Modern Vespa

I am finally decided that I want to buy a black GTS 300 Super. Can anyone give me some advice on things I should be aware of or tips I should consider when buying?

If you also know a good dealer in or around NJ, let me know. I'm paying cash to get the best deal.

Thanks,

Jesse

Hi Jesse
Good luck on your hunt!

Here's an older thread that has some advice:

Buying a Vespa in NJ


Harvey

Hey, I'm not sure where you're from and I'm afraid to ask, "What exit?" *groan * I'm in Bergen County and I just purchased from Metro Scooter in Northvale. They are amazing and have bent over backward to make me happy including throwing in a ($200) touring seat for my S 150 at no charge and even offering to come in on a day that they were closed so that I could pick op the scoot.

Even if you're not that close it might be worth the drive. I can't recommend them enough.

Good luck!

Through 12/31, they are doing a deal with Costco members, throwing in a $350 gift card with 250s and 300s. If you don't go with the other deals for the smaller scooters, you can also get $250, but I believe they are still doing the $500 off MSRP.

http://usecu.costcoauto.com/vespa/RedemptionPiaggioVespa.pdf

Congrats on joining the ranks of GTS 300 owners. I used to live in 'Joisey' out by Lake Hopatcong (near the watergap) but moved out to CA in '98. The only time the "Jersey Girl" comes out in me is when someone pisses me off, grrr!
You will love your GTS. However if you plan to take it on the freeway, I suggest you get a windscreen, as it will make your ride more comfortable from a windchill and wind-noise standpoint. I can actually hear my motor and my GPS unit now. Crashbars are another suggested investment (especially rear ones) to protect your paint from those shopping carts and possible 'drops'. Finally, consider upgrading to a louder horn (search under Stebel horn and you will see what I mean)

Make sure you have your toll ready for the Parkway in an exterior pocket of your armored pants. Have fun!

Sadly while the Super is a super ride the quality is not equally super - I am replacing the stock exhaust after nine months from brand new.

I recommend that you get rid of the stock exhaust and buy a nice new pipe for it.

Thanks for the responses everyone! I live in Hillsborough, NJ so I at least get to enjoy driving out to New Hope area and around the farm country roads of Somerset county.

I have a friend that has a house right on Lake Hopatcong, in a town called Landing so I find myself up there on occasion.

As for the Parkway and keeping change on me, I don't think I'll be bringing my Scootie Puff Senior (Futurama reference) anywhere near that deathtrap. Besides, my wife would want to tag along if I was going anywhere the Parkway would take me, and she's 6 mo pregnant, so local driving is all I'm thinking.

Well - and now for the finale! I just went to Honda Sport of Metuchen, NJ and bought the 2010 GTS 300 Super in black (which was in stock). Final price on the ground with a free full-face helmet thrown in was $6300 (which included everything including taxes, title, license, prep, etc) I think that's a reasonable deal but you guys would know better than me.

I'm going to buy all my accessories online since the prices are much better than the dealer can do for me. I am concerned though because he said that Costco cancelled the gift card with purchase and that there was no $500 off MSRP for the 300. Can someone help me decipher if this is true? I paid my deposit and pick it up tomorrow or Thursday, and can still adjust the price if I have proof.

Thanks again for all your help. I can't wait to get it on the road.

Jesse

Congrats on the new 300. You will love it! As for the Costco promotion, I ran a quick Google search and it looks like the promotion is still being offered at some dealers. According to their websites, any Piaggio product bought with a 150cc engine or above receives a $ 350.00 Costco gift card. The offer is good until 9.30.09. I would imagine this is a national promotion. I'd get your dealer to re-check the deal.

I am actually getting a little worried. I don't know if I got a good deal or not, but I found out that the Costco deal is nationwide, so I submit the form to them directly and they list on the costcoauto.com website that the Metuchen dealership is actually on their list. My question is this - I was given a VIN to get insurance, but when Geico sent me the temp email, they listed that the model is actually at GTS 250 based on the VIN. Is there anyone who knows how to decipher the VIN?

ZAPM459L6A5700947

I want to make sure it is EXACTLY what I paid for.

Thanks

VIN deciphering:

https://modernvespa.com/forum/wiki-vin-decoding

This does show that your VIN number designates a 250 GTS. Maybe some GTS 300 owners can chime in. Are you sure it's not a Super GTS 250?

Congratulations!

Vespa Metuchen is decent to deal with, never had problems with them
I bought from Scooters Originali in Orange,
but they no longer offer modern Vespas (sadly.. they are truly great!)

You should go back in and clarify (with the manager?)
if you got a 300 or one of the mislabeled 250s
and why they don't think the Costco discount applies

This is an opportunity for expressing your pushy New Jersey side
They should take it okay

Don't believe any 'decoding' site. Go to a dealer and get them to enter the VIN into the internal Piaggio network. That will give full history.

The more I'm thinking about it, the more I'm thinking I got screwed. I really hope not but who knows. I will say though from what I've seen on dealer inventories around the internet, the VIN number may be misleading because several 300's I've seen also start with ZAPM459L, so I don't know for sure. The one thing I do know for sure though is that the receipt states that it is for a 2010 GTS 300, however, the VIN indicates that it would be a 2009 model. Can anyone confirm that?

I just found another site that has a VIN lookup and it states that it is in fact a 2010 300 GTS:

http://www.motoverse.com/tools/vinDecoder/ZAPM459L6A5700947

Wish there was a way to be sure on my own.

Be calm and go in and talk to them

They have to straighten all this out before they finalize the deal,
so it's in their interest to do it sooner, rather than later

You can't register the vehicle in NJ unless all this is clear & correct
and they know it

Congrats and welcome I just got back for a 75 mile loop form Newtown PA ware I live to Prinston NJ through Stockton and New Hope. We should meet up and ride. You will have to take it easy on me I ride only a 150 but I don't let up. Good luck
Chris

First of all, a 2010 model has to be manufactured in 2009. So just because the VIN has a 2009 date, does not mean it's not the correct model year. After all, the VIN reflects the actual date of manufacture, and 2010 hasn't arrived yet. (Unless you're a Time Lord).

Secondly, it's possible the the database your insurance dealer has is not correct. Take Jim's advice and have the dealer enter the VIN into Piaggo's system to verify the model type.

Take a breath and think for a moment. The dealer is not out to screw you, because he makes money not on the sale, but on the service and extras. A bad deal gets around and keeps customers away. You're not going to go back for service to a bad dealer. So it's probably just a prosaic database issue.

Sorry for showing my "noobishness" here but this is a first time purchase for me and I just get a little skittish when it comes to making purchases that I'm still unfamiliar with the whole process.

Thanks for the handholding.

What is the preferred octane gas to use? When I used to ride a Honda CBR900RR, I only used premium, but I wasn't sure if Vespa had specific needs.

Also, since the winter is coming up, are there any tips for storing the bike in my garage during the cold months? Do I need a Battery Buddy or Battery Buddy Jr?

Definitely premium
And even in NJ, they'll let you pump your own because it takes a small amount of skill

BTW, I'm jealous of your soon-to-be beautiful new Super

Hey-

I'm a former Jersey Dude. Moved to CA in 1980 to go to law school and stayed. I went to Clifton High and graduated from Stockton State.

I just bought a 300 Super from Vespa San Diego. Can't say that I got as good a deal as you did, but I am pleased nonetheless.

Ok - so I can't sleep! I'm so excited that I get my new toy tomorrow and I was looking at some of the suggested accessories, and I wanted to know what a good windscreen is? I saw the Vespa authentic ones but I'm kinda put off by the look of them. I want something that is functional but goes well with the look of the GTS.

Does anyone have any suggestions for windscreens? How about the same with top cases? I would like a top case that's waterproof and large enough to hold a helmet and gloves with a backrest.

Congrats on your scoot! Just remember 1) a damn good helmet; 2) a damn good jacket; & 3) ride it like you stole it!

Good luck and be careful.

Also Prima medium windscreen !!! great product.

I just put on Prima large windshield $110, a chinese knock off top box 79$ and kickstand yesterday. The windshield helps maintaining top speed on highway. Took it out tonight and was holding 76-80 two up. The top box is decent. It detaches fairly easily. Kickstand makes moving the scoot around in garage easy. Also put cuppini crash bars and agivi rack on mine. I think I am set for this year. Almost to my 600 mile first service mark. This thing is a blast.

Any idea who has the best deals on the Prima mid or large windscreen? I am pretty sure this is a must. I'm right now shopping for jackets since I lost weight since my CBR days and need to get something smaller.

their on sale at scooterworks.com right now

Is this the right one?

http://www.scooterworks.com/Windscreen_Prima_Medium_-_Bud_P4920C590.cfm

I kinda like the idea of having the windscreen come all the way down to the handlebars and cover the hands a bit. Is this adjustable?

Really easy way to tell if you bought a GTS300 vs a 250 Super. Look at the instrument panel. If it is the 250, it will have a big LCD panel on the right w/ rev, temp, odometer etc info. If it is a 300, it will have one large dial and 2 smaller dials.

Jess, that screen is for a Genuine Buddy.

Try looking at these:
http://www.scooterworks.com/Windscreen_Prima_-_Vespa_LX_G_P6590C592.cfm

http://www.scooterwest.com/items/?_pageCCS=t#page=/item_details/GT-GTS-Mid-size-Flyscreen-CLEAR/196

Ok - thanks for the links. I don't know how I ended up with the buddy screen but now I found the right one.

As for the displacement - I was able to look at the engine sticker in the glove today and did confirm the 278cc.

They are delivering it to me tomorrow because it's raining all day today and tomorrow.

I'll put pix up once it gets here, in all its naked glory.

All you had to do was look at your instruments! If it is just dials = 300.
If 1 dial and a big LCD panel = 250.

Yay, new Vespa delivery tomorrow!

I got my 300 last Saturday. I had the Faco windscreen installed on Tuesday. Its the midsize and it looks great. It was slightly more expensive than the Prima windscreen, but I think it looked better.

Congrats, PHC1! Do you have pictures to share?

ITS HERE!!!

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She's a beauty, congratulations!

Man - I just want it to be known that I am now officially a Vespa JUNKIE! I just logged 70 miles on my new scoot and can't wait to get back on it.

ALREADY?!? Awesome!!

I'm still trying to figure out how to lock my full-face helmet to the bike since it's too big to fit in the trunk. I don't think I'll be getting a topcase so I'm open to suggestions.