Modern Vespa

I've had 2 BMW F800GSs over the last 12 years. Both were ordered new from the showroom. The 2012 model was great; light, great handling and excellent engine torque in the low to mid range. The second was a 2015 model which had noticeably less power and as a result ended up being parked under the balcony for 8 years as it was disappointing to ride.

My wife wanted a Vespa as she didn't manage the weight of her F700GS well. I tried to talk her into a Beverly because of the larger rims. We went to the dealer to have a look, but they didn't have a Beverly 300 with plates that we could test ride. The salesman said we should take the GTS Super 300 '22 for a test ride. So we did grudgingly as I'd already made up my mind about the small wheels. Well, I tell you, I was completely surprised at how well (and how similar to the GS) it was to ride. It was so much fun, we ended up buying the test ride scooter with 1,500km already on it. Since then, we've done another 4,500km mostly ridden by me. Instant good mood holiday feeling and it accelerates like a rocket. We ride nearly every day.

OK, so I'll try and get to the point. I sold my BMW and used the money for the '23 model GTS Super 300 which is noticeably different to the '22 model...

The first thing I noticed is that it feels more like a motorcycle to ride than a scooter. Nearly everything feels more refined; in particular the suspension and brakes. The keyless ride is a bit fiddly and sometimes a problem if you stop at roadworks traffic lights and then need to quickly restart the engine. The front tyre (or rim) appears/feels slightly narrower which makes cornering easier. The Michelin City Grip 2 tyres are really good (I was always a Pirelli fan) particularly in the wet. There were some small quality control issues such as paintwork scuffs, a chip under the plastic helmet holder under the seat and some overspray of black paint under the new and lower number plate light which I can live with.

The one thing that does bother me however, (and this is really the make or break for me) is the lack of engine torque under acceleration to about 80km/h in comparison to the '22 model. Now, bear in mind, that I have 900km only on it and the 1st service / 1,000km inspection is scheduled for next week. After reading the many posts in this forum about running the engine in, I took it easy for the first 300km; riding no faster than 80km/h, constantly alternating the revs up and down along really windy highland small roads. From the 300km mark, I've been opening her up more, not exceeding 100km/h giving throttle and then backing off, avoiding sitting on any given speed. I would have thought that by the 900km mark, the engine would have "freed" itself up by now and theoretically it should have the same if not more power than the '22 model? Or will this somehow suddenly improve after the oil and filter change? I suspect it wont and if it doesn't, there's no point in putting any more money into it for the view glass sump and some other optional extras I was thinking of. I'm not going to park this one under the balcony again for another 8 years.

Does anyone have an opinion on the "problem" with the engine power?

Cheers

Engine unit is 100% identical between Pre-Facelift and MY23 Facelift!

Series dispersion, manufacturing stolence & made in Italy...

Not quite.

America had the Euro4 HPE until they got the 2023 which is Euro5. ie they skipped the pre2023 Euro5 that Europe had.

So this means the newer exhaust with a cat in the header/manifold and presumably a slightly different mapping to match

Note, I'm not claiming there is or isn't a notable difference

I've just compared the "Fahrzeugschein" (unique slip of green paper which must be on board when riding here in Germany) - both are EURO5

whoops, I stupidly assumed you were in America (like most users of this forum). I should've checked first

The name is a dead giveaway.

My 2023, despite its 10% power increase on paper, does not accelerate faster than my 2012 with the LEADER engine. But it ran great from the start.

A friend let me ride his 2023 Super and it felt a bit more sluggish than mine. It had an aftermarket exhaust installed and maybe that was the reason. I did not care for the noise either and I was glad to return it after two days.

The other thing that occurred to me, which really isn't as crazy as it sounds, is that our '22 model has unusually more power than stock. It even does wheelies off the mark. Perhaps it would make sense for a dealer who is trying to sell Vespas, to trick up the test ride scooters (roller weights?) with some small performance mods to impress potential buyers. Pure speculation of course.

It's not just ASR screwing up is it? Try turning it off

That's usually one of the things I leave alone, like the many buttons and modes on the BMW that I never touched. I will give it a go though, thanks for the suggestion.

I have about 1800 miles on my 23 I got a few months ago.

It feels like it's pulling stronger in the midrange, so just keep riding.

I had the site glass pan added at the 600 mile service. Glad I did, it's nice to keep up on it at a quick glance. No oil usage.

My 23 with about 2000 miles (3300ish km) feels a tiny bit stronger in the midrange than my wife's 23 with about 300km. I suspect running the engine in may have had something to do with it, but both feel quite peppy off the line.....when we have ASR off.

Obviously that only gets turned off when the weather is lovely; if the roads are wet or it's becoming wet whilst riding (which means i've become quite miserable, as i too am becoming wet along with the roads ) then ASR of course stays on and driving style changes.

Was the MY22 modified in any way by chance?

The use of KMs was the biggest tell for me.

ok, so I didn't instantly recognise the name turmfalke as german. (yes I quoted GermanGTSDriver BUT this was in the context of turmfalke's question)

Ok, thanks for the encouragement. As soon as it stops raining I'll be out there again.

Thanks for the tip about the ASR, I'll certainly give it a try.

Yes, that's what occurred to me also. As far as I know, the '22 hasn't been modified, but being an ex-testride bike, it could be entirely plausible.

I've found that Vespas seem to take close to 1,500 miles (2,400km) before my Vespa reaches its best performance.

Good information, thanks for that.

Along the same lines:

For the first time, I rode home with the ASR off. Can't tell if it was quicker or it was my imagination? It seemed, sharper in pick up?

Also for those that keep gas mileage stats, any difference in mpg with ASR off, vs on?

Only time ive noticed calculable mpg differences is lots of time at 60+ mph or hard acceleration every time you slow or stop. ASR status doesnt seem to make a difference on mine.

Non scientific experiment:

I ran my last tank with the ASR off most of the time. Same riding as usual, stop light Grand Prix to get to work, hit several steep hills per day, and an easy coast ride a few times.
The bike is definitely faster with ASR off.

And the mileage avg for each tank has been 68. With ASR off, 73 mpg .

I should start a new thread on mpg with no ASR.

Just got 73.4. Interesting.

Spoke too soon, i realized the last full tank i did without ASR was prior to the 1000km break-in service.

Been doing it on the current tank and it's actually better.

I am quite happy to stand corrected here!!

Wow, that's quite a difference. I may need to try that.

And the third non ASR tank @71.2 mpg.

I see a trend.

Older GTS 2018 in good repair with 4k miles on it.
Ride is smoother without ASR, when it kicks in I get that oh shat, whats wrong with my bike feeling then I remember I got the ASR on

And todays fillup yields 71.27 non ASR.

That's awesome.

I had to be really fastidious but kept it between 40-50 indicated for a full tank of commuting without asr....78.27 and change mpg.

Hashtag believer.

Yesterday clocked 73 mpg.

Argento a 2016 GTV picked up in 11/2021 w/15.8 miles!

Todays ASR free fill up measured @75.3 mpg. Motor feels like it is loosening up.

76.2 for me yesterday.