Modern Vespa

Hello this is my first post...be gentle with me.

I am in the process of buying a Sprint S 150 ABS and do not want to have buyers remorse for not getting the GTS 300 Super Sport instead. Has anyone regretted not getting more powerful ride?

The things to know regarding my decision:
-I live 10 miles from work.
-I will be riding mostly on city streets but would like to ride on the highway if possible.
-I have ridden before.
-I am more worried about acceleration than overall MPH. I want to be able to get out of the way if someone is trying to catch a Charrizard while driving.
-Money isn't a huge issue but if I don't need to spend more I would prefer not to.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Mark

Get the GTS.

^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said.

GTS 300

if you can handle the weight and seat height get the GTS.

Well that was easy Lol

I am 5'6" So I think I will have to test drive the GTS to see how it feels.

Thanks Everyone! =)

There must be some cultural difference in traffic, because I never don't have to "get out of the way" where I'm riding.

So I would otherwise say that 150 is plenty enough, and accelerates pretty fast within other than freeway speeds, but based on numerous previous discussions, there is clearly something I just don't see in my environment.

My happiness with a 125cc is based on the fact that I know what I need and also know what it would be to have a more powerful scoot (well, a bike, I never owned a more power scoot as such) - but it's clear I'm fortunate enough to do without any need for getaway capability

Ride both. You will get to feel the difference and make a better decision on what fits you best. I test rode a few 150s before deciding. In the end I felt more comfortable on the larger vespas. I wan't cramped up as much. I also considered that I didnt feel like I was riding 90% all the time. On the larger vespa I could ride at 50% and know there was more if I needed it to pass traffic or merge.

GTS, you'll find yourself riding it all the time and even taking a day trip on it

Ha. There's a kit for the 300 too when it starts to feel slow.

I originally was interested only in the GTS, but the dealers I visited advised me to get a smaller scooter. Size wise, I'm big enough for the GTS, but I'm new to riding and the Sprint will be easier for me to handle. I will also riding the majority of the time between 25-45 MPH. Try them both and get the one you feel more comfortable handling.

Yes, in fact darned near everyone has at one time or another. All depends on how you will use the scooter, of course, but the GTS has flexibility for a wide range of riding conditions. (BTW you said two magic words there that argue for the GTS - highway and acceleration)

I come from the position of someone who was recently spirited (by way of Significant Other) from the big city to the semi-'burbs, and was set to go for a relatively mild-mannered motorcycle when S.O. gently requested I go for something even "milder." I said "fine, but I have my limits." This meant a scooter, which quickly led to Vespa, and even more quickly to the GTS...which has been something of a lovely revelation: all the power I feel I need for any road (which was a non-negotiable by my lights), but still "friendly" in that manner Vespas always seem to be. The point being that you don't need to think twice whether that thirty-mile stretch of multi-lane is "appropriate" to ride on - you simply can, on a machine that can largely keep up without being flogged within an inch of its life, but is otherwise elegantly unassuming...it won't demand your donning a cape and tights every time you climb aboard.

(Okay, this is all I'm typing on a smartphone.)

Ok so get a 300 sport gts. =)

I hope I'm not diverting the discussion, but I'm truly curious about this and this may also help with the original question:

With Sprint, when I'm going faster (about 90% of the top speed matches quite well with a common speed limit on smaller roads around here), I don't miss more power, but bigger wheels!

I was so badly reminded about this when I test drove a "modern retro" bike, Triumph Street Twin a week ago. At a speed where with Vespa I'm just focusing on not hitting pot holes or other bad surfaces, with the Triumph it felt I could have taken my hands of the bars and read a novel while riding

So, my thesis is that although Vespa could go fast, it's not really very good in going fast (compared to even a very basic big wheeler).....alright, and now I'll take cover and see if I'm alone with this

If I was totally city riding, I'd probably go small frame. Depends then on how much highway riding I wanted to do? I do a small amount of highway riding on my 125 and always feel a bit vulnerable mixed up with big trucks and other big slower vehicles.

Also please forgive my ignorance, but isn't the Bay Area hilly (never been, so my point of reference is lots of 70's American tv shows), if so, GTS hands down.

Welcome to MV 8)

I'm 5'8" and 165 and prefer the small frame VESPA as I see the mission as being nimble and light. We have a new Sprint 50 and an S150 and love both for what they are. I also own a BMW K1200RS and a Ducate Monster S4R, which are built for speed and distance. I would buy something that meets your needs 90% of the time rather for the 10% need for speed. As has been pointed out small wheels and speed aren't a good combination.

I have a GTS250 and an LX150 - essentially very similar to the two you are considering. There are roads that I would much rather ride the GTS than the LX. The reverse is almost never the case. If I could only have one - it would be the GTS without question. In fact, my wife has taken the LX and I rarely ride it. The GTS is a brilliant all round scooter. I believe it will do everything the LX will do, and do it better, as well as doing much more.

Having said that, I have suggested to my wife that we replace (her) LX150 with a GTS 250/300. She said no, she likes the light weight and easy filtering of the LX and wants to keep it.

As you state you have ridden before, unless there is a compelling argument such as you will have difficulty handling the extra weight, registration/licensing/insurance restrictions, parking space etc, there is really no question - get the GTS.

I'm in the east bay. Kind of suburban area. You are expressing the same concern I thought I would have.

Yeah I was thinking a smaller model would be more appropriate for my height. I am 5'6" and 180 athletic and built like a brick.

Well my "ridden before" comment might be a little misleading. I rode a lot about ten years ago. Lol I keep flip Flopping now.

I guess my Real question is will the Sprint 150 sport have enough acceleration to get the F*** out of the way of a truck or dude on a mustang. Basically life saving acceleration. I have seen the 50's try and accelerate and its so slow. I really think it comes down to the test drives for a final answer.

Thanks everyone for all the help. Everyone is amazing.

if u want that, get the 300gts

All the answers are pretty much predictable, this forum should be renamed from MV to GTS long time ago...

Now, I don't think that is fair. We are not just fan boys for the GTS. Most of us own and ride other scooters as well. It is the OP who keeps bringing up issues like hills, highways, acceleration, etc. The best answer to those questions is not a 125/150 scooter (and I own 2 of them ).

Having had Melody up to about 70mph, I feel the bike is pretty stable, and not fear-inducing - yes, on bigger (off-road) bikes, I literally could ride no-hands with little fear, and I probably wouldn't try that on the GTS, but I rarely do that on any of my bicycles these days. I do suppose it depends on one's threshold for stability, but the bottom like is that the GTS doesn't strike me as twtichy at speed.

(Oh, and for the record, I'm a bit over 5'8 and a shade over 200lbs.)

Do not take it close, i just think that more than 90 % of people here owing a gts, i might be wrong of course.

Well, I'm looking from the gts 125 cc perspective. I do not think that distance to work is an issue, 10 miles (or more) can be done on both easy, the high way capability is most important thing. No questions gts 300 is the winner here. I've tried my gts 125 on a high way, it definetely not enough to keep on with traffic, BUT, even if i had 250 or 300 cc version i would avoid high ways in any case. My advice to OP - get a gts 300, you wont regret it.

Excellent! Seems like everyone is in agreement then.

300 if I get on the freeway, want higher acceleration and plan to do long distance in the future.

150 will be fine for everything else with less acceleration. With better gas mileage.

Definitely helps with my decision making. Thanks for sharing everyone!

I am listening to this discussion, because once the wife approves (and she's close) I am buying a Vespa. (Took the Basic Rider Course this weekend.) I was leaning towards the Primavera 150 Touring but I'm 6'2" and 250. I have started seriously considering the GTS. It feels better to me and the silver 70th anniversary addition appeals to me. Acceleration, and size = to me the GTS I think. Thoughts?

when i originally started riding my licence limited me to a 125. i rode a fantastic S125 for 2 years 60 miles a day (40 of which on a busy dual carriageway). Did i have fun riding it (yes), did i long for a faster machine yes. Soon after my restriction was lifted i ended up trading to a BV350.

THis bike does everything i need it to do. Can travel cross country with relative ease 2 up and carry all the groceries too. Do i long for a faster machine than the BV? Yes! Did i have as much or more fun riding the S? Yep.

I'm starting to think its not the scoots that are the problem here.

I actually prefer riding the smaller scoots in the city as they are much more nimble and horsepower isn't the limiting factor. Its much more fun riding near or at the limit of these PTWs. However for my commute, the extra speed and acceleration of the BV is welcome but not essential.

Ask me in 18 months time when a shiny new max sym 600 or N750X DCT adornes the driveway.

However the LX is not going anywhere anytime soon!

Well, with my M designation, I can test ride, and I will. I also like limber and maneuverable.

At your height and size I would definitely go with the GTS. The one thing that was putting me on the fence about the 150 vs 300 was the seat height but when I visited a dealership over the weekend the 300 wasn't too big for me at 5'6" So I will be going with that. I'm going to get my permit next Friday and will be test driving both just to be sure. Good luck with your decision!

Thanks, Mark_it!

Get a Honda PCX. It does everything well.