2014–2016 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
The Steel-Bodied City Stylist
The GTS 300 i.e. Super is a Vespa built around the brand's defining idea: a steel monocoque that works as both bodywork and structure. It rides on 12-inch wheels at both ends and is powered by a 278 cc liquid-cooled single. That engine makes 21 hp at 7,500 rpm and 16 lb-ft at 5,250 rpm, with a belt final drive. Listed top speed is 80 mph (129 km/h), which takes this scooter beyond pure city duty. The steel body is what matters most here. It gives the famous shape real substance and lifts the design beyond nostalgia. Style with backbone!
On paper, this hardware is built for dense traffic. A 53.9 in (1,370 mm) wheelbase, compact 12-inch wheels and a 31.1 in (790 mm) seat height point to a scooter that threads through gaps and parks where cars can't. A center stand comes standard, the rear shock takes preload adjustment for a passenger or a load, and ABS was offered as an option. At 59 mpg (US) from a 2.4 gal (9.2 L) tank, running costs stay modest. It's for the rider who wants daily transport and refuses to give up on style to get it. Function, dressed in Italian steel.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 21 hp (16 kW) @ 7,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 16 lb-ft (22 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 |
| Wheelbase | 53.9 in (1370 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal (9.2 L) |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 59 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
I've spent years listening to Vespa riders: in paddocks, at club nights, in owner chats and in the messages that land in my inbox. For the GTS 300 i.e. Super the picture is consistent. Praise centers on image and road manners, and the complaints are about what it costs to own and keep.
The most repeated praise is for the styling and the quality of the detailing: owners say it carries a premium, fashionable image few rivals can match. Right behind that comes the handling. Riders call it one of the sweetest-steering scooters around, secure in town and stable on the highway, though some add that the small wheels get choppy on rough roads. The engine's midrange gets regular credit for making overtakes and hill climbs easy. Some owners also tour two-up on weekends, pointing to the well-padded seat, decent weather protection by scooter standards and the optional racks or topbox.
Two gripes come up about equally. Owners note that it commands a premium over mass-market competitors and that it's a popular theft target in urban areas. The other is the standard exhaust gasket, which riders report failing early and leaving a noisy leak.
Front-end wobble at high mileage
Some used examples develop a front-end shimmy or wobble, often due to incorrect bar-end weights, unbalanced wheels, or degraded front suspension components. More frequent on heavily loaded or high-mileage scooters.
Engine big-end bearing failure (rare)
Very rare but catastrophic failure of the big-end bearing, requiring replacement of engine casings. Owner reports one instance at 3,700 mi (6000 km); emphasized importance of strict oil-level maintenance.
Premature exhaust gasket failure
The standard exhaust gasket can blow out or disintegrate as early as 3000 miles. Symptoms include a loud exhaust note and loss of back pressure. Replacement with an updated or aftermarket gasket typically solves the problem.
Rear shock absorber wear
Rear shocks can wear out prematurely on bikes that have carried heavy loads or two-up riding regularly, leading to reduced damping and handling deterioration.
Fuel injector failure
Occasional injector malfunction causing poor running or non-start; typically an inexpensive fix but can leave the rider stranded.
Paint chipping on legshield
The front apron paint is prone to stone chips and wear, especially on the leading edges, leading to premature cosmetic deterioration.
Where this Vespa GTS 300 i.e. Super 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 300 i.e. Super is actually built for.
For dense-city commuting, this is the best fit of the bunch: compact, easy to park, 59 mpg and 80 mph when the expressway calls. You get daily transport that also happens to be a design object.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
A solid match if your week mixes city commuting with weekend ridge roads and coffee stops. It's made to be photographed, but with 21 hp and 12-inch wheels it's a relaxed hill companion, not a sport tool.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2009–2013
Steel Body, Light as Air
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
