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Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:03 pm

This is a copy of an email I've just been sent:

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Andy

Hope you are well mate. Can you pass this warning onto other scooterists out there in scooter land regards the Vespa GTS250.

It appears that Piaggio do seem to have a defect with the design of the GTS250. I understand that this particular fault has been diagnosed and located on the exhaust gasket (The ring shaped piece of metal on the exhaust manifold) I understand that this gasket has been manufactured using possibly inferior materials and therefore poses a threat of degradation with the result of heat escaping directly onto the following parts of the scooter:-

1. The Rear Brake Hydraulic Pipe

2. Throttle Cable

3. The Petrol Pipe

So the rider could experience anything from Rear Brake failure, Throttle Cable sticking and Fire and Destruction of the scooter. In my case, my whole scooter blew up on the M25 Motorway on the way home from Exmouth!! Benjy Straw (Technical Services Manager, Piaggio Ltd) is aware of this problem. Other GTS owners are having similar problems with the scooter. Have a look this link from a scooter forum.

http://www.scooter-scene.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2821&start=0

So, if your GTS exhaust sounds likes its getting louder and blowing, GET OFF!!!!

If anyone would like to speak to me for full details, please call me on 01362 680204 or 020 7825 8730.

Many thanks,

Miles

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Confused

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:33 pm

fooking heck thats bad Sad

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:00 pm

i thought it was the stub pipe to backbox gasket that was causing probs?

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 10:38 pm

So what are Piaggio going to do about this then ? a major recall?

Makes you scared to ride em Confused

Big Ian

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:03 am

Jesus, lad in the scooter club has just brought one best show him this link eh.

Hope the rider was ok.

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:28 pm

erm i may be putting my purchase on hold ...jesus thats bad...........are piaggio doing a major recall to get those exhausts sorted out.....

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 8:54 pm

all of us on here with GTS's
know of the problem with the manifold to backbox gasket going
mine went but,had been off three times and been to the sand blasters
not heard anything about the ring at the top of the manifold
if there is a problem ,yes vespa should sort it,at the first sign of blowing or at the nearest service
as Russ sez as long as a new gasket is used and the clamp doesnt bottom out you should be ok
pm and scorpian exhaust owners seem to have fixed this problem themselves

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:17 pm

wow I havent picked it up yet and I've got this to look forward to...

knew there was some sort of problem but thought they might have sorted it by now - someone should sue them to get their arses into gear...

anyway when the exhaust blows is it that noticeable? (just wanna be sure I know what to hear out for) also didnt someone mention something about cable tying the brake cable or something away from the exhaust in case it happens on another thread?

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:27 pm

scootaboy
i have just had my 4000 mile service with no probs
as i said exhaust did start blowing so i changed the gasket but the backbox had been off to change back tyre,then again to have exhaust sandblasted
smirnoff did just under 2000 miles before he changed his for a pm
you will know if it starts blowing or not as they are so quiet as normal

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php? · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:34 pm

Congratulations to Piaggio on creating a mode of transport thats even more flammable than a zeppelin with a gas leak in a thunderstorm! Applause

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:11 pm

imagine the people that buy these and aint into the scooter scene like we are...so they dont use forums.....and are unaware as to any of these exhaust problems...scary !!!!

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:33 am

Following a phone call with there UK HQ, i have written a letter to Piaggio asking for there observations, as they seem oblivious to the problem! I did mention that perhaps some of the BBC current affair programs might take an interest in this potentialy live threatening situation , it is a waste of time speaking to Scootering as Piaggio are one of there largest advertising customers!

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:07 am

markbsac wrote:

imagine the people that buy these and aint into the scooter scene like we are...so they dont use forums.....and are unaware as to any of these exhaust problems...scary !!!!

I've posted this on a few forums were members have 250's.

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 12:53 pm

JON MERCER wrote:

markbsac wrote:

imagine the people that buy these and aint into the scooter scene like we are...so they dont use forums.....and are unaware as to any of these exhaust problems...scary !!!!

I've posted this on a few forums were members have 250's.

Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:12 pm

OK 1st thing is don't panic.

The burn't out scooter is not definatly down to the exhaust gasket.
With over 1000 GTS's sold in the UK already the percentage of this kind of fault is still small (but high profile due to the users all knowing one another thru forums like this.)
The people suffering this kind of thing are mainly the hardcore motorway users. (Me and you)
There is a procedure that all motor companies follow in case's like this and I am assured that things are being done as they should.

If and when anything is done the dealers will be first to know and you'll be the second.

In the meantime don't ignore your blowing gasket, get it sorted under warrenty before going blasting 100's of miles to the next rally.
And insist on a new gasket every time your scoots exhaust comes off although you may have to pay for this if its not blowing (depending on who your dealer is, I'll just stick them through on warrenty.)

The GTS is still the best scooter in its class despite the scare mongering.
I will continue to ride one and so should you.