2023 Vespa GTS 300 Overview [Scooter Testing in Italy]

There are some things that Italy discovered way back: pink sauce on pasta, the Pope in foolish hats, and Vespas in Rome. Ought to you may have the great fortune of waking up within the boot-shaped nation’s historic capital metropolis, you’ll undoubtedly need to see its breathtaking landmarks in brief order. One might lace up their sneakers and hoof it, however that’s pedestrian. Hailing a cab and holding on for expensive life isn’t a poor alternative, although universally taxing. After all, it’s powerful to be beat scooting to the sights on the 2023 Vespa GTS 300.A stone’s throw away from St. Peter’s Basilica within the quiet residential neighborhood of Aurelio, we met up with the met the 4 trim ranges hoisted on their centerstands—the GTS 300 ($7799), GTS 300 Tremendous ($7999), GTS 300 SuperSport ($8099), and GTS 300 SuperTech ($8499). They’re all practically an identical, differentiated solely by visible tweaks. The SuperTech does ascend to the prime quality with its full-color TFT show, plus a carpeted storage compartment with an inside LED mild.The only member of the Granturismo Sport household set to grace American shores, the 2023 GTS 300 is the most important wasp in Vespa’s nest and flexing fairly a number of updates. The elegant step-through unibody design borders on nationwide satisfaction for passionate Pontedera staffers, who chiseled barely sharper edges into its iconic curves. A brand new tie, mudguard, mirrors, crest, redesigned five-spoke wheels, and all-around LED lighting prime the aesthetic lists with out straying from well-guarded traditions.Tech and refinement are on the agenda this yr, beginning with a brand new analog/LCD sprint and the full-color TFT show unique to the GTS 300 SuperTech trim. The TFT show unlocks the true potential of the Vespa MIA app, together with navigation, although purists may really feel the normal speedo is a greater match. Keyless ignition additionally opens the glovebox and under-seat storage. Additionally, there’s a bike-finder characteristic—useful when it appears each different scooter in Italy is a Vespa.Saddling up on the narrowed seat is the place issues are seen and felt. A wider handlebar recollects Vespas of previous with chromed plastic switchgear covers, although steel would please the senses and be as much as snuff with the entire ensemble. As soon as cobbled collectively from a post-war aviation components bin, the model’s quintessential trailing-link entrance suspension now incorporates a stability-enhancing pull rod.These information swirled in my jet-lagged thoughts whereas blasting previous quaint nook cafés throughout a brisk Roman morning. It turns into clear by way of the blur that it takes all of two blocks to gel with the 2023 Vespa GTS 300 and underscores why practically each Italian man, lady, or little one isn’t any stranger to the scooter.Round a number of bends and down one of many many historic routes, we put the revised suspension by way of its paces on the well-worn cobblestone streets in entrance of the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, commissioned by Pope Paul V in 1612 to mark the terminus of the restored Acqua Paola aqueduct. It introduced much-needed contemporary water to Janiculum Hill, whose residents as soon as relied on the sullied River Tiber for his or her each day wants.The Vespa’s entrance finish tracked alongside the century-old pavers with higher precision than any wasp I’ve scampered round on prior. It gobbles up hits with the identical enthusiasm I’ve for diavola pizza because the breathed-on twin hydraulic shocks work admirably. In the meantime, vacationers took in what I’d argue is likely one of the finest views in Rome.Vespa’s origins as a sensible individuals mover ring more true than ever and are highlighted when crossing into the town heart. An ultra-low heart of gravity leaves nothing to be desired within the maneuverability division when wrestling congested visitors close to Vatican Metropolis.If motorsport is a faith in Italy, then lane splitting is certainly one of its many gospels, as scooters take to the streets as if armed with a prophet’s safety. From the GTS 300’s snug perch and using its ample steering sweep, we fell in with locals who demonstrated that Saint Ayrton Senna’s phrases, “If you happen to now not go for a spot that exists, you’re now not a racing driver,” are heeded each day whereas weaving previous the Coliseum.Returning to the fold are normal security options of ABS and traction management, marketed as ASR by the Italian agency. Since a superb portion of its 347 kilos is distributed over the again finish, the rear brake helps you drop anchor to keep away from obstacles corresponding to inattentive vacationers. Grabbing a handful of the binders isn’t met with sharp intrusion or chew, with single-piston Nissin and ByBre calipers doing their work whenever you give the levers a yank.With no shifting to occupy your schools, the totally computerized CVT permits you the liberty to reside your life because the Romani. A hand is free to carry a cigarette or gesticulate wildly on the first signal of a minor visitors slight, whereas a telephone is lodged between your face and the cheek pads of your locked-open modular or open-face helmet. It occurs so usually that you simply’d assume it’s on the licensing assessments.Powering the GTS 300 is a 278cc single-cylinder four-stroke mill with loads of city-going gumption, a claimed 24 horsepower to 19 ft-lbs of torque, which nets roughly 75 mph on the speedometer when dicing it up with colleagues. Whacking it vast open from a standstill is sufficient to really feel a smidge of CVT belt slippage, however nothing I’d write residence about. After all, a Vespa can shortly flap its wings within the tightknit city surroundings, however the Vespone (which suggests “massive one”) has sufficient puff to keep up a useful tempo within the countryside and sip solely what seems to be thimblefuls of its 2.2-gallon gas tank.Winding by way of curvy backroads that might hold any knee-dragging sportbike rider occupied for a Sunday afternoon, we aimed our handlebars in direction of the picturesque Lake Bracciano. A beautiful volcanic lake on the Roman outskirts, it’s noticed with quaint villages and eateries to get your fill between summer time dips within the water.That is the place the grand touring side of the GTS goes past mere labeling, as its freeway-capable speeds and ample storage come into focus. Drop your provisions below the seat or deck out your scoot with further racks and circumstances to vindicate these claims. The one cargo gripes I can communicate to are these: It will possibly get slightly toasty within the underseat storage as a consequence of engine proximity. Don’t retailer dairy in there, or do since you reside on the sting. Additionally, at this worth level, all fashions ought to have the LED lighting and carpeting of the SuperTech.After all, anybody who has perused our wonderful Purchaser’s Guides is aware of {that a} practically $8k beginning worth will get you fairly a bit of bike. You may purchase a trio of Vespa clones or take the Pontedera manufacturing facility pilgrimage whilst you’re at it. Cultural cachet is hard to purchase lately, not to mention the sort that comes from being the precise car of post-war reconstruction. What started as a cost-effective manner for Italian residents to start out over grew to become the wheels of change by way of the ’60s and ’70s and was since lifted by its countrymen atop a Roman pedestal. And that’s well worth the worth of admission for its devotees.A cultural icon, the 2023 Vespa GTS 300 stays. If you happen to’re seeking to get one stateside, they’re arriving in dealerships now.Motion pictures by Alberto Cervetti and Marco ZamponiRIDING STYLE

• Helmet: Arai Regent-X
• Jacket: Alpinestars Solano
• Gloves: Alpinestars Morph
• Denims: Alpinestars Copper V2
• Boots: Alpinestars Radon Drystar

2023 Vespa GTS 300 Overview Picture Gallery