Scooter Review Vespa GTS 300 Super Review Close to perfection and lots to like about the GTS 300 Super from Vespa.
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The Vespa name is one that is renowned in scooter circles. The name alone conjures up images of vintage machines roaming the countryside, a means of transport developed to mobilise a country post WW2. Developing the GTS 300, Piaggio must have looked back to its past capturing those sporting machines that moved the spirits of those who rode them.
From the front grill to the cut outs in the side panel the GTS sure does a great deal to mimic the past. But this is where it ends as the Vespa is well into the future when it comes to its overall performance. The engine remains at the top of my list as the best engine in any scooter today, its such a joy to ride with performance everywhere from zero to the magic ton. The engine combines with a transmission that feels like it will pull the arms from your sockets under brisk acceleration.
Starting the GTS is a breeze, just hit the starter and the Vespa growls
with enthusiasm and a willingness to get moving. And its at this point
your completely taken with this scooter. Off the mark acceleration and
throttle response is immediate and brisk to say the least and for every
city application the GTS 300 is more then sufficient.
Handling is another strong factor as the scooter remains non fussed over bumps and turns from side to side with minimal rider input. It steers as if its following your line of sight, as if it knows your next move. The dash layout with the black background gives off a sporty vibe and all the other styling additions before mentioned make you feel like your on the quickest scooter in town.
The riding position for a person of my size(which is short) is extremely accommodating with a ton of room to move around. People of a higher stature will find no problems and this must be one of the most comfortable upright riding positions available. Everything has that solid premium feel to it and all switches fall easily to hand being made with the intended purpose in mind.
One minus is the depth of the underseat storage bucket that is unable to take
most full face helmets but still provides a credible amount of usable space (Use the two helmet hooks provided if required). But it seems
pointless to penalise a scooter that is so damn close to
being perfect. The rear end simplicity with the rear rack and Super badging completes the picture for me. Top Box options are available but spoiling the rear end style just seems like it would defeat the purpose of design.
Near 10 grand on the road may be out of the reach of some but don't let this be a deterring factor in wanting to own one in
the future. If anything just go and ride the demo at the local Piaggio
dealer just to experience what I'm talking about.
Now lets hope Vespa Australia forget all about the fact I've still got the demo in the garage!
RATING /10
Handling: 10
Performance: 10
Quality of Finish: 9
Storage Options: 9
Dash / Gauges: 9
Seating: 9
Maintenance: 9
Function of Parts: 9
Technology , EFI , LC: 10
Value for Money: 8
Total: 92/100
2nd Opinions from the Scootersales.com.au Network
Murray Walters - Scooter Central Brookvale Sydney
I have to admit, that when I first heard whispers that our friends at Vespa had developed a new and improved Vespa GTS, I was a little sceptical. I mean really…….the GTS250ie has been a huge hit worldwide, and it has been Australia’s biggest selling 250cc scoot since the day it was introduced. It was hard to imagine what real world benefits the new 300ie version could offer over a favourite like the 250ie.
But then I saw the first photos, followed by the engine statistics, and I found myself placing an order and counting the days until my new one arrived. Sure, maybe it was pure lust at first. I love the small touches, like the horizontal grill in the right rear body panel which has obviously been borrowed from designs from the 50s and ‘60s. The two tone alloy rims and classic black seat with white trim, also, make this scoot distinctive. The looks are sculpted and sporty, but never part from Vespa's long heritage, in this their 145th model since the original Vespa of 1946.
Of course, while looks are important, it was the ride that really sold me. The 300 gets off the lights like a scalded cat, with the 4 valve fuel injected engine delivering more torque than the 250 version, but still providing the power in a smooth, linear fashion. The suspension has also been tweaked, providing excellent feedback to the rider from the new “red” springs. Tipping into a sharp corner is all sorts of fun, as the Vespa's stiff frame responds brilliantly to all rider inputs, and the suspension deals with the bumps with ease. To top it off, braking is superb, as the strong front and rear wheel disc brakes, with top shelf stainless steel brake lines, do their job with purpose.
Ergonomically, the GTS is a dream to ride around town. The mirrors are wide set, and I find it light and easy to meander through peak hour traffic, or just pop down the road for a bit of shopping. Space under the seat is good but not great, but there is a shopping bag hook and lockable glovebox for the extras. Another notably nice touch is the built-in rain cover for the seat and an ignition immobiliser system is standard. As for highway cycle, well the top speed is reported to be 130kmph, but I wouldn’t know anything about that, as I am told only truly evil people break the speed limit, so the most I can confirm is 110kmph with still some twisting of the throttle to go. Stability at speed is excellent, ,and longer journeys out of the city for the weekend are a pleasure.
Overall, I really, really like the GTS300ie. Its sharp, its sporty, and it continues Vespa's pedigree with style.The price tag is not for everyone, but if you can stretch to it, you will thoroughly enjoy becoming a member of this exclusive club.
RATING /10
Handling 9.5
Performance 9.5
Quality of Finish 10
Storage Options 7.5
Dash / Gauges 9
Seating 8.5
Maintenance 10
Function of Parts 9.5
Technology , EFI , LC 9.5
Value for Money 9.
Total: 92 /100
Steve Laing - Ace Scooters, Joondalup ,WA
 I'm not ashamed to admit it, but those that know me understand that I have a bit of a soft spot for Vespa's.
Actually, I'll go further than that - they make my heart sing! When someone posted a thread on the forum last year asking if money was no option what scooter would you have, I had a good hard think about what it would be, and came to the conclusion that it would have to be the Vespa GTS 250ie. It was, in my humble opinion, the best all-round scooter on the market. It is, of course, impossible to reach perfection in scooter terms - hence the wide variety of models and styles available.
There is always a compromise or two along the way, whether its storage versus wheelsize, or service frequency versus ease of self-maintenance - perfection is impossible. But as an all rounder, the GTS was the one for me. So when they announced the Super, I must admit to being a little bit concerned. Would Vespa really be able to significantly better the best scooter out there?
Well I should not have worried, because they have. Those 29 extra cc's, and how they deliver, turn an exemplary grand tourer into a grand tourer with fangs. On long hauls you probably won't notice the difference, but in town,
just a quick crack on the throttle and you blast away from almost every other vehicle on the road. The handling is as solid as you'd expect from the steel monocoque chassis, and braking is extremely confident and sure.
The styling has taken the GTS and injected a bit of Vespa S. Some nice touches include the polished steel tipped exhaust, the two-tone wheels, and the grille on the right hand cowling - very reminiscent of the days when the Vespa engine sat on the right of the body, though of course totally superfluous on this liquid cooled engine. And no rack on the back to keep that streamlined look.
It's also available in Monte Bianco (sounds much better than white), and for me that makes it just about perfect. Since they've arrived, our white GTS Super demo has been my ride of choice to the almost total exclusion of every other demo scooter that we have. I really love it that much. And I know that most of our customers who have bought them think likewise - we've never had a model that has converted, or brought back, so many riders from motorbike land. Super? Truly.
RATING /10
- Handling: 10 - super rigid chassis and leading arm suspension gives sure and true handling
- Performance: 10 - lots of torque right when you want it. Prepare for blast off!
- Quality of Finish: 10 - well, what do you expect? It's a Vespa!
- Storage Options: 7 - ok, something not quite perfect. But there's enough room for your MoMo helmet, and your gloves under the button openable seat, and your wallet and phone can fit in the glovebox - so what more do you need?
- Dash / Gauges: 10 - clear and classy. Nothing superfluous or distracting.
- Good sized mirrors that you can actually see behind you with.
- Seating: 9 - not quite as comfortable as the GTS seat, but the best scooter seating position for anyone that is over 6 foot tall
- Maintenance: 10 - pretty much 10k between services. How easy is that?
- Function of Parts: 10 - you might bicker about whether you need audible
- warnings on your indicators, or that you'd like an external temperature
- gauge or trip meter, but who really needs all that.
- Technology , EFI , LC: 10 - Piaggio Quasar engine. Best scooter engine there is.
- Value for Money: 10 - only $500 more than a GTS, and $500 less than a GTV.
Now that's value!
Total: 96/100. Not quite the perfect scooter, but as pretty bloody close as I reckon you can get.
published 7/05/2009 |