By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Scooter
Vespa GTV 300 (MY2024) vs Yamaha XMAX 300 (MY2017)
Vespa GTV 300 vs Yamaha XMAX 300: traffic, parking, daily miles. Here's how to choose.
Off a stoplight with your wrist rolling back, the Vespa GTV 300 snaps awake and it's lively from the first quarter-turn. The Yamaha XMAX 300 meets that same twist with a firm shove off the line. It's still pulling well past what traffic needs.
So which one do you buy?
The XMAX 300 has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Small edge: XMAX 300
On running costs, the XMAX 300 edges it. Not by enough to bank on.
Daily commuting & city riding
Edges it: XMAX 300
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the XMAX 300. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
What makes each one tick
GTV 300
Through a run of twisties, the GTV 300's chassis stays planted and holds its arc from one bend into the next. The brake lever bites straight into the twin front discs, and there's plenty of stopping power behind it. At walking pace in thick traffic, the frame's weight shifts noticeably from side to side. The single won't hang back on a backroad.
XMAX 300
On a freeway on-ramp, the XMAX 300's single keeps climbing toward a top speed that's ready for highway travel. Its power comes in smooth. Under the comfortable seat, there's a generous storage bay. Its low-slung chassis changes direction on a whim.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The GTV 300 has the lower wet weight: 353 lb (160 kg) vs 395 lb (179 kg).
- The XMAX 300 makes more peak power: 28 hp (21 kW) vs 24 hp (18 kW).
- The XMAX 300 makes more peak torque: 21 lb-ft (29 Nm) vs 19 lb-ft (26 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
No verdict: GTV 300
The GTV 300 gets left out of the long-distance question. It's built for a different kind of day.
They come out level on twisty roads and a first bike. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
GTV 300
What owners say
Strengths
- Peppy and enjoyable engine
- Planted and stable handling
- Comfortable and accessible seating
- Eye-catching retro design
Trade-offs
- Noticeable weight in traffic
XMAX 300
What owners say
Strengths
- Strong engine performance
Known problems to check before you buy
GTV 300
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
XMAX 300
- Camshaft retainer bolt loosening (Recall 25V778) Recall 25V778000 Camshaft retainer plate may not secure the retainer bolt, leading to bolt loosening and potential engine stall. Can cause loss of control and crash. Dealers will install a new camshaft plate kit. Recall covers 2,715 units, ~30% with defect. Warning signs: engine noise, poor performance, hard starting.
What they share
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
Where the spec sheets split
| GTV 300 | XMAX 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.1 in (790 mm) | 31.3 in (795 mm) |
| Wet weight | 353 lb (160 kg) | 395 lb (179 kg) |
| GTV 300 | XMAX 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 278 cc | 292 cc |
| Power | 24 hp (18 kW) | 28 hp (21 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,250 rpm | 7,250 rpm |
| Torque | 19 lb-ft (26 Nm) | 21 lb-ft (29 Nm) |
| GTV 300 | XMAX 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 71 mpg (US) / 3.3 L/100 km | 67 mpg (US) / 3.53 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 2.2 US gal (8.5 L) | 3.5 US gal (13.2 L) |
| GTV 300 | XMAX 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-12 | 120/70-15 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-12 | 140/70-14 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| GTV 300 | XMAX 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
