Vespa GTS 300 SuperSport, Italian style and sportiness [ROAD TEST]

Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport - In the past we had already had the opportunity to try the Vespa GTS 300, the top of the range of a separate brand compared to "mother" Piaggio, demonstrating the value of one of the most famous Italian products in the world. Vespa is not just a label, just look closely at this magnificent GTS 300 SS. The “Vespone” has a charm that very few other nostalgia operations can achieve. A mix of modernity from a technical point of view (to this day it remains one of the few examples of scooters with ABS and traction control as standard) and retro charm. The style is the unmistakable one of sinuous bellies and soft curves, of a metal body instead of the plastic of "normal" scooters, but not only that. This SuperSport version adds a bit of aggression with a specific color and dedicated aesthetic and chromatic details.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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The emblem of the elegance of Italian design, in a sporty key

The Vespone with the biggest engine ever is the one we like the most. Not just for the 300's performance, but also for the aesthetics, in our opinion particularly successful. Many references to the past, starting with sinuous forms, continuing with details such as the single-arm fork, the right side cut by horizontal slits, as well as details that harken back to more recent models, such as the object holder in front of the legs similar to that of the PX, even if here it is less capacious because it is an aesthetic element useful used to house the radiator, as demonstrated by the side openings. The aesthetics are basically the same as those designed for the model that debuted in 2008, but a couple of years ago the flagship also underwent careful and extensive refinement work. Lots of details changed and meticulous attention that left nothing to chance. Small, but many changes, which do not distort its appearance, though making it significantly better in terms of perceived quality. They improve the saddle to increase comfort, along with other purely aesthetic elements, such as the thinner shield tie, the chrome headlight frames and much more. There is no lack of technology at the service of those who choose the Vespone, in fact in the rear shield compartment we find a USB socket and optionally you can have the VMP (Vespa Multimedia Platform) which allows you to communicate via Bluetooth with your smartphone, using it as an extension of the instrument panel with a myriad of additional information, including the lean angle. To the exclusively aesthetic differences of the Super that we tested in the past compared to the "standard" GTS 300 (we are referring to the rims with contrasting black piping, the saddle finishes and other small changes to the grille and instrumentation), the SuperSport adds a further touch of sportiness with the titanium gray color, the black saddle, a new tie on the front shield and dedicated graphics for both the model logos, with the "S" on a red background and the two initial letters of the same color for the SuperSport writing on the back of the shield, and for the two large black stickers that draw the "Super" writing in negative on the lower portion of the side panels. Name and details recall myths of the past, such as the Vespa 180 SS from 1965, without however intending to mimic them. As mentioned, in this case it is a mere aesthetic setup, nothing comparable, just to give an example, to the T5 (with 5 cylinder ports, instead of 3) "Pole Position" of 1985, which in addition to a very bold aesthetic , had a much more powerful engine than the PX 125 from which it derived. A curiosity, that wording came from the fact that it was given to the Formula 1 drivers who achieved the best time in the tests of the world championship stage on the Monza circuit, including a certain Ayrton Senna as well as Nelson Piquet.

Engine and performance:

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Performance and electronics, even if the Vespa is more style than malice

This is the most generous engine ever mounted on a Vespa, 278 cc single cylinder with 22 horses (expressed at 7.500 rpm) and a torque of 22,3 Nm already at 5.000 rpm. Despite growing to be a medium-sized scooter, the Vespa GTS 300 does not become particularly sporty from a performance point of view. The engine has good acceleration and is pleasant in delivery, with a push full-bodied at medium-low revs and a excellent silence, as it is appreciated for its roundness, including that of the variator transmission. What he lacks, however, is a bit of reach, because it quickly reaches the 100-110 km/h zone and then rises more slowly up to the threshold of 130 indicated. We mentioned it in the previous test, we reiterate it now too. There really isn't the ambition to want to compete with the most high-performance scooters, first and foremost with the Piaggio Beverly 350 with 33 horsepower. The "mood" remains the one most suited to a Vespa, with a certain amount of power to be able to cope very well in any context. In the city it is perfect, moves agile and fast in traffic with brilliant acceleration and pick-up, It doesn't suffer at all on the ring road and motorway, although speed is not his best asset. What is very appreciable is the fact that the Piaggio Group makes safety its flagship, combiningABS il traction control. It may seem excessive to some, but theASR it is also useful with 22 horsepower, because slippery surfaces and the dangers of the roads make it a "holy hand" in many more cases than one might imagine. All it takes is a wet pedestrian crossing on a bend to find yourself having to manage a dangerous loss of grip, whereas with electronics you can drive safely without always having to be super concentrated. There remains the possibility of excluding ASR, as on all Piaggio Group vehicles, by pressing the ignition button while the engine is running.

Ride and handling:

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Agile and pleasant, with the front responding well thanks to the ESS single-sided swingarm

Maybe it won't be a monster of power, but the Vespa GTS 300 is a great pleasure to drive. In the city as between the curves of a winding road, the flagship among the Vespas benefits from an overall low weight (149 kg), from a low center of gravity given by the characteristic frame of the Vespa, and by a optimal balance in terms of chassis. The saddle is placed just 790 mm from the ground and makes it perfect for stationary maneuvers or to pass between cars at traffic lights, even for those who are not very tall. At the front it mounts a ESS single-sided swingarm (Enhanced Sliding Suspension), which makes the Vespone unique. His reactions are in fact as good as a traditional fork as far as the ability to absorb roughness, but at the same time much lighter and quicker when changing direction. Lightness that initially might make you think of a "dancer" front end, which it isn't. The GTS is in fact well planted even at the highest speeds, so much so that its cruising speed of around 120 km/h can be maintained without fear even when taking a bend, thanks to unexpected stability. The “chubby” tires, 120 in front and 130 in the rear, in both cases “/70” on a 12” rim, are also perfect for tram tracks in the city. The ground clearance is sufficient to take some satisfaction when cornering, while the brakes are definitely up to par. The system provides double 220 mm disc on both wheels, with two-channel ABS. Speaking of scooters, comfort on the saddle is also important, which has grown with the new one for both the driver and the passenger, as well as the capacity of the compartment underneath. Also in this case it has improved with the latest update and is sufficient for two small helmets or for a more generous one and other objects (a chain or rain gear, for example). With the optional top case, more important needs can be solved. Just two notes on details that didn't convince us 100%. The passenger footrests are advanced and, when you put your feet on the ground, you often find yourself with the tip of the passenger's foot on your shin. The side stand, however, is a little too retro. Without an opening lock (and therefore also a switch-off sensor), there is a risk of "Vespa falling" if you are not very careful when using it.

Price and consumption:

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Quality comes at a fair price, the excellent efficiency of the engine guarantees low consumption

The Vespa is style and design, but also very high quality, perhaps the best in its history looking at the details and materials used. It could therefore not be offered at a negligible price. The SuperSport is the top of the range and also of the price list, with its own 5.890 €. We start from 5.590 for the "standard" GTS, but it is also joined by the Super at 5.690 and the Touring at one hundred euros more. Same price for the special “Settentiesimo” edition. The GTS then exists in the 125 engine capacity of 15 horsepower (legal maximum for this cubic capacity), which can be driven with only a B license and which starts by 4.910 euro. Among the accessories available are the 42 liter top box, a windshield, but also the classic perimeter kit of chromed tubes. In addition to the aforementioned Vespa Multimedia Platform, we also find other less technological options, such as the leg cover for the winter, the anti-theft device, up to the elegant "Country & Leisure" plaid. The Vespa GTS 300 is equipped with a 9,5 liter tank, capable of guaranteeing high autonomy, especially in light of the low consumption. In fact, we found this in both of the road tests we carried out values ​​above 25 with one liter, close to 30 if you drive carefully. All things considered, over 200 km of autonomy, a lot for a scooter.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Unique look and quality, good performance, "electronics package" at the top among scooters
We do not like it:
Quality comes at a price, the design partly sacrifices practicality and the side stand has no lock

Vespa GTS 300 SuperSport: the Motorionline Report Card

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Test clothing:
Jacket: Alpinestars Motion Waterproof Jacket
Trousers: Alpinestars Denim Pants – Raw Indigo
Shoe: Alpinestars Vulk Shoes
Gloves: Alpinestars Polar Gore-Tex Gloves
All these garments are part of the Alpinestars 2016 collection which you can find described in this article.
Helmet: Scorpion EXO-220