Vespa GTS gets SUPERsized now nearly 300cc

Thu, May 8, 2008

Scooter

Sure this news is on the “Dollar dozen donut” table by now, but I couldn’t let it just sit there. So, grab some coffee and a napkin ’cause Vespa has gone and done it again. It wasn’t too long ago that Vespa introduced their biggest engined Wasp ever, the 250cc GT. I never occurred to me that Vespa, who liked to keep their displacements at 200cc or less, would begin gobbling up the pie reserved for scooters like the Honda Helix (may she rest n piece). This week they announced they were moving on to someone else’s pie with a water cooled, 4-valved Quasar 278cc engine crammed into their GTS.

I can’t fully understand the Italian press release, but according to them it’s supposed to have “hella torque”.

Initial test rides at the Milan presentation reveal the GTS 300 Super to be not only “beautiful” but also “very agile”. They said “it only took a moment to reach 77mph, but don’t tell anyone.”

Once I get some real specs, I’ll drop them here. For now I know it’s coming in Gloss Black and Monte Blanc White (or Snow cap white or something like that). She’s still got the steel chassis. Her tank holds 2.4 gallons of gas. She’s still got 12″ tires and should have a host of accessories available soon like the large barrel bag, wind screens, racks, alarm system, etc. Expect the GTS300 Super to show up on the floor with a $7000+ price tag though.

Big shout out to Motoblog.it (title link) for the details and a boatload of photos. Be sure to check out that ginormous (it’s a word) gage cluster.

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12 Responses to “Vespa GTS gets SUPERsized now nearly 300cc”

  1. GenWaylaid Says:
    8. May 2008 at 8:35 pm

    It may be an optical illusion, but the GTS seems to have a significantly shorter wheelbase than most scooters in the 250cc+ class. That would make it less of a freeway cruising maxi-scooter and more of a sporty, wheelie-loving hot rod.

    Reply

  2. Anonymous Says:
    9. May 2008 at 2:49 pm

    Torque is 22,3 newton/meters at 5000 rpm, power is 21,2 Hp; the color “montebianco” reminds of the highest italian mountain (Monte Bianco, on the Alps).
    Wheelbase of Vespa is short, it should be a urban traffic scooter (in Italy traffic jams are regular).

    Reply

  3. Anonymous Says:
    9. May 2008 at 3:06 pm

    I find it comical that anyone – manufacturer or rider – would think a $7,000, 278cc scooter is a good purchase decision.

    No brand is that sexy.

    Reply

  4. Ted Says:
    10. May 2008 at 4:56 am

    anonymous said: “No brand is that sexy.”

    LOL. I’m a GTS owner (bought it secondhand) and there are styling features of the 300 that really appeal to me, but your comment is the best version of “the Emperor is naked” I’ve heard in a long time.

    Well done.

    Reply

  5. aopaul Says:
    11. May 2008 at 12:30 am

    and here I was getting excited about getting a 125 vino… 300cc?! Jebus!

    Reply

  6. Anonymous Says:
    12. May 2008 at 6:35 pm

    I’m getting rid of my maxi-scoot when the Aprilia 850 Mana arrives in the USA next month and I absolutely need a Dragster 250 for the city and for scooter events. When will the Dragster 250 be available in the USA?

    Reply

  7. Anonymous Says:
    12. May 2008 at 6:56 pm

    Steve,

    You must check-out this bike by Derbi (Piaggio Corp owns Derbi and Vespa among other brands). I absolutely want a street-legal version of this little baby. seriously reminds me of the MadAss.

    100cc and automatic
    -Dudel

    http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/05/08/derbi-dh-20-motorcycle-mountain-bike-concept/

    http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/05/08/
    derbi-dh-20-motorcycle-mountain-bike-concept/

    Reply

  8. Steve Says:
    12. May 2008 at 7:08 pm

    Dudel! You’re not gonna believe this, but I’ve had that think pulled up in a browser tab for a week now, awaiting a moment to do a post on it.

    I’ve been really attracted to the slimline, almost mountain bike format lately. Even that one, the Honda Solo (http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/2007/08/honda-oddities-in-2003-introduces-solo.html)
    looks very appealing these days.

    I’m seeing definite benefits to keeping with a small displacement and reducing scooter bulk to gain performance. If you could cruise at 55 – 60mph on a tiny 100cc engine, and a portable little package… it’s a winner.

    I wonder what that Derbi is rated for, speedwise.

    Reply

  9. Dudel Says:
    12. May 2008 at 10:45 pm

    Steve,

    2008 Bangkok show:
    Check out this awesome Suzuki scooter

    http://farm3.static.flickr.com/
    2054/2391816446_21fb5a3d6a.jpg?v=0

    http://farm3.static.flickr.com/
    2133/2391814354_142d2145a9.jpg?v=0

    -Dudel

    Reply

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    14. May 2008 at 8:33 am

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  12. Anonymous Says:
    20. May 2008 at 6:22 pm

    ordered my white GTS300 yesterday….expect it sometime next month……..the joy of living in Europe!

    Reply

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