By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Scooter
Vespa Sprint 125 i.e. 3V (MY2014_Sprint125) vs GTS 300 i.e. Super (MY2014)
Vespa Sprint 125 i.e. 3V vs GTS 300 i.e. Super: which one to buy for your commute.
You'll find the real gap between the Vespa Sprint 125 i.e. 3V and the Vespa GTS 300 i.e. Super at the throttle, not in the styling. On the GTS 300 i.e. Super, the engine's pulling hard from a standstill. Hills and passes don't slow it down.
So which one do you buy?
The Sprint 125 i.e. 3V has the edge if…
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Nose ahead: Sprint 125 i.e. 3V
Fresh off the training course, the Sprint 125 i.e. 3V feels a bit more forgiving. It's down to easier controls. Only by a small margin, though.
Keeping running costs low
Slight edge: Sprint 125 i.e. 3V
The Sprint 125 i.e. 3V is a touch easier on the wallet to run. Condition still matters more than the model.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: Sprint 125 i.e. 3V
In city traffic, the Sprint 125 i.e. 3V comes out a touch ahead. The reason: friendlier manners and lower running costs.
The GTS 300 i.e. Super has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: GTS 300 i.e. Super
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the GTS 300 i.e. Super. What tips it: harder acceleration. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
What makes each one tick
Sprint 125 i.e. 3V
A rigid steel monocoque keeps the Sprint's line tight as it threads through city traffic. The air-cooled single perks up eagerly once you crack the throttle, and it doesn't run out of pep until city speeds. Long legs don't cramp up. A full-face helmet drops right under the seat.
GTS 300 i.e. Super
The GTS turns in with an easy balance that keeps the front secure at city speeds. The small wheels don't soak up broken pavement, and each bump comes through choppy. There's a padded seat for two. The single settles into a steady highway cruise.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The GTS 300 i.e. Super makes more peak power: 21 hp (16 kW) vs 11 hp (8.1 kW).
- The GTS 300 i.e. Super makes more peak torque: 16 lb-ft (22 Nm) vs 8 lb-ft (10 Nm).
- The GTS 300 i.e. Super has the larger engine: 278 cc vs 124 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Sprint 125 i.e. 3V
What owners say
Trade-offs
- ABS missing on early models
GTS 300 i.e. Super
What owners say
Strengths
- Strong mid-range torque and top speed
- Comfortable ride for two and luggage capability
Trade-offs
- Exhaust gasket prone to early failure
- Relatively high price and theft magnet
Known problems to check before you buy
Sprint 125 i.e. 3V
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
GTS 300 i.e. Super
- 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.
- 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.
What they share
- Seat height
- 31.1 in (790 mm)
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
Where the spec sheets split
| Sprint 125 i.e. 3V | GTS 300 i.e. Super | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 124 cc | 278 cc |
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Power | 11 hp (8.1 kW) | 21 hp (16 kW) |
| Torque | 8 lb-ft (10 Nm) | 16 lb-ft (22 Nm) |
| Sprint 125 i.e. 3V | GTS 300 i.e. Super | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 107 mpg (US) / 2.2 L/100 km | 59 mpg (US) / 4 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 US gal (8 L) | 2.4 US gal (9.2 L) |
| Sprint 125 i.e. 3V | GTS 300 i.e. Super | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 200 mm | 220 mm |
| Front tire | 110/70-12 | 120/70-12 |
| Rear tire | 120/70-12 | 130/70-12 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Sprint 125 i.e. 3V | GTS 300 i.e. Super | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard (from 2015) | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
