Vespa GTS 250

I've had my Vespa (actually a GTV250, the one with the low level front headlight,apart from that it's mechanically identical to the GTS250) for two years now. Let me say that I've ridden big bikes for most of my life, including a string of classic Nortons and Triumphs. I've been doing agancy work in the city of Melbourne for the last year and I've done most of my commuting on the Vespa, parking is always available and is free! I've ridden it for 7000 kms so far.

This scooter is just nothing like the old Lambrettas I rode many years ago. It has a CV transmission as well as being a fuel injected, overhead cam, water cooled, 4 stroke scooter with disc brakes at both ends and an electric start!

Above all, it's reliable. The starter motor turns over confidently and the motor chuffs along in a very respectable fashion, much like a bigger 4 stroke single would. It feels so much more than your average 250 4 stroke single, and yet it is also very smooth. It is clearly a very well thought out unit. I like the way the Fuel injection has a slight whistle, much like a bigger bike. The standard exhaust doesn't really sound very manly, but I've kept it that way for reliability.

Amazingly, slower big bikes such as Harley Sportsters don't stand a chance away from the lights. The CVT transmission helps here, you're still pulling whilst the bike rider is shifting gears.

The handling is really, really good. That is, if your tyres are new and warmed up. Otherwise, the scoot sometimes feels a little less than planted with worn, cold tyres. Also, you should check the pressures frequently as they do lose pressure quite quickly.High wind will also let you know that you're riding a smaller bike. Especially at high speed. 130 km/hr is the fastest I've ridden it so far.

With a pillion, it seems to lose a lot of it's zest for acceleration, but then, it is a 250. The pillion pegs are positioned, by the way,too far forward for most people's comfort.

It is fuel efficient, uses a small amount of oil and is easy to service. The styling and appearance is rather good. Quality overall, is excellent, with one or two gripes. The speedo is hopelessly optimistic. (harder to get a ticket, I suppose) The side stand has the Italian side stand curse. Beware, it's just as dangerous as a Ducati sidestand! Some of the parts are sourced from India, I believe. I notice that it's these same parts that don't match up to the quality of the Italian stuff. Like, for example, the brake fluid reservoirs(tarnished) speedometer, Chromeware (keep it clean!) and both centre and sidestands are just OK.

It is a hoot to drive, but it somehow manages to feel like a much bigger bike when you're on the move. The chassis is well set up and the suspension feels just right also. I've had no issues with the bike wallowing, as other reviewers have. It's the go for shopping, especially if you cook a lot and need to make several short journeys! I've got the topbox, underseat storage and the very useful 'hook' behind the shields. I stow my helmet in the topbox.

The price is high, but I think that the Vespa is one of the best scooters out there, plus it's really nicely designed, presented and very well built. Pride of ownership must count for something too. I also notice that here in Melbourne, the modern Vespa has a really good resale.

Highly recommended, and as much fun as my '70 Bonneville

I've bought a well used 2ndhand GTS 250 for my daily commute. It's my first scooter coming from a big bike background. I really like the style and manoeuvrability of this machine around town combined with it's ability to hold it's own on a dual carriageway or motorway. You can exceed it's top speed of 80mph going downhill, but uphill on a d/c or motorway the speed can easily drop to 70mph or less especially if there's a headwind. The automatic transmission works very well, and the headlight is a lot better than a 50cc Vespa. Overall I would say that it's one of the best scooters out there, but it's not a motorbike, so I don't think I'll be selling my Blackbird just yet.

I love the look of the Vespa 250 GTS and have enjoyed riding it for the last couple of years.

BUT despite FSH the engine has just seized days after a service and having its fuel injector replaced.

I've already had to replace the rusty exhaust and the ECU is broken.

It's only done 17k.

Two garages told me they are poorly made and don't last much longer than their warranty.

After a year and half tearing around central London I've put my GTS 250 to the test. Definitely a better looking scooter than some of the boring looking Yamaha's and Honda's, although the smaller wheels on the Vespa make for a rougher ride.

I bought it new but from the off noticed it's uses up a fair amount of oil, so regular checks needed. The speedo cable snapped at 4000 miles and was a total nightmare to replace in terms of stripping the bike down for such a basic repair. It's been knocked over a few times but my side protection bars have saved the bodywork and amazingly no damage at all...very good investment those bars!

The side stand scrapes the road if I bank hard to the left which scares the life out of me. The rear suspension bottoms out on hard bumps even though I only weigh 12 stone. Add a passenger and the suspension doesn't feel up to the job. It's a heavy, springy bike and almost boat like in handling when responding to hard riding but great for gentle street cruising.

Very quick off the lights, much to the surprise of bigger bikes, and easy to control when braking hard. Mine has an annoying front brake steering wobble whenever I carry shopping bags on the luggage hook between my legs.

The rear swing arm is totally shot after hitting too many pot holes in town. I've been quoted £400 for the repair but put the damage down to dreadful London road conditions rather than a weakness on the bike. The electric saddle lock lasted about 6000 miles and now needs regular prodding with a screwdriver. I leave it empty and unlocked which avoids damage from opportunists in search of free helmet...not that a standard size lid fits in the under seat storage bizarrely??

Despite it's faults I'm very fond of my GTS and it's good to feel part of the Vespa community, rather than ride some bland forgettable scooter even if that maybe the more practical choice.

Great bike. Not only for fun but also for longer term trips. Excellent points: engine, fuel economy, look, handling. Bad points: small under seat space

had her for 2 years now. Covered nearly 12000 miles as used daily for a 40 mile round trip commute. Engine sweet as with usual italian plastic build niggles. Wheel wobble awful if you hold on with one hand!!!!! Returns 70-76 miles per gallon. Uses more oil than the norm as half of my trip to work can be done at between 50-60 mph. Rear tyre prone to punctures. Would recommend though as real fun to drive.

Great up to date handling, thumping engine very reliable very efficient, made an IOW run from Leeds quick & easy - its taken years to find a scooter with the looks to do that.

On the other side of things service is expensive and the standard exhaust's keep going but do go tatty pretty quick, (250 new with an extra 15 for the gasket) and look out they like to rust underneath!

My advice is to buy at the right price best vgc second hand with a bit of warranty left 2k to 2.5k is about right for over a year old.

I've had my Vespa GTS 250 for over 2 years now after owning several (still do) older Vespas. Its a dramatic change in terms of a 4stroke engine as oppossed to Vespas classic 2 stroke. Fuel injection and water cooling are something you didn't see before as well making it a machine capable of speeds in excess of 80mph! Handling is also greatly improved and I've had someone stop me in the street impressed with its looks. This Vespa heralds the new style we have to embrace with the new pollution laws being rife, but keeps in line with the iconic styling we know and love. Only down features being no more interchangable wheels which means no more spare. Would love this to be rectified along with reinstating a kickstart in case of battery failure. Overall though this scooter moves Vespa in to the bigger touring scooter range. Oh and you can't help smiling whilst rinding it!

Smartalec

Vespa GTS 250 is a fantastic machine, only critic is a bit wobbly when there is much wind.

The iconic status of the Vespa GTS is not just a PR stunt or image-making for the sake of it. Sitting in its comfortable seat then riding this machine made of pressed steel instead of plastic immediately communicates the enormous chasm between Japanese plastic and Italian soul. But the Vespa turns out to be just as reliable as any Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha, and the Piaggio 244cc engine and clutch delivers the smoothest power delivery and the chassis the best, most planted feel of any scooter I have driven, including Piaggio's own excellent X8 and Suzuki's Burgman.

Just three minutes on the Vespa will make you understand why this scooter really is the perfectly formed, exquisite piece of engineering it promises to be when you look at its simple beauty side-on before you climb aboard.

Everything is perfectly placed, from the elegant drop down glove box, to the neat recess for the toolkit, the superb pull out pillion pegs,and the intelligently sited controls. Critics of its "lack" of under-seat storage should consider how compromised the look of this beautiful object would be, and the seating comfort, if it was to fit two full face helmets. In fact the underseat storage is fine for a good two days worth of shopping or supplies, and the snug and generous vespa top box is the answer to more space, plus the option for a front luggage rack which if anything enhances the looks even more.

The only criticism might be the price, because in all other respects this Scooter is utterly sublime with its great handling, excellent ride and a stunning engine which smoothly accelerates you to speeds which no scooter of this size would be believed possible of achieving until you experience it. Keeping up with all but the most pressing and illegal motorway traffic is effortless, and on most A and B roads the Vespa can out-manoeuvre nearly everything on the road. It really is that good.

You can solve the price problem easily: Buy the GTS with a thousand miles on the clock and let the first buyer take the depreciation hit. There are plenty of second hand GTS's available. I saved £1500 by not buying new.

This scooter has given me easily the most fun I have ever had on two wheels, so much so that I am now selling my other machines and might even make do with just the Vespa, because it is versatile, comfy, a hoot to ride, beautiful to look at, simple to run and a pleasure to own.