Best scooter for NYC?
For short hops, tight parking and low costs, this is a great fit: compact, easy and 71 mpg. Just know you're paying for style on top of the practicality.
Made for New York City · Austin · Los Angeles
2024 · Scooter · Buyer's Guide
GTV 300 (MY2024)
Style That Earns Its Keep
The Machine's Character
The GTV 300 is the Vespa that wears its headlight on the front fender, and that one retro detail sets it apart from the rest of the range. Underneath the styling sits the liquid-cooled HPE single: 278 cc, 24 hp at 8,250 rpm and 19 lb-ft at 5,250 rpm, driving through a twist-and-go automatic. The equipment is modern where it counts: keyless system, USB charging port, LED headlight, ABS and a center stand, all standard. So this isn't a museum piece with a license plate. It's a premium scooter that pairs vintage looks with current hardware. Style with substance.
On the road it's punchy off the line and planted through corners, which is exactly what city and suburban riding asks for. It sips fuel at 71 mpg and running costs stay low. This is for you if you want a daily scooter that feels special every time you walk up to it, and you're willing to pay for that feeling. The honest caveat: rider aids stop at ABS and traction control, the fork can't be adjusted and the rear shock only takes preload, and the starter can struggle in cold weather or after the scooter has sat for a while. Nobody buys a Vespa on pure reason. This one makes a decent case anyway!
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 |
| Front tire | 120/70-12 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-12 |
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 353 lb (160 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.2 gal (8.5 L) |
| Fuel economy | 71 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Comfort
- Heated Grips Optional
- Luggage System Optional
Connectivity
- Smartphone Connectivity Optional
- USB Charging Port Standard
- Keyless System Standard
Lighting
- LED Headlight Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
- Traction Control Standard
The Truth on the Street
I've spent years listening to what riders tell me about their bikes: in the paddock, at club nights, in owner chats and in the messages that land in my inbox. For the GTV 300 the picture is consistent. Owners describe a stable, lively, comfortable scooter, and one gripe keeps coming back: its weight at low speed in dense traffic.
Steadier than the smaller Vespas
Riders consistently say the GTV feels more settled than the smaller Vespas, and that the confidence holds when the road gets twisty. Just as often they call the HPE engine lively and fun, in spirited city riding and on backroads. The brakes come up regularly too: owners report strong stopping power and good response, with ABS behind it. Roomy ergonomics get praise from riders of very different sizes, and the classic color options draw plenty of positive attention. Heads turn!
The weight shows up in traffic
In heavy traffic at low speed, owners say the heavier engine and larger frame make maneuvering feel cumbersome, and that you notice the weight shifting. It's the only weakness that comes up with any regularity. You feel it.
Known issues
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Cold start difficulty / starter motor struggles
Some owners report that the starter motor has difficulty turning the engine over in cold weather or after the scooter has been sitting, potentially related to battery health or HPE engine characteristics.
The Expert Benchmark
Where this Vespa GTV 300 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 GTV 300 vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
The 'Should I Buy It?' Score
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the GTV 300 is actually built for.
Best motorcycle for Bay Area?
In the city and at the weekend meetup, it's the one people photograph. On a ridge road with bigger bikes, 24 hp means you set your own pace. Phone connectivity is an option.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
Alternatives to the Vespa GTV 300
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 GTV 300. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
