Modern Vespa

I'm upgrading my Vespa GTS250 (Which i love!) which has done 33,000km for a new GTS 300 (non-super - i prefer the gloss paint). My dealer can get 2 models (both brand new) a 2016 GTS 300 Euro 3 or a 2018 Euro 4 model. The price is the same ($9500 NZD) but I don't know which one to pick. The dealer here in New Zealand has told me that the older models have about 1bhp more than the new 2018 model and he mentioned that the 2016 model might have a better suspension system. From what he said surely it makes sense to pick the Euro 3 model but I'm worried that he's just using me to move old stock? He seems genuine though so I'm a bit confused. It seems counter-intuative to pick an old spec model. I'm not very knowledgable on Vespa's so thought I'd ask on this forum before commiting. Which model would you choose please? I'd plan to keep this for at least 10 years.

Has the old one got the ESS front suspension? Some people rave about that and consider the newer models a downgrade.

Personally I'd buy the one with the nicer paint.

It's a bit of a crapshoot here, depending on a number of factors.

Mine is what I think is a Euro 3-spec 2015 GTS300 Super with ESS front suspension. Not having ridden a non-ESS-equipped GTS, all I can say is that I have no complaints about the bike in terms of overall handling and performance, although after the better part of three years I might be looking into aftermarket shocks sometime next year. Were I unfortunate enough to wreck the thing, I might actually go out of my way to find another clean '15 model - I'm that smitten with it. Doesn't mean later models aren't worth looking into, though. (And I don't think a 1-hp difference is really worth sweating buckets over.)

And, now that we're on the subject, where do you feel your 250 is "lacking" versus the newer models? Sounds like you'e had a great time with it thus far.

(P.S. The "Super" models [like mine] are gloss-finish; it's the Super Sport models that rock matte finishes.)

Thanks guys, I'll ask about the ESS front suspension. Yeah I'm not so much getting a GTS300 becasue my 250 is lacking, it's more that mine's 10 years old now so it's like a preventive measure. i'm happy to buy a new one every 10 years. Thanks for pointing out that the Super has gloss paint too I didn't know that. I'm now thinking that the ESS suspension, along with the extra 1bhp might just make me lean toward the Euro 3 model.

Hi pleccy, I had exactly the same choice when I bought my new GTS in early 2017. Euro 3 or 4? I rode both bikes (demo models) and quickly settled on the slightly more powerful Euro 3 version with the ESS front suspension. Wow! But to be fair the Euro 4 wasn't too much different. Suspension was just a little bumpier at the front than the ESS type, but apart from that there was little noticeable difference. The ESS bike also didn't dive under hard braking so much at the front end as the one with the standard suspension. I would have been happy with the Euro 4 too I'm sure. The power difference I didn't notice between the two as the Euro 4 bike I took out for a test run was brand new and I didn't want to rag the engine. However, it's actually only about 0.3hp difference, not 1hp. I'd also try to get the price down on a 2016 bike. It shouldn't be the same price as a Euro 4 bike I suspect, unless we are talking about two actual different models of the GTS ie a 70 Anniversary model against a Super Sport or something like that. The fact is, either bike will be good. Good luck and let us all know what you get!

Thank you Stormrider, the fact is that you have ridden and compared both is extremelly helpful. I will be buying it on Monday morning so I will have a wee think over the weekend but as you say i will probably enjoy both equally anyway!

Speaking from my motor trade experience(in the UK),if the E3 is registered as a 2016 it will be valued as a 2016(when trading in),to the buying dealer,something to consider before buying,this is of course in the UK,the US may well be different,but from my experience with buying bikes from US dealers,they will use every reason possible to tell you how worthless your trade in is,strangely enough just like a UK dealer

Thanks old rocker. I think that here in New Zealand it will be registered as a 2018 model, even though it was made in 2016 (I'll check this though)

In New Zealand he!,well you already know Poms can't read.
I also meant to say that even though the Registration will state 2018,in the UK it would state 2016 as year of Manufacture.
Of course I don't know about New Zealand,but worth checking out.

I think OPmentioned he's looking to keep it. I ride 2016 GTS 300 Super Sport which I love dearly. I didn't know about the ESS suspension bit nor did I know about the power difference. All I know is I wanted to get one(bought 2017) that has the updated instrument cluster and I found a brand new 2016 that was $6000CDN vs. $7200 for the 2018 of the exact same spec. I obviously went with the 2016 and everyday I ride, it reminds me of how great of a choice I made buying a big body Vespa.

Magnum: Damn, I'd say you made out like gangbusters with that ride. I consciously chose mine as a long-term keeper, and I haven't changed my mind; in fact, if anything, my convictions have strengthened over the last two-and-a-half years. Just take care of it, and I'll bet you'll be a happy camper for a long time.

Go for Euro 3 with ESS, I have owned both and the old/new suspension is crap imho...

Certainly won't argue with Budz: that's three of us with '15/16 GTS' with ESS.

I've had a 15' a 16' & an 18'. They are all damn good rides. However comparing price with a 16' & a 18' apples to apples the older model no question should be less cost. I would think the dealer would have an incentive to clear the 2016 model first.

$0.02

By the one with the ESS. Why because they don't make it anymore.

10 years or whatever when you go to sell it, it will still have the better suspension that others don't have.

Thanks all, I test rode the Beverly BV350 this morning just to be sure, but while i totally appreciate it's a better bike, I just felt nothing from it and did't enjoy the ride so much. this is obviously very subjective and i understand why people might choose the BV350 ovr a GTS.

So i placed an order today for the 2016 Euro 3 model after they confirmed it has ESS suspension. I went for the bog standard 300ie in gloss black. There were only two 2016 models left in the whole country, (lol i should buy them both and leave one in the garage for 10 years haha).

The cost of the new bike was $9500 NZD and they offered me $3500 NZD for my 9 yr old GTS 250 with 33,000km (20,000 miles), which needs a new rear tyre and an MoT (we call that a WoF) + service in 2 months. So I was happy with that. 36% of the price isn't a bad trade In my book.

Even though my new one is basically identical to my 2009 GTS250 I'm still super excited lol!

I was thinking that if we were having this conversation in 20 years time we would all be salivating over the ESS suspension like some of the NSM guys might over a T5 ?

Why did they ditch the ESS anyway?

Officially, no word. My speculation, issues.