Modern Vespa

The Vespa GTS 300 Super is now the largest displacement engine ever to be fitted to a scooter with the Vespa name on it. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to have a test ride of a few hours today of a very new, not yet broken in 300 with only 17 kms on the odometer. I don't think very many have had the chance in Canada to ride the 300 yet, through connections with Vespa Canada I was given a chance today. What can I say about the styling other than if you are fond of the classic but updated Vespa lines, you will love this scooter.



The addition of the slit/gills on the right rear cowls harkens back many years to its older kin, a classy look for this fast bike. Other changes from the previous GTS including, black trim around the front fender crest, black ring around the headlight, two toned wheels, a newly designed horn cast, red suspension cover, white piping on the seat and an analog dash with a black face. Overall, it is stylish, classy and sporty, love it.







One quick press of the starter button and the 278 cc fuel injected, liquid cooled, four valve engine roars to life. Roars? Yes I said roars. Another change is that the chrome tipped exhaust has a new voice. This engine now roars and is growly in a deeper sportier way. It isn't quite the roar of my Leo Vince pipe on my own GTS, but I'm not sure I would bother getting a LV pipe if I owned a 300. I like the new sound effects.

So how is it to ride you ask? Well it is very very much like my GTS 250, which means it is a nimble yet powerful scooter that easily handles the day to day grind of city riding. However, one very big difference between the 300 and my 250 is the torque. If you look at the engine's stats you will notice nary a difference between the 250 and 300 in terms of horsepower. Vespa did not tune this baby to reach a higher top end, rather they tuned this to be the ultimate urban assault scooter. The GTS 300 has amazing torque that is on demand immediately. This is very very apparent from the first time you twist the throttle. The 300 is like a crouching tiger, ready to pounce. So much so, that I felt that if I shifted my weight towards the back of the seat just a little bit more, I could probably lift the front wheel off the ground and wheelie it. Trust me, I didn't want to find out if I could handle a wheelie so I didn't try it out. However, the torque really seems to be there for it if you were to want to try such a thing. So this scooter really wants to run. You will beat other scooters and cars easily off the mark at a light. The power comes on right away. This is a very good trait if you spend most of your time riding in town. As with all GTS's, it has a capable, solid suspension that easily absorbs the bumps and lumps that plague our town. The GTS is a well balanced scooter that is easy to ride and fun to lean into corners.



How is it on the highway? Well, today was very windy and this scooter's engine was not broken in. As well, it did not have a windscreen on it unlike my own GTS which has a flyscreen. This scooter easily reached 120 km/hr to keep up with traffic in the passing lane. However, due to the wind conditions and lack of windscreen, I did not take it up faster than that today. I would like to try it out on the 401 sometime once the engine is broken in and with a flyscreen. I really feel that having a flyscreen makes the scooter slice through the air better and gives it better aerodynamics. I am much more comfortable at those speeds on my flyscreen equipped GTS 250. So as far as highway riding goes, it gets you up to passing speeds with ease, but I don't know what the top speed is yet.



Quality of build? The quality of the Vespa is like that of other Vespas, solid, well built and with quality fittings. I like the way the switch gear feel when you do simple things like turn on the indicators or turn on the high beam. It feels and is quality. The ergonomics of this scooter are excellent. There is sufficient leg room for those who are long of leg, yet the seat height is sufficiently low for those with relatively short inseams (I have a 29" inseam). There is space under the seat for two 3/4 helmets but it will not fit a full face helmet.[]




I guess the question is though, would I trade my GTS 250 in for this new GTS 300. In short, the answer is no. The difference in torque albeit great, is not enough to make me want to trade in my GTS. I actually prefer the extra information that dash on the 250 gives as well that the 300 doesn't have, things such as outside temperature, tachometer and trip odometer. However, that being said, if my current ride wasn't the GTS, but was instead the GT200, I think there would be another used Vespa for sale and a new GTS Super 300 in my garage.[]

Thanks for reading my review and please forgive it's short comings, I have never written a review and I am not a professional test rider.[]

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Sweet, thanks for the review Benny - but where are the pics of you riding it???

And what colors did your dealer have?

The person who took photos of me riding it isn't home yet so I don't have them to post. I will do after I get them, hopefully sometime tomorrow.

And, Benny, you forgot to mention that the new 300 doesn't come with a rear rack on the bike...although very sporty without it, the cost of a rack is about $250 if I'm not mistaken...the difference on the two bikes is about $200 list price. I can't see why they would continue to keep making the 250 if the 300 is their newest offering...only thing I would change is put the digital info on the new 300...the 250 Super has the GTS 250 speedo...with all the digital goodies on it. I agree with you...I'm not looking to race anyone...and, would not upgrade to a 300 as it isn't enough of a difference to make me sell my bike...when Vespa comes out with a 400 or 500 engine in a GTS, I may consider it at that time. If I was in the market now for a new Vespa, I would seriously consider one of the many used and clean low mileage GTS 250's I'm seeing all over the place...a 2009 with low mileage just sold on Ebay for $4,600...that way, if you ever sell it, you should come out okay.

Yes, even more things that I forgot to mention. As well I didn't mention the price in Canada, wait for it, $8295. The GTS 250 (non Super) is $7500 in Canada for a difference of $800. As far as the rear rack goes, yes it is missing, however, I guess if you were to purchase a topcase then the rack is included. However, for guys like Muni. who like to use non Vespa topcases/bags, they would be out of luck and would have to plunk down some cash to carry their groceries home.

I believe the only colours coming to Canada this year are the white and black. I do not believe that any red ones are coming here.

Sounds like a fun ride Benny, what roads did you manage to hit?

I saw one on Friday night as I walked home - a few vinos inside me. A lovely looking scooter.
Well reviewed, I like the idea of blasting most cars in town
Coggo

I started out at Vespa Canada, up to Eglinton, then South on the DVP to home to get the camera and take a few shots. Then I jumped on the Gardiner across town and then up to Bloor to show the bike off at Motoretta West. Back to the Gardiner, up DVP, across to the Bayview Extension and made my way back to Vespa Canada.

It was quite a bit of fun riding that 300, especially in the city. Not so much on the highway with the winds we had yesterday without a windshield.

Thanks for the great review, Benny. I like to ride long distances as well as in Philly, so I think I will take your advice and hold onto my old GTS since it does so well in most riding conditions. I agree with you about the digital display, too. The temp and rev info is helpful.
I am glad you took the time to give us your opinion.
Curt in Philly

Curt, it was really unexpected but I was only able to get to 120 km/hr on the 300. Granted I was riding into quite a headwind. As well the engine was far from broken in and the lack of a flyscreen might also have made quite a difference. On the other hand, my GTS 250 I've been able to hit 145 km/hr. So perhaps for highway riding, the 250 is tuned better than the 300. Only time will tell, I hope to have a chance sometime to take out a broken in 300 with a flyscreen to see if the highway performance is better. For now, I'll keep my 250 and be very happy with how it is great at being jack of all trades.

Very nice review, Bennie. Thanks for taking the time to write it up. I'm just curious about one of your pictures. What are the two little stickers on the bottom of the headlight? My U.S. model GTS had those on too. What do they signify? Some qc check or something?

My assumption is the same as yours, I believe those little stickers are some sort of factory QC mark.

Great review - The best reviews are by real riders - I almost want to buy one!

I wonder if anyone would notice if I had two scoots in the garage?

Great review Benny. I am with you. I would not trade in the 250, however, if I was in the market for a new scoot this would be it.

Not at all, get one in black and no one will notice. 8) If I was in the market and had only my GT or LX, I would go for the GTS 300. The difference in torque was really really surprising. I really wasn't expecting the difference to be as great between the 250 and the 300.

Excellent review & I love the pictures!



...But I still don't want one

I've found the flyscreen makes a big difference in the speed potential of the GTS, so the lack of one on the test GT probably accounts for 10mph (16kph) or so. The tight engine is also a factor.

However, on level ground with no wind a GTS can hit (well, gently tap) the rev limiter and the 300 has a lower redline so...

Generally I keep my GTS below 70-75mph (indicated), so I don't think a couple mph on the top make any difference to me. Then again, I'm still paying for the 250, so it stays.

300 sure looks good to me, though.

P.

I think it is a very handsome scooter too. I like the right rear cowl in particular. I completely agree with you Paul. I think a flyscreen would have made a huge difference. It sill surprised me that I could only get it going 120 km/hr even without the flyscreen. The lower redline might be the culprit along with the very very strong winds.

I meant to tell you that you ought to get a commission for selling the 300 to MV members

Thanks for sharing. I've only seen them at the motorcycle show so far. Maybe it will be at BlackfootMotorSports tomorrow.

Thanks for the great review Benny! My boyfriend sold my LX 150 Saturday so now I am ready to move up. After your review, I believe I may stay with a gently used 250 plan. I like the 250 dash better, also.

Hey Benito, nice job on the review and the update! Admit it, you really want a 300 Super, don't you?

I don't have any experience with a GTS 250 but I sold my GT 200 for the 300 and I love it. Its such a blast to ride. Thanks to the great people at Vespa Thousand Oaks I was able to get into a 300 over the weekend an I have just been having a blast with it. It was a beautiful weekend for a ride. Great review helps justify my purchase.

A really nice write up Benny! Thanks for your input. I will keep my GTS for a while yet. Unless a larger displacement GTS comes along.

Great idea, can you call Morey Chaplick at Canadian Scooter Corporation and tell him your great idea? It's not yet at Canadian dealerships in Toronto. The one I rode is owned by one of the partners of Vespa Canada. Nice guys. I really do prefer the digital dash of the 250, it would be harder to not trade up if it had the 250's dash but the body and engine of the 300. One can only hope that someday they will come out with a 400 or something along those lines. That might be enough to put me over the edge to upgrade.

Actually Motoretta has had the Super 300s in stock for about 3 weeks now. So they should be coming west sometime soon.

I stand corrected, thanks for arranging the test ride Clyde.

I know this is crazy talk, but do you think it would be possible to use a GTS headset on a 300?

Offnote - whenever I see 300 referenced, I think "THIS IS SPARTAAAAAA". HAH

What brand of digital watches do you guys wear? Seriously, how can you not love that beautiful new analog dash that so perfectly complements the looks of the Super?

Have you seen the LX speedo? It's exactly the same!

IMHO, I actually don't think it "perfectly" complements the Super at all!!!

If you got much bigger, 350-400cc, don't you think they would need to supersize it with a longer wheelbase and tire, maybe 14's and give it a trailer tow package. That would be a El Grande Torusimo 60-62 inch wheelbase is not hard to live with in the suburbs, don't know about the city

Great review! Just picked up a new black 300 GTS today after test riding in several times. I was so excited, but it was pouring today when I picked it up and I didn't feel like pushing it with wet roads and slippery new tires. It was a blast in the rain though and I can't wait to get on it again!

Ok, good for you, what color and what did you have before ? Rats on the rain -but thats dedication. After breakin you can whip it good

I should amend my post on wheel base to 58"ish on a super sized El Grande capable of 95 mph -stump pulling torque.

After riding Jess' GTS that he rode like he stole it from the get go, I'd say don't baby it during break in, you will have a more powerful and faster scooter if you don't.

I'm (in)famous around here for being about our only member who hated the GTS250ie instruments compared to the GT200's, so we have no basis for discussion. We'll just have to cheerfully agree to diasagree.

P.S. Italian buyers are scooping up the Super in large numbers. Ring the bell. I think we got a winnah!!!

Since this is a Canadian test ride I demand that it be translated to French...

Unfortunately I don't speak French. Je ne parle pas de francais, or something like that.

I'm also looking forward to the new 300 speedo! Here in MPLS I'm still waiting for the 300 to get here, must be all those Italians snatching them up before the scoots make it to the boat...

This is my first Vespa actually. I have wanted one for years. I actually got my motorcycle license so I could get a Vespa, but ended up snagging a Suzuki Volusia 805cc cruiser from a friend. Now I'm going to sell it. The 300 super is much more fun!

I've heard about hard break-ins, but why does Vespa recommend a soft break in period? What exactly happens during the break in period? Excuse my ignorance.