Modern Vespa

Hi, I have a Piaggio Beverly 250ie (2008). Few days ago I hit a big pothole while riding. Not super fast, but hard enough.

After that, something feels wrong with the steering.
When I ride, it's harder to turn the handlebars, like it wants to stay straight. I used to be able to move quick left/right to avoid stuff, now it feels heavy. I need to lean with my body more, like the handlebars resist.

I lifted the front tire and moved the steering by hand. It stops in the center easy. Turning left is ok, but when I turn all the way right, the bars come back toward center a bit — doesn't stay fully right.

I looked at the fork, wheel, nothing seems bent or broken. Tire looks fine too.

Could it be steering bearings? Or something worse? Any idea what to check?

Thanks!

You checked the tire pressure first?

If it aint tyre pressure sounds like you broke a styeering bearing see below.

https://www.robogoalkatreszek.hu/en/piaggio/piaggio-beverly-250-ie-sport-euro-3-m288m-2007-zapm28800/fork-steering-tube-steering-bearing-unit

Forgot to mention that I checked tire pressure. Its all good.

Thanks! I was actually suspecting the steering bearing, but I wanted to be sure I didn't mess up the whole front steering or fork. Is harder to find where I live , i have to order and wait weeks to arrive

Link was just an example you will probably find somewhere that ships quickly close to you for sure.

Can you feel a slight 'notch' at the centre position? If so it's definitely the steering bearings. Replace both bottom and top.

I ordered the steering bearing set and I'm just waiting for it to arrive. But I'm also worried it might be the fork itself. Do you know what it feels like when the fork is bad or if something more serious is damaged?

Yes I do, from experience! My son crashed an X9 some years ago - the steering column got slightly bent. You could tell immediately something was wrong when riding - the front of the bike would go up and down when the steering when off-centre.

If you feel no up and down sensation then you're almost certainly OK.