Bike Files: Vespa GTS

This classic Italian scooter remains cooler than ever

Vespa. The traditional Italian scooter…

Vespa traces its roots to 1946, when Piaggio introduced an inexpensive scooter to provide low cost transport for the masses in post war Italy.

Like France’s Citroen 2CV and Britain’s Mini (not to mention Italy’s own Fiat 500), the Vespa would be a huge success in getting the country moving, and became a cultural icon in the process. The name, Vespa, comes from the Italian word for ‘wasp’ and reflected the little two-stroke engine’s distinctive noise.

Vespas were huge in the UK during the 1960s, when scooters played a central role in Mod culture. Despite a decline in interest in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the Vespa has (like so many other cultural icons) made a revival. A renaissance in the 21^st century has seen the Vespa brand playing a hugely important role in Piaggio Group’s success.

Today’s Vespa is a bit like the modern day Mini car, in as much as it’s a contemporary interpretation of the iconic original design. All the modern Vespa range, but in particular the GTS, pay homage to their ancestors in many ways.

The body, for example, is made from pressed steel, just like the olden days, while the small wheels, headlamp shape and overall styling tips a nod to those classic scooters, even though the engines are now whisper quiet four-strokes – a far cry from those noisy old wasps!

The GTS is totally modern to ride, although those classic touches and the aura it brings makes for a genuinely unique proposition in the modern day scooter scene.

But are the current Vespas any good?

Sticking with the Mini analogy, Vespas tend to be at the premium end of their respective market sectors. The GTS goes up against the likes of Honda’s Forza and the Yamaha XMAX, carrying a small price premium, and they can hold their own. They’re beautifully built, elegantly styled and offer as much performance as any other scooters of the same capacity.

But are they better than the Hondas or Yamahas?

Not better or worse, but a little bit different.

Performance wise, there isn’t a lot to choose between them but we’d argue that the Forza and XMAX are more practical. The Vespa’s design elements arguably compromise practicality a little bit. The others have better weather protection, more storage and bigger fuel tanks. If out and out practicality is what you want, or you need maximum value for money, you might struggle to make a case for the Vespa, but if you want a quality product that’s fashionable too, you’ve come to the right place.

You could argue that it is a case of style over substance, but don’t they look fantastic? Really, they look amazing and are such fun to ride!

Are they learner legal?

The Vespa GTS scooter is available with two different engine capacities. The GTS 125 has a 12bhp 125cc engine, which is good for just over 60mph and is learner legal. That means you can ride it on an A1 category licence, or you can ride unsupervised on L plates after completing the one-day CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) course.

The GTS 310 has twice as much power and you’ll need to pass a bike test to be able to ride it. You need at least an A2 licence to ride the 310 (and the 300, which was the previous ‘big’ model).

What’s the advantage of the 310 model?

The bigger engine makes more power, which makes the GTS 310 faster than the 125.

Around town it’s not too big a deal, as both are pretty peppy up to 30mph, but on the open road the bigger engine means you’ll be able to cruise comfortably at motorway speeds. Where the 125 is more sensitive to inclines in the road, winds and so on, the 310 can just cruise along serenely – even with a passenger on board.

It’s also worth noting that it’s against the law to use motorways or carry a pillion while riding on your CBT, so if this is important then you really do need to pass a bike test. As the price difference between the 125 and 310 isn’t massive, we’d suggest most riders would be happier with the bigger machine if their licence allows it.

Is the GTS the only model in the Vespa range?

We’d say Vespa range consists of two core models: the Primavera (which translates to English as ‘Springtime’ and this GTS. The Primavera is a bit cheaper and more basic, and comes in 50cc (moped) specification, as well as a 125cc and electric version. The GTS is considered the ‘touring’ scooter and is more classical in its design.

Alongside these core models are a couple of derivatives. The Sprint is a sportier version of the Primavera, while the GTV is a more distinctive version of the bigger engined GTS, with a mudguard mounted headlamp.

Making things further complicated, the GTS comes in three spec levels for each engine capacity: standard, Super and SuperSport. While the differences are largely cosmetic, the top spec machines also benefit from more advanced mobile phone connectivity through Vespa’s MIA app.

What is the Vespa GTS like to ride?

The Vespa GTS has been designed for the city. It’s agile and a lot of fun to ride. Its 12” wheels are smaller than you’d find on the likes of the Honda Forza and Yamaha XMAX, and the wheelbase is significantly shorter too. That contributes to the outstanding agility, but also goes some way to explaining why it doesn’t feel as stable as some other scooters at speed.

It’s not off putting, but you do notice bumps and other imperfections in the road a bit more on the Vespa. It’s a real little roller skate, and you’ll never tire of the way in which it dives through traffic.

Ergonomically it also feels a bit different to those other scooters. While they are more in the ‘Grand Tourer’ mould, you feel like you sit more on top of the Vespa, where you sit ‘in’ the others. It gives a nice commanding view of the traffic, even if weather protection and comfort isn’t quite as good.

Overall, you can’t help but enjoy riding a Vespa GTS. Both models have enough performance for around town, but out on the highway the extra power of the 310 is very welcome. While the 125 struggles to top 60mph (and will find it hard to maintain that up inclines or riding into a headwind) the 310 is comfortable at motorway speeds.

What these Vespas also have is that intangible ‘feeling’. Clock yourself in a shop window and you’ll have a smug grin on your face. It’s a cool ‘motorcycle’ and it’s the sort of thing that makes you feel like a million dollars.

How practical is the Vespa GTS?

The Vespa GTS is practical, maybe not as practical as some less trendy scooters, but very practical nonetheless.

We’ve already mentioned the weather protection. The leg guards are useful in deflecting wind and rain from the lower body, but there’s no standard screen like you’ll find on most other scoots in the same price range. Vespa’s accessory range does include windshields, which really enhance that retro Quadrophenia look.

Likewise, there’s some lovely accessory luggage, which is very fashionable – especially the leather items. Aftermarket top boxes may be cheaper and bigger, but that’s not the point. You can buy the GIVI or SHAD options if you want, but the official Vespa accessories really do reinforce the brand’s fashion ability.

Talking of storage, there’s a small glove box and enough space under the seat for a helmet. That’s impressive, but not as impressive as (sorry to mention them again) the Forza and XMAX, which can comfortably swallow two helmets (or even a few bags of shopping).

A large part of the underseat storage deficit comes from the placement of the fuel tank under the seat. That does allow for the classic Vespa look though, with flatter floorboards and more compact dimensions than competitor models.

Who is likely to buy a modern Vespa scooter

Scooters appeal to a wide range of riders, but we’d say these appeal very much to fashion conscious commuters.

They’re hugely popular on the streets of trendy cities like Paris and Milan, and they appear to appeal to women and younger men more than most powered two wheelers.

Being more expensive than most scooters, not to mention less practical, they’re not usually found in the hands of couriers and take away delivery riders. That means they usually have an easier life than most scooters, which is something to consider if you’re looking at a second hand one.

Can you modify a Vespa?

Back in the days of the Mods and Rockers, scooters were heavily modified.

These days Vespas come so highly specified as standard, and with such gorgeous colour schemes, that modifications beyond the official accessories brochure are rare.

Items like the aforementioned luggage and windscreens can really make the scoot not only more practical, but more stylish too – and we love the look of the traditional chromed front rack which is also an option.

For year-round commuters, the heated grips should be seriously considered – while an anti-theft alarm is also an option.

And what about Lambretta?

Ah yeah, that old rivalry of the two great Italian scooter brands in the 1960s was between Lambretta and Vespa.

Where Vespa flourished under Piaggio ownership, Lambretta went out of business when times were hard in 1972.

The company has been revitalised in recent years though, with a range of traditionally styled scoots. They’re a long way off Vespa in terms of specification and sales, but you can still buy a new one if you fancy revisiting the days of the Mods.

Why should I buy a modern Vespa?

You want a scooter which pays homage to the past, but is thoroughly modern in its technology and the ways it rides.