Vespa gt 200

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 4:03 pm

Anybody on this forum have any experience, good or bad, with a 2004 or later Vespa GT200? At just 308 lbs. it seems like a good power to weight ratio. What's a realistic top speed that could be expected with a 5' 11" 175 lb. rider?

Bill in Seattle
'12 170i Italia (AZ scoot)
'14 170i Hooligan

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 4:48 pm

The GT200 is a great ride. Plenty of power and stable. It is carbed unlike its injected big brother the GTS, so the good news is that it is mechanically fairly simple. On the used market it is the bargain among the big modern Vespas. The GT is easily capable of speeds of 70-75 mph. If you are looking for a modern scooter in the 200-300 cc range with classic styling and a lovely painted finish, the GT/GTS is really the only thing out there.

avescoots1134 · Post by **avescoots1134** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:30 am

Whatever you do, don't buy an abused one thinking you can "save it". I had a GT200 that belonged to the creator of ModernVespa. I loved that scoot but it was pretty much the most unreliable bike I've owned and boy were those parts expensive. I bought it in hopes of running the Cannonball then finally came to terms with the fact that it wouldn't make it after putting 4k miles on it in a few months. I sold it to a nice lady who rides it to the coffee shop.

I'm hoping for a nicer kept GTS in my future.

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 1:46 am

The GT is a very nice scoot. Some GT200s are capable of keeping up with GTS 250s. For whatever reason (there are theories) some are significantly faster than others. Certainly, one in good shape can keep pace with my Honda 250cc.

Performance now will depend a lot on mileage, how well it was maintained, how the engine was broken in, etc. How many miles are on the one you're looking at?

I like the ride of the 200 a bit more than the 250s, too. (Totally subjective and not something many would agree with.) The carburetor won't handle changes in elevation as well, but unless you're going back and forth from low elevations to over 6,000 feet or so, it's not an issue.

avescoots1134 wrote:Whatever you do, don't buy an abused one thinking you can "save it". I had a GT200 that belonged to the creator of ModernVespa. I loved that scoot but it was pretty much the most unreliable bike I've owned and boy were those parts expensive. I bought it in hopes of running the Cannonball then finally came to terms with the fact that it wouldn't make it after putting 4k miles on it in a few months. I sold it to a nice lady who rides it to the coffee shop.

I'm hoping for a nicer kept GTS in my future.

Plenty of GT200s have successfully run Cannonball, some multiple times. Was Jess prepping this for a Cannonball at some point?

skipper20 · Post by **skipper20** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 6:04 am

ericalm wrote:The GT is a very nice scoot. Some GT200s are capable of keeping up with GTS 250s. For whatever reason (there are theories) some are significantly faster than others. Certainly, one in good shape can keep pace with my Honda 250cc.

Performance now will depend a lot on mileage, how well it was maintained, how the engine was broken in, etc. How many miles are on the one you're looking at?

Just under 9,000 miles. It's a 2005 and it does show its age so I would rate it cosmetically "Good" meaning use marks typical of a 10 year old scoot but no significant dents or dings. Tires look to be new. Vespa top case and windscreen are included in the $2,195 asking price. Worth taking for a test ride?

Bill in Seattle

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Mon Oct 19, 2015 6:32 am

skipper20 wrote:
ericalm wrote:The GT is a very nice scoot. Some GT200s are capable of keeping up with GTS 250s. For whatever reason (there are theories) some are significantly faster than others. Certainly, one in good shape can keep pace with my Honda 250cc.

Performance now will depend a lot on mileage, how well it was maintained, how the engine was broken in, etc. How many miles are on the one you're looking at?
Just under 9,000 miles. It's a 2005 and it does show its age so I would rate it cosmetically "Good" meaning use marks typical of a 10 year old scoot but no significant dents or dings. Tires look to be new. Vespa top case and windscreen are included in the $2,195 asking price. Worth taking for a test ride?

Bill in Seattle

If it was in the Phoenix, AZ area, I would.

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 5:28 pm

I'm a GT200 owner and would recommed them. Mine has over 33K on the odometer.

I keep up with Howard on his 250cc Helix just fine to go scooter touring.

I raced mine in the Salton Sea Endurance Rally and got 3rd place in the 200cc class.

I've had some problems with belts and water pumps but I think it's because I pieced the bike together out of four parts bikes I picked up for about $500 each so $2000ish for a complete not made out of stuff bike sounds like a good deal.