggle at all. Tried from the back of the tire, bottom, top and front. I'm assuming that means everything is still in good shape there. Would that be correct?

Also regarding the tire situation, if I'm going to ride it to the dealer, would it be better to under-inflate it a bit in attempt to get more the places the tread is still OK in contact with the road? Or would that just make it harder to ride?
@jkj-fz6 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
BV400, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4425
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
 
Ossessionato
@jkj-fz6 avatar
BV400, Primavera 150, Yamaha Zuma 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4425
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
UTC quote
shaggy4241 wrote:
Also regarding the tire situation, if I'm going to ride it to the dealer, would it be better to under-inflate it a bit in attempt to get more the places the tread is still OK in contact with the road? Or would that just make it harder to ride?
Inflate it to the recommended pressure. Should be approximately 30 psi.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
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@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44558
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
With the bike on the centre-stand, get a friend to hold the body of the bike FIRMLY. Now try to move the whole engine and transmission from side to side wrt the frame. There should be no movement whatsoever.

What you describe as a feeling of a 'jump' can often be put down to worn engine-to-frame swing-arm bearings. These are needle-roller bearings with very little grease from the factory - and any older Piaggio scooter that's ever been near a wet road can look forward to these giving out at some stage.

It's not the worst job to replace these - the easiest way is to replace the whole swing-arm, especially if you're paying for someone else's time. But DO use huge amounts of grease, filling up the whole tubes that contain those needle-roller bearings. Then they'll last forever.
OP
@shaggy4241 avatar
UTC

Member
2007 GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 32
Location: Chicago, IL
 
Member
@shaggy4241 avatar
2007 GTS 250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 32
Location: Chicago, IL
UTC quote
I just checked the tires.

Rear was inflated to 36psi, so about 20% over. Drained it back down to 29/30ish. Date code on it is 3213.

Front was exactly at 26psi. Date code is 0918. So the previous owner obviously changed the front tire without doing the back probably some time in 2018 or 2019. Which is odd but probably not the weirdest thing anybody's ever done.

FWIW, The tread pattern matches the image below. The front tire has a direction of travel marker on it and is installed correctly (the tire in the image would be rolling toward you). The rear tire does not have a direction of travel marking, and the treads are installed 180 opposite the front (the tire in the image would be rolling away from you). Not sure how much that matters since I'll probably have them both changed anyway.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7568
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7568
Location: Tega Cay, SC
UTC quote
You usually get twice the mileage out of the front tire, sometimes more. That's why the tire dates are not close. That and you can't rotate them like the older Vespas as they are different sizes. The back tire is obviously toast and being 8 years old, it would have been time anyway.
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