Modern Vespa

I just got back from talking to a Vespa dealer who says that he spoke very recently with Paolo himself (C.E.O. of Piaggio Americas) about the status of the GTS 300, and that the 300 is not slated to come to America. Instead, we are supposed to get a "GTS Special," but not with a 300cc motor.

I've heard through the grapevine from another very large dealer that we are getting the 300's but not for a year.

This leaves me a little confused, since both dealers maintain good communication with Piaggio. I don't know what to think!

Piaggio models aside, The USA has every Vespa model available in Europe,
Yes? What would be the reason not to release the 300 here?

I heard from my dealer also about a 250 special. Black rims, etc...but no 300 right away. He seemed to think that it was a stop gap scooter until the 300 engine could get "approved" in the US.

Sounds cool to me...maybe not a GTS replacement...but for us that do not have a GTS yet it could be a GTS alternative.

so has there been any news of the 250 Special then?

See this thread. I think it's the same for the U.S.

http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/topic26367.html

I hope it doesn't come to the US. I wont be able to live with myself knowing there is a faster bike out there.

I don't know anything, but I heard it will come to the US with the 250 motor for a while until the 300 gets DOT'd.

I can believe that.

+1

Looks like my brothers about to chop in his GT200 and put a deposit down on a spangly new white GTS300........

He might be able to keep up with the GTV now!

bam, picture

white gts 300 / gts 250 special, they look same dont complain.
(found it on an italian vespa forum.)

[/img]

EPA'd not DOT'd is my guess.

Dave

Just another data point ...

The local news did several spots from the local Vespa dealer this morning (even got my mug on the boobtoob). Anyway, a local or regional Piaggo representative was also there. When asked about the 300, he only said 'not at this time', but to expect the white and black (ala all the 300 pics we have seen) to be available on the GTS 250 this year.

Yeah....but I want that 28 cc's to put me right in my sweet spot...

...to be or not to be..?

looks like folks will be holding on to their scoots a little longer (for the 300) so won't see an influx of used GTS's/GTV's on Craigslist for a bit...

elmonchichi,

It's another 34cc (244 V 278).... a 14% increase in CC's plus the extra torque of course.

Click on a photo towards the bottom of the link for loads of great pics of the new GTS 300:

http://www.megamodo.com/piaggio-vespa-gts-300-super/motori/

Jif

Not quite the same, this one is missing the new side vents. A buddy of mine on this site, sold his GTS and is waiting for the GTS 300, I wouldnt have done that, I guess hes going to be waiting for a while. Even if the 278cc 300 comes out, Im staying with my 250, not worth the hassle of selling & financing another scoot for an additional 20cc.

Manny

Guess you haven't heard of a BV500.

Back in the '60's and '70's there were plenty of models that were "in between," and have now become more rare. My guess it that the 250 Special will be around for a year or a year and a half until the 300 is introduced, and then it will be abandoned in favor of the 300.

I'll bet that 20 years from now, the 250 Special will be "collectible" because of it's limited life.

Actually, I tried the new 300 in Rome last week, and the 14% makes a difference.

The torque is noticable better, but except this, they have changed the transmission, and the new feels much tighter, and more confortable. The clicking sound when letting of the throttle is gone.

New shocks, much better than the originals, have been fitted as well, and even if less good than my bitubos, it adds to making the bike a totally new experience.

I'd definitely spend the few extra bucks to get the 300 instead of the 250 if I where up for a buy. Ok, a pity the termometer has been omitted, but perhaps the rims outweight that?

Really probable I'll sell "Francesca" and get a 300 within soon.

Since we are looking for a white GT/GTS, we would probably buy the 250 ASAP instead of waiting so long for the 300.

So are there any changes to the Super 250's motor or transmission? Or are the changes only cosmetic? If only cosmetic,I'd me more apt to wait on the 300.

Tim

victorlaszlo,

Good to hear the 14% makes a difference. I recently sold my PX 200 and my GTS 250 is going on Sunday to make way for the 300. I put a deposit down on a white one which should be hear by the end of May (it obviously didn't make it.... ).

Any more comments from your test ride would be appreciated. Were (me and the wife) visiting Rome again for 4 days in July after 5 days lazing around in Sperlonga.

Cheers

Are the 125cc versions of the GT, GTV and GTS available in the U.S. like they are here?

No, we don't get 125s from Vespa now. We get the 50s, 150s, 200, and 250s. Our 150s are usually equivalent to your 125s, other than the slightly larger engine. 125 scoots don't have a huge market here, but it's starting to pick up. The only ones I can think of that we get are the Genuine Buddy 125, the Yamaha Vino 125, and Kymco's Agility 125. Possibly a few random Chinese 125s as well.

Sorry to revisit old post, but I was searching on Google and this post came up. Some of what you guys already posted did happen already.


GTS 250 Special? Yes it already happened. Some GTS 250's arrived with 300 on them. The look was of a 300,but had 250 motors.

GTS 250 in white or black? The GTS 250's that came with 300 on them were in black or White.

Will the GTS 300 come to the USA? Vespa's website says the GTS 300 Super will be in dealers in March. Some dealers already have them priced on their website. It is February and my local dealer said that Piaggio did not give any permission for then to inport them to dealers in America.

Exact words from Vespas website "The 2009 Vespa GTS 300 Super is available at U.S. Vespa retailers starting in March. Color choices include Shiny Black or Optic White. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $6,199"

We dont have the 125cc GTS.

I still just want the motor.

Just got confirmation from my rep that the GT300 will be here mid march.