Modern Vespa

First post for me!

I currently own and love my Piaggio Libery S 150. Love everything about it except the green gas projectile device in the filler neck, and the lack of top speed beyond 100 kph.

I am planning on buying either the Vespa 300 or 310 this year. In Vancouver, BC, the 300 is about $1100 cheaper than the 310.

Are there any pros or cons I should consider for this decision beyond the price difference? Both of them are at the extreme end of my budget, but I don't want to feel like I made a mistake a year from now because I wanted to save $1100. I want something I will be happy with long term and have few regrets with.

Oh, and I guess I should say something about my needs. I ride the scooter around town for very short jaunts to visit my parents, about 13 kms away. But I also plan on doing some genuinely long trips on the scoot as well. Last year, I did a 2500 km trip to Calgary and back which was fabulous, but I really could have used another five or more horsepower to handle the highways. Hence, my desire for a more powerful scoot.

I loved touring on my Liberty 150. I was plenty comfortable on it, even without a screen of any kind.

I really value reliability. I want a vehicle that won't break down. And one I can service myself.

Thanks!!!

You'll be good with either, if 300 is new or 2023- (because of the new front fork)
310 is quieter, revs less (less rpm for the same speed), the seat is a bit different, better in 310 IMHO.

I've been in that place before... then remembered how much money my wife spends on the hairdresser ... go for the 310!

The shape of the seat is identical, only the seat cover has different decorative stitching on the SuperSport (for the other variants I don't even know whether the seat cover has changed visually).

In your shoes I'd be buying the 310. I've only heard good feedback from owners.

If there are only pros and no cons other than price, I will definitely be leaning toward the 310. A good seat is pretty important, especially for touring.

I cut my own hair, so at definitely entitled to the 310!

This is really good to hear! I was hoping there weren't any problems with it being a first-year model.

The 1100 difference to buy now is reduced by the difference when you sell the scooter down the line. 4 years from now the 310 will bring more money than the (then long obsolete) 300.

Selling price depends many things, who will remember is there any differencies if we are money in our hands on year 2032? And the situation next summer? That depends what news we are hearing this summer. If there is nice buch of teethings, the earlier model could go faster from shop...time will tell.
Anyway getting 1100 more from used 310 is a deep dream.

Is the 310 any easier (cleaner) to put gas in it without the potential drama of cleanly getting the 300 fueled up?

Or is it the same annoying and often messy, smelly, wet, procedure as the 300's, that must be experienced to fully appreciate the deviltry of it all?

Good point!

Oh no! I didn't know the 300 was an annoyance to fuel up. My Liberty 150 is likewise a real pain to fill. I was hoping to get away from that hassle completely!

After the usual messy initiation, one learns the subtle tricks of fueling a GTS300 without having to pour the excess out of the pet holder afterwards.

When I demoed the 310 at Americade I was warned by the Aprilia Rep that the power would surprise me and the scooter might try to wheelie. Divine from that what you will.

If you want to get away from that hassle, then go for a BV310. Has the same engine, same power. It is a lot cheaper: you save 1500€ (in Europe). And you have the bigger wheels for better stability, and the larger storage compartment under the seat.
The fuel tank is below in the foot rest.

I seriously considered a BV400 (BV310 not available in Canada). They are very heavy and larger machines, in the super scooter category. I need a small vehicle that I can slip into the front of my parking spot. My Liberty can fit between parked cars pretty easily, and is light enough to slide sideways to manoeuvre in tiny spaces. Plus, for me, smaller and lighter is more fun!

Definitely true, that's what I was thinking when I bought this rather than another 850 pound Goldwing...

I am struggling with the BV engine sizes. I had a 350 and indeed rode one with Jess and Patrick to Amerivespa in Seattle. I take it the 350 engine is not related to either the 400 or the 310?

I am not sure.
I think the 300 HPE is the successor of the Quasar 278cc engine with same bore and stroke: 75mm * 63mm.
The 350 is based on the 278cc but has 330cc: 78mm * 69mm
The 310 is based on the 300HPE but 310cc: 75mm * 70mm
The 400 is, I think, a different engine. Bore * stroke is 84mm * 72mm. I expect it is derived from the Master engine. That engine extends to 500cc.

It's also an offset cylinder...

A pity that the 310 is not available in Canada. Could be a good compromize. A bit larger than a GTS, 15cm longer, not that much. A bit more heavy than a GTS, +15kg, also not that much.
A 400 is 30kg more heavy than a GTS. That is a lot, indeed.

I was wondering whether the 400 was based on the old master engine. The old one in my MP3 400 was not a particularly smooth unit.

Yes, it is a pity. Scooters aren't much of a thing at all in Canada. Most manufacturers only carry one or two scooters. And those scooters tend to be either a 50cc or a maxi scooter. Scooters are seen as a niche vehicle here, and there is virtually no special parking for them.

I've ridden both. The 350 feel smoother than the 400, less vibrations. Otherwise not much difference. On a vehicle level though the 350 is nicer. The dash is nicer with dials for speed, gas and temp, instead of an LCD dash. Also the buttons on the handlebars are nicer. Finally the 350 had a fancy filler cap while the 400 has an el-cheapo plastic flap. The 400 has the better seat though.

Just a quick thread revival on this since the original Summer 2025 post. Have many folk on here tried or decided to invest in the the new 310? If so what was your opinion ?

Im a relative Vespa newbie and went from a 300gts super rst22 to the 310Gtv.

Now after 850 miles Im pleased with the performance of the engine, it certainly is quieter, with a deeper exhaust note. It feels to accelerate faster but recent u tube videos disprove that. I guess in summary coming from geared bikes ( including some manic two strokes) then auto Vespas are so so smooth and deceptive from standstill to 60-70 mph. The 310 seems to do the above but more effortlessly if that makes sense.

What do other riders think?

I bought a "like NEW" GTS250 because I liked what I read about them.
And I spent a fraction on the purchase price of a new 310.

I enjoy the scooter very much, and it get's up and goes!

Lucky I guess...

My other choice is a Honda VFR800, so I do appreciate the "go" factor.

My other bike is an 800cc but about 30 bhp down on a Viffer. Needs a different throttle approach especially in all the 20 mph limits we have in Wales 😎

My other bike is 800cc also but I only use that for touring on these days.


As for the 310cc I decided not to get one for the following reasons


1, No discernable power gain over my current model

2, Not enamoured with the colour options

3, The mods/extras I've added over the last 4.5 years are mostly not transferable

I'm curious what mods/extras you have on your Vespa. We have the exact same year and colour! Right now I'm considering a new exhaust…other than that I have added a windscreen, a folding back rack and a plug in for my heated gear.

Curious as to what you ended up with, or are you still contemplating?

I am not considering an exhaust atm, but I would to save weight, if not a loudness compromise. I appreciate quietness!

Rack on the back, outlet for the heated vest, small windscreen..

I am going to purchase a sheepskin seat pad for this coming riding season. I have had one on all of my various motorbikes for over 50 years (yes, I am that old )

These are the best IMHO
https://www.alaskaleather.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqgCw96RpX2YkmFAZ66I4SXFmHEHd3v5k0bWzx1NguFCfak3WTq

I absolutely agree that those are the best sheepskin pads! I had one on my motorbike and now on my Vespa too. Guess I forgot that in my list of mods as I figure it's an necessity.

Don't like the color

Remove the trim and paint

Iam doing another this year in Guards red with black trim

2025 as the frame changed on the rear license plate .

GB

I was actually about to bump my own thread today, to find someone else had!

I am still torn between a new 300 and a new 310. The price difference is now $1500 between them. They are $7000 and $8500 Canadian.

I am also looking at a 2013 Vespa 300 gts ie for $5000 CDN. Only has 3,700 km on it.

Right now, the new 300 seems like the best "deal". But I'm trying to predict how I will feel a few years from now having bought one of these three options.

I was going to buy a 2024 310

But after research

Used 2025 from carpart auction
Price of harness and motor
3500.00

New frame
1100.00
Free frht

Custom paint
2200.00

It's all tax deductible for me as I purchased all from my llc


There are lots of 2025 new models sitting.

Iam going to buy a new 946 dragon in mid year for my collection.

Hi sorry for the late reply

I have these accessories that won't fit the 310cc

Oil pan with sight glass
Transmission cover
Flyscreen

These will fit on a new 310, Folding Backrest, Front Rack and Floor Rack

Not sure about the carbon exhaust heat shield and my extended foot pegs

Lots of changes to 310

Dual sensors in exhaust

I ordered a complete Remus with red trim ring

My 300 Vespa tries to do a wheelie occasionally

I just put a deposit down on a 2026 GTS 310 Super, in Rosso Coraggioso (red)!!!

I'm super pumped!

It costs a bloody fortune ($11,000 Canadian bucks all in), but it's the exact scoot that I want. I could have spent as little as $4000 for a 2007 in decent shape with lowish miles, but I figure this will probably be the last gas-powered two-wheeled vehicle that I buy. I mind as well get my dream vehicle. If I keep it for fifteen years or more, then the original purchase price is kind of irrelevant.

I'm going to be riding this scooter all over Vancouver and into the surrounding mountains. I'll be making trips out to a little undeveloped plot of land my family owns to camp and fish, about 300 kms away. And I'll be planning trips to Alberta, and eventually across Canada. I'm pretty confident I chose the right vehicle for all these trips!

Well done Rob ^^^^^. Im finding my 310 considerably more relaxed at highway speeds (65-70 mph). The way it accelerates and holds our national speed limit with still some acceleration to spare feels more than the 10% hike in torque over the 278cc engine.

Agreed on price , for what I paid for mine I could have had a 600cc Japanese twin with all the bells and whistles. However as the old saying goes " the best bike is the one you like riding"

11000 can $ is about 6900€ , I think that's very cheap