Modern Vespa

Most years Vespa only make cosmetic changes and no new models so it's hard to justify trading a existing Scooter in for a new one, but if the next incarnation of your favourite Vespa had an upgrade that would have you buy a new one what would it be?

For me as someone who travels a lot and has to sit on boring Motorways/Freeways it would be Cruise Control or perhaps a proper built in Sat Nav.

While I agree that a cruise control would be a great additional feature, I don't think it would convince me to sell my current scooter to buy a new one.

However, if Vespa ever came out with a gas tank fill port that didn't spit fuel back out all over the place every dang time I filled up, I would definitely consider it!

Typical 'American motorcycle guy' response:

Duh!....Larger engine, more hp. No additional electronic 'interventions', please.

35 hp?

I'm only talking another 100-150cc's, GTS450 has such a nice ring to it, eh?

It would expand the GT line, and still keep room for the GT300's.

Don't change it's classic Vespa appearance either, I've had enough 'shards and angles' styling to last a lifetime.

Make it gloss red, m'kay?

I'd go $12,000 for it, tops.

I've given some thought to adding a new GTS300 to our diminishing fleet and having two of them, but a 400-450 would be ok.

And unlike my current GTS300 HPE, I would prefer that the drive belt on my new GTS450 was able to withstand continuous secondary highway speeds of 60-65 mph without transmission heat issues (so I've been told) shortening the belt's service life and turning it to a lump of stringy dust at 6000 mile intervals.

Ok, forget ALL OF THE ABOVE, just make it so my current GTS300's drive belt would last an honest 9000 like they used to...m'kay?

If they quit using the cheap electric parts, I might consider one. It's a shame - this is a quality scooter and should come with quality parts. Rant over.

I know that some people have had premature belt shredding, but my friend, Jim, just replaced his belt on a 2020 Vespa GTS300 HPE after 9,000 miles.

The scooter's first belt replacement.

He just finished riding the Scooter Cannonball Run on the scooter in June, with some fast, hot, long days.

My 2023 GTS ran the Scooter Cannonball Run too. It is approaching 6,000 miles with no issues at all to date.

Maybe they can hold up better than you think.

Bill

Probably nothing... But just for the sake of playing along...

As a GTS250 owner who seen multiple threads about the 300 (HPE?)s burning oil... I wouldn't even think of getting rid of my 250 until Vespa sorts that out.

IF they figured that out, I would still need something bad to happen to my 'Dragon Red' GTS before considering, no matter what features Vespa added.

IF they figured out the oil burning AND something bad happened to my GTS250, THEN it's pretty simple: That's all. I have the BMW for when I want better suspension. I have the Kawasaki for when I want to go fast. The Vespa just needs to be itself and be beautiful/red.

2 words: Cloaking device.

I never imagine that I'm very visible on the best days. May as well go all in.

A re-imagineing of some of the classic Vespas from the past, The Rally, SS90, SS180 etc.

As much as I like modern Vespas, I do think they have got uglier in comparison

Maybe.

6200 miles...and it's not like I run it wide open all the time, though I do quite a bit of secondary highway riding, probably something like 60-75% of my miles are on rural roads, 55-65 actual mph.

You win today!





(Can we ask for phasers too?)

Perhaps, but only when judged against other classic Vespa's (and Lambrettas while I'm at it) and not other more 'modern' scooter brands.

As far as a classic and shamelessly pleasing appearance goes, the latest Vespa bikes are still candy for the eyes compared to almost anything else available....in MY opinion, of course.

At least Piaggio didn't build THIS!

I actually love that. It doesn't look like a Vespa, but it's not supposed to, either.

True, but did they have to make it look so much like a Colman Ice chest on wheels?

German avant garde styling at its dystopian futuristic best, though one can certainly make the argument that BMW isn't hopelessly stuck in the past like some manufacturers (I'm looking at you, Harley-Davidson).

This is the one that I had a test ride on last year. They go pretty good, and are interesting to ride when one is so used to ICE machines, but the price! WOWEEE!!

It looks like if a Honda Helix and a Yamaha C3 met in 2050 and had a baby.

Two options come to mind when I read the title of the thread.
1( Hover board option to eliminate the wheels/tires.
or less delusional
2( DCT(or something similar?) that could eliminate the belt.

.

Put a final drive system in the GTS that transfers power to the rear wheel via a series of gears like is used for the Burgman 650.

<pedant>
I mean, technically it already does have a final drive that transmits power to the wheel through a series of gears. And it really is the final drive. It's after the belt drive, between the clutch and the rear axle.
</pedant>

I'm guessing you mean "Without a belt'.

Make it a shifty!

I watched Zack Courts test ride a BMW CE04 on RevZilla's Daily Rider recently.

It looked like a blast to ride, making me think that I might want one.

Zavala appeared to like it a lot.

But then I started thinking, that thing is almost as long as a BMW R18 cruiser and weighs over 500 pounds.

I would be OK with the limited range most days, but would always have an ICE scooter for big rides.

I was offered a ride on one at the local dealer a few months ago. I declined but might see if the scooter is still in the showroom so I can try it myself.

Just for fun.

Bill

I guess, but I do recognize the proven relative simplicity, economy, and efficiency of the belt system used in these machines, I just don't really care for the idea of having to replace it every 6000 or it's likely to have a catastrophic failure out in the middle of nowhere.

To my mind, the belt is kind of the Achilles Heel of the HPE GTS scooters. Otherwise, they seem to be very reliable and solid.

If the belt is prematurely overwhelmed by the HPE GTS motor, you'd think that the rather obvious solution would be for Vespa to just use a more suitable belt specific to this machine.

Agreed, it's a mixed bag. It's a relatively simple and effective transmission system, but it's not very durable.

In my opinion, if you went away from the classic design and look it would nolonger be a Vespa. The GTS300 was perfect with power and long legs.

I would go for a complete retro/new Vespa that looked exactly like the early models with modern technology. The thin leg shield, exposed handle bars looking like the first Vespas produced.

I simply would not want to go back to shifting.

Bob Copeland

Replacing the Belt. I am really big on following service recommendations. I know it is probably over kill - but I chuck tires and belts early. However, I have never been stranded.

I did notice from my service records, that I replaced the Belt at 7343 miles.

Bob Copeland

a few more HP and more durable throttle body (probably would require 'ride by wire' instead of cables)

50% bigger fuel tank.

That's actually a great idea. Shit, the last of the PX's from 2005 still routinely sell for more than the GTS250s do around here, and they are listed and sold and in a matter of days rather than weeks.

Haven't they already made the pet carrier capacity smaller from one generation to the other enough??

Visually, it could be considered the anti-Vespa.

Which isn't necessarily meant as a bad thing, my aesthetic prejudices notwithstanding.

Relocating the battery to the floor between lx/primavera somehow didn't release more room for gas. Got a swoopier rear end instead I guess.

But…
I just looked at my gas stats. Haven't filled up this year (thanks Ebike) and only one month last year where I filled twice. Range anxiety is real but unfounded.

I upgraded to a 23 from a 12 because:

I wanted ABS and traction control. I probably put on 10,000 miles a year, and wanted all the safety features I could get. I got that with the 23.

Another gallon of gas would be great, but I wouldn't sell this bike to get that. It will be a nice upgrade, when I'm ready for another one. If you follow Robot's advice, it's easy to fill up the gas tank without filling the pet carrier. It's a learned technique.

It would be nice to also have longer service intervals, but I'm usually early in doing them anyway, so it doesn't matter that much.

As much as I'm semi-accepting of automatic transmissions in motorcycles, and do enjoy shifting a manual motorcycle, when it comes to scooters, I agree with Bob, I want my scooters to be CVT's or some other automatic shifting mechanism. It just seems 'right'.

I want my scooters to clearly contrast from my motorcycles, and vice versa.

That's a 946 with a fender headlight.

Here's some of that 'real' bit...

I strap extra fuel to my floor rack (and yes znomit, I do have it in a container 🙂)

On that trip, which was 400 miles each way over two days (not to brag), I had an extra gallon stuffed into the pet carrier. Since then, I've installed a hump rack that will serve as my extra fuel carrier location.

while that system is quite robust, it's also extremely complicated and not service friendly in the least bit; then add to that the expense of those parts when they do go out... plus labor.

a lot of burgs roll off to the great junka junka in the sky when it comes time to tackle any of those issues.

adios all the nanny controls and give me a 250cc direct injection two-stroke in a LX/primavera frame with 12" wheels and discs front and rear and analog dash. must have a useable kickstarter. LED lighting is fine.

please to use already existing parts from the spares bin so I can source good shocks and brake bits already existing in the aftermarket.

price it under 6K otd

Forget my gear series suggestion, just replace the belt drive somehow, and at (no doubt great expense) with a modern 'O' or 'X' ring chain drive in an protective, sealed, ENCLOSED CASE. It should easily go 15-20,000 miles on a relatively small machine like the GTS, and would require very little in the way of maintenance and adjustment.

I'm not gonna say no, but I'm also not gonna say yes.

adding sprockets and a chain is just asking for complexity. also, if we've learned anything modern scooter riders are loathe in the departments of maintenance and adjustment.

the tech bulletins would be all: R&R chain & sprockets when doing rear tire.

RO's would read: cust. states noisy drive train. insp. & advise

they'd be going thru chains and sprockets at the same rate as belts and the arguments about o-ring v. x-ring chains would overrun forums as people would strip to the waist and fight bare handed for their cause while the octane nerds would cheer them on and oil dorks watch.

Expect a new "What tires should I get to maximize my Vespa's chain life?" thread on MV every 4 months.

Person 1: "That makes no sense."

Person 2: "Wanna fight about it?"

Person 1: "Obviously"