Vespa GTS 125 ie Super (MY2018_GTS125S_Gen2) Buyer's…

The Machine's Character

The GTS 125 ie Super is a Vespa in the classic sense: a steel monocoque body wrapped around a modern 124 cc liquid-cooled single. That engine is a four-valve, fuel-injected i-get unit with a Start & Stop system, rated at 12 hp at 8,750 rpm and 8 lb-ft at 6,750 rpm. It drives the rear wheel by belt. ABS, a USB charging port and a center stand come standard, and the rear shock takes preload adjustment. That puts it at the premium, design-led end of the 125 scooter class, where the body and the badge matter as much as the numbers. Italian style, real substance.

On paper, this hardware is built for the city. A 31.1 in (790 mm) seat, a compact 53.9 in (1,370 mm) wheelbase and 12-inch wheels point to easy work in dense traffic and tight parking. It's rated at 98 mpg from a 1.8 gal (7 L) tank, and it weighs 320 lb (145 kg) wet. The 12 hp output tells you where it belongs: city streets and short suburban runs, not long highway stretches. If you want a scooter that looks special at the curb and handles your daily commute, the spec lines up. Buying used? Fuel pump failures after the warranty period are a known issue on this generation. Check it first.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	12 hp (9 kW) @ 8,750 rpm
Torque	8 lb-ft (11 Nm) @ 6,750 rpm
Displacement	124 cc
Engine	Single-cylinder
Cooling	Liquid-cooled
Final drive	Belt
Front brake	220 mm
Front tire	120/70-12
Rear tire	130/70-12
Wheelbase	53.9 in (1370 mm)
Seat height	31.1 in (790 mm)
Wet weight	320 lb (145 kg)
Fuel capacity	1.8 gal (7 L)
Fuel economy	98 mpg (US)

Equipment check

Chassis

Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard

Connectivity

USB Charging Port Standard

Safety

ABS Standard

The Truth on the Street

Over the years I've listened to what owners tell me: in the paddock, on club nights, and in the messages riders send me directly. For this GTS 125, the pattern is clear. Owners love how it feels and how it runs, and they have only a few complaints.

Why owners keep smiling

Riders keep coming back to the feel-good factor: the chrome, the premium finish and the sense that you're riding something special. They praise the engine just as often. It's smooth and linear with a responsive feel, and it's pleasant in town and on moderate-speed roads. Owners who stay on top of servicing report that it holds up well over the long haul. Some add that it's genuinely fun to ride, and that the roomy position and plush seat make longer commutes easy. Happy owners!

What you pay for the badge

The complaint riders raise most is the price. Owners say it costs a lot more than many rivals, and that you're paying for the Vespa name rather than better specs. The rest are one-off remarks. Some riders feel broken pavement and mid-corner bumps more than they would on a scooter with larger wheels. Others find the small mph numbers on the analog speedometer hard to read at a glance. Short list.

Known issues

Fuel pump failure

fuel system occasional

Some owners have reported fuel pump failures after the warranty period, resulting in breakdowns and requiring expensive replacement.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Vespa GTS 125 ie Super pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Urban Utility Score

Weatherproof Commute Comfort

Storage Without Thinking

Twist-and-Go Simplicity

Low-Cost Daily Mobility

Night-and-Rain Confidence

This bike Class average

Head-to-head: Vespa GTS 125 ie Super vs. its rivals

Power

12 hp This bike 15 hp Yamaha NMAX 155 12 hp Honda PCX125 12 hp Kymco Movie S 125i 14 hp Kawasaki J125

Torque

8 lb-ft This bike 11 lb-ft Yamaha NMAX 155 9 lb-ft Honda PCX125 7 lb-ft Kymco Movie S 125i 8 lb-ft Kawasaki J125

Displacement

124 cc This bike 155 cc Yamaha NMAX 155 125 cc Honda PCX125 125 cc Kymco Movie S 125i 125 cc Kawasaki J125

Wet weight

320 lb This bike 280 lb Yamaha NMAX 155 278 lb Honda PCX125 265 lb Kymco Movie S 125i 401 lb Kawasaki J125

Seat height

31.1 in This bike 30.1 in Yamaha NMAX 155 30.1 in Honda PCX125 30.7 in Kymco Movie S 125i 30.5 in Kawasaki J125

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the GTS 125 ie Super is actually built for.

Aerial photograph of downtown Austin, Texas, showing modern high-rise buildings against a clear blue sky. Urban infrastructure, highways, and parking structures visible in the foreground. — Thomas Balabaud / Pexels

Best scooter for NYC?

This is your best fit here: compact, rated at 98 mpg, with ABS and a center stand standard. Short hops, tight parking and low running costs are exactly what this Vespa is built for.

Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles

Best motorcycle for Bay Area?

A good match for the city half of your week: the steel-bodied Italian design is made to be seen, and the commute is its home turf. On weekend ridge roads, 12 hp keeps the pace relaxed.

Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant