Vespa GTS300 Super

Vespa GTS300 Super

Not so much

Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
Engine/chassis: 4.5/5.0
Price, packaging and practicality: 4.0/5.0
Behind the bars: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 4.0/5.0

OVERVIEW
Italian scooter behemoth Piaggio, the parent company of Vespa, knows how to keep 'em coming. Since it was founded in 1946 by Enrico Piaggio, whose vision for personal mobility in post WWII Italy was with a machine where the engine (and associated choking fumes) was behind him, the company has released 145 separate Vespa models, which averages out to about 2.33 new additions a year.

That's quite a prolific output, not forgetting the company has always produced scooters under its own name, with Gilera and Derbi also recently falling under its umbrella.

According to the latest sales figures, the Piaggio family (sans Derbi, which isn't brought into Australia) has about 23 percent of the scooter market in Australia with a depth of range that is unrivalled - including the MP3 250, MP3 400 and Gilera Fuoco three wheelers.

The latest cab off the Tuscan rank is the Vespa GTS300 Super, which is based on the popular GTS250ie -- apart from one major difference.

With a displacement of 278cc, thanks to an increase in both bore and stroke, it's the largest capacity Vespa in history, claiming more torque (22.3Nm as opposed to 20Nm) than the GTS250ie, all produced at a lower rpm (5000).

The torque increase won't leave you breathless, but our jaunt through the maze of inner-Sydney roads confirmed Vespa is on a winner - the Super is a more enterprising commuter than the GTS250ie.

The Super wears sportier lines than its predecessor, starting with a chromed grab rail replacing the bulky rear rack on the 250. The Super also has five-spoke, two-tone alloy wheels (black is the dominant colour), a vented rear quarter panel, a retro seat with white piping, and all-analogue instrumentation.

The Super is now on sale in black or white, with a red variant to go on sale early next year.

The GTS250ie will continue to be sold alongside the Super.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The Super sticks to the standard theme on accessories, offering all the options we've come to expect from Piaggio, including a colour-matched top box, "hot cover" (a modern take on the lap rug - nothing too saucy); electronic alarm; flyscreen; windscreen; footrest mat; and mudguard protector. There is also a bike cover.

There are two seats on offer - the "Touring" fitted as standard; and the "Sport" for those who want to go it alone.

The Super, like all Vespas, has an all-steel body, and it's also got flip-out pillion pegs, 220mm discs front and rear, and preload adjustment on the rear suspension.

We've already touched on torque, but the Super also dishes out a claimed 15.8kW, which is the same as the GTS250ie.

The single-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled four-valve fuel-injected engine is Euro 3 compliant, and passes on its energy through a CVT gearbox and centrifugal clutch. There is also a three-way catalytic converter.

The Super retails for $8990, which is only $200 more than GTS250ie -- although the 250 is now being offered for $7990 during the current 'Summer of Vespa' promotion.

COMPETITORS
Models ranging from 50-125cc currently dominate the local scooter market, with favourable licensing laws in some states (people can ride 50cc scooters on car licences) one of the reasons, as well as price point factors.

Vespas have traditionally been the domain of the more judicious consumer and, as such, the Super will not rocket to the top of the scooter sales chart - there is just not enough maturity in the market.

Part of the sales answer could lie within. According to Simon Gloyne, the Brand Manager at Vespa Australia, a number of people who purchased the GTS250ie were updating from the already very capable GT200.

That buying pattern may repeat itself, with current GTS250ie devotees moving up to the Super, but only time will tell.

ON THE ROAD
The Super has smooth and impressive response from the get-go, and even some fairly steep inclines in the Sydney CBD were only of minor nuisance value. Roll-on comparisons with a GTS250ie only confirmed the Super as the new "powerbroker" at Vespa.

Conditions were atrocious for the launch, with extremely high winds, rain squalls and the odd hail storm. Despite the unpalatable conditions (the coldest October day in 45 years!), uncompromising traffic and dodgy potholed roads, the Supers remained steadfast, remaining on top of their game even when some of the riders were feeling the pinch.

In fact, the Super had a lot more energy to release, and it would also be a great companion on more open roads.

Really, this is generational change at work because, on top of the power hike over the GTS250ie, the Super just feels more responsive and accommodating across the board. It's certainly greater than the sum of its parts, and undoubtedly the new boss cocky at Vespa.