With a rich history dating back to 1946, Vespa almost immediately won over the hearts and minds of people all over the world. The evolution of that first Vespa 98 to their lineup today is an amazing story and one that has changed and adapted. Vespa rolled out its GTS Super 300 line last year with a new high-performance engine that is absolutely capable of riding long distances with ease.
Are Vespa Scooters Good for Long Rides?
With the advent of maxi-scooters (scooters with motorcycle displacement engines and similar performance), major manufacturers including Vespa have embraced this growing market segment. Over the years Vespa’s lineup has grown to include everything from urban grocery getters to electric scooters and ones with powerful enough engines for long open roads. The most important thing that’ll determine whether or not your Vespa is capable of touring is its engine size.
Vespas are available in 50cc, 150cc and 300cc options. While the 50cc Vespas don’t require a special license in most areas, and will easily get you around town, they are too small and slow for long trips. If you’re looking to drive on a highway or take a long trip, you’ll need at least a 250cc scooter which typically has a maximum speed of 75 mph. You’ll also want to make sure you get a windshield for your scooter if you’re planning a long trip that’ll include higher speeds.
A scooter may seem like an unlikely touring vehicle, but the GTS line is powerful enough that you can keep up on the highway and travel long distances, but small enough to throw around. It comes with an amazing amount of storage, has a reputation for being reliable, and gets great gas mileage; with a smaller gas tank you will most likely need to carry additional fuel or plan your trip accordingly though. Modern safety and comfort features also come stock on the entire GTS family.
Meet the Vespa GTS Super 300 HPE
The GTS Super is a unique ride. While iconically Italian, its 350-pound weight and 31-inch seat height blurs lines, is this a large around-town grocery getter, or a mini highway tourer? The answer is both! Powered by the latest evolution of the single-cylinder 4-stroke 300 cc engine with 4 valves, liquid-cooling and electronic injection, the 300 HPE (High Performance Engine) is the most powerful engine ever installed in a Vespa. With a maximum power of 17.5 kW (23.8 CV) at 8250 rpm, gear changes are incredibly smooth, no matter what the speed.
Riders who are looking for a little more power will love the new GTS Super which can handle long rides and touring with ease. Helpful electronics include LED lighting, traction control, a USB port, and bike finder device. The real selling point here is still the engine and “high performance” lives up to its name with enthusiastic acceleration and a top speed of 80 mph.
Dynamic, sporty, technological and very powerful, there are four versions available: Vespa GTS, GTS Super, GTS Touring and Vespa GTS Super Sport. Within these four are smaller iterations such as the Notte, Racing Sixties and the Sei Giorni.
Millions of Vespas travel the world giving people the opportunity to expand their borders beyond daily commuting. The perfect Vespa is waiting for you and we can help you find it. Check out our Vespas or give us a call at 303-308-1811.
