2019 Vespa GTS Super Notte review

I'm not going to bang on about Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn exploring Italy's capital on a Vespa in Roman Holiday, nor am I going to wax lyrical about Italy's finely honed sense of style – if you love Vespa scooters and the rich heritage they represent, you're going to love this Vespa GTS Super Notte.

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Vespa isn't averse to the odd limited-edition twist on its traditional model platforms, and that's exactly what the GTS Super Notte is. Actually it's one of a pair of Nottes – there's also a 150cc Sprint Notte, which is a great alternative for those happy to confine their travel to the urban jungle (and who have a tighter budget: it's $8090 ride away, as opposed to $10,590 ride away for the GTS Super Notte).

This GTS Super Notte, on the other hand, has a 278cc single-cylinder engine packing 22hp (15.8kW) and 22.3Nm, compared to 12.9hp (9.5kW) and 12.8Nm for the Sprint, meaning its capabilities extend to motorways and highways too, if required.

I should know: about 90 per cent of my daily 100-kilometre commute is conducted on motorway, with a portion of that with a 110km/h posted limit – and the GTS Super Notte takes it in its stride.

Of course, anyone with an interest in Italy that extends beyond pizza may well have noted that 'notte' is Italian for 'night', which ties in all rather nicely with this scoot's 'midnight matte black' aesthetic.

The matt black bodywork and muffler is complemented by midnight (gloss) black wheel rims, mirror stems and housings, 'bar-ends and pillion grabrail, the latter with hallmark Notte emblem.

Beyond the cosmetics, this limited-edition model is essentially like any other current Vespa GTS Super, which is to say it gets along really well.

Don't write off this Notte's modest output figures – it weighs two-fifths of stuff-all and even with a 100-kilogram me behind the 'bars, it surges away from a standing start, any four-or-more-wheeled traffic soon shrinking in its mirrors after the lights turn green.

There's also entirely adequate torque for mixing it with city traffic, and even on the open road it'll hold the posted limit with ease, with a bit in reserve.

Given the length and nature of my commute, the prospect of a scooter review often fills me with a degree of dread – anything under 150cc and you're really at the mercy of other traffic at speeds over, say, 80km/h – but that's not the case with this Notte.

Better still, while it holds its own on fast arterials, it's virtually as handy as any other lower-capacity scooter when it comes to agility and maneuverability. Slim, light and with a super-tight turning circle, it's so easy to cut through traffic snarls on this thing, an attribute made all the easier by its low-slung direct-drive engine and the low centre of gravity it promotes.

While the prospect of barreling along at 110km/h in peak hour traffic on a scooter may not engender enthusiasm for many, the GTS Super Notte is actually quite stable and composed at that speed, its relatively basic suspension (non-adjustable front, four-stage preload adjustment at the rear) soaking up the bumps and dips nicely, and certainly nicely for a two-wheeler with 12-inch rims.

The brakes are strong, with a 220mm disc with twin-piston caliper front and rear, and they're backed by a two-channel ABS system.

That brings me to another point – contrary to any Vespa's retro lines, these days they're packed with an impressive array of tech, with this particular model sporting not only ABS, but switchable traction control, an electronic seat release, LED daytime running lights and a 'Bike Finder' function on an ignition fob that flashes the scooter's indicators. That's in addition to an immobiliser, an USB charging port in the glove box and a tilt sensor, which shuts off the engine in the event of a spill.

There's also a small digital display beneath the large analogue speedo, with fuel level, trip meter, odometer and the time, but there's no trip computer as such.

There's the usual hook on the back of the front fairing for holding a shopping bag and a good amount of room under the seat, although it will only accept an open-face helmet, and not a full-face one.

There's a centrestand in addition to the sidestand, and it takes hardly any effort to get the Notte up on the former.

Over the course of this test I achieved an average fuel economy of 3.8L/100km, which equates with a safe range of around 220 kilometres from the 9.5-litre tank.

On a related subject, the fuel filler – found just aft of the storage compartment after flipping up the front-hinged seat unit – can easily catch out the unwary, shooting fuel back up the filler and potentially over anything you're carrying in the underseat storage if you're not careful.

Other gripes? The matt black colour scheme looks great, I think, but it really shows up the dirt, dust and grime, and the horn could do with a bit more oomph. Oh, and I found the indicator switch a bit tricky to operate when, on colder days, I was wearing heavier gloves.

That is the sole gripe to emerge after nearly 800 kilometres of commuting, which makes a statement for itself. Yes, at $10,590 ride away the Vespa GTS Super Notte isn't the cheapest scooter going, not by a long shot. But then, if you're into the Vespa brand, you already knew that. It does, however, do everything a scooter should do, and do it well – and with all that Vespa style in spades.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-valve, single-cylinder
Capacity: 278cc
Bore x stroke: 75mm x 63mm
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 22hp (15.8kW) at 7500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 22.3Nm at 5000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: CVT automatic

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel
Front suspension: Single arm, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Twin shocks, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Single 220mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS
Rear brake: Single 220mm disc with twin-piston caliper, ABS
Tyres: Maxxis – front 120/70-12, rear 130/70-12

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Seat height: 790mm
Wheelbase: 1370mm
Fuel capacity: 9.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $10,590 ride away
Test bike supplied by: Vespa Australia
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres