Modern Vespa

Very tough to decide between the 150 or the 300. I dont intend on going on freeways but may like to go on some small parkways for short exits.

I am a new purchaser and would hate to get the 150 only to wish I bought the 300. Fear is that the 300 may be too powerful for me?

Any suggestions or experience with this decision

I started on a 125. I put 20k miles on it in 2 years. The only "growing out of" I remember was getting comfortable on highways with higher speed limits. Oh, and steep hills.

IMHO, 125/150cc scooters really shine anywhere the speed limit is up to 50mph. (Assuming traffic typically goes 5-10 over.) It weighs less and is more nimble, too. I never regretted starting small and going bigger later. I occasionally wish I still had that 125cc scooter.

I DID regret letting my brother talk me into trying his bike (a 700 lb cruiser) for a weekend to see if I wanted to ditch the 125. That was at the scooter's 13k mile mark.

I got you.

He's an article I wrote about a year ago comparing small frame vs large frame Vespas:
https://youmotorcycle.com/vespa-small-frame-vs-large-frame.html

If reading is too 1900s for you, here's a video you can watch with a side by side comparison of the two instead:

If you have specific questions after that let us know, but whether you read the 2,000 word article or watch the 8 minute video you'll have A LOT of info there to think about and decide what suits you best.

Only question is that this would be my only bike. At least I think so for now. Would like to cruise longer thatn 20 minutes though on nice days

I have owned two 150 Vespa LX and two Vespa GTS (a 250 and a 300). The 150s are somewhat lighter and more nimble which makes them a good learning ride and around town scooter. My favorites rides, however, are consistently on country roads and rural 2-lane highways. A 150 is a bit slow for the typical speeds of cars driven on these roads, especially on even moderate hills. That means my 300 GTS is my favorite ride.

Before I passed my motorcycle test I rode 125's as this is the maximum engine size I could ride as a learner. On passing , I got a 250 . As Dooglas pointed out the smaller engined scooter is lighter and more nimble , especially if it is a " small frame " like an et4 or lx . In my humble opinion unless you are doing a lot of fast riding on motorways or long distance riding the 125/150 would be my choice .

If you have not rode before, the 150 would definitely be a good choice.
Also, it would not mean you are locked in forever. I good measure of the folks
here on ModernVespa moved up to larger displacement scooters over time.

1. If you are not 100% sold on riding, the 150 is less of a financial commitment.
I say this because a good many are initially excited then don't stay involved and
the scoot sits in the garage unridden.
2. If you get crazy about riding, you can trade up at anytime.

On balance, I think the Vespa 300 is the right scooter for all purposes. It has the
classic look and power to get up and go on the freeway. You can also ride it
slow on side streets.

Think of it this way - the 300cc is really a small motorcycle. Not to big for you.

Go luck on your decision and the opportunity to have so much fun on two wheels.

Bob Copeland
Minnesota

I think Bob gives you real sound advice: if you have never ridden a scooter/motorcycle before a 125/150 is best to start with.
Don't buy a new one but find yourself a decent second hand. It maybe somewhat older and already done some mileage. Even 10 years old and a few 10k mileage is not a problem as long as the scooter is in good condition. Make sure it has injection: more reliable.
If you have no technical background take someone with you that has if you are checking out one.
If driving a scooter turns out to be not your thing, can happen, after all you will not have spent a lot of money.
If you like the driving and the 150 is OK for you you still will be able to use it for years if well serviced.
And if you like the driving but after a few years miss a bit of juice in the engine you switch it for a 250/300.

On the other hand, if you have experience then I would definitely go for a 250/300. It has more reserve and is just able to handle almost anything, although: don't expect a 250/300 to be a race machine.

If you can truly only have ONE, then go with the 300, but only if you foresee that you may have to hop on a true highway every now and then, and/or if you live in an area that's very hilly. Were it not for highways and steep hills, I prefer my Liberty 150 over my GTV300 every day of the week. It can hit 65mph on the flats, and I have no problem keeping up with traffic on back roads. It's lighter to maneuver around in parking spaces and whatnot. The Liberty is just all-around a great little machine; even though the Vespa GTV is sexy as all get-out, the Liberty is my favorite.

With that being said, scooters are like potato chips, nobody can have just one. You can always start with a 150 and trade up, or else just start a scooter herd of your own!

I have only had one scooter and it is a 300gts. When I was looking at scooters I tried the 50. 150, and 300 and liked the 300. Now living in AZ as most of the roads tend to be faster I am glad of the extra power. Most of the roads around here are 45 mph or faster and when you add hills the 300 does just fine. But a lot of good advice in these posts, not sure I added anything.

If you can afford it buy the 300. You can always ride a fast bike slow but a slow bike has limits.

Very informative article. I ride a Sprint 150 now, but also had a BV250 and a Honda CTX 700. All different beasts but love them all. Living here in coastal Delaware on flat terrain and with lots of rural roads the 150 is fine for me. Sometimes I do miss that extra power though.

Well you did.
You had no experience with scooters and tried out 50 all the way up to 300 and took the 300.
My first scooter was a Vespa GS 160 from 1963 or so, that was back in the 80's. I tried it out on a private road and found it to be really fast.
But once in real traffic I experienced it could hardly cope with everyday traffic on normal roads.
I did drove it for some 2 years but then replaced it by a Honda 250 and later a BMW R75.

In between there are 20 years.
I tested a Vespa 125 and as a result I have now a BV 300.

Thanks

I've owned many different sized motorcycles and scooters. I agree with the 300cc purchase IF you truly intend to do a lot of riding. Now note that I ride a 150cc and for my needs it's the perfect scooter. I no longer go on the freeway and no longer ride a passenger. My scooter is just a commuter for work now. But the 300cc GTS is really fun to ride and it looks good also.

it's not about the power, it's about the fit. a 300 may be too tall or wide or heavy for you. base it on the fit of the bike, because if it doesn't fit and you don't feel comfortable then you won't ride with confidence. the power means nothing.

a 150 is plenty for a jaunt on the freeway in the slow lane for an exit or two in all but the most desolate, fastest, flattest areas where drivers are ripping 75+

if you feel comfortable on the 300, that's the choice.

Suggest the 300 HPE… if you can afford it. It's got enough geddy-up to move through traffic and hit small stretches of freeway.

You won't be disappointed getting more engine displacement.

Greasy is SPOT on

its all about fit and comfort.

so you wear a size 9 shoe, there's a pair of size 12 you could put on and wear and still do the job, but are you comfortable in them?

also the right tool for the job. the sledge hammer does not work as well when putting in a small tack nail for a picture,

I also have to agree the size of the machine does affect how you sit on it and that is very important

ok one more thing even add ons like the rear chrome protectors affect how you sit on the scooter, when I added mine i had to adjust how I sit on my vespa

One thing about going with a small-frame Vespa: if you do ever decide to move to a 300, the resale value of the smaller bike should hold up sufficiently (at least considering the current state of the market).

As greasy points out, you do need to feel comfortable on the bike, and not feel like you have the proverbial tiger by the tail. The 150 should fit the bill in this regard.

That said, when I decided to hit the road with my own ride over six years ago, I went straight for the 300, since I knew exactly what sort of riding I'd be doing…in short, going nearly everywhere, on every kind of road. Granted, I did ride motorcycles off-road decades back, so this wasn't my first rodeo.

Hey - I was in the same spot couple of months ago. Anyway I had a S150 and GTS300 at the same time and rode them both back-2-back on multiple occasions. Besides what was already mentioned above 150 seemed almost twitchy and too light on its feet for my taste. Its like 80% size of the 300 in regards to overall feel of the scoot.

I just sold my 150 and will keep 300 long term. I do 70/30 burbs/city riding and it works for me. Im 5'8 so I tip-toe a little on 300 where 150 was fairly planted on both feet.

150 is fun but 300 you will grow into - depends on what your end goal is I guess...

good luck!

Just go buy the 300...

If you don't, you'll be wondering whether you made the right choice - until you buy a 300!

I had a ET4/150cc for 15 years. I sold it 3 years ago and recently bought a GTS300. I absolutely love love love this thing. It is so much fun. I am happy that I have past experience of the 150cc however I don't think if you got the GTS 300 immediately you would be disappointed since you won't have anything to compare it to!

What did you decide? After a few more days in my GTS300 I would suggest getting that. I agree with the other posts that if you do not get the 300 you will always wonder if you should have but that won't happen the other way around.

Thank you all for your input. Im going with the 300.......

Look forward to it.

You never mentioned to us your riding experience. I presume it is somewhat limited. I am sure you will enjoy the 300, but it is a heavier and more powerful scooter. I strongly advise that you start out by taking the MSC Basic course. It will make you a safer and more confident rider. Ride safe, have fun!

Like you I had a similar decision to make. Brand new to riding but wanted something I could grow into and would give me the flexibility of urban riding plus the ability to get out on those country roads. Went for the 300 and (early days) but I haven't had any issues as yet, touch wood. Have never felt it is too much bike for me to handle.

taking the safety course for sure. Very comfortable on two wheels although it has been a mountain bike for years. balance and technical skills are good. Will ease into it.

If it's your first scooter, whatever you decide to get, make it a used one. Then, if you change your mind and you haven't messed it up (another reason go with the used option...), you can basically get your money back and try something else. When you're sure about things, go new.

I love the 150; I ride it in the city and zip around and park it here and there and carry things and push it around and it's plenty powerful enough for all that. I have a motorcycle I ride in the mountains on weekends and on long dreamy trips. I guess a 300 would sit right between those two. You'll figure it out.

A factor that I don't think was mentioned was your stature....if you're a smallish person, the 150 will be perkier, and also easier to move around, park, etc. Vice versa with the 300.

Something to add to your list of considerations....

You started another topic on what 300 to buy, so I conclude you made up your mind and decided for a 300. Is that correct understanding?

I see you have good technical skills on a mountain bike. Driving a scooter, or a motorcycle in general, is basically the same.
You only will have to get used to the weight and the speed.

That is what she said above.

Missed that post.