Modern Vespa

I have been without my 2012 GTS 300 Super for a few years now. I am starting to get the itch to get another one.

I was all set to focus on a new GTS300 with the HPE. However, I'm just starting to learn a little about the shortened maintenance schedules of these and higher cost of maintenance. My old dealer closed down and the now the closest Vespa dealer is an hour and a half away in a not very convenient location. It's a real pain to have to it drop it off and get a ride home.

My question is it better to stick with a late model, low mileage, well taken care of 300 or just go all in and get the HPE? Those that have had both, I'd like to get your perspective.

It not so much the cost as it is the inconvenience of not having a local dealer.

My dealer's about as far away.

I rode up in the morning, got my rear tire replaced and 6250mi service done, and then rode home in the afternoon. If you don't mind spending the day in your dealer's town once a year, HPE maintenance isn't a big deal.

Sooner or later you would want to do that maintenance yourself.

Robot Services a GTS 300 HPE, and...Yikes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeTCeduHArc

I went with a new vehicle because I thought it would be easier to deal with for a while. Although I took it to the dealer for the first 1,000 km service, I expect to do them myself at some point. It only took the dealer a couple of hours to do the first service. I'll be willing to bet his ride back along the coast was alot nicer to deal with than yours.

This is a bit tough: on the one hand, buying a new GTS means a spanking-new machine with (I believe) a two-year warranty, and (possibly) one year of roadside assiatance...at least that was the case when I bought my 2015 GTS 300 Super (floor model) in late 2015. The HPE has a bit of a performance boost, with the caveat that in stock form the HPE has a lower top speed (75mph) than, say, my GTS (80+), though this can be remedied aftermarket-style. And there's that cool-to-some-folks, all-digital TFT instrument panel

OTOH: That service interval. This might be Piaggio simply being overly cautious and not wanting to piss off new owners in the event of premature failure of drive belts and such, but the service intervals I'm dealing with already are close enough as-is. I'm also not totally sold on deep integration of stuff like Bluetooth tech via TFT on the HPE SuperTech, given (1) some of the problems Piaggio is already having with the new system, and (2) the ridiculous pace of progress/obsolescence on this front. (It's been an issue in the automotive arena for a while.) I dig the "hybrid" panel on my 2015 GTS Super, and current GTS' beneath the SuperTech have similar dash layouts which, IMO, offer everything one practically needs.

This doesn't mean I don't like the SuperTech: I'm actually glad it exists, if for no other reason than to make the point that the GTS remains a "sweet-spot" platform among larger, more-powerful scooters. And, if I didn't have my current GTS (i.e. 2015 or later), I'd be rather tempted to go for the ST, shorter service-intervals and all. But from my POV, the SuperTech's advantages over my current ride simply aren't enough to make me pull the trigger, and if performance was an issue for me (it isn't), I can certainly tweak my bike's mill beyond the HPE's power specs. But it's fine as-is. (And I haven't even touched on my bike's ESS-based front suspension versus the back-to-basics-but-tweaked-a-bit front end of the new GTS', including the SuperTech.)

Bottom Line: Any new or well-kept-used (2015 and later) GTS 300 will likely be a noticeable improvement on your previous GTS, period. You just can't go wrong. As far as just how "new" to go, that's a bit tricky. If I wrecked Melody tomorrow (which would suck, since I just got her back today after three weeks), I'd likely go looking for another of the same model-year or maybe a '16 or 17. If I couldn't find a good example, I'd get an HPE, and if I had to go with an HPE, then what the hell, I'd shoot the works and get a SuperTech. But to paraphrase the late and somewhat-great Bill Hicks, I'm not here to tell you exactly what bike to buy, I'm simply saying "consider your options."

I did ride home along the coast, but I rode there on the freeway.

It also seems that most of the Vespa dealers in FL are on the coast, so there's a good chance the OP can sneak in some coastal riding too.

Get the HPE! The only maintenance that's extra is really the valve check every 6250 miles. Many of us who ride hard on the highway already do our valve checks early anyway. It's easy and it's no big deal. Dealers don't charge very much to do it. The HPE also requires it's belt and rollers to be changed at the same time every 6250 miles. Again, that's something many of us do on our Euro3/4 bikes already. It's cheaper to do it that way as you are not paying to have rollers only changed at 6250, and then have pretty much the same work done at 9000 miles to replace the belt. So by having it done at 6250 you are saving money on labour, saving on wear and tear on the bike crankshaft and clutch shaft threads. and getting a bike that's always going to perform at peak level.

I generally change out my rollers, ramp plate guides, and belt every 7500 miles. I clean out the clutch at the same time. Everything is always good.

Let us know how you get on. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for all the good responses. Lots of food for though from your experiences.

I watched the Scooterwest maintenance video for the HPE. I would stay away from it. There is nothing they did that I can't do, but the parts alone are $300. You are supposed to replace the belt every 6K miles, as well as a lot of other things. SW sells a kit with all the parts in it for about $300. If you have the dealer do the service, plan on $600. $600 every 6K miles is unacceptable to me. That's $100 every 1K miles, plus a real hassle if you don't have a dealer nearby. I have to admit I am disappointed in Vespa about this. Newer technology should mean LESS maintenance, not more. I do the valves, the belt, and other big stuff on my old GT200 every 12K miles. I do change the oil every 3K miles, but I do that on ALL vehicles. I also carry a spare belt and tools to replace it beside the road if it should fail.

Is the parts cost the same and only the interval different (so more parts) or does the HPE require more parts per tune up?

What do you think ?

82635-PA Oil Filter
OIL5W40C Castrol Oil Quart
285536 O-Ring for Oil Drain Plug
1A009598 OEM Drive Belt
CM294902 Roller Weights
830249 Valve Cover Bolt Rubber
829536 Valve Cover Gasket
HCL6MINI Hose Clamp
OILBRAKE Brake Fluid
OILGEAR-MINI Gear Box Oil
000397 Gear Oil Plug Crush Washer
8319970P OEM Air Filter
1A011977 Belt Cover Air Filter
MR7BI-8 NGK Spark Plug
485080 Water Pump Impeller Cover O-Ring

TOOLS:

TOOLGTSV Variator Holder
TOOLETC-IA Clutch Holding Tool
TOOLFUNNEL Red Line Oil Funnel
TOOLOILPAN Low Profile Oil Drain Pan
78-9955 Maxima Coolant
TOOLSN Coolant Cap/Steering Nut Tool

KITS:

BELT-GTS300-HPE-SERVICE-TOOLS Service Kit with Tools
BELT-GTS300-HPE-SERVICE-KIT Service Kit without Tools

Comprehensive 6K Service List for Vespa GTS 300 HPE @ 1:04
https://youtu.be/EeTCeduHArc

I don't know. I assume you pay more because the shorter interval for changing the belt and checking the valves but wouldn't you pay for everything on that list for the non HPE as well, just not twice as often for the belt, rollers, and valve cover gasket?

I don't have a before list to compare it too, but it would seem offhand that it would cost somewhat less than 2x as much if the service interval has been shortened by half for only some of the items.

It all depends really on those items that were serviced later on earlier models.

When weighing all this up you must not forget that the GTS HPE no longer requires a 9k mile belt service. This saves lots and lots of money and is the sensible way to have gone.

Previously on Euro3/4 bikes you are paying twice for transmission work by having the rollers and ramp plate guides replaced at 6250 miles, and then having the same labour carried out again at 9000 miles just to replace the belt. Frankly that's ridiculous given the belts on these are so inexpensive. Just change the lot once at 6250 and save loads on labour and the inconvenience of having a 9k service. It's better for the bike too as there is less wear and tear on the crankshaft and clutch shaft threads. You'll never have a belt break either, although that's not something Vespas are noted for if serviced correctly anyway. No need to carry tools with you to replace a belt at the roadside either if you stick to the manufacturers belt replacement recommendations.

Over here in the Uk many dealer replace the belt and rollers at the same time for their customers because it saves the customers money, time and inconvenience. Work it out, it's a no brainer to do it that way.

Yes this list of parts is not always needed for every service as you prolly know. You only need to replace the air filter and brake fluid for example every two years or so depending on mileage. You never replace the transmission filter, just wash it as it's plastic and doesn't wear out. You are not going to be replacing the transmission oil every service etc etc, or the spark plug, you know what I mean. In fact the total cost of servicing the HPE bike over any given period is likely to be only a tiny bit different to the previous Euro3/4 bikes. But you do get a lot more power. Can't be bad.

I agree with Stromrider on this. I am seriously still considering HPE and maintenance interval/cost differences are marginal and therefore not my major concerns.

I just picked up a new HPE SuperTec. Haven't ridden my '09 in a while, but dropped it off at the dealer to have it gone through. Anxious to ride it after putting a few miles on the new one. When someone spends $7K plus on a new Vespa, the service seems to be a non issue. New one seems a bit quicker off the line, but the top speed sucks. I had all the go fast items installed and 80 mph seems ridiculously slow. Time will tell

My 2009 GTS 250 has 25K on the clock, and seems to be doing just fine. Regular maintenance is key to longevity and I know my way around it pretty well. I'll likely run it until it won't run no more.

Upgrading isn't always what it's cracked up to be. And a new engine platform with new electronics could have unforeseen issues in the future. One of the reasons I do not buy the 1st model year of any car.

Love this one Stromrider. So true. Getting my new Racing Sixties HPE today, in addition to my GTS 2016. No car. Was worried a bit by the shortened service. I am not anymore. Thanks for it.

Rather envious! Lol...

Good luck arh and let us all know what you think of it!

Congratulations arh ! Please let us know if the HPE makes your arms stretch and neck twist when taking off. Looking forward to get some feedback.

Safe ride !

Don't want to steal the post. In fact I opened another one about adding a Vespa for commuting a few days ago. And irrationally I admit I did it. I added a second GTS to replace my maxiscooter AK550. I could easily steal Strormrider's motto, instead of 50 years I would put 40. Yes those little scooters make me smile more than any other 2 wheels. And the HPE is so smooth and strong yet. The small flyscreen surprised me at 80-100 km/h - brake in by the book- it keeps the wind of my body. Of course there's wind on the helmet but I always wear earplugs. And I am 183cm. I did 160 kms this afternoon driving from Haifa to a meeting in Caesaria taking as many detours as possible. Drove back by night and was surprised by the led front light! So powerful what an improvement. To make it short I am sooo happy. Thanks Kaukari and Stromrider!

Very nice with matching greenery in the background!

Looks great

One sweet bike! Again, congratulations arh.

Many congrats! All these posts by people getting new GTSes are *killing* me! I just want one in every color, which is keeping me perpetually in a state of "cant decide which".

I forgot to pick a color.

I had to choose a trim level to get a quote. I chose Touring to get a sense of the prices. I figured I often like green things, and liked that it came with accessories. I called the dealer I liked on a Saturday afternoon and made the deal.

Wasn't until the Sunday between making the call and the Monday that I took delivery that I realized I had just bought the most expensive object I'd ever purchased, sight-unseen.

No regrets. There are plenty of good GTS colorways - you'll be happy no matter which one you pick.