Tags
Brembo Brakes, GTS 300, Installation, Leo Vince Exhaust, Malossi Exhaust, RS24 Shocks, Scooterpartsco.com, Vespa GTV-300
A Vespa GTV-300 somehow demands attention. Whether it be a wash, checking the air pressure, changing a belt or adding something special to make it yours, it always calls for attention. During the winter months up here in the north when the Vespa is in storage, we have far too much time on our hands to think and dream about what we would like to do to it, consider the assault on our budget and then we have an additional month or two to design a strategy and defense against the budget assault until we simply surrender to the urge and place the order.
This year is no different than the previous years except that I have discovered a new online vendor of scooter parts. Because of my wrist issue (www.proximalrowcarpectomy.com) I decided that I would need better braking that required less hand strength. Additionally, the bottoming out on bumps tends to hurt so I decided on Malossi shocks front and back. Actually, the shocks are also for safety and highway riding since I have heard they make a huge difference in stability and handling at higher speeds. I therefore have decided to upgrade the shocks on my wife’s GTS-300 as well as my GTV-300 (two sets required). Well, as you would have it, I was reading about installing the shocks and discovered that I would need to remove the exhaust. So, I finally convinced myself that if I am to remove the exhaust that I may as well replace it with a new Malossi Exhaust System. I had considered the Leo Vince but was convinced by many other scooterists that the build quality of the Malossi is better than the Leo Vince. I guess we will see shortly.
Shocks, calipers and exhaust systems? That is a pretty pricy project not to mention some of the prices that I had received to install all of that stuff.
I had taken more than a month (all of February and March) shopping on line and placing these items into a shopping cart only to click the upper right “X” on the browser due to sticker shock and the avoidance of a possible heart attack.
For example, at Scooterwest.com where I normally purchase most of my stock the prices were as follows (remember that I need two pairs of shocks):
2 x Malossie RS 24 Front Shocks: $ 518.00
2 x Malossi RS 24 Rear Set Shocks = $ 798.00
1 x Malossi Exhaust: $ 499.00 (Note: Leo Vince is $ 399.00)
Shipping Cost: $ 60.21
Total Cost = $ 1,875.21
The next best pricing was at SIP Scooter shop in Germany which is where I ordered the Brembo brake calipers. However, because of their arrangement with Malossi, they are not permitted to ship here.
Then, suddenly out of the blue I discovered ScooterPartsCo.com. (My New Super Hero!)
2 x Malossi Paioli RS24 Front Shock = $397.94
2 x Malossi Paioli RS24 Rear Shocks (Pair) = $579.94
1 x Malossi RX Exhaust = $399.99
Shipping Flat Rate (Best Way): $7.99
Total: $1,385.86 (Savings of $ 489.35)
In addition to having excellent pricing, they have a quick and thorough response to questions and e-mails. Their website is also very fast. However, please note that they carry many other items that are not listed on their website because they are not allowed to put certain items when the prices are far less than the MSRP (such as Leo Vince). Therefore, it is always a good idea to send them an e-mail requesting their price on items you need that you can not find on their website. You will be pleasantly surprised with their response. After reading their first few responses, I quickly came to the conclusion that these people are serious scooterists and know their business and the parts that they sell. Check them out!
So the next step is the installation. After receiving some quotations for the work such as the one below (more than the performance parts cost), I am seriously considering doing all of the work myself (with the help of my wife, YouTube, ModernVespa.com, Haynes Manual etc…). I have found an excellent step-by-step installation guide from a gentleman who posted it on ModernVespa.com. He has given me permission to report it on this blog, so stay tuned…
Installation Estimates (Please Send Your Comments on This)
GTV-300 2012
- Replace rear shocks
- Replace front shock
- Replace Front caliper
- Replace muffler
- Bleed front and rear brakes
- Brake fluid and shop supplies
- Approx $735 + Tax
GTS-300 2012
- Replace rear shocks
- Replace front shocks
- bleed front and rear brakes
- brake fluid and shop supplies
- approx $515 + Tax
MG Driving/Riding Adventures 
I’m happy to know of this distributor, Scooter Parts Company, and I’ve printed out this page for future reference. It’s great to know of this company, and they deserve our business.
However, I’m surprised that all of this is necessary. I ride a 2007 GTV 250. I did replace the front and back shocks with Bitubo shocks, but even with the original shocks, I NEVER bottomed out. I’m really surprised that happened with your GTV 300. I’d wonder about current quality control at the factory. Yet obviously, if you’re bottoming out, new shocks are manditory and I’ll be very interested to hear how the Malossi shocks work out. They have an excellent reputation.
Mufflers should last a really long time. I’ve got 13,000 miles on my Vespa, and the muffler shows no sign of wear at all. Replacing a muffler is a very expensive proposition, one I’d probably put off unless the muffler actually failed. But again, I’ll be interested to hear how the new exhaust works out. And does it have any effect upon performance?
My brakes have been excellent, no sign of wear at all. The only problem, and one which I had from the beginning, was the rear brake sqealed. I just had the rear brake pads replaced, after putting up with the sqeal for years, and that problem has now been eliminated.
Aside from changing the oil myself, I have a Vespa dealer do the maintenance care. Thus far, I have had no major problems, which is to say, no major expenses. The scooter runs perfectly, as perfectly as the day I bought it six years ago.
I have no plans to ever give the Vespa up, although I do plan to someday buy a motorcycle. Even then, I know I’ll use the Vespa more than the motorcycle.
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Well, what you have said is very true but let me further explain. The first 10,000 Km on the GTV was the year before my wife got her Vespa so much of those kilometers was done with two riders and luggage on the back. I remember that year since I was constantly adjusting the rear shocks between two riders and luggage and the single rider setting and inflating and deflating the tire pressure as well. Perhaps that had a bit to do with it. We also ride highway often and the Malossi are suppose to provide much more stability and better handling like your Bitubo.
The muffler is really a sound thing justified by the lack of compression gasket required. Since we do a lot of kilometers each year we tend to change tires that requires to remove the muffler. Often this compression gasket needs replacement at $ 43.0-0 each time. That is how I financially justify this, but really it is about vanity and the look and sound of it. I really like how the Fiat Abarth sounds and am hoping that this muffler will give the Vespa a bit more of a throaty sound (less like a lawn mower).
Braking is an issue with my hand. I was told by those who ride with Brembo that they can usually stop the Vespa using their pinky finger. I think that it may be a bit of an exaggeration but if it is much easier then my hand will appreciate it.
Finally, what kind of motorcycle is in your dreams? I like the Triumph and Motto Guzzi.
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Thanks for your response, Peter. Your reasons for the upgrades make a lot of sense.
I am always interested in what you have to say about your GTV, since I ride virtually the same scooter. You’re way ahead of me in taking it to another level, however.
I like the Triumph. But I love the Motto Guzzi. Must await the finances, however.
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I agree about the Motto Guzzi but in a side-by-side comparison of the 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer vs. 2013 Triumph Thruxton the Triumph seems to be a better bike to ride. The style of the Motto Guzzi is really cool See .http://youtu.be/50bkqTPFHus
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Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you
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