Piaggio Vespa GTS300 Bike Overview
If you are looking for a scooter that combines sheer style with performance the Piaggio Vespa GTS 300 is just the vehicle. It is the largest of the scooters produced by the company and is the perfect vehicle to carry that extra luggage on the weekend out of town. Great handling both within the city and on the highway and with 70 mpg it is economical enough for those weekend tours.
The engine is an improvement on the previous 250 GTS model Quasar single cylinder four stroke engine. The company has tweaked the cylinder head and increased the stroke and bore that gives it improved torque. With a nifty pick-up, it quickly accelerates to 70 mph and comfortably crosses 80 mph which is a definite improvement from the 250 model.
It offers great stability and handling and is probably the best in its class. Whether it is navigating roundabouts or zipping through the traffic the steering and balance is perfect. The transmission (belt drive) and engine weight is noticeable at top speeds as it is a choppier than a bike, but in comparison to other scooters the ride quality is fine.
In terms of durability and quality the scooter comes out tops. The braking is excellent with Brembo brakes with very good stopping power that is well balanced at all times. With sophisticated looks it may be a bit pricier that other options in its price range but offsets its price with great resale value. A scooter that offers value for money in the long term it definitely worth investing in.
Check out the Vespa GTS 300 in action…
Piaggio Vespa GTS300 Bike Spec
- Weight148kg
- Capacity278cc
- Engine4v, automatic
- Average fuel consumption70mpg
- Seat height790mm
- Top speed80mph
Piaggio Vespa GTS300 Bike Insurance
Owner Reviews
Pros
cheap to maintain and cheap running cost
Cons
bigger wheels you can really feel the road with the wheel that it comes with
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very comfortable for rider and pillion
no problems
with it ABS braking system no worries there about stopping
very smooth and light weight
the 300cc engine is powerful enough for around town
it cost me around £7per week
Pros
Classic Italian retro styling yet modern design and handling.
Cons
The front mudguard is secured with a flimsy plastic bracket. Care need to be taken not to catch the mudguard to avoid breaking the securing bracket . Replacement parts are, in my view too expensive .As an example a genuine oil filter is £10.00 and no bigger than a large cotton reel !.I can buy a genuine Jaguar oil filter (which is probably 5 times its size) for around £8.00
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A wide and well padded seat
I have never had a breakdown, but to be fair it is a 'summer only ' bike and has very low mileage.
Very good braking fitted with ABS as standard.
The bike is of robust construction made mainly of steel, so the whole bike is solid. The downside though is that it does make it a little on the heavy side compared to bikes using a lot of plastic components. The advantage is that it handles very well with no throwing the bike off course when encountering a cross wind
Great acceleration. Good top speed, even with a pillion passenger for the size of the engine, due no doubt to the fuel injection system.
Never worked out the cost, it is very economical.
Pros
Brilliant way back into biking after injury, love the power and handling. Really stylish and the Vespa name makes it an instant classic.
Cons
Paint quality
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Very light and handles really well
Excellent acceleration, brilliant fuel economy
Paint quality
Only problems I've heard of are rust problems in battery tray but I've taken precautions for this.
Powerful ABS brakes
Pros
Overall my Vespa is a fantastic all rounder, superb around town with great handling and performance, and a perfect ride for touring . Vespa was 70 old last year and the Gts is a fine example of years of progress. For me it's the best all round scooter ever made, Beautiful looks with superb performance. The reliability and performance of my Gts is superb, the new 300 four strokes have opened up even more of Europe for touring.
Cons
On mine its little things like the underseat storage, not big enough for a full face helmet.on newer models the paints not good enough.Superb
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The ride quality for the GTS is second to none... With the 278cc fully automatic engine it's not only smooth but has no trouble keeping up with all types of traffic, great on motorways
As a scooterist it's one of the most powerful scooters I've owned. The four stroke engine is very reliable and hasn't let me down once. I've toured all over Europe and the only problems I've had have been to an aftermarket exhaust
On mine its little things like the underseat storage, not big enough for a full face helmet.on newer models the paints not good enough.Superb
The newer version don't seem to be as well protected weather wise as my older model, it's a sore point with owners who ride all year round, as the salt used on our roads eats into the underside of the belly pan. Most owners do their own weather proofing.
Front and rear discs work very well, never had a issue, the models from 2014 have ABS
Pros
It looks, sounds, and feels fantastic. It is well put together and little features make it great. The bag hook between the rider's legs is great for the occasional shopping. The small wheelbase measurements (137 cm if I'm not mistaking) is great for filtering through traffic. The standard USB Charger is great and spared me of mounting cheap aftermarket alternatives. The Vespa styling is timeless and a real head turner. The metal construction gives a feel of excellent quality and almost all of the engine bits and bobs are elegantly covered by the body – no nasty plastics visible at all times. This bike can be a docile daily commuter, a king of a gridlocked city and a perfect machine for a romantic getaway to a nature picnic, all at the same time! Owning a Vespa a love affair, filled with both laughter and tears. It is a machine wonderfully designed and unquestionably timeless. It brings you back to a nostalgic time that you haven't experienced, but somehow you can feel it was better. There will be moments when you'll say…"That's it! I'm getting a Japanese scooter!". But inevitably you will succumb back to the charms of the Vespa. It is…human, subtly beautiful, deliciously nostalgic, passionately temperamental. Things do not always have to make sense on paper. They just have to feel right. And the Vespa does, in every aspect. I value the rigorous technological obsession of the Japanese brands, but so far, I can't imagine myself filing the divorce papers with the Vespa. Too many memories, too many familiar places. We have something beautiful and it works, because no matter how long or stressful my day at the office is, I always smile when I see my bike. Buonasera mia Vespa!
Cons
Security. Vespas are notorious for being targeted by thieves. It's a desirable machine and there is a black market for it. Yes, the steering locks, but that's not enough. The small wheels are often unable to accommodate but the smallest of chains. I would invest in a Datatag and personally shelled the £150 for a monitored GPS tracker. There is a Piaggio original alarm, but it does not come as standard with any model.
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It corners great if you learn to trust it. Leaning on small wheels is a question of habitude more than anything else. The bike can be slightly discouraging in the wet, but the ASR kicks in and keeps you on track if needed.
It's a pleasure to listen to it. The single cylinder hum is reassuring and quite grunty, especially mid-rev. It pulls away quick and keeps up on the motorway with ease. The first service is quite early (600 miles), but the services are inexpensive and keep the engine in top shape!
Security. Vespas are notorious for being targeted by thieves. It's a desirable machine and there is a black market for it. Yes, the steering locks, but that's not enough. The small wheels are often unable to accommodate but the smallest of chains. I would invest in a Datatag and personally shelled the £150 for a monitored GPS tracker. There is a Piaggio original alarm, but it does not come as standard with any model.
Vespas are notorious for being aligned with the moods of the factory workers. Some work flawlessly for tens of thousands of miles, other ones might have the odd quirk that makes them a Vespa. Make sure you buy from a local, trusted dealer that you can rely on for quality and timely warranty work.
The ABS and ASR provide excellent stability and good stopping power. My ABS kicked in a couple of times when careless drivers pulled out of junctions cutting me off. The ABS saved me from an accident more times than I can count. Wet weather braking is also great, as the ASR will greatly help if you begin to skid, by limiting the spin of the back wheel as needed.
Pros
convenience, storage under seat, comfort
Cons
braking
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A little let down by small wheels and old style suspension but decent enough for a scooter
300 cc single provide plenty of power for city riding and carrying a pillion .. its no SuperBike though.
cheap on fuel, services are ok over all its fine.
great build quality and style
Brakes are a bit of a let down, doesnt stop amazingly well and will come around on you if you are not careful when emergency braking