2018–2021 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Icon That Actually Handles
The GTS 125 Super Sport puts a small engine inside Vespa's big steel body, and that's the whole idea. The 124 cc liquid-cooled single has a four-valve head and makes 12 hp and 8 lb-ft. It drives the rear wheel through a belt and never pretends to be more than it is. What you're really paying for is the steel monocoque, the shape everybody recognizes, and the Super Sport trim with its own graphics and black alloy wheels. ABS is standard. In town it's very hard to beat: the handling is light, the controls are easy to live with, and running costs stay low. Proper Vespa!
At 324 lb (147 kg) wet it's heavy for a 125, but it never feels clumsy in traffic. The 12-inch wheels and the 54.3 in (1,380 mm) wheelbase let it change direction between cars in a heartbeat. The limits are just as clear. Top speed is 59 mph (95 km/h), so freeways are out. The fork has no adjustment at all, and only the rear shock takes preload. There's one known issue to watch: the fuel pump can fail early and stall the engine, often after the warranty has run out. This one's for the rider who lives in the city and wants style that actually works. Simple as that.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 12 hp (9 kW) @ 8,250 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 | 54.3 in (1380 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 324 lb (147 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 1.8 gal (7 L) |
| Top speed | 59 mph (95 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Safety
Over the years I've picked up a lot about this scooter straight from its owners: in the paddock, at club nights, and in the emails and messages riders send me. Put all of that together and the picture of the GTS 125 Super Sport is clear. Owners mostly talk about how much fun it is and how easy it is to live with. The complaints are few, and they're specific.
Fun comes up more than anything else. Riders consistently describe a lively, responsive ride that keeps both the daily commute and a quiet backroad entertaining. Owners also mention the engine often: smooth, quiet and easy on fuel for its class. Comfort is another recurring theme. Owners call the riding position roomy, riders of different sizes say it fits them, and several use it for longer commutes. A few add that the build quality feels premium. Happy owners!
The gripes are fewer. Some owners point out that you pay a clear premium over other scooters, and for buyers on a tight budget that's a real hurdle. Others say it can feel a little awkward at very low speeds, so parking and tight turns take careful balance. That's the list.
Premature fuel pump failure
Owners have reported fuel pump defects causing engine stalling, often appearing after the warranty expires. Replacing the fuel pump is required to resolve.
Where this Vespa GTS 125 i.e. Super Sport pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the GTS 125 i.e. Super Sport is actually built for.
This is your bike. It's nimble in traffic, easy to park, cheap to run and stylish enough that you'll look forward to the commute. Just stay off the freeway and keep an eye on that fuel pump.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
For city runs and the photo at the meetup, it's perfect. On fast ridge roads, 12 hp and a 59 mph ceiling mean you'll ride along rather than lead. Enjoy the view!
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
