2019–2021 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
City Agility With Italian Soul
The GTS 300 hpe Super is the Vespa that answers the question every buyer quietly asks: is there a real scooter under that famous shape? There is. A liquid-cooled 278 cc single makes 24 hp and 19 lb-ft, and it's lively off the line, with enough midrange to take a gap in traffic without thinking twice. The body is a steel monocoque, and it rolls on 12-inch wheels. ABS and traction control come standard. So do an LED headlight, USB charging and a center stand. Style with substance!
In town this thing is in its element. Handling is feather-light, it threads through tight spaces with ease, and at 348 lb (158 kg) wet it never feels like a chore to move around. Running costs stay low, helped by 74 mpg. It's built for riders who want their daily transport to feel special and not just sensible. The honest caveat: it's a city scooter first. Top speed is 80 mph (129 km/h) and the tank holds 1.8 gal (7 L), so long freeway stretches aren't its home turf. Know that going in.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 24 hp (18 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 19 lb-ft (26 Nm) |
| Displacement | 278 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front brake | 220 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-12 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-12 |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 348 lb (158 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 1.8 gal (7 L) |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 74 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Lighting
Safety
Over the years I've heard a lot about this Vespa: in the paddock, from owners at club nights, and in the emails and messages riders send me. A clear pattern comes out of it. Owners rave about the engine and how settled it feels at speed, and they're just as open about the price, the range and the ride on broken pavement.
The engine gets the most praise. Riders who moved up from the older 300 keep pointing to the extra power, and they say passing and quick sprints across town take no effort at all. Handling gets similar praise. Owners describe a balance of agility and stability that keeps them confident even at highway speeds. Many also report 70-plus mpg, so fuel stops come less often than the small tank suggests. Fewer stops, more riding.
Three complaints keep coming up. The first is price: owners know they're paying a clear premium over similarly equipped Japanese midi-scooters, and they call it an emotional buy, not a rational one. The second is range. Riders put a full tank at around 130 miles (209 km), and they note that rivals carry more fuel for longer days. The third is the ride: over potholes and expansion joints it turns firm and choppy, and it gets more jittery the faster you go. You feel every seam.
Brake line master cylinder recall
Improper galvanization of brake line terminals can cause hydrogen release and reduced braking efficiency; covered by NHTSA recall 19V-826.
Oversensitive ASR causes engine bogging
The ASR traction control can cut power abruptly when accelerating from a standstill, particularly on loose surfaces or grass. Riders report a hesitation or bogging feeling. Temporarily switching off ASR eliminates the symptom.
Intermittent check engine light after long rides
A number of owners report the check engine light (CEL) illuminating towards the end of a long ride, often clearing itself after a few days. No associated driveability issues are reported, and the cause remains unconfirmed.
Where this Vespa GTS 300 hpe Super 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 300 hpe Super is actually built for.
This is your scooter. It's light, easy to park, goes 74 mpg and threads through traffic without effort, and you'll enjoy looking at it every morning. Just keep it off long freeway stretches.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
It's great for the commute and it'll look superb in every photo at the meetup. On the ridge roads it's nimble and fun at a relaxed pace, but 24 hp and an 80 mph top speed set the limits.
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.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Vespa GTS 300 hpe Super. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
