New Vespa GTS 300 Super

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:19 pm

Vespa released their first 300cc scooter ever today:

http://2strokebuzz.com/index.php?p=4098

I lament the over-c-c-ification of scooters. Keep scooters small!

It looks OK, but the LX-S looks better.

Bb.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:46 pm

I think the market needs a cruiser, though. I was considering upgrading to a 250 and just didn't like what I saw. I'm a bigger guy and I like to do some country rides with my motorcycle buddies. I settled on a Blur 150 and love it after deciding not to go with a used Vespa GT 250 because of the cost. The Blur gives me just enough higher end and it really eats up the twisties.

I am probably the kind of guy who would buy a Vespa 300, though, because while I like those longer, higher speed rides, I don't see myself jumping over to a motorcycle. A Buddy is just a little too small for my frame, but I do like the Old School styling.

I tell you what, though, for commuting and zipping around the neighborhood I could never have more fun than on the Blur.

JNV · Post by **JNV** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:54 pm

With how much scooter have grown I don't see myself changing back to motorcycles. So for me this 300 looks like a good compromise between scooter and motorcycle. Some of the other Maxi scoots seem to big, like the Suzuki Burgman 400; it is really an automatic motorcycle, to me anyway. I am planning on something new in 2009 so this Vespa hits the U.S. I am in line for one of those.

ERik3tb · Post by **ERik3tb** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:28 pm

That looks to compete with the Honda SH300i. If they were to release that one stateside, I'd scoop it up in a heartbeat.

http://www.raptorsandrockets.com/Review ... SH300i.htm

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:34 pm

I was watching those videos of the SH300i last week... Man, that thing's got some GET UP& GO!!!

I thought my Bud125 was good, that's like a Bud150 on STEROIDS!

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:36 pm

They added vents on the engine side cowl to look more "classic". Looks too high and out of place on a modern vespa.

StL_Stadtroller · Post by **StL_Stadtroller** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:43 pm

jfrost2 wrote:They added vents on the engine side cowl to look more "classic". Looks too high and out of place on a modern vespa.

my singular gripe of modern scooter (and most motorcycles too) styling is the rear-ends all being designed to look like a cat sticking it's ass up in the air.

How about some bodywork that conceals all the rear wheel & drive crap eh? Why does everything have to get the big swoopy upwards lines?

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:50 pm

I agree with Stadtroller... The GTS300 super looks good, except that. And I still don't get the headlight... How come they decided to make modern Vespa headlights all mashed-in looking? Am I the only one that doesn't like this? The vintage ones are the best looking machines I've ever seen... I wonder why they changed it. I much prefer the Buddy's to that. Mine kinda reminds me of what a '57 Chevy Bel Air would look like if it were a scooter... (at least when I'm done modding it, it will look more like one) mmmm boy!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed May 07, 2008 5:03 am

At first I thought the 300 looked okay, but seeing the Piaggio press photos now, well, ehh... I'm not moved the way I was when I first saw the GTS, LXS or 60th anniversary Vespas. Who knows? Some look much better in person (as the LXS does).

The headlight does seem more recessed than the other modern Vespas. Maybe that's just the angle of the photo.

And those vents… they were hotly debated over on MV. I didn't mind them at first, but seeing them now, I don't like the way they echo the vent on the side of the exhaust. They seem decorative, a nod to making this somehow more "special" that doesn't quite do the trick. A redesigned headset and instrument cluster would have been nice.

Which is not to say that the 300 isn't probably as fine a scooter as the GTS. For me, these larger yet not-quite-maxi scooters have one primary function: to win over people who might otherwise buy a motorcycle. Many potential buyers deciding between a motorcycle and a scooter may not think that a 125/150cc is sufficient. They're probably wrong in most cases. So if they have the money to spend, let 'em spend it on a scooter!

And if I had to ride on the freeway for whatever reason, I'd definitely go for a GTS 250/300. Even my modded out Vespa (which probably tops out around 80) isn't sufficient for frequent freeway riding around here.

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:12 am

I lament the over-c-c-ification of scooters. Keep scooters small!

It looks OK, but the LX-S looks better.

I suppose this is my stance too. I've test ridden the GTS and found it very impressive so I suppose the 300 would impress even more. But, bottom line, I like small powerful scooters. For two years now, I've tried to rationalize purchasing a GTS or GTV but I've given up. No bike is a rational decision but spending $6000 for a GTS, $7000 for a GTV or god knows what for a 300 just doesn't make sense to me.

Freeway driving is often one of the reasons cited for choosing a large frame but for $7000 I can purchase a number of motorcycles that will be more comfortable, more utilitarian and ultimately much safer than a large frame scooter. Better acceleration, brakes and suspension all add up to a safer ride so the dream of a large, fast scooter is dead for me.

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:47 am

jfrost2 wrote:They added vents on the engine side cowl to look more "classic".

Not to argue, but I suspect they added those vents to differentiate their latest, greatest scooter from the very-similar-looking GTS250ie. The idea is to make the 250 obsolete so folks will feel obliged to trade up to the 300. Piaggio used the same tactics with the GTS250ie vs the GT200L. That's when they added the front fender crest and changed the rear rack and the instrument cluster.

addictionriot · Post by **addictionriot** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:31 am

btw who wears a booty skirt while riding a scooter?

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue May 13, 2008 4:33 pm

Is your avatar raising his hand cuz wears booty skirts? I thought so.

MAN! I haven't heard the phrase "booty skirt" in like 8 years!

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 13, 2008 6:39 pm

addictionriot wrote:btw who wears a booty skirt while riding a scooter?

It's a pre-req for Piaggio models!

I'm a little bothered by the heels, though. Use of the footpegs would be problematic and they look like they could scratch paint. Or kill a man from 20 yards.

Drumwoulf · Post by **Drumwoulf** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:30 pm

I know what Piaggio falsely named it, but right now there's really no such thing as a Vespa GTS-300. It's only got 278cc's, and in my book there's no way that equates to a "300," anyway you look at it!

I know many companies will round up something like 294ccs to 300, but rounding up 278ccs to that is just advertising bullshit on Piaggio's part!!

In the old days when Vespa built a GS-180, they called it a 180! This new GTS is simply a GTS-280, period!

Friggin dishonest advertising bullshit... It's everywhere now, and I for one am heartily sick of it!
YEAH!!!

Drumwoulf · Post by **Drumwoulf** » Tue May 13, 2008 9:51 pm

gt1000 wrote:
I lament the over-c-c-ification of scooters. Keep scooters small!

It looks OK, but the LX-S looks better.
I suppose this is my stance too. I've test ridden the GTS and found it very impressive so I suppose the 300 would impress even more. But, bottom line, I like small powerful scooters. For two years now, I've tried to rationalize purchasing a GTS or GTV but I've given up. No bike is a rational decision but spending $6000 for a GTS, $7000 for a GTV or god knows what for a 300 just doesn't make sense to me.

Freeway driving is often one of the reasons cited for choosing a large frame but for $7000 I can purchase a number of motorcycles that will be more comfortable, more utilitarian and ultimately much safer than a large frame scooter. Better acceleration, brakes and suspension all add up to a safer ride so the dream of a large, fast scooter is dead for me.

As one who several years ago gave up MCs after decades, I don't buy that at all...

Most of the newer motorcycles now are either uncomfortable crotch-rocket boy racers, or cruiser Harley clones with uncomfortable lean-back seating! (And many of these are now unsafer because of their retro-design spoked wheels and obselete tubed tires!)

Add this to complete lack of storage and more expensive licensing and insurance (and maintanence), and I think you've got a far worse deal there than with a bigger scooter! -IMO far better a decently accelerating smaller scoot for local jaunts, or for long distance touring a maxi such as the Vespa GTS or a Yam Majesty or a Suzi Burgman. (And I think a 400cc maxi can still be gotten for just around $5K..)

But you might still get a few 'decent' MCs for around 7K; -not too damn many bro, but a few...

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Wed May 14, 2008 4:26 am

As one who several years ago gave up MCs after decades, I don't buy that at all... Razz
Most of the newer motorcycles now are either uncomfortable crotch-rocket boy racers, or cruiser Harley clones with uncomfortable lean-back seating! (And many of these are now unsafer because of their retro-design spoked wheels and obselete tubed tires!)

You and I will just need to disagree on this, and that's fine by me. You make valid points but the points above are pure misinformation. Sure, lots of new bikes are pure sport bikes and cruisers; bikes I wouldn't be caught dead on. If you dig a little below the surface though, you'll find that the 2nd quickest growing segment in moto sales, after scooters, is dual purpose motorcycles. How about a Kawasaki KLR for $5349? Or an even more versatile Versys for $6899? Or maybe a Zook Wee Strom for $6699 or or $7399 WITH ABS! Wanna go a little overboard? You can have a new BMW GS-650 for $7100.

Yes, you will need to invest more for luggage, but once you do you'll have more storage space than your scoot and the luggage easily disconnects so you can take it inside with you.

Yeah, there are maxis that are cheaper than all these bikes but the only big scoot I'm halfway interested in is the GTS. Compared to the bikes above, it doesn't compare, at least in my opinion. As for servicing, I pay the same hourly rate on my Ducati as I do on my Buddy. My Duc needs service every 7500 miles, remind me of the Buddy's service interval please? Sure, when I hit 7500 miles I'll pay through the nose for a valve adjustment, but do you honestly think the Kawis and Zooks are more expensive to service than a GTS?

As for increased fees and insurance, where I live they're minimal. And I'd gladly pay much more for the added safety of phenomenal brakes and instant, mind blowing acceleration. You need every weapon possible out there in the freeway war of survival.

Drumwoulf · Post by **Drumwoulf** » Wed May 14, 2008 4:43 am

gt1000 wrote:
As one who several years ago gave up MCs after decades, I don't buy that at all... Razz
Most of the newer motorcycles now are either uncomfortable crotch-rocket boy racers, or cruiser Harley clones with uncomfortable lean-back seating! (And many of these are now unsafer because of their retro-design spoked wheels and obselete tubed tires!)
You and I will just need to disagree on this, and that's fine by me. You make valid points but the points above are pure misinformation. Sure, lots of new bikes are pure sport bikes and cruisers; bikes I wouldn't be caught dead on. If you dig a little below the surface though, you'll find that the 2nd quickest growing segment in moto sales, after scooters, is dual purpose motorcycles. How about a Kawasaki KLR for $5349? Or an even more versatile Versys for $6899? Or maybe a Zook Wee Strom for $6699 or or $7399 WITH ABS! Wanna go a little overboard? You can have a new BMW GS-650 for $7100.

Okay, but I wouldn't use any of those bikes for long distance road riding and highway touring... IMO dual purpose bikes lose too much in comfort because of their need to be also halfway good in dirt. They're too high, their seats are mostly narrow and hard, and their fuel tanks are usually quite small. And you don't see too many BMW 650's onna road because most people don't want to pay the BMW mantenance charges for such a moderate machine....
I did like the Suzuki V-Strom 650; it was comfortable enough alright, but it was also very high and top heavy. To back it out of a tight spot one would need extremely strong toes, because unless you were 6'2" or somethin you sure as hell couldn't flat-foot it..! And doing a tight, slow u-turn with that top heavy a machine? UGH!

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Wed May 14, 2008 4:59 am

Like I said, we need to agree to disagree. I think you're selling the Wee, KLR and Versus way short; all 3 will easily out-handle any scooter on pretty much any road. The scoot wins on the really tight stuff and that's just another reason I love small frames for my inner city riding. Dual purpose tanks usually have good range because they're encouraging you to take "adventures" but there are a few with small-ish tanks.

The BMW 650, like all BMW's, is expensive to maintain. But again, I cite the example of the GTS and I don't think the GTS will save you much over the long haul compared to the BMW. All of these bikes handle great on the road and many are available with ABS, the single greatest safety aid for any inexperienced rider. Some of these bikes also have low seat options for no charge or a nominal fee, but at 5'9" I haven't found one I don't fit.

They're harder to throw a leg over than a scoot and you do have to shift. Those "negatives" cannot be argued. Me? I still enjoy shifting a good gearbox and, personally, I fit all these bikes. Result? No GTS for me.

addictionriot · Post by **addictionriot** » Wed May 14, 2008 5:52 am

Is your avatar raising his hand cuz wears booty skirts? I thought so.

MAN! I haven't heard the phrase "booty skirt" in like 8 years!

I really dont think anyone wants to see me in a booty skirt

and no scooter doesnt wear one either

Modern Buddy

New Vespa GTS 300 Super

New Vespa GTS 300 Super

Market needs a cruiser

Vespa 300