Modern Vespa

I'm getting my first Vespa in May. I want a GTS 300 in midnight blue but am not a big fan of the light tan seat so I was going to get the leather seat for the GTS. Since that seat is about $600 the price difference between the GTS and GTV is not that large and now I'm thinking that extra chrome looks pretty sweet. Is there any performance difference in the two?

Both models have the exact same body & engine. The only difference is the light on the front fender on the GTV and different speedometers & a couple of other appearance items.

You can always get a seat cover from [redacted]:


http://[redacted].com/category.cfm?category=112&CFID=204007&CFTOKEN=B1DA6B54-1323-17B2-79A9EAE23823DC23


Lot's of different shops have seat covers etc. For that price difference on seats you could get Pirate Upholstery to do you up a custom one. They did one for me on my MP3 and I love it.

http://www.pirateupholstery.com/services/recovering-seats/


Gotta say I love that Midnight blue so stick with that and get the seat done!


Cheers,
Tross

BTW: If you're taller than somewhere around 5'9", the seat on the GTV will cause you to feel very cramped. I had a GTV seat on a GTS and also owned a GTV and the seats just were not comfortable for me (and many others who've had the same opinion) I'm 6'1". If you're 5'9" or under, you might like the seat. The chrome wheels on the GTV do look really nice.

As XLR8 said, they share the same body and engine. You can add chrome wheels to a GTS, and you can swap the seats very easily between the two as well. So really, if money isn't an issue, it's just the dash, the handlebars, and the headlight you want to consider between the two.

GTV is a GTS in its best suit....


Simples....

Well put.

Before you spring for a leather seat, ask yourself if the bike will be subject to rain. My very slightly used GTS came with a beautiful leather seat and topcase backrest but after a short time, I secured a stock seat and backrest because I didn't want to ruin the leather. The leather seat is also hotter in the sun. I have kept the leather set because it is pretty and probably wouldn't get enough if I sold it to make it worth the hassle of shipping. but if I were buying a new bike, I'd never buy leather.

When I bought my wife's slightly used GTS it came with a Vespa suede seat but it also the stock black. Both the fancy seats are in a basement closet.

You can protect the leather seat, you just have to be mindful of it. I got my brand new 2009 with its stock leather seat, and still have people ask me if the seat is brand new. If I'm going to let it sit outside for more than a couple hours, I simply cover it (I had Pirate Upholstery make me a waterproof cover). If there's more than a 30% chance of rain, I cover it. Every several months, I put a leather cream on it. My scoot is a daily rider, and the seat still looks great.

The seat takes a little getting used to but I'm a little over 5'10" and it's fine for me.

Then you're right on the edge of the height for those who have said that the seat works for them. Glad to hear it works for you but there are many posts on this forum from others who find that the seat makes them feel very cramped. Just wanted to warn the OP that although the GTV seat is beautiful, it doesn't work for many people.

My GTV seat has never been out in the rain for a long time, but just getting rained on while riding - if you are not going too far - is not a problem. It's really nice leather - I just wipe it down when I get to my destination and it's like new. The GTS seat is more comfortable as others have said.