[cycleworld.com] - Vespa’s Updated GTS

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Pulling the wraps off Vespa’s most muscular scooter, the GTS.

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The GTS is the musclebike of the Vespa line, with a 300-class engine, solid styling, a wide powerband, and respectable performance. (Shown here is the GTS Super.) (Vespa/)Vespa’s GTS is its top-of-the-line model, the latest evolution of the Vespa 150 GS introduced in the late 1950s. That first 150 GS greatly boosted the Italian company’s image, adding a stronger engine and more muscular styling to the original 98cc Vespa introduced in 1946. For this reason it was nicknamed “Vespone,” the masculine form of “vespa” in Italian.

Vespa gave the GTS a major overhaul in 2019, and has now further refined its styling, upgraded its chassis, and updated the electronics suite. This latest GTS comes in the traditional 125cc i-get (Italian Green Experience Technology) and 300cc HPE engine displacements, both now Euro 5 compliant with no drop in performance. The larger SOHC liquid-cooled four-valve 300 HPE engine (displacing an actual 278cc) delivers 23.8 hp at 8,250 rpm and 19.2 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,250 rpm. Note that peak power and peak torque are separated by 3,000 rpm, indicating the high efficiency of the 300 HPE unit. The engine teams up with an improved CVT transmission that’s stronger, more responsive, and more durable.

Related: 2019 Vespa 300 GTS First Ride


Aircraft designers would call this the “power-egg”: engine, transmission, and final drive all in one unitized structure. Note the laydown cylinder configuration. (Vespa/)The GTS chassis has improved suspension too. While both front and rear units have been retuned to further improve comfort and stability, the front suspension in particular has been vastly redesigned. While still based on the traditional trailing-link layout, the components now appear stronger and show more refined geometry, including the brake caliper mounting. Piaggio did not release any specific technical data, but it claims that the front end now feels more stable at speed and more responsive as well.


A CAD image of Vespa’s HPE four-valve head. The new GTS Euro 5–compliant powerplant is thoroughly modern throughout, mates to a CVT transmission, and benefits from a wide powerband. (Vespa/)The 300 GTS rolls on 12-inch wheels mounted with tires that, for the first time in Vespa history, come in differing sizes: 120/70-12 front and 130/70-12 rear. Disc brakes front and rear feature single 220mm rotors and ABS control. The Vespa GTS also is available in four variations: Vespa GTS, Vespa GTS Super, Vespa GTS Super Sport, and Vespa GTS Super Tech. The Super Tech model retains its color TFT instrumentation, while the other three versions now sport a new instrument assembly that also acts as a control center for Vespa’s powerful MIA connectivity system. The new electronics suite also includes a keyless system for easy engine starting, in addition to activating the seat and steering locks.

Style-wise, the new Vespa GTS gets a pair of elegant five-spoke wheels with Y-shaped spokes, a very slight revision to its lower lines, and a somewhat sharper profile to the classic rear bulges that gave rise to the name “Vespa” (wasp in Italian) so many years ago. All in all, the GTS is another strong Vespa entry in the scooter market.


Baby got back! A Vespa wouldn’t be a Vespa without that wasp waist and those zaftig hips. The new GTS (Super Tech trim shown here) keeps the classic profile, but is looking a little more toned. (Vespa/)