Vespa GTS 300 Super 2014 – road test

Italian design is unparalleled, the Vespa GTS 300 Super is an example of this. No other scooter compares. With the 2014 renewal, the design is accompanied by a lot of technology and absolute innovations for the Vespone. The new GTS and GTS Super are in fact equipped, the former as standard, the latter on request, with ABS need ASR for traction control, and VMP (Vespa Multimedia Platform) to use the smartphone as an extension of the instrumentation, through a USB port and a free APP. Perfect for the city or for trips out of town, it has few defects and many advantages. It's not cheap, just over 5.500 euros with ABS and ASR, but the quality-equipment-price ratio remains very good. On the altar of design, part of the practicality of a Beverly is sacrificed, just to make a comparison at Piaggio, but the Vespa is unique and it is also one of the lightest and most practical 300s to drive.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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Italian design and lots of quality, refined in detail to increasingly seduce

We are not facing a revolution, the lines are still the same, but it was done careful refinement work general to make it, if possible, even more detailed and pleasant from an aesthetic point of view. There are many new features, albeit of little impact. At first glance it might seem identical to the model on sale until last year, but then you notice the chrome frames of headlights (with LED sidelights) and indicators, the thinnest tie on the shield, and the new Vespa branded cover on the central tunnel of the platform. The Super is the sports version of the GTS 300, changes but they are merely aesthetic, because the mechanics and chassis remain unchanged. The differences concern i rims, with the profile of the aluminum channels, contrasting with the black of the remaining portion, as well as white finishes instead of beige for the saddle, To front mask with 5 slits instead of 3 and to instrumentation with a more sporty appearance, thanks to the black background with red backlighting. The color for the front spring is different, a sporty red and finally what distinguishes them is the color range, which includes colors dedicated to the two models. For both the under-seat compartment grows, now able to accommodate two demi-jets, or more comfortably a "real" helmet and some other objects. Inside the convenient front storage compartment, which opens by pressing the ignition lock, there is a USB socket, useful for charging an electronic device, as well as being the access door to the VMP. A real technological gem, which allows, through the use of a free APP available for now only on iPhone, but soon also for Android-based devices, to interface with the Vespa Multimedia Platform offers a sort of extension of the instrumentation on your mobile phone. In fact, some additional information is made available, from the navigator to the digital speedometer, in addition to saving the routes taken, consumption and, an ideal gem for the challenges to the last bend, themaximum angle of inclination reached from the vehicle and the instantaneous power used. For the less attentive, other useful data is available to keep your Vespa always in order, such as that on tire wear.

Engine and performance:

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Traction control arrives, the engine always picks up well

All 'excellent 278 cc engine, capable of delivering 22 horsepower and 22,3 Nm of torque, respectively at 7.500 and 5.000 rpm, a sophisticated traction control system has been combined. In fact, we find ASR as standard on the GTS, optional on the Super combined with ABS, with which it shares the tone wheel which it uses to detect wheel movements, and can be deactivated by pressing the ignition button while the vehicle is moving, and represents an absolute novelty in the scooter segment, together with the Piaggio Beverly 350 Sport Touring which we recently tried. He is not too invasive in his interventions, cuts only in some circumstances in an unexpected way, perhaps due to the classic pedestrian crossing or a disconnection of the asphalt, and protects against all the dangers of the city, and beyond. Puts in fact safe even in rain or in low grip conditions, making city driving even more relaxed, without having to constantly worry about the conditions of the road surface. The performances guaranteed by the 300 are good, it is not aimed at stretching, with a speed of around 130 km/h indicated at full throttle, but it is pleasant in delivery and has good torque. Who knows, maybe the future will hold a truly sporty Vespa for us, with the new 350 from Piaggio capable of 33 horsepower, for now we are satisfied with this excellent engine, 4 valves and equipped with electronic injection, which it pushes hard when starting at traffic lights and up to 100 km/h, and then slow down a bit.

Ride and handling:

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Little light on the left, but it makes you want to bend, thanks to the excellent chassis

The platform is flat and wide, welcoming and allows a comfortable position for drivers, alone or with the passenger, who has a significant portion of the saddle at his disposal. When you drive it you appreciate it, above all because, in addition to the design, work was done on the chassis, which is now excellent. The fork works very well and progressively, with the excellent ESS suspension (the same one we recently tried on the Sprint) which allows the GTS 300 Super to never have uncertainties, even when facing curves at a very fast pace. We found it to be very stable even on the straight, leaving the handlebars alone at around 60 km/h, it jerks a little, but stops on its own, without forcing you to put your hands back on the grips. Then you get a taste for it and discover that the ground clearance on the left side is limited by the presence of the side stand, which is easily "filed", while on the opposite side you can have fun looking for the record to show off with the data collected on your Smartphone. The weight of the Vespa GTS 300 Super is almost a record in the 300 category, with its only 148 kg, to the full advantage of ease of driving and greater practicality in maneuvers when stationary, even for the less experienced or for the frailest or for women, who the 170 or more kilograms of some competitors could instead put in difficulty. The side stand has a second flaw: in addition to limiting folding, it lacks a locking system. Rather than opting for a sensor that prevents ignition when it is lowered, a simpler spring was preferred that recalls it when the vehicle is put upright. However, it is easy to put the Vespa down and realize that the stand is not properly lowered. A couple of times we saved it at the last minute from a disastrous fall. The brakes are excellent, with an ABS system that surprised us. Especially on scooters we were used to overly prudent interventions, which sometimes become invasive and excessively lengthen braking on uneven surfaces. Instead we found it the two-channel ABS of the Vespa GTS 300 prodigious, it allows you to brake in very small spaces, with the tires biting the asphalt, and even in the presence of potholes or bumps, it never lengthens stopping distances. You "hang" on the brakes, with a fairly limited effort, and without worries you rely on a braking system that never lets you down. If from the point of view of design, technology and driving there is nothing to complain about, it is in daily use that the Vespa GTS 300 Super reveals some small limitations when compared with a Beverly or with some other competitors. The capacity of the under-seat compartment has grown, but in reality it is difficult to fit two standard helmets and it is not possible to stow a laptop bag in it. Yes it can run for cover with the matching top case offered as an option, but it's a shame to ruin the Vespone's near-perfect appearance. The other sacrifice that was made to maintain the clean lines and design of the Vespa is the complete renunciation of a windshield, also in this case only offered as an option. We found the plastic nozzle for petrol very practical, you can insert the nozzle completely into it, avoiding, as in other cases, sprays coming out and ruining the material stored in the compartment under the saddle. We have a small criticism of the removable passenger footrests. Aesthetically beautiful, but impractical. When the driver puts his feet on the ground he easily catches the tip of the passenger's foot on his calf, with the annoyance of finding his trousers soiled by the sole.

Price and consumption:

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High price, but compared to top quality and equipment, consumption is really low

The Vespa GTS Super is also available for those who only have a B driving licence, in 125 displacement starting from 4.800 euros. For the 300 it rises to 5.230, to which must be added, similarly to what happens with the 125, another 350 euros for the ABS and ASR package, for a total of 5.580. If you opt for the GTS 300 “standard” which offers the ABS + ASR package as standard, you save 100 euros. Prices are not exactly low, but design, quality, equipment and maintenance of value over time fully justify them. During our test, almost always with the throttle fully open, we detected a average consumption of 26 km with one liter of petrol. Definitely above expectations, an excellent result, which leaves us to imagine ease of going beyond the 30 km/l threshold, with a more touristy guide. Services should be carried out at infrequent intervals, expected every 10.000 km.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Design and quality, top technology, driver comfort and good performance

We do not like it:
Side stand at risk of falling when stationary, under-saddle capacity not record-breaking

Vespa GTS 300 Super: the Motorionline report card

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Test clothing:

Jacket: Urban Toucan Agos
Shoe: Stylmartin Sunset
Gloves: Tucano Urbano Squid 9801
Helmet: Givi 20.6 Fiber-J2