Vespa’s new-for-2023 GTS 300 is an overhauled version of the company’s classic long-serving four-stroke gasoline-powered scooter. We were lucky enough to get a Piaggio Group invitation to ride this fundamental scooter around Rome, one of the founding cities of Western civilization.
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Four Vespas make up the US model line: the GTS, Super, Super Sport, and Super Tech. We test rode the $8,099 Super Sport. Above this model is the Super Tech, which rings at just under $9,000. It comes with a 4.3-inch color TFT screen as opposed to a mixed analog and digital dash. It also comes with a carpeted storage bunk with an LED light inside. We would definitely like the carpeted storage bunk with the LED light. That would keep our goodies from getting scratched. The color TFT, on the other hand, we could live without.
We value the look of this Vespa GTS, especially in this Hot Wheels orange colorway-it’s a real looker. The quality of the paint is fairly good, but there is quite a bit of orange peel on the surface of the body, and it’s really apparent in this bright orange paint. Nowadays many two- and four-wheeled vehicles have an orange peel effect in the paint. So we’re not going to knock Vespa, but still, considering its cost we desire a finer paint job. Even still, it remains a head-turner. It’s worth nothing that Vespa began manufacturing scooters in 1945 out of scrap parts from an aircraft. That’s why Vespa has this old-school aerospace-type look.
As the nomenclature insinuates, the GTS 300 is a 300cc class, well 278cc to be exact, built in northern Italy for the North American market. Beginning with the body panels, its signature centerline “tie bow” is now flatter and less rounded on the edges, as is the front fender. This styling trend (larger, flatter surfaces) is popular and follows the theme of other Piaggio Group products, including Aprilia’s sport offerings (read the 2021 Aprilia RSV4 MC Commute Review and 2021 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Review articles). It includes LED headlights, turn signals, taillights that feature an oversized shape similar to a 1950s-era automobile. To match that wider forward body panel, the rear fairings are also flatter and longer.
All of these Vespa scooters are proximity-based key-fob start. We’re not typically keyless-fob-style users, but for a scooter application it functions adequately. Other neat modifications are this wider handlebar (about 0.8 inch) and the tweaked front and rear suspension.
The great thing about scooters is the ability to easily bring your goodies with you. This particular Vespa GTS has electronic locks which make it easy to store and access accoutrement, like our trusty Ogio 450 fanny pack. The fuel cap is adjacent to the underseat storage. The GTS runs on unleaded 87-octane fuel with a tank capacity of 2.25 gallons. Electronic fuel injection and electric start make for an easy riding experience.
In addition to the underseat storage compartment another storage compartment sits inside the footwell area. It blends in seamlessly to the forward fairing. It would be nice if the interior was padded, so your stuff won’t get scratched. Inside, a USB power port facilitates device charging. Right now, I do like that but this interior area should be padded. Still, neat that we have copious amounts of storage on this Vespa GTS.
The Vespa GTS is powered by a 278cc single-cylinder water-cooled fuel-injected four-stroke gasoline engine. This scooter benefits from the twist-and-go simplicity of a CVT automatic transmission. The CVT takes the guesswork out of riding. All the rider has to do is twist the right grip. It puts power back to a 12-inch back wheel shod with Michelin City Grip 2 tire.
This single is good for right around 24 hp, says Vespa, with a top speed of right around 77 mph. We didn’t achieve this top speed, but it’s nice to know this vehicle is freeway capable in the United States.
And it's got decent get-up-and-go for getting around town and for getting the jump on automobiles at a stoplight. At idle, we feel some engine vibration through the controls. It’s not off-putting, but you definitely feel the vibration through the controls and the seat. When we start rolling, the vibration just goes away and it’s replaced by real smooth ride quality...
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Photography: The Piaggio Group
Video: ‪@AdamWaheed‬
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