Modern Vespa

Rode 7.5 miles, freeway and surface street.

Totally different than my GT 200' but many things the same. You cannot really compare the two as it would be like comparing a Porsche 911 to a Mercedes 600.

The ride is smooth, very nice suspension, feels a lot like a big motorcycle. Nice suspension travel. I actually did bottom out the suspension, kind of surprized me. I weight 194 and the dip was not THAT big, otherwise no issues.

Took it on the freeway, which I normally do not ride, but this scooter is heavy so I thought made for the long open road. Acceleration naturally was no issue, really fast. Once I was up to speed however, the same reasons for not taking the freeway on the Vespa, still popped up. Lots of wind, lots of buffeting, especially passing trucks, so the freeway portion of my test ride was sort of disappointing. Not sure what I was expecting, well yes, I was expecting a smooth cruise, but the reasons I do not ride my Vespa on the freeway are not Vespa related but more natural elements related.

Riding the GT 650 on the freeway was great, when there were no other cars or trucks in the lanes next to you, but that does not happen too much in S. California.

The electric windshield is really cool. You can adjust it so you are still looking over the windshield but the wind is blocked, real cool feature. You can move the windshield up and down about 6-7 inches. The rake seems to change a little, but that is not adjustable.

The brakes seemed very responsive, but the scooter did not stop as quick as the Vespa. This might be because it is much heavier, or maybe the speedometer is more accurate than the Vespa, so I was just going faster.

Cannot say much about the cornering as I was not going to try any fast twisties on a scoot I am not used to and that is not mine.

The heated handgrips work very well, I had to turn them off. The heated seat I would have to get used to. The passenger can adjust their own seat temp..

The speedometer is a little on the small side, and was not that easy to read. Beside the speedometer is a LCD display that can display almost everything you need, but your heart rate as you are flying along. A distraction on a scooter, takes your eyes off the road for two long.

Big storage under the seat. The GT has a totally different seat than the sport, I thought it was much more comfortable.

No access to the engine. You literally have to take the scooter apart to do anything, cannot even take a peak at it. The engine btw is very smooth. You do not feel it or hear it when you are at cruising speed, nice.

This scooter is lloonngg, again feels like a larger motorcycle when trying to maneuver in tight spaces.

Really a nice work. You have to give BMW credit for building these AND for bringing them to the USA, where these scooters will he a nich market.

No real negatives, the price of the GT 650 was $11,200. Seems competitive to me, and once you ride one, almost seems like a real deal (almost).

I was not looking to replace my Vespa, but the GT650 would be an addition.

I have not made up my mind yet. BTW, for all the Vespa folks who complain about belt replacement it's around $300.00 for these to replace the belt.

You know the feeling you have, when you go to the dealer and drive a new car, then you get back into your old car and go, that new car was really neat. Well when I got back on my Vespa to ride home from the BMW dealer, I was thinking, this thing is really neat, and fun. I guess not that surprising, was smiling all the way home.

Nice review, thank you! One of my friends is getting one and can't wait to see it in person and get his thoughts as well.

Thanks for posting that. There's one thing I'm still very curious about, though. How did the ergonomics compare to your GT200L?

Interesting review! I think you may just have to work up to getting used to riding on the freeway with trucks and cars. My BV 250 is a lot lighter and less capable scooter, and I weigh in the 120s and ride regularly on the freeway with trucks and cars during commute and non-commute times. It's not scary at all, once you get used to it.

+1 and my LX150 is even smaller and lighter. Passing or getting passed by 18 wheelers doesn't bother me either. In fact I kind of hope to be able to slip in behind and take advantage of the draft. Very good review. I too am curious about ergonomics. I find the Vespa much better in that regard than some other bigger bikes I've been on.

Yup, that's what the world needs: an expensive to buy, expensive to run, inefficient scooter.

Somebody must explain to me why it exists.

P.

Is it inefficient to run? What mileage does it get?

Good review. Not really likely to buy one, but interesting.

Inexpensive to buy and own?

This is BMW. They don't make anything for those reasons. As an aswer to whose got the cheapest to buy and maintain.

But inefficient? Put a bike like this one together and see if you can get better fuel mileage out of it.

C'mon Paul, LOL. You already knew this

Harv

I rode with a guy who claimed he bought his Goldswine to combat buffeting. So we rode out, me on my Harley, him on the goldswine. Freeway speeds, a row of semis and he dealt with it the same as anyone else. Sometimes you catch drafts and swirls just so and learning to deal with them is part of riding.

I would looove to own that GT650.

Harv

These are the types of reviews that I like, ones with details on how your eye's are too long away from the road (for comfort) while looking at the speedo etc. Funny that you bottomed out the suspension (did that with my MP3 500) . Should be no problem getting aftermarket upgraded shocks for that scoot in the future. Should be interesting on how long (and if) it takes for the aftermarket to come up with accessories.

Question: Any dealer accessories at the dealership yet?


Keep them coming,
Tross

Somebody with a chinese 150cc scooter may be saying exactly the same thing about your choice of scooter.

The rear shock on both the Sport and the GT are adjustable. I have never bottomed out my Sport shock yet in 500 miles. It is set towards the lower end of spring preload.

Heck, somebody with a Buddy may well say the same thing about our GTS scooters. Choices are good. More choices are better .

Totally agree!

I love the looks of the new BMW and frankly when you look at the cost of the GTS 300 with any accessories pushing $7000, I don't see how anyone can think the BMW is expensive at $11,000. To me the $4000 extra is well warranted or am I missing something. When I told a friend who own a Harley what my GTS cost if bought new, he almost fell off of his bike.

The BMW costs 2.5 x the price of the GTS in Europe. GTS= $6900 BMW= $16000. Likewise European cars like the Golf are much cheaper over there.

Doug, I agree, Europe is a different story but here in the States I can't see how anyone can think the BMW is expensive when you compare it to Vespa's 300??

BINGO. Maybe Paul just hasn't had his coffee.