Modern Vespa

Greetings,
I love my 250 GTV Vespa eight months old with 1000 miles and I'm thinking about an upgrade. I've seen posts regarding various upgrades and was wondering what would give me the most bang for the buck. I'm not limiting it to speed alone but anything like suspension, handling or braking improvements.

I really like a Leo Vince pipe and Bitubo front shock. I was on the speed and acceleration bandwagon with my first GTS 3 years ago... This year I found myself being very content with no real 'performance' mods such as an aftermarket variator. I still ride hard but find the stock machine takes to being wrung out very, very well just as it is.


Dave

performance and otherwise, and the best I can say is that improvements are modest. That is the main message from me. Even with an aftermarket exhaust and the Supercorsa fuel gizmo, you only get a little push.

I put on Malossi brake pads, because unlike many folks, I have ridden sport bikes and know GTS brakes are adequate at best. The Malossi are better than stock, but it ain't like I put on the Brembo calipers.

Suspension wise, I don't think that there is much one can do, given the minimal travel, that won't degrade the ride much. I have heard that the Bitubo shocks are pretty rough riding.

Bitubos are what you make them. They are fully adjustable -- both for spring preload and for damping -- so you can make the ride as cushy or as rough as you like. I have them front and rear on my LX, and I love 'em. My guess is that the people who have had bad luck just didn't have the foggiest idea of how to adjust them.

I'm sure you are aware that Jettin makes a Brembo set up for the GTS

http://www.jettin.com/JettinBrembo.htm




Dave

You are correct sir. These are on my wish list. This should give the brakes the needed authority. I live in a hilly area, and I am over 200#, so better brakes will be nice. Regarding the Bitubo comments: it is good to hear that they have considerable range. It is hard to rely on user comments sometimes--it was weird, the harsh comments came from a scooter mechanic.

The best vespa mechanic gave us some sage advice on the performance stuff. He said that the vespa's are made to work well with what they come with (performance wise) and the more after market stuff you put on them the more trouble you'll nave with them. That said there are some good after market products and somee bad. You'll have to decide what you want. I've done a few safety upgrades. High viz lights and a v led's flashing brake LED strip. Good luck with your projects.

I forgot to mention in previous post, you can significantly change the whole feel of the scooter with different tires, especially if it came with Sava tires. If it came with the Pirellis, that is a pretty good set of rubber.
In concern over my cool, WET climate I put on Heidenau K66, and that really gave the GTS stability at all speeds, and on the highway it is much improved.

Another minor but real upgrade is to put even a little fairing/windscreen on the scoot if you have not already done so. Makes a difference in comfort, high speed performance, and keeps the dang bugs out of your clothing.

Previously I mentioned that most changes will show modest improvements, but the tires can make significant changes, especially if you are getting rid of Sava.

On that thought, even though my performance gains were modest, they are not negligible and I would recommend them. Even a few hp can make a big difference in feel. I will be making some airbox mods when service comes up this year.
Having said that, just don't expect the kind of changes you might see when modding a Harley, as in that world you can make huge changes in performance because of the vast availability of reasonably priced performance parts and skilled mechanics.