Modern Vespa

Hi There,

I have a 2007 Vespa GTS 250 and I find that the brake lever travel, particularly the front brake, to be quite long to engage the brake.

Has anyone successfully reduced this? I find it a bit unsafe as well as less sporting. I do have a sport bike which is what I am more accustomed to, so that is not helping my case.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you,

HermosaBeachGuy

How worn are your brake pads and how old is your brake fluid?

Hey there, the front pads, rotors, and brake caliper is new.

I found the travel to be too much before and after replacement.

Thank you for your interest!

Have you changed the fluid?

Sorry, yes brand new fluid.

You seem to have ticked all the boxes regarding pads and fluid.

Perhaps if you are comparing your GTS with a sport bike which I presume has little or no play in the lever, then you are naturally assuming there is something wrong when really it is the normal lever play for the GTS? - How about buying an alternative set of brake leavers for the GTS?

Yes that's next on my list, just didn't know if someone had found a suitable remedy.

Did you do the brake work yourself? Are you sure all the air was bled from the system?

Also - how much is 'too much' play for you? As long as you can't get the lever to touch the grip then you're fine. (Without excessive force that is...)

Is the concern that you have to reach too far to get to the lever, or that you have to pull it too hard to brake?

If it's the latter, there's a trick your dealer can do when they bleed the brakes. If they tell the computer it's an Aprilia Shiver rather than a Vespa, they get more control over how much fluid goes into the lines, which makes your brakes feel nice and plump.

Unfortunately, I don't know the details of the GTS brake systems by year. 2007 might be too old for this to work.

It's nothing to do with the amount of fluid in the system - if there wasn't enough, the brakes wouldn't work at all. As long as there's no air in the system, that's as good as it gets.

If you pump the brake lever a couple of times, does the amount of travel significantly decrease?

Thank you for all your interest!

Yes I did the brake work myself, and have been doing so for years. I'm very confident that the lines are bled appropriately.

The lever travel is and estimated 1.25" [3.175cm] before pad engagement.

I spoke with scooterwests tech today and they advised that nothing in the market would reduce that travel distance. The only thing I could improve is the reach with dog levers, but that would be it.

I appreciate all your input.

Have you checked the brake hose? 15 years old already. Might need some attention at least.