Modern Vespa

Here is an article saying that a GTS 125/300 is on the way with ABS. Vespa is hosting a test ride next week and there should be more info then.

http://www.scooter-infos.com/actualite-011339-nouvelle-vespa-gts-125-300-le-retour-de-l-abs.html

ABS is something i don't want on my scoot.

out of interest, can I ask why

Now, now Terry... I'm sure he has his reasons. It's not for us to pry.

On the way to where? European markets I presume, as you posted a French website. The GTS has been available in Europe in the past with ABS so this isn't startling news. I presume it means the ABS system has been redesigned. The bigger news for the US market is that the Sprint will come here with ABS, as did the 946. Now, whether we will eventually see the GTS with ABS in the US market - I've seen no word or even likely rumors on that yet.

Because if your braking on the expansion joints on bridges your brakes are released for a split second throwing you forward, i,v experienced this myself many times coming down hill towards some traffic lights, its a pants filler.

So is a low side fall when your rear wheel breaks loose in a poor traction situation. There are a number of different ABS systems and they are getting increasingly more sophisticated. Look at how the current BMW ABS system performs versus their earlier systems.

I'm hoping we get ABS options in the US. ABS would have helped lower the speed of impact from my encounter with a Prius last year. I understand the technology is improving, so I say bring it on.

The original ABS on the GTS was extremely short lived and only worked with the front wheel.
This is a newer version manufactured by Continental and will most likely also have ASR. It will work both wheels and is the same one used on the BV in Europe; the X10 also has the linked braking.
This "new" GTS will be shown in about 10 days to the Media.
We will know by then.

HA ha ha The reason I asked. My SH300 has ABS and to be honest, I wouldn't buy another bike/scooter without ABS.
The SH300 has such a fast acceleration, on more than a few occasions it's got me out of trouble. Maybe my old brain dont work as fast as the scooter does. I can think of at least a couple of times without it, I would be in hospital. 8)

I'd like ABS on my Ural but the Russians haven't invented it yet. Now that they have fuel injection and 3 wheel disc brakes, maybe next year.

Having just spent 4 days riding a Yamaha XJ6 with ABS, I'm with terryvanman on this one. My next bike *will* have ABS.

We will know what by then? As you point out, the BV 350 has ABS in Europe and no sign that we will see it here. So, Piaggio announces a GTS with redesigned ABS in Europe next week. What will that tell us about possible future US availability?

Would be nice to have a retro fit kit for a 300 GTS, GTV.

...is with my car.

Once, a car pulled out in front of me while riding my Vespa and I left about an 7' skid on the road with only inches sparing my front fender.

With ABS on a bike, does it mean that I can brake as hard as I can and I won't skid? No matter what?

In a word ....yes

Having a GTS without abs and a 946 with it. I can tell you that abs saved my life and saved me from dropping the bike after impact.
I'd hate to think if I had the same impact without abs to slow me down and decrease impact speed.

ABS will not decrease breaking distance if you know what you are doing. It will prevent a skid though, which on a PTW is really important. It will also give you close to the maximum deceleration under any conditions, which most riders are not able to do.

I will not but another bike/scooter without ABS, whenever that might happen...

I can't let you slip that in Alex without picking up on it!
If you're not planning to give up your source, will you be posting the info up on MV when it comes out? The speculation has been running for months! I didn't expect much before this years ECIMA around November...

Ouch. Glad to see you're OK. I wonder if this is the first 946 prang appearing on MV?

It is in the original article at scooter-infos.com

Gotcha, although Alex sometimes knows more

The rough translation of the French article is...

The high-end Vespa GTS , will soon be available in a new version , available in 125 and 300 cm3. We do not know for now , but it is absolutely certain that the new GTS will be offered with ABS braking .

So the return of ABS at Vespa ! Finally, in Vespa accessible to ordinary people since the recent 946 (9000 EUR 125 cm3) is equipped ...

From 2005, the GTS 250 was offered with an optional coupling + front / rear optional ABS system, but this will not have ABS fizzled quickly removed from the catalog. It is true that the Italians (and the French ) yet plébiscitaient ABS, contrary to what prevails today.

On the other hand, the ABS system was far from perfect . Provided by the supplier FTE , it is also found in Peugeot ( Satelis , Jet Force Elystar ... ) . First, the ABS was on the front wheel ! Secondly and most importantly, the levers commanded a hydraulic power , which occupied itself to transfer power to the calipers , amplifying the force levers ... A gas plant not obvious at all dose and which penalized frankly driveability .

The Vespa GTS 300 we are about to try Tuscany in ten days probably receive an ABS system supplier Continental , which is already the Piaggio X10 system ( three-way ) and Beverly 350 ( two-way system without front / rear coupling ) . Remains to be seen which of the two systems will be retained rather ... We lean towards the second , less expensive than the first and sufficient under urban use. It is also likely that this new GTS benefit of a detachable traction . The Vespa GTS 125 should have the same equipment.

Finally, remember , as we tell you in our recently tested the new Sprint 125 entries that range Vespa 125 (Sprint and Primavera ) will receive an ABS braking from September or October 2014. This will be of a simplified ABS, acting only on the front wheel as the brake drum will remain on this version with ABS

Well the fact that the Sprint will come in the States with ABS, gives us hope that the GTS might come with it too; and it would make sense too.
Why does the $5,099 scooter come with ABS and not their $6,300 scooter.
The BV comes with or without ABS, so they brought over the model without ABS.
If the GTS comes only with ABS in Europe, then the U.S model will have it too.
It would be pointless to make one for the States without it.
Vespa could play a lot on the fact that their scooters now come with ABS and that would be an excellent selling point.
I guess we shall see soon....

Hope we can have. Information about if or when an ABS equipped GTS comes to the US is likely further down the road. I'm with you about the sense of ABS on top end Vespa/Piaggio bikes in the US, but that would lead you to expect ABS on the BV 350 - and we sure have not seen that as you point out.

If they launch a 300+ with abs then I am buying a new one first year it launches. It'll be the one thing to get me to immediately by a second scooter.

Well, I think that a new big scoot is inevitable. Piaggio has said that the GTS line will be one of their focuses over the next three years. The fact that they are adding ABS is a good sign that more is coming, since Vespa often does a partial upgrade/update before rolling out something new (Super 250, LX 3v).

I have no idea what we will see, it is a really exciting time for those who Vespa. I can even see a new 300/350 Vespa coming out soon and maybe even a 200cc (Super?)Sprint to fill the gap between the 125 and the 350.

I don't think this one is as likely as some of the other things you suggest. In the past, increasing the Leader engine to 200cc required liquid cooling. If you liquid cool the Sprint, you increase both weight and cost. The displacement may fall neatly between other products, but the cost likely would not. That is basically why the GT was discontinued. Piaggio is having something of the same problem with contemplating how to put a 350 engine in a successor to the GTS. To handle the extra power, the bike needs a more rigid frame, better brakes, different suspension, and bigger wheels. How do you do all that and still make it look like a classic Vespa? And sell it at a price similar to the GTS? (I suspect that Piaggio will figure out a way, but don't underestimate the difficulty )

Well, there was the Piaggio Liberty 200 that has an air cooled leader engine.

The new 150cc 3v engine has a bore x stroke of 58 x 58.6mm. The older engine had 62.8 x 48.6mm. If you put the combine the larger piston size of the older engine with the longer stroke of the new engine you get a displacement of 181.5cc.

Vespa has advertised the new Primavera/Sprint has a stiffer frame. It has ABS (front on some models), improved front suspension, and bigger wheels. I don't see why the Sprint couldn't handle more power or why Vespa can't similarly improve the GTS successor.

The Super Sprint is just my speculation/dream. I haven't read anything indicating it, but many reviews have said that the Sprint is very stable and could handle more power.

FWIW One of the previous rumour mill threads on MV had the next 'GTS' down to be called the 'Super Turismo'...

Coverage of a Piaggio press release today. Pictures seem to be of the old GTS but the specs are all new...

http://www.2commute.co.uk/2014/04/22/news/new-vespa-gts-announced/

Pics might be a photoshop but you clearly see the chrome around the rear tail light and the LEDs in the front.

I see what you mean - I hadn't clicked on the images to enlarge them. The body line at the front of the engine bay look a little different - maybe that's how they've increased the underseat storage.

After all the rumours, I'm underwhelmed - if the 'new' GTS was a car, it'd be considered a facelift model, rather than a new design. By crossing over the tech and gadgets from the 946 and Primmy, I wonder if Piaggio are just buying themselves 18-24 months to work up a completely new model to replace the GTS, maybe even the 350...

it is a facelift but a deep one and a great way to keep a great bike still modern and fresh, especially with ABS and ASR.
Piaggio will most likely concentrate on a new MP3 this year and then release a new GTS. Remember that these frames usually have a 10 year life cycle.
The MP3 has to be redesigned because that market is exploding in Europe and there is fierce competition...

The MP3 needs a redesign? Hmmm..

http://www.scooter-station.com/Nouveau-Piaggio-MP3-500-LT-2014-ABS-ASR-confirme.html

Since you are in the US, that is pretty easy to say. We haven't seen a new one since 2010.

I've looked at the "new" GTS pics a couple of times and can still barely see a difference. Colour me underwhelmed.

So -

A load of pointless electronics and ABS?

No thanks

Me too, Just Galvanise the bloody thing, thats the best upgrade they could do.

+1

The main reason why my next bike is NOT gonna be another Vespa

Nice enough features to have if I didn't already have a scooter, but as an upgrade from an 08 GTS300? Nope, not a chance.