Best scooter for NYC?
This is your bike. It's light, compact, easy to park and cheap to run, and it has the style to make the daily grind feel special. Just plan for frequent fill-ups.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
2019–2021 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
GTS 300 hpe Super Sport (MY2019)
Italian Style, Serious Punch
The Machine's Character
The GTS 300 hpe Super Sport was the most powerful production Vespa when it launched, and it still wears the pressed-steel monocoque that makes a Vespa a Vespa. Inside sits a 278 cc liquid-cooled single making 24 hp and 19 lb-ft. The strong midrange pull turns passing slow traffic into a non-event. The Super Sport trim adds black wheels, red accents and matte paint, which looks sporty without shouting. You also get ABS, traction control, an LED headlight, a USB port, smartphone connectivity and a center stand. There's real hardware under the icon. Italian soul with substance!
In town it's in its element. It's light, compact and dead easy to thread through gaps or tuck into a parking spot. Out of the city it'll hold highway speed, but 80 mph is the ceiling, so think city streets and weekend back roads rather than long interstate slogs. Running costs stay low: around 74 mpg and service intervals of 6,200 mi (10,000 km). The honest caveat is the 1.8 gal (7 L) tank, which keeps the range per fill short. Also, 2019 bikes are covered by a brake line recall, so make sure it's been done. Style with a backbone.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 24 hp (18 kW) @ 8,250 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 19 lb-ft (26 Nm) @ 5,250 rpm |
| 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) |
| Fuel capacity | 1.8 gal (7 L) |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 74 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Comfort
- Luggage System Optional
Connectivity
- Smartphone Connectivity Standard
- USB Charging Port Standard
Lighting
- LED Headlight Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
- Traction Control Standard
The Truth on the Street
Over the years I've picked this one up from paddock conversations, owner chats, club-night talk and the messages riders send me directly. On the GTS 300 hpe Super Sport the pattern is clear: owners are happy with how it rides and pulls. The complaints are about what it costs to buy, to ride over bad roads and to keep.
Clean power, calm manners
Owners keep coming back to how refined the engine feels. The throttle doesn't lurch, pulling away is predictable, and you won't get a snatch when you roll on. Riders say hill climbs take no effort. They also say it stays reasonably settled once you leave city pace behind, and some mention that the traction control gives them extra confidence on wet, slippery roads. Calm and composed!
Where owners feel the pinch
Price is the most common gripe. It costs a good deal more than rival maxi-scooters, and buyers who just want practical transport notice that. Several owners find the short-travel suspension harsh: potholes and broken pavement come straight through, and it gets worse at speed. Then there's the downside of the badge. Riders say it attracts thieves in town and pushes insurance costs up. The icon has a price.
Known issues
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Brake line recall: reduced braking efficiency
Improperly galvanized brake pipe terminals can release hydrogen into the brake fluid, causing excessive lever play and diminished stopping power, especially after the vehicle sits unused. Affects 2019-2020 GTS 300 HPE models produced between October 2018 and September 2019.
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ABS pump/module failure
Some owners report that the anti-lock brake module can fail, causing a hard brake lever and reduced braking efficiency.
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Front end wobble at high speed
At higher mileage or when carrying heavy loads, the front end can develop a wobble, often traced to bar-end weights, unbalanced wheels, or worn steering bearings.
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Premature engine failure with metal particles in oil
Isolated reports of catastrophic engine failure at very low mileage (e.g., 1,200 miles) with oil contaminated by metal debris, suggesting possible manufacturing defects.
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Engine stalling when cold
Some owners experience intermittent stalling at idle or just after a cold start, which may clear after warming up or signal a need for a service.
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Exhaust gasket disintegration
The standard exhaust gasket can disintegrate in as little as 3,000 miles, often necessitating replacement and sometimes leading to an aftermarket exhaust upgrade.
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Vespa GTS 300 hpe Super Sport 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
Head-to-head: Vespa GTS 300 hpe Super Sport vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Top speed
Seat height
The 'Should I Buy It?' Score
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the GTS 300 hpe Super Sport is actually built for.
Best motorcycle for Bay Area?
You'll love how it looks at the meetup and how it flicks through the city. On ridge roads it's quick and agile, but 24 hp won't hunt big bikes. Ride it for the grin, not the chase.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
What's new versus the previous generation
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2009–2013
Vespa GTS 300 i.e. Super (MY2009)
Steel Body, Light as Air
Compare to the previous model →Alternatives to the Vespa GTS 300 hpe Super Sport
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 Sport. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
