Menus
- Hornet of cities and fields
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- Highway
- Departmental
- Braking
- Convenient
- Comfort / Duo
- Consumption
- Conclusion
Hornet of cities and fields
What is most like a Vespa GTS? another Vespa GTS! The formula seems to be obvious but not so much as the scooter exists in a 125 cm3, 125 cm3 Sport version but also 300 cm3! And frankly, there is nothing more similar than all these versions of GTS, except the colors. And indeed, all the models share the same steel frame and shell with reinforcements .. but the 300 benefits from the Quasar 4T 4-valve single-cylinder 278 cm3 injection against the 124 cm3 of its little brother … for the double price ? well no, since the 300 cm3 is only 400 euros more expensive … just under the symbolic bar of 5,000 euros. A good deal ? Test…
Discovery
In the Vespa family I ask for the GTS … Touring … 300! The GTS is indeed available via no less than five models with the Super, Supersport both in 125 and 300 cm3 and in this final variation with the GTS Touring 300 ie.
The exterior template remains strictly the same, down to the smallest detail, from the hull, to the dashboard to the 12-inch wheels. We therefore find the very 60s vintage look of the GTS and an elegant, purely Italian line. We find the whole Vespa history and the global tradition with a meticulous finish from start to finish: from the Vespa logo on the radiator grille and the central Piaggio logo duplicated on the front fender to the Vespa branded handles.
We find the typical headlight of the Vespa models, oblong and slightly inclined towards the rear, so typical as well as the usual floor – almost flat – with non-slip rubber blades on which the feet find a large place. There is also the central hook behind the apron which allows to hang a huge bag. The metallic passenger footrests are easily removable. The Touring model is dressed in addition to a folding rear rack in metal and rarer a front rack also in metal that can accommodate a weight of 4 kilos..
The saddle is more pronounced than the standard model with its stitched seams and the rider is now protected by a medium size screen with a furiously sixties look.
At the rear, we find the large rectangular "Old School" headlight so characteristic of Vespa, framed by the enormous indicators integrated into the metal hull and which overhangs the touring package carrier..
In the saddle
We find ourselves just as naturally as usual on the Vespa models with an ideal spacing of the handles and a good seat with a very upright position. The feet are perched on the end; the fault of a high saddle of 790 mm. Fortunately, the weight remains particularly contained at 148 kilos dry, the same as that of the 125 cm3! Suddenly, the first impression gives a feeling of extreme lightness for a 300 cm3. The front even seems particularly light, almost too mobile and floating..
Under the eyes, we find a traditional and simplified dashboard, with a speedometer, a fuel gauge, an oil temperature gauge, a totalizer and a partial trip, not to mention the tiny digital clock. No frills here, just the essentials.
Contact
The 300 snorts with barely more noise than the 125. A hit on the throttle immediately propels the scooter which reacts instantly. This was already the case with the 125 cm3, prompt at the slightest request, but it is still exaggerated here by the additional horses for an identical weight, with therefore a much better weight / power ratio..
Because the 300 develops 22 horses against 14.9 for the 125 and these horses are much lower at only 7,500 rpm against 9,750 rpm for the little brother. It would be almost destabilizing especially since the steering is light in comparison. !
In the city
The 125cc Sport was already pleasant in the city. Particularly lively, the 300 cm3 is a real pleasure, offering the same ease of weight and handling as the little brother but with a very clear improvement in terms of power. Suddenly, we get out of red lights like a bullet and we adopt a much more aggressive driving with more speed to squeeze between vehicles. The acceleration is frank and direct, responding instantly to the slightest request of the throttle. No bigger, the GTS sneaks perfectly everywhere and all the more so as its mirrors pass perfectly above those of the cars. The maneuverability is at the rendezvous with an excellent turning radius, reinforced by a featherweight, which allows to consider all the maneuvers, without setting foot on the ground, at the lowest speeds. We sometimes find ourselves in perilous conditions, the scooter encouraging to drive faster … or even worse..
Braking is pleasant, offering a good feeling and good power. If the two 220 mm discs were oversized for the 125, they are just here for the 300. At authorized speed, they are more than sufficient. On the other hand, at less reasonable speed and in case of emergency, they are a short hair, especially in the absence of ABS and with a handlebar which reacts noticeably to very heavy braking..
Highway
When the 125 quickly reached its maximum around 100 km / h, the 300 gained 25 km / h better, capable of exceeding 135 km / h on the flat, or even a little more downhill. But in reality, you will rarely exceed 120 km / h, not for a reason of power, because the 300 is easily rated at 120 km / h, but because of the bubble of the Touring model which generates a slight unpleasant shimmy. above this speed … shimmy which will be even stronger in windy conditions. But if necessary, and in particular to overtake a truck, you can easily and safely overtake another vehicle so as not to remain hidden behind..
Departmental
With excellent acceleration and very good times, even at 90 km / h in duo, the GTS 300 is more than at ease on small departmental roads, able to envisage a duo weekend with the road without issue. And with its fishing offered by its displacement and its power, you can still lose points on your license with its top speed. The GTS is quite stable but offers a rather light steering. Suddenly, the large curves require a little attention and vigilance to be taken at a sustained pace and without the whole moving too much..
Braking
We find the progressiveness and the excellent feeling of the braking provided by the GTS 125. The two displacements indeed share the same 220 mm discs and the same technique, resulting in the same behavior. On the other hand, without ABS or combined braking and with the power provided by the 300, braking excellence finds its limits here and is not at all oversized..
Convenient
The glove box is again an example of its kind. Easily open at the front, it can accommodate cards, gloves, and a compact camera in a particularly practical way.
The saddle opens electrically via a push-button at the front and thus does not require removing the key from the switch. The space under the saddle, elongated, can accommodate a jet helmet, but not an A4 shirt in width. This is where the front and rear rack racks come in handy, capable of accommodating small boxes, not to mention floor space. Unless you want to protect a laptop from the rain, the top case is therefore not an obligation here..
Like its little brother, the GTS 300 has a side stand in addition to the center stand. The central stand being particularly easy, it is this mode of parking that is preferred in 90% of cases. But the side stand comes in handy before pushing the scooter into the garage. Be careful though! the side stand has an automatic return, very practical when starting, but a little less when you have pushed the scooter and it has retracted by itself in the meantime.
Finally, the five-spoke wheels make it easy to place a lock when stationary; which is not the case with all scooters. We also note the anti-theft ring integral with the frame.
Comfort / Duo
The GTS 300 is just as comfortable as the 125, for both rider and passenger. Sure, it benefits from a long and wide saddle, but the two rear hydraulic shock absorbers adjustable in preload to 4 positions do an excellent job of erasing the defects of the road..
Consumption
The fuel gauge is still as precise as ever, falling to half after 120 kilometers and then to the reserve after 180 km, with a reserve witness in support. The tank then fills up with 6.7 liters, with still a good fifty kilometers of autonomy thanks to the 9.2-liter tank. With a consumption of 4 liters / cent in the city, the GTS thus offers even better autonomy than its little brother 125 with nearly 230 kilometers.
The fuel cap is located under the seat. Beware of overflows when filling, even if the anti-reflux system is well done. In fact, if the pump is properly pushed in, it will stop automatically and there will be no backflow. On the other hand, if you want to put in until the last drop, you must take out the gun and the risk is important while the excess gasoline flows in the trunk..
Conclusion
As much as the GTS 125 was expensive at 4,499 euros, the GTS 300 Touring seems like a good deal at only 4,840 euros. With less than 400 euros of difference with the 125 cm3, the owners of the license A will not even ask the question and will opt directly and with reason for the higher displacement, the latter bringing only advantages, in particular in terms of performance. , while offering all the Vespa history and practicality in its Touring version. We then benefit from a style and despite everything discretion with a model that is not too ostentatious which should not attract too much attention either..
Strong points
- really punchy engine
- Vespa style / look
Weak points
- instrumentation
- practical aspects
The technical sheet of the Vespa GTS 300
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