Tell your wife you’ll be a better husband, a better friend, a better man when receiving recurring doses of scooter riding!

Congratulations on joining the Vespa world. As much as I sometimes try to convince myself otherwise, the Vespa GTS scooter is an exceptional machine and has provided me something that’s nothing short of transcendent. But enough of that.

I hope the scooter provides you with the thrill and joy mine continues to provide. Make sure you get everything ship shape before you ride a lot. Depending on how long it has sat in the low mileage realm — tires can dry rot, etc. Most low mileage Vespas I seen though have been in pristine condition.

Keep in touch and let me know how things are going with your scooter.

Steve,

I got one! Just bought it today, in Madison, Wi. 2012 GTS300ie with little over 3,100 miles on it, blue with beige saddle. I’m third owner, paid a guy $2850 (plus still gotta pay tax, title, registration and insurance) who bought for wife about a year and a half ago and only put 600 miles on it, they bought it used from Vespa dealership who took it in as a trade-in.

So excited, very much un-zen like 😉

Yeah, you’re discovering how little concern I pay to the details of ownership. I know some people save every detail of maintenance. I’m tossing the paperwork as I walk out the door…

I just changed my front and rear shocks at about 35K miles. Some change them sooner but to be honest I couldn’t tell a difference with the new shocks. Lots of Vespa riders are well past the 50K mark before any major engine work. There are always exceptions but all in all the Vespa is pretty solid.

I should add that I had the underside of the scooter repainted last December because I had some concerns about rust. All surface stuff resulting from years and years of winter salt.

When it’s time to get another scooter, unless service becomes an issue, I’ll buy a used one on Craigslist or something like that. Lots of lightly used ones out there for under $4K.

This is fantastic, thanks, Steve! I remember you worrying about the expense of replacing some suspension parts some while ago, not sure if it wasn’t last year already 😉 I started looking for a used one on CL and wanted to have reference as to the miles on it I can still buy with peace of mind. So I am guessing under 20k should be fine and inexpensive, I would only put less then 5k on annually.

You’re suggesting some great ideas for a valuable post. I’ll work something up soon in that regard. I did a 5000 mile review of first Vespa — an LX150. It’s still one of the most viewed pieces on Scooter in the Sticks. Something similar for the GTS makes a lot of sense.

Real quick here in answer to some of your questions — ergonomically the Vespa GTS is the most comfortable two-wheeled machine I’ve ridden when considering comfort and weight. Maintenance wise I’ve only had two issues that fell outside routine. The fuel pump failed at around 25K miles (I think) and a fused link failed at around 20K (again, guessing here). Otherwise it’s been tires, oil, belts, and such. Also, the valves have never been adjusted. The Vespa technician keeps saying they’re fine. Ownership cost is low compared to an automobile in terms of fuel. At 65mpg I get three times as far on a gallon of gas than my cars. Tires wear quickly — rear gets changed between 3K and 4K miles. If you do it yourself it’s not bad but at the dealer you can expect $100 or more for a tire change. Insurance is low.

Reliability — mine has only left me stranded three times. Once I ran out of gas. Once because of the fuel pump. Once because of the fused link failure. And once because the spark plug lead came loose from the plug. The gas and the spark plug were my fault. So two things. Not bad in my mind.

Finally, the reason why the Vespa GTS scooter is so perfect for me is that it can do anything and everything except ford streams. It’s quick and agile in town, able to maintain 70mph all day on the freeway, and the perfect partner for quick and easy stops, u-turns, and other slow moving chores. It’s so unfussy, quiet and nearly invisible to me while riding that I feel like I’m flying. On a motorcycle I always know I’m piloting a machine.

It’s a joy.

Hope this helps until I post something.

Hello Don,
I have 39,700 miles on the Vespa GTS. It still runs as well as it did when I got it. Just some wear and tear cosmetically from my less than gentle use of the machine.