That’s me examining the Vespa GTS300 Super.
Going through some additional pictures recently it occurred to me (again) that this scooter is an exceptional, all-around vehicle for town and country riding. My own Vespa GTS 250ie is near perfect for daily commuting to work and for weekend rides in the 50 to 200 miles range so it was hard to imagine any real advantages of the newer and bigger scooter. But the extra power makes this Vespa a perfect town and country ride.
Anyone who has piloted a big motorcycle around town, pulling into parking spaces, running a quick errand, and repeating the process half a dozen times knows how tedious it can be to roll a heavy bike into a parking space. They aren’t always as nice and open as the one in the picture above. The Vespa is so easy to maneuver that you can easily get the scooter into any available space with little effort. The only easier mode of transport in town would be a bicycle. Unfortunately I’ve never had as much fun on a bicycle as I do on a scooter.
The 300 isn’t too big and it isn’t too small. It’s just right and easily blends into the urban and town environment. I appreciate the ease of stopping and putting the Vespa on the centerstand for pictures. Pop the seat open, grab a camera and go. That translates easily into a wide range of errands.
I’ve like the way a Vespa looks. The lines and styling almost make the scooter seem like a sculpture rather than something to ride. It makes a fine subject for pictures.
I took the Vespa through local streets and alleys, stopping and starting, parking, moving, U-turns, everything I could think of to try and find a maneuver that was just plain irritating. Verdict– my only complaint was the absence of the rear rack and side bar that is standard with the GTS250. I like having the handle to hold onto when I throw the scooter up on the center stand.
You hear a lot about people noticing motorcycles and scooters. My experience is that those already interested in riding or machines may pause or ask a question. Everyone else, like the woman in the picture, passes by without a glance. Civilians don’t seem much interested in two-wheeled machines. She does provide compositional balance to the picture as the Vespa stands illegally on the sidewalk in Calder Alley.
Out of town, on winding tree lined roads that climb over the mountains of central Pennsylvania this big Vespa goes as fast as any touring rider would want to go. While no road racer it’s power and acceleration are surprising. For weekend rides through the country, rides in the 150 to 250 mile range are no problem on the Vespa 300 (or the 150 or 25o for that matter). My friend Paul shot this picture of me riding up the Unionville Pike.
On the way home I passed a BMW RT1100 sitting at a light as I passed through the intersection. I thought it might be my friend Dan so I pulled off the road and waited. Years ago Dan had a Vespa with a sidecar but now he’s on a more luxurious ride. Sure enough he pulls up and we have a chance to compare notes between his BMW and the Vespa. Most people don’t picture two machines as different as these as possible riding partners. They are completely different with different strengths and weaknesses but for an occasional, rleaxed weekend ride through the country there is no reasons these two can’t play together fine.
The Vespa really isn’t as small as it looks in this picture. Looks can be deceiving. Scooters are functional and useful. They may not be able to rocket you down the road at 100mph but the Vespa 300 will fly along all day on the roads of this region without a complaint — in town or in the country.
Steve,
I find your analysis and wonderful reflection on the Vespa 300 excellent. Even though I ride a Vino 125 – scooter comfort and fun factor are two thumbs up in my book. In my book Vespa 250/300 have more than needed power for all roads with exception of those “Exceptional” 80mph plus Interstate Hwys and freeways. The simplicity and design of a scooter its hard to beat. Great Scooter review but my choice would be for the 250.
Phil
Pvino: The choice between the 300 and 250 would be a difficult one. The differences are real but subtle. In the hills and mountains of the Appalachians the extra power is noticeable on hills.
I thought the 300 was smoother riding than my 250 but I just had a new rear tire put on and that difference evaporated.
The steering is definitely tighter on the 300 and gives a slightly more stable feel. Again, subtle.
And then there are a few styling differences—instrument cluster and body details just to name two.
I suppose I should just get one of everything.
Steve, I like your “one of everything” solution -:)
After spending a few days on a GTS in San Francisco, I really just gained newfound appreciation for my LX. I’m sure it’s all a matter of taste and preference, but for “town” riding (in urban traffic) I still love having a more nimble, flickable and maneuverable ride. I’d even prefer it for some of the “country” riding I do: canyons and twisties.
Really, the big advantages (to me) for either the 250 or 300 are for longer distances and freeway riding. The LX does fine on 2-lane highways and at 55-60 mph. I’ve done 200 mile days and a 1000 mile trip. But for touring or more than occasional freeway riding, I’d definitely want a 250 or 300.
Still, I get a little rankled by those who always assume bigger is better. Often, bigger is just bigger.
Chuck: That would be nice wouldn’t it. I’ve been following your ride with bobskoot. You guys are having fun! Good luck and ride safe.
Eric: I’ve always thought that if I hadn’t destroyed my LX150 I would still be riding it. There has not been a ride I could not have made with it. It just demands a pace that is somewhat slower that’s all.
At some point I want to get a 50cc and see how that affects my riding experience and appreciation.
You could install the luggage rack if you wanted to. The two little plugs on the back of the grab rail pop out, and the little bulges on the other side are threaded. It would be a matter of finding out if the rack is available separately… the local Vespa dealer’s parts guy initially looked it up under “GTS 250” and was only able to come up with an assembly. Luckily I’m enough of a wonk to look for parts commonality, and was able to tell him to bring it up under “300 Super”.
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
I really liked the comment that bigger is just bigger. I own motorcycles from 500 to 900cc displacement. I’m never on them because the LX150 is more fun. ANd because when you get right down to it, there is no such thing as the perfect motorcycle. Once broken in, I don’t care what it is, climb a hill and you’ll (not you personally) have to twist the throttle a bit more. Maybe if they took those mega displacement engines and built some sort of googly minimalist frame around one the torque would match the grade of climb, but that’s just silly.
Very few bikes are built with enough torque Not to have to roll on the throttle to climb the average hill. Weight to power would be a better question if power meant torque. But the average spin doctor wants weight to LOUD.
I just wish I didn’t go through tires so quickly on the LX150. But, as they say, nature of the beast.
The 300 would absolutely kick all other bikes out of my garage. Of course I want one! 😉
Harv
I saw a Vespa recently with an attractive, tall windshield. How do you fare in the wind? Is it fairly stable? I was in a 30mph wind and felt as if I’d become air borne on a motorcycle…just wondering about the scooter in wind. Neat pics.
Sojourner, I have a tall windshield cut down to my proper eye height. I find them to be a great advantage. All my motorcycles but one have pretty substantial windshields on them.
The advantages are that the bike will take the gust more than the rider and this makes it a bit easier for the rider to hold better control of the bike. They’re great in the rain if cut to the proper height because if you need to you can duck behind them. They’re great for passing lakes (think Minnesota-land of more than ten thousand of them haha) because you pas sthrough literal swarms of large and small bugs. Lately fog has been part of the evening rides, and if the ‘shield takes the damp hanging in the air, you stay drier and warmer longer.
Yes, the make any bike have to push through strong gusts but they afford an amazing amount of protection for the average rider. I’ll go so far to write that with the bike taking the brunt of wind sheer etc, the rider is less buffeted and more likely to stay in better control. And no, its not like riding in the wake of a semi all the time. Unless the wind is very strong you’ll become used to it to the point you may forget its doing what its doing (for you).
Hope this helps,
Harv
The way you have been talking about the Vespa 300 I thought you were going to announce that you own it. I own the 250 GTS and love it. I have thought about the 300 but was told that it wasn’t as smooth as the 250 GTS.
Dear Steve:
You are correct in your analysis that a motorcycle can be more effort than it’s worth for a few errands around town. As you are aware, I have a vintage (14-year-old) BMW that weighs in at 560 pounds. You have to run this machine a good half hour to guarantee a solid charge back to the battery, and parking in town is not always guaranteed.
I think the time will come when many bikers will simply have both in the garage.
Fondest regards,
Jack • Reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
God forbid I would ever start thinking like Jack Riepe, but I have to agree with him. Always in the back of my mind is the convenience of a scooter for more local riding. Honestly, though, I don’t think I could ever commit to just a scooter with no larger bike available.
Having one of each, though, would be ideal. Just when I get over the idea, you have to go and put up a post like this. Then it starts all over again.
By the way, you are such an outlaw!
Not only do you park illegally, but you have the nerve to take a photo of it! My kind of guy.
Orin: A luggage rack is a must in my book. Someday I am going to add a front rack to my GTS. Give it the BMW 1200 Adventure feel.
Harv: After riding a lot of other machines the scooter remains the most fun. Pure fun. Not talking about what might be best for a certain ride but just the smile it never fails to bring.
Riding motorcycles is different. I never loose the feeling that I am operating a machine. Not that it’s bad but the scooter just seems purer or something. Very odd and hard to describe.
Sojourner rides: Harv has the better answer. I’ve never ridden a scooter with a windshield. I love the air blast, even in winter. Makes me feel alive!
Jeff: I thought the 300 Super was smoother than the 250 until I had a new rear tire put on. Now they are both equally smooth on the road.
The 300’s steering is tighter though. Subtle but there.
Mr. Riepe: I await your acquisition of a scooter and subsequent posts on Twisted Roads. I’m sure you will attract far more female attention with a Vespa than you do with the BMW. It may interfere with your riding — an argument against having one.
irondad: You know you want a scooter. Desire betrays your otherwise manly intent on Sophie. Come over to the dark side…
The scooter is nice, for those of small vertical stature. Have just had a very interesting experience with a friend of mine, who is looking for a
replacement for her nearly three year old Yamaha Virago. In two years and a bit this machine has been to Colorado twice, Washing DC and state one each and to West Virginia and also This year’s BMW rally plus numerous trips to Otawa Ontario and Montreal return. She has almost 55,000 kilometres on the clock and was wondering if an MP3 of
larger displacement would do the trick. Well she tried, and I tried and in both cases, nope, not happening. Sure they could shave down the front of the seat to lower it, ab it, but in the end neither the 250 or new almost 500 cc Piaggio MP3 was suitable. She was unable to spread her legs far enough apart to sit on the scooter.
The engineering on the front end of the dual wheels is superb, and from that standpoint alone the machine is very very good.
However, I sat on the machine and found it bulky. And of course I couldn’t fit on it as once again my legs from knee to boot extended over the top of the handlebars. Yes
the handlebars could be extended, to fit but, given all, wanted?
Oh and the 12,000 kilometres major service is C$800. The enclosed
toothed drive belt alone is $180.00!
And the balance weights/drive wheels? front and rear have to be changed as wlll.
WE both declined. She is concerned about the longevity of her Yamahaha.
One problem she’s having is proper service. Yes we have a local shade-
tree mechanic who is excellent however generally; with the recession now taking hold, there seems to be fewer and fewer dealers of foreign machines than has been seen in the past.
She did find that she could sit on a 1200cc Harley Davidson, except the weight of the machine was a deterrent, my friend is maybe 98 pounds, dripping wet and approaching her 65th birthday.
So we shall keep on looking.