Vespa Sei Giorni: the scooter that comes from the world of racing [ROAD TEST]

A "6 days", for all Vespa enthusiasts, is a forbidden dream. The legendary 125 of 1951, which was then produced in a limited series to commemorate the successes of the Piaggio Racing Team, was able to excel with the innovative scooter in motorcycle competitions, including the one from which it takes its name, the 26th edition of the Sei Giorni International. Today it is worth figures that make your head spin, over 100 thousand euros and there are those who have paid even 150 thousand for a specimen! The 6.340 euros of the new arrival of the Vespa brand are therefore nothing in comparison, but jokes aside, the Sei Giorni is a nostalgia operation chock-full of goodies and details that can only make fans of the legendary scooter made in Italy happy. From the round headlight placed on the mudguard, to the analogue instrumentation combined with the "naked" handlebar, passing through that number on a black background which reproduces the layout of that of the legendary ancestor. The bodywork, engine and chassis are those of the GTS 300, but the "dress" is all new and makes it a truly fascinating product, made even more exclusive by that plate which shows the number of the example (it is a numbered series, but not limited edition).

Aesthetics and finishes:

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A style with top marks

The "Sei Giorni" is all here, a special series with dedicated aesthetic details, which hides a "normal" Vespa GTS 300 under the dress. This does not mean it is banal, on the contrary, because to create it it was decided to give it many details, so different from the standard version, which is impossible not to notice when you see it in person. It has an unmistakable style, which no other could have, because it is the result of the unique and legendary history of the Vespa. The “6 days” is in fact one of the most valuable Vespas, not only because it was produced in few examples, but because of its sporting track record. A model that has become legendary for having conquered the grueling "Six Days International Varese" regularity race in 1951, in which it won 9 gold medals, with 9 of the 10 models that initially started arriving triumphantly at the finish line. Some people might smile nowadays, but those were real competition motorcycles, prepared by Piaggio for the Racing Team and its riders.

The "6 days myth" then resulted in a limited series, but this one regularly produced and registered for road use, which today sees an encore, with the "6" becoming "Sei" in its name, but above all with all the modern elements of the GTS 300 that blend with others that exude the Heritage of the Vespa. In person, the "wow" effect is remarkable, first of all for that beautiful "low headlight", but also for a special color, combined with a number "6" that really doesn't want to be discreet. We find it on the front shield and on the plump right side, while on the back of the shield there is the fascinating plate with the number of the example, even if the series is not a limited edition.

The choice of the low headlight brings with it a novelty for the handlebars and fairing, given that the absence of the headlight in this area offered the possibility of inserting a further strong reference to the Vespa of the 50s, with the chromed handlebar left visible, without fairing and combined with dedicated analogue instrumentation, as well as a small burnished screen. The right amount of grit linked to the world of racing is then given by details with a black finish, such as the rims and exhaust terminal covers, but also by a new saddle with a single-seater look (the approval for two remains) and a beautiful finish contrast, with the central portion, that of the seat, with a suede effect.

Engine and performance:

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Under the dress the "classic" GTS 300

Compared to the Vespa GTS 300 we tested in the SuperSport version a couple of years ago (here you can find the article with the complete proof), the engine maintains its characteristics unchanged, but is now Euro 4. This has led to numerous technical interventions, which reduce its power by a pinch. The modern 278 cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valve, liquid-cooled and electronic injection engine now delivers 21,2 horsepower (about 1 less), which now reaches 250 rpm more (7.750), but with a substantially unchanged maximum torque value of 22 Nm at 5.000 rpm. The beautiful character therefore remains, thanks also to a favorable delivery curve, with a high promptness in the acceleration response and in general extremely brilliant performance, especially for a Vespa. In fact, let us remember that, by choice, within the Piaggio Group it was decided to favor other aspects for the legendary scooter from Pontedera, leaving the more sporting ambitions, for example, to the Beverly 350, whose engine is capable of 30 horsepower and almost motorcycle-like performance. The "Vespone" 300 is however very enjoyable and brilliant, it quickly reaches the maximum speed of almost 130 km/h indicated by the instruments, which is 118 actual. Perfect for city use or for a picnic out of town, the Vespa Sei Giorni suffers only on the motorway, or rather it is the driver who suffers a little, but only due to the limited aerodynamic protection available. The retro choice they adopted in Pontedera for the Six Days is to give up traction control, which is essentially the only difference, in terms of engine, with the standard GTS.

Ride and handling:

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Only handlebars and saddle are new

Once you get into the saddle, the differences from the Vespa GTS 300 from which it derives are immediately evident. We are referring to the aesthetic ones, with the handlebars and instruments all new, or all "old", since they recall the style of its ancestor without the fairing in this area, as well as a new saddle. This essentially takes up the shapes (even if the proportions are slightly different) of the famous Vespa single-seater saddle (the legendary one of the 50, but which for aesthetic reasons was also mounted on the 125 etc.). Very pleasant from an aesthetic point of view, a little less so from that of those sitting on the passenger portion, because they essentially end up being on the crest and therefore have to choose whether to stay advanced towards the driver, or hold on so as not to slide backwards. A practical piece of advice then, after having made a mistake that highlighted a hidden feature of this saddle. In case of rain, do not dry it with paper, because part of it will stick to the suede part, making it white and requiring a little patience to clean it.

For the rest, the excellent chassis and chassis of the Vespa GTS 300 are confirmed, agile and pleasant to ride. Thanks to a low center of gravity, with the saddle placed 790 mm from the ground, which makes the 148 kg weight easily manageable, both when maneuvering and moving. An optimal balance in terms of chassis, where at the front we find a single-arm ESS (Enhanced Sliding Suspension), which makes the Vespone unique.

Its reactions are in fact as good as a traditional fork in terms of its ability to absorb bumps, but at the same time much lighter and quicker when changing direction. The 12" wheels and the double disc, 220 mm on both wheels, with two-channel ABS complete the picture.

Price and consumption:

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Price slightly higher than the GTS 300, similar consumption and dedicated accessories

Let's start with the price, which sees the Vespa Sei Giorni 300 standing at 6.340 euros, compared to 6.080 for the GTS 300 SuperSport, which becomes a further 200 euros less in the case of the standard one. A price therefore far from prohibitive, in light of the many customizations and exclusivity of this version.
Available only in this exclusive matt green colour, the Sei Giorni claims a combined cycle value of 29,4 km/l in terms of consumption. A value that can be reached with very careful driving, but in daily use, even with dynamic driving, 25 per liter is an easily reachable average value. The motorway sections, where the speed limit allows you to travel with the throttle always wide open, thus reaching the maximum value also in terms of consumption, bring the figure down to around 20 km/l, but by reducing the speed even slightly you return towards altitude 25. Good autonomy, thanks to the 8.5 liters of the tank.

The many accessories of the GTS 300 are available for the Sei Giorni, including a 42-litre top box, which increase the already generous capacity of the under-seat compartment, but somewhat undermine the magnificent design of this exclusive version. Accessories aside, there are also some items of clothing specifically dedicated to this precious Vespa in a numbered edition, such as the demi jet helmet with visor, in perfect style and color with the vehicle, embellished with the "Sei Giorni" logos. You can also purchase the T-shirt, the cap and a cotton bag, which accompany the Vespa rider on every trip with the unmistakable "Sei Giorni" style.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Exclusive look and with many goodies, driving pleasure.
We do not like it:
No side stand block, good but not huge saddle pad.

Vespa Six Days: the Motorionline Report Card

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Tester clothing:
Gloves: Tucano Urbano Aero Touch
Jacket: Tucano Urbano Urbis 5G
Helmet: LS2 Valiant