Vespa GTS Super Sport 300
Sport-styled iconic Italian scooter is brought bang up to date.
You may have already clocked the Yamaha XMAX 400 report earlier in this issue – and yes, two sports scooter write-ups in one issue of MCM might seem like a slight departure from our typical motorcycle oriented output – but, it’s our job to help you find a machine to best suit your needs, and the Vespa GTS SuperSport 300 is undeniably a brilliant little retro-styled scooter. In fact, it’s the perfect antithesis to Yamaha’s thoroughly modern XMAX 400, and as a consequence, it’s well worth a look if you’re in the market for some two wheeled transport.
If you know even a little bit about scooters, you’ll have heard of Vespa. Established in 1946 to address Italy’s urgent need for a modern and affordable mode of transportation after the Second World War, the Italian brand has been making small capacity stylish scooters ever since.
The GTS Super Sport 300 is the latest Vespa to be updated, bringing the sporty scooter in line with current Euro 4 regulations – blending classic Vespa styling with bang-up-to-date performance and modern technology. More specifically, it benefits from a swathe of updated electronics that put rider safety to the fore and help keep you right side up.
First impressions
The Vespa GTS Supersport 300 is undoubtedly the most aggressivelooking Vespa in the range – and I love it. The current model builds on the winning formula from the outgoing 2016 Supersport, incorporating black-painted wheels, black seat trim with contrasting piping, five gills and all-new LED lighting front and rear – though, sadly there’s no luggage rack as standard on this model. However, there is a slightly larger under-seat compartment that should comfortably accommodate an open face lid.
It also features updated front suspension, a new analogue and digital instrument panel, a USB port and brand-new sporty graphics. Ultimately, I reckon this scooter looks fantastic – and by the number of admiring glances I received while going about my business on the machine, plenty of other people like the look of it too.
There’s a couple of colourways to choose from; either the Yellow (Giallo Gelosia – my personal favourite) or Grey (Gringio Titanio) – and Vespa also offers a massive range of aftermarket accessories, from TomToms to topboxes and covers to chrome bumpers, should you want to kit your steed out.
On the road
The Vespa GTS 300 Super is one of the smoothest and most stable scooters I’ve had the chance to ride. It’s light and agile with enough power to allow you to make good progress out on the open road. Admittedly, it’s always going to be most at home squeezing its way through towns or cities, but I was pleasantly surprised with how confidently it handled sweeping bends and tight turns at speed. Of course, it’s a scooter, so you’re not going to be able to throw it into a corner in the same way you would a larger-wheeled motorcycle – but I was out riding with a couple of colleagues on Moto Guzzi V7s and the Vespa helped me to stay hot on their heels.
It uses an adapted Quasar fourstroke, single-cylinder engine from the Vespa 250. It has undergone bore and stroke increases and features a redesigned cylinder head to help improve mid-range torque. And it has worked. The GTS pulls away briskly, maintaining momentum right up to 70mph with ease. From there it keeps going to just over 80mph, though you’ll need a good run of tarmac to get up there.
Its Brembo brakes offer excellent stopping power with exceptional feel from the rear, and little to no risk of wheel lock-up even under emergency braking on wet roads, thanks to the recently introduced ABS system. Ultimately, they add to the general air of sophistication and quality which oozes from these large-framed Vespas when compared with other scooters on the market.
The Vespa GTS also features updated front suspension, inspired by the Vespa Primavera. In practice, that means there’s a hinged lower shock absorber mount, replacing the old rigid mount directly on the trailing arm. The new hinged mount allows the shock to keep the correct working geometry at all times, offering precision and smoothness.
As I got a few miles under my belt, I felt more and more confident on the scooter – and by the end of our time together, we were soaring through the countryside and I had a massive smile stretched across my face.
Should I buy one?
The GTS 300 Super Sport blends classic Vespa styling with modern technology – and is just as at ease out on the open road as it is in suburbia. Opt for the extra luggage accessories, load it up, and head away for a long weekend of two-up touring and rest assured it’ll still be ready to get you into work once you’re back. And it achieves near 70mpg – so it shouldn’t cost too much to run either.
Of course, the Vespa 300 GTS Super Sport isn’t cheap – I mean, Vespas aren’t full stop. But you’re getting a fantastic looking, top quality machine that genuinely stands apart from the competition. If I had the money, I’d be very tempted indeed. Try one out, and you might be too.