an uncredited-but-frightening photo, posted on ScooterScene
The UK Scooter-Scene forum is reporting a possible safety issue regarding a Vespa GTS250 exhaust gasket. According to the post, some GTS250 riders are reporting the gasket degrades over time and can fail, releasing excessive heat that can damage the rear brake hydraulic pipe, throttle cable, or gas line, causing a loss of brakes, locked-up throttle, or even the risk of a gas fire or explosion. Piaggio UK has been notified of the problem, and is looking into it. It’s unclear how common the problem is, or if it’s an issue with all GTS250s internationally. It could even be a hoax or a freak occurence, but until more information surfaces, GTS250 riders may want to keep an eye on their pipes and look for signs of damage (louder pipe, excessive heat), and also make sure they’re properly registered with your dealer in case there’s a recall. Thanks for the tip, Nitro.