Modern Vespa

There is a comment under a YouTube video announcing a Vespa GTS with 310cc and variable cam timing and around 30hp for "late spring" 2024... Visually, nothing is to change.

Source: Let's see if this is just chatter... In a few days the EICMA starts....

Please no. I don't want to buy a new one

Why not?

I'm not sure how Piaggio can get there with the current engine. They would have to increase the bore to 79mm, without changing the crankshaft, to get to 308 and change, and I don't think there's enough metal left in the cylinder to do that. If they increase the stroke from 63 to 70, that will bring it up to 309, but I'm not sure that's feasible with the current crankcase either. Piaggio could resleeve the BV350 engine, and cut a few inches out of the crankcase, and that would likely get them there, but they would likely have to change a few things up to get that engine into the current GTS frame.
OTOH, they've had no trouble stuffing other manufacturer's engines in their bikes for sale in Asia, so that might be where they are going to go for this one too.

The GTS has just seen a major update to the geometry and styling - new front end etc.

It seems strange to then announce a brand new engine (only a year?) later.

I think the next update from Vespa will be adding keyless and a refresh to the Primavera / Sprint.

$ of course.


And I'll hate the chrome near the switches

The hpe engine is 5 years old. (Pretty sure it was released end of 2018 in Europe(

I think the Primavera / Sprint engines are virtually identical to the one they introduced in 2014!

But will it be more fun?

Up a mountain? Hell yes

So they'll call it a 350?

Don't know but Robot will call it the 2025 HPE3

It's catching on

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/scooters/vespa/listing/4140826716

Piaggio did file that patent for VVT that did show a GTS in the drawings not too long ago…

You heard it here first.

I do not think so.

You and me both, I've been very pleased with 2023.

That'll disqualify it from the Cannonball.

I might be interested, but I don't think that I'd sacrifice my '20 GTS 300 to get one. I'm not at all disappointed in it's performance as it is and overall, enjoy it immensely, but I might try to own both.

As long as a bike isn't excessively heavy (I'm looking at YOU, Royal Enfield 350), I now view 30 hp as a practical do-all power number for at least 90% of anything I might want, or need, a machine to do.

On another note, and probably only relevant to me, there's also the beginnings of talk about Triumph bumping the Rocket 3 to 200 hp from it's current 165, and along with being a Vespa lover, I won't deny my contrasting penchant for certain wretchedly excessive motorcycles (I currently own a Rocket 3 along with my GTS), and if true, I might be interested in that bike also, but unfortunately, at that atmospheric level of expense, I might have to re-evaluate my priorities just a tad, as once a machine rises to 'Harley Money', I tend to rein in my enthusiasm and go elsewhere.

Don't hate me.

It wouldn't be competitive anyway due to it's handicap (age and displacement are the primary variables).

But I wouldn't mind that at all, would make it more competitive with the Yamaha XMax and Kymco Xtown 300, at least in speed and acceleration.

I'll consider this to be vaporware until there is an official announcement from Piaggio.

Not the most reliable source I would say. So, I have my doubts.

Below a scheme of the engines in recent Piaggio models.
The first, most to the left is my own BV 300 ie.
Next to that the present GTS HPE 300. It gained roughly 1,5 HP in power and 3 NM in torque, but is a Euro-5.
Piaggio has in the new BV 300 that same engine with another 2HP gain in power.
A logical upgrade in the GTS could be to offer that engine in the GTS.
One can wonder why they did not do that in the first place.

Another reference is the BV 350 which has the "announced" 30HP but with a 331cc engine.

I do not know what engine family the 350 engine belongs to. Is it based on the Master engine?

Then there is the "variable valve timing". I could be wrong but as far as I know Piaggio never had that on a scooter engine.
But there could be something going on there. I found this: https://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle-news/piaggio-variable-valve-timing-sohc-scooters/
It refers to a patent that you can download yourself.

Last weekend there were Honda Demo Days at one of my "local" dealers. I test rode Honda Forza 350 & Honda SH 150.
Guess which one was more responsive, fun, had better acceleration 0-60 and handling. Most importantly, more yippee-ki-yay per km.
Correct. The SH150. Not forgetting 2/3 of average l/km.
278 to 310 is peanuts.
I'd rather see them reduce the fuel consumption so the 2 gallon tank gets you over 150 miles before the gauge shows empty. Bigger tank would also be acceptable.

I would be so stoked for this. Especially since it seems Malossi will never restock the cylinder head for the 282 kit. My poor '17 GTS is the love of my life, it just wants a little more oomph.

I think that looking for more power and speed from a Vespa makes no sense; This is not at all the spirit of this scooter.
This would necessarily increase its already high price.

I disagree my Breton friend, I recently travelled through your lovely country from Coquelles to Marseilles and unfortunately most of it was on 130kph multi lane roads where I was overtaken by nearly all the cars on it. I can only dream
of having a Vespa that can sit comfortably at 130kph/80mph and having a bit extra in reserve for overtakes.

Yes it would be more expensive but what the heck, I pay for my new bikes in instalments anyway.

The BV 350 engine is not based on the older Master series engine. The wet clutch design is a newer Piaggio engine which we are now seeing in several Piaggio bikes, including the MP3 350 and the new BV 400. I expect we will see more of this engine in the future.

The BV 350 engine then is the first of a new Piaggio engine family. And the new BV 400 is its successor.
Does that engine family have a name? Piaggio used to have these engine family names like "Master", "Leader", "Quasar".

I believe the BV350 was first launched in Europe in May 2012. That means this engine design has been with us for about 14 years - so not all that new. I have not heard a name such as Quasar or HPE applied to this series by Piaggio.

Don't hate me.
[/quote]We all got an itchy spot that needs scratching.

Still got a handshake deal with my wife from January of 2005 when I sold my R1, "one more rocket before I die"

I would agree with the exceptions of, big hills (especially double up) and more utility for short freeway trips.

My version of the same sentiment has been:

"One more monster bike before I die".

I think it has more to do with me sticking my head in the sand in regards to my own mortality than an actual lust for hyper-powered motorcycles, which ironically, could become the very instrument of my demise, though anything with two wheels and an engine could do the same, including my Vespa.

It's kind of funny, when I ride my Triumph Rocket, I almost never wind it's engine up beyond 3500 rpm, and usually shift up at 3000-3200 revs. It redlines at 7000. I seldom ever dip into it's 'real power' and just ride it like I ride anything else, which is not like a crazy bastard.

Sure, I give the throttle a healthy twist now and then, but my general policy where it concerns motorbikes is that I harbor a deep dislike for scaring myself on them, and ride accordingly. After all, I'm still here. Motorcycles of any stripe, and yes, scooters, don't tolerate fools for very long, but I'm stating the obvious and don't want to sound 'preachy'.

We should have got it in writing😂

I am of two minds with this growing old thing,
With every year we live we leave less meat on the bone
but the sweetest meat is closest to the bone

It is true that more power would help for the fast lanes and the duo; Personally I only drive on small roads, so the power of my GTS (300 from 2017) is more than enough for me.

As I stated earlier, I might be interested in a 310cc, 30hp, Vespa GTS if it happens, but I'm really not at all dissatisfied with the performance of my GTS300 as it is. On the contrary, I'm very impressed with it, and every time I ride it, I'm always amazed at how it seems to effortlessly zip down the paved, medium speed backroads that I primarily ride it on, hills and all.

I've owned, or at least ridden a number of similar displacement motorbikes, the TU250 Suzuki, the Royal Enfield 350 (which I owned for a short time), owned an SR400 Yamaha and Royal Enfield 500 among them, but not one of them held my interest, or affection, for very long, and I was soon disappointed in either their lack of performance, or in the case of the SR400 and RE 500 (both only 27 hp, just 3 hp more than my GTS300 HPE,) their vibration levels at moderate highway speeds made them, to me, unpleasant to ride any distance on. They were sold or traded off before they saw their second season with me.

My GTS, however, makes seamless power from it's 278cc single engine, and does it with little noticable felt vibration...except at idle, where it has a surprisingly obvious little 'thump' through the grips and seat, but I find it rather pleasant, and as soon as the revs rise and it is moving again, it's refined nature kicks back in and it runs down the streets and highways around here with little effort or fuss.

I zip down one of my favorite Black Hills roads at anywhere from 50 to 70 mph and wonder to myself: how DO they get that pipsqueak 278cc motor down there to work this well?

Sure, it's limitations are obvious, but even when it's pulling it's guts out to humor me, it just never seems strained while doing it.

I thoroughly enjoy this bike.

will they change everyone's favourite dipstick?

What they really need to have on any new GTS model is THIS....

Have one and love it. Added it during my first service.

I'm glad I have one fitted, my dipstick snapped off when I topped the oil up recently.

I am very interested in a New GTS310 2024 Supertech I hope it comes in some new colors I want to by one next year. I love my current GTS300 Supertech I have in Matte Blue

Does this fits on the new HPE engine? If yes, where can i find it?