Scooter Review Vespa GTS 250 i.e. The GTS 250ie maintains a strong link to Vespa’s revered past, while solidly pointing the way forward.
Words by TRENT NIKOLIC, photography by JEREMY BOWDLER Until the 300 Super arrives, the GTS 250ie is the most powerful Vespa ever. That’s a bold statement, and it says much about Vespa’s current flagship. But to think the GTS is nothing more than a powerful motor is to sell a very competent and well engineered scooter a long way short.
Combining classic Vespa styling with modern technology and stunning performance, the GTS 250ie sets the standard for the Vespa brand. The liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, four-valve, 250cc, single-cylinder engine is certainly powerful – a fact that was obvious from the minute I opened the throttle.
The raw performance figures are impressive, with the engine generating 16.2kW at 8250rpm and 20.2Nm of torque at 6500rpm. Another figure is the maximum speed of 122km/h and, while that’s not relevant in Australia thanks to our ridiculous highway laws, it means the GTS will cruise comfortably at 100 or 110km/h where and when you have the option to do so.
The fact that the GTS is the most powerful Vespa is a useful conversation starter, but it means nothing if the rider can’t use the power safely by relying on a well balanced overall package. Fortunately, the potent engine combines with a beautifully functional constantly variable transmission (CVT) and superbly balanced chassis to provide a rewarding ride, and solid platform from which to get the most out of all that available power. Where the Piaggio CVT often feels a little laggy, tardy and out of step with the marque’s larger engines, when matched with the 250cc variant it feels snappy and responsive off the mark, smooth once the scoot is up to cruising speed and completely free of jerky or snatchy delivery when rolling on and off the throttle in traffic.
The GTS 250ie’s 1395mm wheelbase seems perfectly suited to city driving and the poise of the chassis is impressive and reassuring. The front end follows Vespa tradition by using a single-arm set-up with a single spring-damper unit, and it soaks up bumps without any harsh thrashing through the handlebars. At the rear, there are twin dampers that always seemed to maintain secure contact between the tarmac and the tyre and, like the front end, handle even the nastiest bumps and ruts with some degree of finesse.
 Only the harshest of city potholes will unsettle the balance and even then, you need to be travelling a whole lot faster than you really should be to feel any skittish behaviour. Shorter wheelbase scoots can often feel skittish and unsettled, whereas the GTS delivers a smooth ride that’s not overly harsh, but with enough feedback to leave you feeling connected to the road beneath you.
The 12-inch alloy wheels front and rear play a big role in the GTS’s stable ride, as do the excellent disc brakes, which have a solid feel under heavy stopping and give confidence that the GTS 250ie is capable of dealing with the rapid stops that are an unfortunate aspect of city commuting.
If you’re considering stepping up from a smaller (in both physical size and engine capacity) or entry-level scooter, you’ll find the GTS 250ie a more composed and effortless performer across the board, and that’s how scooter riding should be.
A fuel capacity of 9.2 litres gives the GTS 250ie a more than adequate cruising range, and with the Vespa’s easy highway performance, you’ll be tempted to take it on longer rides than the weekday commute.
An attractive rear chrome rack has a spring-loaded base and will carry up to 6.5kg of gear. As the platform folds forward and up when not in use, it doesn’t get in the way when you’re parking or storing the scoot either. There’s more storage in front of your knees in the form of a glovebox that is opened via the ignition key switch. It’s perfect for mobile phones, wallets, gloves and house keys. There’s also a bag hook on the legshield that’s ideal for carting home takeaway meals and last-minute shopping runs.
Pressing the button on the immobiliser keyfob reveals the underseat storage compartment. As with all modern Vespas, there’s more storage than you’ll ever need for commuting and the flexibility to carry even more gear on a longer ride or perhaps overnight stay presents itself. I managed to safely tuck my open-face helmet, gloves and a well packed shopping bag safely under the seat without having to shove things in there.
A short ride with a passenger aboard proved the rear section of the seat is comfortable, as are the flip-out pillion footpegs, which are a smart addition and stay snapped closed and out of the way when you’re riding one-up. The upright section of the rear storage rack works like a backrest for passengers too, which enhances the comfort level.
Perhaps the most alluring aspect of the GTS 250ie is the way it salutes Vespa’s past in many of its small detail touches and design features, yet so strongly points the way forward with modern riding dynamics, impressive speed and user-friendly ability.
The styling is retro yet modern, while the seating position has a certain familiarity about it and the view forward from the rider’s seat will have owners of older Vespas feeling right at home. Our test model was an eye-catching Giallo Lime and, although it may not be to everyone’ taste, we liked the way it stood out in a crowd.
Twist the throttle when the lights turn green, though, and there’s nothing that’s even remotely old-school about the GTS 250ie. There’s a solid surge of acceleration right up to 80 and 100km/h that will put a broad grin on your face and leave you looking for excuses to take the long way home. ✽
As published in TW SCOOTER MAGAZINE - 25/08/2008
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