Modern Vespa

I'm a bit of a heretic here - but be aware I ride an 1173cc roadbike as well.

Taking a GTS - 250 or 300 - on a freeway at freeway speed is operating at the edge of its envelope. It certainly can be done, but it has a few quirks which may affect you. I'd hazard a guess that most of the regular freeway riders here are already used to these things and take them in their stride - so can you, but I think it helps to know upfront.

1. 12" wheels, short-ish wheelbase, quick steering and limited suspension travel all affect how the GTS 'feels' at highway speed. I call it "skittish" .. the scoots isn't going to go down, but sometimes it can feel that way until you get used to it. I'd say my GTS (with aftermarket suspension) is stable to 60mph on smooth roads. After that, it gets to feel "light" so that by 70mph I'm conscious of riding through this "skittish" feeling. As I got used to it, it became more of a "quirk" than an "irk" - but even after three years, I'm still conscious of it.

2. The motor / CVT / gearing is really set for town and (I think) it's out of puff very quickly after 60mph. I've ridden highways and the open road with 244cc and 278cc machines and all lose speed on long or steep hills, and in stiff headwinds. This is eminemntly manageable, but you will experience it. Big trucks come up behind awfully fast if your speed falls to 50mph!

3. It takes more effort than an open-road machine. As fun as a GTS is, it's a city scoot and on the open road it has to be "ridden" where a larger machine takes less effort. This "riding" is a lot ( a LOT ) of fun, but it does tire you out. (KUDOSKUDOSKUDOS at this point to the iron butt riders .. dunno HOW you did it!!!!)

4. Fast on bumpy roads takes a LOT of nerve!!! I've been airborne a few times ... fun, fun, fun - but it does happen!

That's my experience. Hope it helps.

Regarding point 1 - I call it the wiggles, as opposed to wobble, which is different and which I also get. But, as you say, it doesn't feel like it's going down - well, it just wiggles! I was especially conscious of it when I took the MP3 out and was reminded how stable that sucker is.

I commute daily on a freeway (actually the Turnpike in Pennsylvania) about fifteen miles each way. My 300 Super has no problem keeping up with traffic and if I choose I can get ahead of it.

Ya, I pretty much agree with all of this. Bigger wheeled bikes have better gyro....

Two things really helped me at 70+ mph (indicated). I installed the bar end weights that came with my GTV (without top box) and I got a tall windscreen that I trimmed down to lip/nose level. The windscreen made a huge difference, IMO.

As far as I can tell, all the Vespa Iron Butt riders are all windshield guys....

Same here. When I first got mine it felt "floaty" or kinda light on the front end at highway speeds. I got the bar weights with my top box and it helped a little, but when I added the windscreen (about lip height, like yours), it got much more stable. Almost seems like I added weight to the front wheel. Probably some down force is created by the shape/size of the windscreen. It was a nice bonus.

Thanks to all who replied. I never thought of the windscreen and the helmet recommended is more that I usually wear, but for the freeway it makes sense. I'm not wild about going on the freeway but from Santa Monica to Kaiser WLA it just seems like soo much easier (and I'll only go during light periods anyway).

With the 300 being lighter than most freeway-intended bikes, just be ready for turbulence behind semi's, trucks, and vans. It's annoying, but totally doable if you know to expect it and don't panic.
Full-face is my preference for freeway...if you think bugs suck at town speeds, hit a hard-shell bug at 70. O.o June bugs to the chest HURT. (...Ow.)

I got my GTS 300ie intending to go on the intertate semi-frequently. There's a 40-mile stretch of I-40 with a 70mph speed limit that I keep up with traffic just fine on. My qualifying test was coming up the mountain: my 125cc 1st scooter slowed to ~40-45...never did that again on that bike. The GTS holds a nice 65mph in the 55mph uphill stretch. Mostly I'm holding with traffic, sometimes working my way past people.

...And I love catching up to and passing harleys. Sometimes they scowl, sometimes they laugh and wave, usually they look confused....