2009–2013 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
Italian Soul, Genuinely City-Sharp
The GTS 250 i.e. is a large-frame Vespa built the way the badge demands. The body is a pressed-steel monocoque, not plastic panels hung on a tube frame, and with chrome in the right places it still turns heads outside any café. Underneath sits a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 244 cc single making 21 hp and 15 lb-ft. It drives through a twist-and-go automatic and a belt final drive. It's compact. In stop-and-go traffic it is about as agile as a scooter gets. This is the big Vespa you buy with your heart and can still defend with your head.
In town it asks almost nothing of you. The 31.1 in (790 mm) seat is friendly and the steering is light, and the standard center stand makes parking on a crowded block simple. It is a city and suburban machine first. With a top speed of 76 mph (122 km/h) and a 2.4 gal (9.2 L) tank, short expressway hops are fine but long interstate days are not its job. Mechanically it holds up well if it's cared for. Check the water pump seal, swingarm bearings and exhaust on any used example, and confirm that 2009–2010 units had the fuel pump recall done. There's no ABS, and luggage is an option, not standard.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 21 hp (15 kW) @ 8,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 15 lb-ft (20 Nm) |
| Displacement | 244 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front tire | 120/70-12 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-12 |
| Wheelbase | 54.9 in (1395 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal (9.2 L) |
| Top speed | 76 mph (122 km/h) |
Equipment check
Comfort
Fuel pump defect and recall
The fuel pump impeller can swell and cause stalling or failure to restart. A full NHTSA recall (15V‑066) covers 2008‑2010 GTS 250 models.
Water pump seal leak
The mechanical water pump seal can weep coolant, especially on higher‑mileage scooters. Repair requires engine‑side disassembly.
Swinging arm bearing failure
The rear suspension swinging arm bearings can wear out on higher‑mileage machines, leading to play and vague handling. A repair kit is available.
Exhaust system corrosion
The mild‑steel exhaust silencer and downpipe corrode prematurely, especially in regions with road salt. Aftermarket stainless replacements are common.
Where this Vespa GTS 250 i.e. pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the GTS 250 i.e. is actually built for.
For daily hops across NYC, Miami Beach or LA, this is the right tool: tiny footprint, easy parking, twist-and-go simplicity and real style. Just ride wet streets knowing there's no ABS.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
It handles the SF commute and looks great at the Skyline meet-up. With 21 hp and a 76 mph top speed, though, ridge roads are a relaxed cruise, not a run that sets the pace.
Made for San Francisco Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard · Big Sur Coast Highway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2006–2008
Italian Style, Real Street Manners
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Vespa GTS 250 i.e.. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
