Modern Vespa

Hi, just joined...hello to everyone!

My centre stand scrapes when I take a corner, and I'm not talking knee down stuff here! It really un-nerves me and can't be normal??

Could it be my rear suspension's too low or broken in some way? I can push the bike down with my hand and feel it bottom out, shouldn't it be firmer?

Would appreciate any advice,
Cheers

I would check your shocks and adjust them up a few notches, It shouldn't be THAT easy to drag the stand, it is quite do able but it takes some agressive driving , weight and bumps. IMHO hope this helps 8)

Hang-off and knee-down and the bike will ride more vertically. It's a big issue with the Fuoco - my centre-stand has had huge chunks of meat ground off. I now shift my butt instead.

I have scraped my stand a couple of times while turning on a bend too.
And on two different GTS's. It scared me both times, it was loud. I wasn't sure it was the stand I was thinking it was the steel round eye next to it but no paint was missing so I guess I was wrong.
A service tech informed me that the front shock cannot be adjusted, some are just mushier than others. I was informed that a stiffer front shock is available but for a Price $$$
The rear shock can be adjusted.
I haven't done either. I just don't turn as sharp anymore.

How much do you weigh?

Which rear shock setting are you on?

What are your tire pressures?

Was the road bumpy?

How long have you been riding? Are you jerky in turns? Are you leaning with your bike, or holding your body up?

While it is possible for a well-ridden, properly set up GTS to scrape some hard parts, it is more likely that your bike needs some adjustment.

For example: I weigh about 220 lbs, have my shocks set to the third (second hardest) position, Front tire pressure 29 lbs, rear 33 lbs. I am a former bicycle and motorcycle racer and am not shy about leaning, yet nothing hits--my rear tire is scrubbed to the edge of the tread.

P.

The side kickstand is probably scraping. Take the part that you put your
foot on to put it down, grab it, and bend it upwards with your hand.

Thanks for all your ideas! What a cool website!

I didn't know the rear shock could be adjusted, I'll give it a go.

I weight about 85kg... but wouldn't the bike be designed to carry a passenger and not scrape on a corner?? I'm riding normally here, no fancy speeds or leans.

I owned a trusty ET4 before (bought the GTS out the paper last week) and that would corner like a demon, no worries about being thrown off on a roundabout.

I'll check that rear shock and hopefully resolve the problem.
Thanks guys, you might have saved me a lot £££s taking it to a garage. Cheers

The rear suspension adjustment shouldn't really change the position of the centerstand because it's attached to the drivetrain, i.e. the rear swingarm. If it were attached to the body in the back, it would be affected.

Agreed, Jim!! This happened to me the first time I took one around a turn. The centerstand mechanics are all different because of all the rear end weight, but the forks hang much too low when the stand is up. If I owned one myself, the stand would be gone.

Good point, didn't think of that. I'd remove the stand but would never fit in London's cramped bike bays, with the bike on a tilt. Anyway, shouldn't need to. Hmm..back to square one? Bigger tyres maybe?? : )

[quote="Sadie"]I have scraped my stand a couple of times while turning on a bend too.
And on two different GTS's. It scared me both times, it was loud. I wasn't sure it was the stand I was thinking it was the steel round eye next to it but no paint was missing so I guess I was wrong.
A service tech informed me that the front shock cannot be adjusted, some are just mushier than others. I was informed that a stiffer front shock is available but for a Price $$$
The rear shock can be adjusted.
I haven't done either. I just don't turn as sharp anymore.[/quote]