Modern Vespa

I have an opportunity to buy either a new 2019 Vespa GTS 300 or a 2021 Vespa GTS 300. Keep in mind they are both new. Any thoughts, opinions or recommendations.

Any other notable differences between the two, besides year?

Interesting topic! 2019 should be an HPE euro 4 when the 2021 HPE euro5. The shape of the wheels will tell you.
In this case they don't have exactly the same power distribution even the max power might be different. The euro 5 regulation are drastic and do stifle the engine. Weight also should be higher as new exhaust with another catalytic converter.
Just for info when servicing my 2020 euro 4 Racing Sixties my mechanic showed me that euro 4 and euro 5 have different settings for the valve adjustment.
All this being said and pf course it's my personal taste, I would choose the 2019 with a discount and all liquids renewed.
Keep us posted! And more info about the different models would surely be useful.
Thanks

The good news is there is no wrong choice.

What colours are they?

are they both HPE? iirc early 2019 was not HPE

also, "the shape of the wheels" for determining euro4 vs euro5 depends on the country. here in AUS we got the 'new wheels' in 2019 yet the US didn't get them until end of 2020 (called the 2021 model i think)

why is the 2019 still new? is it really? has it been sitting in the show room for that long? seems odd ...

have a close look at the exhaust ... the euro5 has an extra bulge between the silencer and the engine. it also has a clamp where the pipe meets the silencer

Good to know regarding the wheels Steelbytes. On the french Vespa website they still sell the 2 versions of the racing sixties euro 4 and euro 5 and you can clearly see the extra bulge you're mentioning.
Anyone knows of the other engine differences -but the valves adjustment as I mentioned-?

A 2019 model in the U.S. will not be an HPE model. Lots of opinions on whether this is good or bad. Comparing similar trim levels, I would expect at least a $500 price difference between the two choices.

FWIW, I had a 2015 and now have a 2021 300 HPE and I think that there is a real power improvement with the HPE.

When doing my research and deciding on a 300 or 300 HPE, price was a definite variable. I finally decided on the extra power and latest technology but that also comes with a dramatic increase in maintenance schedules. Worth considering if you haven't already.

In the US, the 2019 GTS isn't the HPE engine. I notice the difference with the performance of the 2020 HPE... not a big difference, but noticeable when ridden side-by-side. I would assume some kind of discount on the 2019?

I decided on the 2019 Vespa gts 300 with the 21.2 hp (15.6 kW) @ 7,750 rpm engine. I saved over $1100 dollars. I use to have a 2015 with the same engine so I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

Thank you all for your input.

Bob

Nice!

2019 or 2021 bike? All that matters is what color did you get ? ? ?

It was so easy to guess this game...

I got in black THATS the color I was looking for.

Just wondering:

When improvements come with increased maintenance requirements, are they really improvements?

As someone who has been at it long enough to remember high performance two strokes requiring points and condensers every 2 or 3 thousand miles and sparkplugs at every second intersection I really am willing to give up a little performance to enjoy the obscenely long service intervals some modern machines offer.

Depends. Are you a dealer or a customer?

I'm glad you decided. Think about it you saved $1,100 and got the color you wanted.