OP
@personality avatar
UTC

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2009 GTS 250ie
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Posts: 40
Location: San Diego
 
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@personality avatar
2009 GTS 250ie
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Posts: 40
Location: San Diego
UTC quote
I just bought a used GTS 250 and it needs shocks all around. I am plan on tackling the front first as I think that will make the biggest difference in handling.

So far I've come up with these options:
Bitubo $269.99 https://www.scooterwest.com/bitubo-front-shock-gt-gts-bi-gtfr.html

Malossi $204.95 https://www.scooterwest.com/malossi-paoli-rs24-front-shock-gt-gts-super-300-m4614137.html

Stock $106.95 https://www.scooterwest.com/front-shock-vespa-300-super-56452r.html

Am I missing any other options?

Is the Bitubo worth the extra money?

Any budget suggestions for the rears?
@greasy125 avatar
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Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
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@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
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UTC quote
personality wrote:
Any budget suggestions for the rears?
low mileage used stock take offs are the most budget friendly option available.

YSS makes okay aftermarket "sport" shocks

bitubo is probably the cheapest "performance" option available with SIP house brand being right there with them.
@giallo avatar
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GTS 300 hpe
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@giallo avatar
GTS 300 hpe
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UTC quote
The adjustment capabilities on the front Bitubos are great and well worth it as far as I am concerned.

Keep in mind that the ride will then be "sportier" meaning less soft and cushioned.
@steelbytes avatar
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
2019 GTS300 Supertech E3 57,000km
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@steelbytes avatar
2019 GTS300 Supertech E3 57,000km
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Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
UTC quote
Also SIP. I have been using these for 2 years / 37,000km and like them.

https://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/product/shock-absorber-kit-sip-performance-front-rear_MV7801PMB
UTC

Hooked
2007 Vespa 250 GTS
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Location: Nashville, Tn
 
Hooked
2007 Vespa 250 GTS
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Location: Nashville, Tn
UTC quote
I recently installed a bitubo on the front of my 07 GTS 250 and it made such an improvement I ordered the same for the rear. A work in progress at the moment.
Tony @ 35k miles now
@preddybaer avatar
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Hooked
GTS300, CRF1000 & Moto 6.5
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@preddybaer avatar
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UTC quote
if you need street legal and the budget is somewhere in "mid", SIP & BGM should do excellent job

if budget no problem and you do not care much for MOT/HU, Bazooka!
@shebalba avatar
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Molto Verboso
2009 GTS250, Ducati Monster M900, KTM 390 Adventure, Honda CR125
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@shebalba avatar
2009 GTS250, Ducati Monster M900, KTM 390 Adventure, Honda CR125
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UTC quote
I have the Malossi front and rears on my GTS250, same year as the OP. I installed them myself and have been happy with them.

I did the front a few years before tackling the rears similar to what you are proposing. The front shock installation is very well documented on this forum.

Malossi RS24 Front Shock Install on Vespa GTS Walk Thru

My only gripe, and its irrelevant, is the white spring color. Bit of a snoozer on my silver GTS. Some of the other shocks suggested are a bit sexier. Not that the rears are all that visible.
OP
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Member
2009 GTS 250ie
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UTC quote
I ended up spending the extra bucks for the Bitubo. I installed it last night with minimal cursing and did a test ride today. It made a huge difference over the tired old original shock. The handling feels so much more confident and comfortable, I can now actually imagine riding this thing on the highway.
@baba12 avatar
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Molto Verboso
2018 Vespa 300 GTS Touring
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Molto Verboso
@baba12 avatar
2018 Vespa 300 GTS Touring
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UTC quote
if you replace the rear shocks, replace the bushings as well. Clauss bushings is the recommended bushings https://www.claussstudios.com/store/p542/Vespa_GTS_GTV_250_300_Polyurethane_Upper_Rear_Shock_Bushings.html
UTC

Hooked
2007 Vespa 250 GTS
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UTC quote
I ordered from Clauss last Friday, they shipped today, the message? plan ahead
@mcruss avatar
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'20 GTS300 Touring, '10 GTS300 Super (sold)
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UTC quote
"The adjustment capabilities on the front Bitubos are great and well worth it as far as I am concerned.
Keep in mind that the ride will then be "sportier" meaning less soft and cushioned."

Sorry, I don't understand this statement by gialo. The ride on my 2020 GTS Touring is anything but "soft and cushioned." I would be interested in an aftermarket shock if it would add some! My 2010 GTS 300 Super was the same. I added an aftermarket (don't recall the brand but not a Bitubo) and it did little to remedy the harshness.
@steelbytes avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2019 GTS300 Supertech E3 57,000km
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Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
 
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@steelbytes avatar
2019 GTS300 Supertech E3 57,000km
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5117
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
UTC quote
McRuss wrote:
I added an aftermarket (don't recall the brand but not a Bitubo) and it did little to remedy the harshness.
Probably poorly adjusted.

And depending on what you're feeling should also replace rear shocks. the rear used to bottom out for me before I replaced them.
@giallo avatar
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GTS 300 hpe
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@giallo avatar
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Location: NYC
UTC quote
McRuss wrote:
"The adjustment capabilities on the front Bitubos are great and well worth it as far as I am concerned.
Keep in mind that the ride will then be "sportier" meaning less soft and cushioned."

Sorry, I don't understand this statement by gialo. The ride on my 2020 GTS Touring is anything but "soft and cushioned." I would be interested in an aftermarket shock if it would add some! My 2010 GTS 300 Super was the same. I added an aftermarket (don't recall the brand but not a Bitubo) and it did little to remedy the harshness.
Aftermarket shocks often make the ride even harsher with but as a result, improve handling.

I find the OEM shocks adequate. Not necessarily soft and cushioned, but more so than my current aftermarket shock set up.

A Vespa has small wheels, it won't for example ever go over bumps like a big wheeled dual sport motorcycle. But then that dual sport bike won't turn on a dime like a Vespa can. Trade offs? Sure.
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Polaris Grey Rally 200, Blue Marine Primavera ET3, Coral Red 50 Special
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UTC quote
Do the new GTS 300 supertech models for 2023 use the same shocks as before. I am thinking of selling my current GTS and want to know if I should take off the bitubos of it to put on the new bike.

I can't see a shock for the 22 supertech on SIP.
@steelbytes avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2019 GTS300 Supertech E3 57,000km
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Posts: 5117
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
 
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@steelbytes avatar
2019 GTS300 Supertech E3 57,000km
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5117
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
UTC quote
Rallygeek wrote:
Do the new GTS 300 supertech models for 2023 use the same shocks as before. I am thinking of selling my current GTS and want to know if I should take off the bitubos of it to put on the new bike.

I can't see a shock for the 22 supertech on SIP.
I think front no but rear yes
@justjake avatar
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'17 GTS 300
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Location: Scottsdale, AZ
 
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@justjake avatar
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UTC quote
baba12 wrote:
if you replace the rear shocks, replace the bushings as well. Clauss bushings is the recommended bushings https://www.claussstudios.com/store/p542/Vespa_GTS_GTV_250_300_Polyurethane_Upper_Rear_Shock_Bushings.html
I second this, but I couldn't get them to easily slide over my SIP rears. Tried grease, hammer, jousting, finally had to take a drill and bore it out a bit.
@steelbytes avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2019 GTS300 Supertech E3 57,000km
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5117
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@steelbytes avatar
2019 GTS300 Supertech E3 57,000km
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5117
Location: Batmania aka Melbourne, Australia
UTC quote
JustJake wrote:
I second this, but I couldn't get them to easily slide over my SIP rears. Tried grease, hammer, jousting, finally had to take a drill and bore it out a bit.
Same. I used a Dremel to enlarge the hole. The sip have bigger shaft than other shocks
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