Modern Vespa

I have a newer 2022 300 GTS Super Sport with about 700 miles on it
It's been in winter storage for about 3 month now and I've noticed that the the front break lever is not as firm as the rear break lever - or as firm as it was prior to storing it. I plan on keeping in storage for another few weeks but I'm worried about the front brake once start riding it.
I've read a few older posts but those were from a few years back.

Any thoughts, suggestions or tricks to fix this. (Still under warranty too)

A.: Call Dealer
B.: Pull brake lever and fix for half day / overnight pulled brake lever with cable tie, Velcro or similar to the handle, than call Dealer.

Definitely book an appointment with your dealer if you have concerns since it is still under warranty. I don't ever take my bikes in for service; rather, I do it all myself. But in this case, using your warranty is an easy call.

FWIW, I took my new 2023 GTS out on a 200 mile ride Tuesday that included Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. I noticed my right brake had a softer feel than the left. I will definitely have the dealer look at it when it goes in for its first service.

Two things I noticed as a new scooter rider: 1) Vespa brake pads take a while to break in, because scooters are utilitarian devices, not insanely impractical machines designed to delight the rider. I'm used to sport bike brakes, which like sport bike tires, are constructed with effectiveness rather than durability in mind. 2) the rear brake rather than the front brake seems to do most of the work; completely contrary to a motorcycle. Since in Scooterville that's where all the weight is, I suppose it's logical. But if someone more knowledgeable could confirm or deny this utterly non-authoritative conclusion, I'd appreciate it.

When the HPE first came out there was an issue with the brakes being soft and taking longer to engage. That was fixed in a recall of the less than stellar part that was improperly manufactured. This seems like it may end up being a repeat of that issue.

Brembo, motorcycle, Lockheed, and Ford brake seals/system seem more porous than GM/Dodge car brakes - brake fluid is a magnet to moisture in the air. Supposed to change the fluid every 2 years but consider how long the bike might have sat before you got it AND it in a humid environment this makes it worse. Def have dealer flush lines with fresh-sealed fluid if you cant pull off the handlebar casing and push some fresh through yourself.

I have an old Range Rover in storage that had bad spongy brakes. It took a 10 step method to completely pressure purge it, pressure from brake pedal and then a vacuum hand pump on the bleeder. Then the rover threw me into the windshield on the next drive. just saying - water (or air) in your lines usually create sponge - sometimes a leaking caliper seal can too, but its been 95% old fluid in my experience.

Just because its a new, sealed container doesnt mean its not already having a lot of water. and if its a new unit shipped on ocean, that can be high humidity. it pulls water through a plastic container over time. In the UK they test NEW fluid with a hygrometer to determine it's dry enough.

I just got my 2022 GTS Super Sport out of winter storage and my front brake was very soft and the back was softer than when i stored it. I stored it in the basement of a building in NYC (heated). I went right over to Brooklyn Vespa and had them look over and service anything they thought my scoot needed. They tested the battery (it was fine) and they had to bleed both the front and back brakes. They said this was not a warranty issue so I had to pay $356 out of pocket. They also said they checked to see if the lines and master cylinders were part of the earlier years recall, they were not.

I asked if this brake issue and service cost is something I should look forward to every year, thought I should ask so I can budget in an extra $350 to toss out the door.

They talked about possibly keeping the brake levers engages throughout the 3 or 4 months it was in storage to keep the air from being able to enter braking system. Then they backed tracked a bit and told me i should do a bit of research.

Any suggestions for 3 to 4 months of winter storage and hopefully not having this issue again.

Piaggio seems a bit tight on warranties, (compared to my Hondas and Toyotas)
At that price I'd bleed brakes myself, it's easy and dirt cheap,

I flushed the brakes on 3 Vespas since last summer, all 3 had ABS,

just follow Senpai's instructions

Anything special with ABS? The 'regular' flushing is simple. I use a one-way valve instead of either a syringe or the 'open, squeeze, shut, release, repeat' method.

Flushing ABS is OK as long as you do not introduce air. Once air gets to the ABS pump, I am told the dealer will need to cycle the pump via computer. I do not have firsthand knowledge of that, but I have successfully bled brakes on another Piaggio ABS system.

Follow the Robot way and don't run the reservoir dry!

McRuss, what Barnacle Bill posted here 100%

You should still be under the 2 year warranty and brake should be covered. So I think I'd be arguing the not warranty statement. I had mine bled and adjusted at the first service because the right brake went soft. That was exactly what caused the recall on the 2020s. Enough reports and they may end up extending the recall to more scoots.

I agree with you and I did argue my point to the service manager but he said the warranty only covers manufacturers defaults.
Air in the brake lines are not covered. I asked about the recall and the manager said the technician checked the recall parts and my scoot does not have any recalled parts.
I'm getting over having to pay but will be pissed of this is an annual cost.

Can't hurt to send a polite email to Piaggio corporate,
nothing to lose

Call Vespa direct:
https://www.vespa.com/us_EN/customer-care/

(Edit: CaliforniaCruising was a litte faster…)

Before discussing your actual situation, ask first if your VIN is part of the recall.

Can't find Vespa US warranty description online but Robots Video for Vespa warranty seems interesting:

if the service guys only checked http://recall.piaggiogroup.com/ then be aware that this site annoying does not include the brake line recall. no idea why. so as GermanGTSDriver says, contact piaggio directly yourself

Just my cranky old man's opinion, but if you have a soft brake action so soon, Luigi or Sonia used brake fluid from a compromised source, or you have a slightly loose bleeder/banjo. I call it a warranty issue.

I called Piaggo today and the guy I spoke to said he hasn't heard of this issue before on the 2022. He said a scoot in storage would or should only encounter a dead or low battery if not started or on a tender but not a brake issue. He also explained that the dealership would have checked out the issue and if I was a warranty item they would've submitted the work.

I asked what about next year of the problem is present after storage and he said the dealership should take notice and will discuss with Piaggo then.

I guess we wait and see