If your looking at Vespas, you already know some part of you likes something about them, or you wouldn't have sought these comments out in the first place. Even if you consider yourself a sport bike only type of person, your here now, so some part of you "wants" to be swayed.
To the beginner I say this...The GTS is a balanced, mild mannered, FUN, machine. It's filled with enough style and versatility to keep you happy for as long as you choose to own it, and will deliver you to any local destination you care to point the front wheel at with relative ease.
It's throttle response is crisp and delicate, with none of the on-off-on-off switch like action of some other cycles. The seat is wide enough to provide a great deal of comfort, and has enough space to let you move around a little, without getting locked into one position. It's brakes need a bit more of a pull to get things to slow down, but they are very progressive and show no sign of being grabby or touchy, which could be off-putting to a new rider. Steering is balanced and light, quick and flickable. Look where you want to go, give a small push on the bars, roll on the throttle and your there.
The whole package comes together in such a way that you can focus on the task at hand, and enjoy the ride, hopefully falling in love with the sport as you click on the miles.
To the experienced rider the Vespa gives you a measure of pride in its classic lines and build quality that you just wont see in other cycles, before you even hit the starter button. The easy test for you is this...do you covet owning an MV Agusta or Ducati over the various Japanese bikes that are on the market. ALL are top rate, Italian and Japanese alike, and ALL will give you more performance than you can possibly use on the street. But the Italian bike have a certain spirit to them...and this is where the Vespas fall. You spend more money on the Vespa than some of the other brands, but you aren't getting "nothing" for it. You see Vespa's history etched in the lines of their designs. You sense the quality of how it's built when you press your hands on it and find metal under your fingers instead of plastic; and you feel it in how it all comes together on the road, where it matters.
Power...comeon' now, it's a scooter. So if your looking for "Power" then move along.
Performance though is another matter. This scooter performs...and does so in a speed range that is far less stressful than a full zoot race bike. On the flats, it'll leave all but the most determined sportcar in its wake, all the way up to the speed limit. In the twisties it'll cruise happily faster than the marked signs show and never have want to slow down much for a hairpin. Roll off the throttle a little, look through the turn, and roll it on again.
The sheer fact that you need not slow down as much before a given curve means you need not worry about it's relative lack of horsepower pulling out of it. You simply roll through one curve and point it to the next. It's such and easy pleasing experience, you'll find your actually having "fun" at the speeds the Vespa wants to carry you along at. It'll make you grin.
It's not a motorcycle. It makes no moves to be. It's not a track day weapon, or the latest back road burner, but dam it's fun. It's fun because it's simple, and lets you just look for your next line and focus on it. No missed shifts, no white-knuckle speeds, no chattering tires or sliding at the apex...just smooooooth sweeping fun...steadily checking off one turn after another. Try it, you'll like it. I bet it even makes you a better rider, for when you jump on your "real" motorcycle.
So, if your looking for a fun, nimble, little package, that lets you visit all your local haunts with ease, and all with a minimum of fuss, then this Vespa might be fore you. I know I dig mine.
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additions:
Since ergonomics play a roll on any machine, I should mentions my "specs" as it were...at 6' tall, with a long inseam I find I can easily place my feet flat on the ground at stops. But it's a perfect fit, with no real wiggle room. Someone with shorter legs will surely need to come forward on the seat a bit. Easily done.
Compared to a "standard" or "sport" motorcycle its seating position is a little lower, but since your sitting on it like a chair, and not standing over it like you would on say a Ducati, it might be a stretch for some legs...but not by much.
My hands are smaller (should I admit that? Ladies, please ignore that last line...I have a reputation to keep,) but I find the reach to the brake levers to be fine.
Weighing in at 160-170 (dependant on the fluctuation in the world's pastry supply), the stock settings for the rear suspension felt a little soft to me. PERFECT for smooth road cruising, absorbing small road bumps and the like, with ease. BUT, turn up the pace a bit on a twisty road and it just felt like it needed to be a bit more firm...easily done with the use of the rear shock spanner in the tool kit. Set to position "2" felt like a nice compromise, though "3" is a lot of fun on SMOOTH fast roads, but threatened to bounce me out of my seat if I came across a series of bumps.
The front feels planted, and showed no sign of wanting to wobble or weave; and telegraphs what's going on to the rider fairly well.
Foot position (10 1/2s): Lots of room here, which is something, coming from a motorcycle background that felt the most odd to me. No longer locked onto "footpegs" you can move your feet forward if you like, out to the sides, or more under you. Nice! Trying to come to terms with this new found foot freedom however, I found I used the passenger pegs as a place to lock my heals onto on spirited curvy road rides. I know, I know, silly...but I'm just used to being more on my toes and centering up my weight. I tried keeping them flat in front of me, but back they would go...old habits die hard. The end result though, just shows how much flexibility you have here.
Leg room (34" inseam): Lots of it. My knees neither flap in the wind, nor bump into the glove box. I step through, sit down, scoot around on the seat, and never, ever feel cramped. I never bump my knees getting off, or stumble about in any way. Some may not be too keen on the "larger" size of this Vespa, but with its increased size comes a lot of real world advantages.
To the motorcycle oriented people I say this. It doesn't have the sheer bulk of most standard bikes, but it doesn't feel small or light either. It seems to strike a nice balance, where it's large enough to provide a lot of stability and confidence...you don't feel like your riding a plastic toy...but small enough to be easy to ride nimbly about without having to wrestle it to do your bidding. I swear, I could do a U-turn in a parking space with enough practice. It just fits.
More to come if I think of it. =)
⚠️ Last edited by snoozie on UTC; edited 1 time
