Modern Vespa

This is a follow up to the Vespa GTS300 review I did a few years ago. It's more aimed at motorcyclists than scooterists, so I don't know how useful you knowledgeable Vespisti will find it, but there could be some valuable info in there for those who are new to the scene including:

- How the design helps some riders, but hinders others
- The speed limiter and indicated top speed vs. actual gps-verified top speed
- The advantages, disadvantages, and oddities of CVT transmission
- How it compares with other (small frame) Vespas
- How it compares in weight with motorcycles in it's displacement class
- Why if I wanted a large frame Vespa, I would probably get a used GTS 250 instead

I've made 130+ videos and about 600+ articles on motorcycles, and this is the first and only one I've made small dick jokes. I was inspired by the people who got really upset with me last month

It's Sunday, spring is here, different opinions are okay, let's have a little fun

UPDATE Link to my detailed Vespa GTS 300 text review here

Oh...kay.
As a scooterist and motorcyclist who's been riding both and various of each for 13 years with several disabilities that affect my riding: stop. Just stop.
Equating disability with bike choice is discriminatory equine fertilizer. It's the same mindset as "a Real Bike."
No.
I say this from a place of kindness with a friendly hand extended.

Overall good (and fair) video, covering the bases.

Quibbles? I have a few:

- New Versus Old: Good luck finding a vintage GTS now. And, for a newbie, they'll want to be certain about what they're getting into as far as the bike's real condition, as opposed to what the seller is telling them. Ands that's just f r openers.

- Curb appeal: I don't know about anyone else, but I've gotten a lot of positive female attention via my GTS. (Thankfully, Le Wife is cool with this.)

- Hittin' the Highway: Yes, I had a similar belt-detonation-at-speed incident your friend had with her GTS, but that's a matter of paying attention to maintenance intervals. Other than this, riding the thing on the slabs has been a blast. Faster drivers? Just point a finger to the adjacent lane…that's what it's there for.

- Size Issues: I like to think of the Inverse Rule: remember what I said about all that female attention?

So are you of the mindset that you speak on behalf of all riders with disabilities, ever?

Or are you just saying that you think my partner's experience getting riding, as a woman with a disability, is worth horseshit?

I read your comment to her to see if she could make any sense of it but we're both drawing blanks. Her disability has definitely factored into not just her vehicle choices, but most of her choices in life.

I never thought of this. I guess it could be a regional thing.

Long story short, Canada has had a complicated history with Vespa because of a distributor that used to be based right here where I am in Toronto. They blew out bikes in the GTS250s heyday. They got shut down by Piaggio for it. There were lawsuits... The former distributor went scorched earth mode and liquidated the rest of their inventory for the whole country right here in Toronto That was a good summer for anyone buying a scoot.

Piaggio USA took over after that. Everything (vehicles and parts) now costs more because they go Italy --> USA --> Canada instead of coming directly to Canada. We've seen less new Vespas sold here ever since, but we still see all the used inventory from the previous distributor still turning over a lot. GTS250s come available many times more than 300s.

I wasn't really thinking beyond my country's market or how it could be different south of the border. Yeah, totally agree. All the more reason to try to encourage and empower new riders not to be afraid!

In 15 years of riding, dozens of motorcycles, all sold privately after I was done with them, I've very rarely had people come to buy bikes alone. Most come with a knowledgeable friend or hired help. My Vespa gets me the "OMG your bike is so cute!" female attention, but not the "OMG your bike is so hot!" kind of attention that some of my bigger bikes have gotten.

I get it though, because I don't feel hot on my Vespa. I feel like a kid in a candy store having a blast. That thing is the most fun-per-cc of any bike in my stable.

Tony S on the Modern Vespa USA Discussion Group on facebook commented:

"I love them. But I'll always ride one of my lighter small frame scooters first."

and that sums up my feelings as well. GTS300 is a beauty (and a beast by Vespa standards) but I'd rather a small frame for downtown where I live.

When it comes to beyond downtown, any other bike in my stable is far better suited to the task. So no matter how much I like the GTS, it just wouldn't make sense for me.

Of course not; neither are you or your wife. (Seriously...no one speaks "on behalf of all people ever.")
I will, however, let the continued production of devices like auto-clutches (Rekluse), shifting modifications (Kliktronic), thumb brakes, double-lever modifications, remote-activated & wheeled stands, wheelchair rack mounts, moto-trikes, etc speak for itself, as well as the personal voices of the multitude of disabled motorcyclists around the world...or who have ridden RTW (round the world) such as double amputee Dave Barr on a Harley in the '90s. We both know that's not what I said. I said equating disability with bike choice is discriminatory horseshit.
In your video, the ONLY thing you said about the leg shield is, "excellent if you're a person with disabilities...lets you keep riding." You then IMMEDIATELY state, "if what you really want is a badass motorcycle."

Really? That's all you get from a leg shield? Personally, I love the weather protection, not having to wear rain pants or gaiters several hours after it quit raining, riding through puddles and shallow water with gleeful abandon while my moto buddies are trying to minimize how much water their front wheel dumps down their boots. Not having to deal with the random rock, beetle, or whatnot putting another dent in my shin or punching into my kneecap. Leg SHIELD!!
I love that the radiator heat can be captured by a scooter apron (or skirt, if you're not threatened) and eliminates the need for half a heated suit or worrying about killing your battery, blowing a fuse, etc. I love that it has a frigging GLOVE BOX. I don't have to spend more money on a tank bag. There's also a bag hook. I don't have to panic if I forgot my backpack or took the side cases off or lost my bungee net. You ever tried to carry a 5-gallon gas can on a motorcycle? NO THANKS. Speaking of luggage potential, a leg shield is what makes a front rack possible, which makes a scooter a stinking PACK MULE. What are you going to fit for luggage on the front of a motorcycle...your decorative bedroll? Maybe a tool tube strapped to the fender or fork?
Leg shields are AMAZING. They're not just...something to grudgingly accept because motorcyclists assume that my disabilities mean I can't ride a "real bike."

As for disability considerations in choices (daily or vehicle)...I got my MC endorsement AFTER acquiring most of the disabilities that affect my riding. If "swinging a leg over" was a disqualifying event...whoops. No one told me. Or that guy. Or that person. Or the paraplegic track rider. Or....