Best scooter for NYC?
This is exactly your bike. It's light, nimble, cheap to run and easy to park, and you get the steel-bodied icon on top. Keep your trips urban and it'll never let you down.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
2010–2018 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
GTS 300 i.e. Super Sport (MY2010_GTS300_Gen1)
Italian Soul, City Precision
The Machine's Character
The GTS 300 i.e. Super Sport is a Vespa in the proper sense. The body is a pressed-steel monocoque rather than plastic panels hung on a tube frame, and you feel it the first time you lay a hand on it. Inside sits a 278 cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single making 21 hp and 16 lb-ft. That's plenty for the city, and it'll run to 80 mph. ABS and traction control come standard, and so does a center stand. For a scooter this pretty, that's a serious spec sheet. In its class it's the one people turn to look at, and it has the substance to back up the looks. Style with a spine!
Day to day it's an easy machine to live with: twist-and-go, 326 lb (148 kg) wet and a 31.1 in (790 mm) seat. Reliability is solid, running costs stay low and 59 mpg keeps fuel bills small. With age you'll need to watch a few wear items, and on a 2010 bike you should confirm the fuel pump recall (NHTSA 15V066000) was done. It's for the city rider who wants the icon and actually uses it every day. The caveat is plain: a 2.4 gal (9.2 L) tank and 21 hp aren't built for long highway days. This is a city bike first.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
Show full specs & equipment Hide specs & equipment
| Power | 21 hp (16 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 16 lb-ft (22 Nm) |
| Displacement | 278 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Front brake | 220 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-12 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-12 |
| Wheelbase | 54.9 in (1394 mm) |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 326 lb (148 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.4 gal (9.2 L) |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 59 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
- Traction Control Standard
The Truth on the Street
Over the years I've heard plenty about this Vespa: in the paddock, over coffee with owners, at club nights, and in the messages riders send me directly. The pattern is clear. Owners love how it goes and how it's finished, and the complaints are mostly about what it costs and who else wants it.
Quicker and steadier than expected
Riders consistently single out the engine. It pulls briskly off the line and keeps going to a top speed few scooters match, and owners rank it among the quickest around. The chassis gets similar praise: it stays balanced and composed as the speed climbs. Owners also talk about the finish, from the deep paint to the chrome and a seat that feels upmarket. Some add that the saddle stays comfortable on longer rides. Quick and classy!
The price of being wanted
The gripes are fewer and quieter. Some owners wish for more range: around 130 miles (210 km) between stops means more fill-ups than on bigger maxi-scooters. Others point to the price. It costs noticeably more than its direct rivals new, and strong resale values keep used ones expensive too. In cities, a few riders warn that it draws thieves, and that shows up in their insurance quotes. Desirability cuts both ways.
Known issues
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Fuel pump recall
A safety recall (NHTSA 15V066000) was issued for the fuel pump on certain 2010 models, which could cause engine stalling without warning.
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Front end wobble on high‑mileage bikes
Some owners report a front end shimmy, particularly when the scooter is heavily loaded or after years of use. Often traced to worn steering bearings or unbalanced wheels.
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Rear shock wear
Rear shock absorbers can wear out prematurely on machines that have carried heavy loads or two‑up riding regularly, resulting in a bouncy, uncontrolled ride.
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Spark plug cap failure
The spark plug cap can crack or break, causing intermittent running, rough idle, or starting problems. A replacement cap usually resolves the issue.
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Exhaust gasket deterioration
The standard exhaust gasket can break down in as little as 3,000 miles, causing noticeable exhaust leaks and noise. An aftermarket pipe often solves the problem.
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Vespa GTS 300 i.e. 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 i.e. Super Sport vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
The 'Should I Buy It?' Score
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the GTS 300 i.e. Super Sport is actually built for.
Best motorcycle for Bay Area?
It's great for commuting all week and very photogenic at the meetup. On the ridge roads, 21 hp means you'll be cruising, not chasing anyone. Enjoy the ride for what it is.
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 i.e. 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 i.e. Super Sport. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
