Review Update: 2023 Vespa GTS Super Sport after 2,500 Miles 

II love your Videos. Great Job!!!

Good to see you, my friend, love your videos, and your sense of humor, I ride at 2007 GTS 250, I love it. I write it 25 mile commute in Pismo Beach every day Pismo Paul.

I had 2010 GTS 300, bought in June to see if I’d like a Vespa scooter well enough to get a new (newish) one. It was great. Old technology with a few quirks, but great. Found a ‘21 with nearly new miles, bought it and sold the’10 in August. Love the ‘21. All works well, except a glitchy fuel gauge. Oil dipstick location is stupid. Eh, it’s Italian. You asked for thoughts about adventure bikes. I had a 2020 Royal Enfield Himalayan. Rode it to Utah and back from North Carolina in ‘20 during Covid. Great trip! Bike was fine, but low powered. Then I bought a 2016 Honda Africa Twin, loved it. Excellent for road trips. Also, bought a 2017 BMW GS 1200. Kept both to ride back and forth to decide which to keep. Tough decision but sold the AT. I’d buy another one in a heart beat if I was in the market. The GS is a spectacular bike. Big, great road bike, loaded with features. Then I discovered Vespas. In the end, had the ‘21 GTS 300 and the GS 1200 at the same time. When I had a chance to ride, always took the GTS. More fun to ride, easy, chill, great for mountain twisty roads here in western NC. So, sold the GS 1200. I don’t have a chance to take longer road trips very often. Adventure bikes like the Africa Twin and the GS 1200 are perfect for that. For me, my situation currently, love the GTS 👍 I’ve had many different motorcycles. All (most anyway) were great and fit my interests at those times. After all that, for you Bug if you’re going to long haul ride, adventure bike for sure. That’s the only thing the GTS wouldn’t be very good for. I would go for longish rides though. Just not across the country. I’d get more in the size of an 700cc or larger. Smaller than that will leave you wishing for more. There’s the new Honda Trans Alp, that would likely be a good choice. I’d consider it as an all rounder if I ever decide to get something else besides the GTS. If you’re not a snob and are good with well loved used bikes, I’d get any Africa Twin. The 2016 and subsequent years of that iteration are fantastic. And you can get pretty cheap - that’s my best suggestion for a cross country bike.

Thanks for the review. Now I can cross Vespa off my list. Did purchase a 2023 Honda Monkey 125Z. Gas mileage low 114 mpg, high 140 mpg had since June of 2023 and 2,000 miles no problems at all and it is a joy to ride. Now 80 and so got rid of my big heavy bike and this 221 lb mini moto is just right. I cruise at 45-50 mph with so throttle left over and with the 5 speed that shifts so GOOD, very happy with the purchase. And the speedo is exactly right and the seat is the best. Thanks for the review.

Appreciate the review, really more realistic than with new shiny toys.

nice review, thanks

Love the Run DMC nod. Respect!

Thank you. Nice to hear a realistic review of the Vespa. Still want one though.....

I have a 23 300. The seat is awesome and I'm 73 years old. If my old ass doesn't hurt after 100 miles then that has to be a good seat. The switches suck, I agree. Keep up the good videos. Thanks

Feel for you man. Riding in low temp sucks! Maybe a road trip down south might be the trick. the turn signal switch is useless, i do not know if i ever indicate without looking at the dash. would i swap my Vespa? NEVER I SAY it always put a smile on my dial when im out riding! you rock man. Ride safe

The squeak sounds like a good time with my lady friend 😊

a scooter 50 cc chinees from 2012 and go from Amsterdam to spain speed is 33 km so in joy it 🛵🛵🛵⛽ lots off fun

Holy Shit! (sorry, forgot PG13). You crack me up. Having a few beers and maybe a Jameson with you would be a blast. I love my '21 Sei Giorni but the things you point out are gonna cause me some ADD. Regardless, thanks for the fun videos, stay safe, enjoy the Holidays.

Dude. Im giving U a like on every video. Thats a promise:) Rock on, dude!

CB500X is an awesome little bike and I highly recommend it. I have a 2022 model and I am very happy with it. As you know, there are a few million videos here on YT reviewing that bike and I watched them all, I believe. But if I need to pick one that explains everything one should know about the CB500X, it would be this one by our brother Dork: "I WISH This Had Been My First Motorcycle: Honda CB500X 1000 Mile Review". And if you are buying it, I recommend 2022-23 model years but even older ones will serve you well. For the year 2024 Honda rebadged CB500X to NX500 however it is not clear when that model will be available in North America. Good luck!

Thanks for a balanced and amusing review. As to the CB500X....yes, try one! It's a great all rounder with enough poke to be fun but will still easily carry all your gear on a tour. It's been replaced by the NX500 this year - differences are mainly cosmetic. There should be some good deals on the outgoing CB500X, which is prettier than its NX successor. Just a thought..... also try out the Honda ADV 350 (the 'motorcyclists' scooter') - you might be won over by it.

I just bought a 2017 Vespa 300 GTS Super - my third scooter. I have a Yamaha Majesty (YP400) and a Kimco Yager 200. I'd consider as 400cc scooter over a motorcycle :-)

I've got a black 2023 Vespa GTS with much the same problem with the switches. It clicks when you turn left, but nothing when turning right, just feels really cheap, where the 2017 GTS I had before had no squeaks or rattles at all. Even after 7 years it still felt better quality than my new one

Get a Honda NC750X DCT and keep the Vespa. I toured on my 2019 NC750X with Givi hard cases no problem and it gets the same mileage as the Vespa. But I had a Honda SH150i before and miss it; for city riding a scooter is best.

Sometimes ya just get one that isn't 100%. My GTS (2022) is perfect. My Primavera (2022) broke down 3 miles from the shop when I purchased it. 6 months later, I'm getting a warranted replacement on rear wheel where the splines in the wheel are clicking on the shaft. Luckily, I have a great shop and mechanic. And my throttle (Primavera again) rattles when I go over bumps. Took a while to figure out what that sound was. I still love both of 'em though. Love your humor. The thing about a Vespa is, no matter where I stop, people talk to me. I've had 35 other bikes and some of them got people to come over and talk, but the Vespa's just get people everywhere wanting to at least make a short comment. The switches on my GTS don't feel as nice as my Primavera. A HARLEY???????? I'm gone (until your next video 🤣)

I have my GTS 300 2023 since 03-2023 and I have never hear a squeak on the breaks or on the seat. Maybe it is something that was fixed by Piagio or it can be an easy fix. 🛵❤

I would skip the cb500x but go for the NC750X with a DCT. The DCT means its an automatic like the Vespa, a twist and go motorcycle . But it probably has better gas mileage. Also the frunk is perfect.

If Honda would bring their ADV 350 scooter that would be heaven on Earth.

Man, so nice to see u again! :) - They definitely CHEAPed out with the buttons and the switches. - I am curious to find out what is the type of the mirrors u have, are they Vespa original? - Mine is exactly 5000km now, i found out that the breaks start squeaking sometimes, dont know whats the reason for that, but its happening. Cheers.

This review was fun. Thank you. Vespa has some bad things in it, but I believe that its the most unique scooter out on the market right now. And I mean good unique , not like Honda ADV750 unique. Vespa's are in a way similar to Ducati motorcycles. You just look at it , and you just want it. To bad that the ducati bikes I like cost over 30k $. Just got a GTS 300 Super for my wife (well, and me from time to time). Always wanted a vespa since I was like 15 years old. Many years have passed since that. As for CB500x. You will get bored with it due to low HP and cheap suspension. Id go for a bigger bike with just a little bit more quality. Honda Transalp maybe? or Triumph Tiger 900 if you like more attention to detail in a bike, or a BMW F850\F750 GS if you like chinese engines and throwing out money for suspension upgrades. Got my first adventure bike this year. Its a Triumph Tiger 850 Sport. No much sport in it, just road biased. .

Wow, apart from the fuel sensor sending the wrong info, my 2021 gts300 is almost perfect! It was recalled for the fuel pump upgrade, but i never had a problem with mine! I have only done 4500 miles as I work too much and the English weather has been crap in the past two years! At 6200 mile the service light comes on and stays on until plugged in and turned off! It is just a normal service, but the belt and rollers should do 9000 miles, brake fluids are I think at 12000 miles!

I’ve now had my UK spec Vespa for five weeks- love it, but the main speedometer speeds are in kilometres and the secondary speed in miles per hour! Why, when we use miles per hour in the UK? As far as I am aware, the US spec is in Miles per hour! It’s not fair 🤨

What kind of pack do you have on the back rack? 'Looks lit it fits pretty perfect.

Hey bud, I had a 2021 GTS until last October when I got taken out by a BMW driver on my way to work. I lived but I'm still in a bit of pain. I'm probably going to get a Motor Morini x-cape 650 next week, they're pretty decent and a bit cheaper than the Honda. BTW my vespa had horrible headlight issues, it actually started to flicker to the point of strobing. The dealer was terrible and it ended up going to the importer to get fixed. The fix lasted about 6mths and it started doing it again. Not a fan of Italian electrics, yes the switches are awful! Paint is prone to scratching, wing mirrors come loose, I got three rear tyre punctures in the first 2 months, I got a front mudguard extender and never had another. There is a sensor replacement on the rear wheel which will increase your top speed by about 10mph and give you an accurate speed rather than Vespa MPH. I loved mine despite its failings. Aftermarket exhaust helps people notice you which is a must in NZ where drivers are terrible.

where in Portland do you recommend getting a Vespa serviced?

i live in san diego and have put 4200 miles on my 2023 gts hpe2. I freaking love it. I haven't had the issues with switches or brakes that you have but my god the seat thing is so annoying. And it smacks the horn button if you're not careful. I've scared old ladies in the trader joe's parking lot, sorry miss! That being said, the switches are definitely cheap, and I don't know if you've ever tried messing with the menu but just getting into the settings to change the time took me 20 minutes of attempts. Also the manual tells you the wrong thing. It's absurd. My other big annoyance is the top case requires a key, but the scooter doesn't. I may or may not have left my keys in my trunk lock and then driven all the way home from work...on the highway. Yikes. I upgraded from a 2019 sprint that I put 16k miles on and two of the main reasons i bought it were the seat comfort and the shocks. It's also got way more punch than a 150 and I can filter in the city and comfortable get ahead of cars at a stoplight without feeling like I'm going to get rear ended. Good review. Would buy again, hopefully a later model where these issues are fixed? Especially the seat, the switches, menu, and the kick stand. That's not too much to ask right? RIGHT? VESPA, RIGHT??? :\

Well I have a 2021 sprint 150…. And love the thing.. I have a front and rear racks on the thing and hauls a lot of stuff….. I have moved and go on the highway more so I’m thinking of getting a gts300…..switches on the 150 are junk too but work…. The kickstand sucks… needs to be longer…. I’ve seen another video on the 300 and he also noted a squeaky noise when he sat down…. There is a new shock under there…. Maybe that’s squeaking… try adjusting the pre load to see if that does anything In my experience a brake will squeak when it’s dirty.. try cleaning the disc and see if that helps…

You cannot beat gravity mate

Yeah man. A CB500X you'd love, you can't go wrong there. Perhaps cross shop it with a Kawasaki Versys 300, a cracking little adventure bike as well, a bit lighter and perhaps a smidge more fun IMO. If you like styling however and you've been bitten by the Italian bug (pun intended), try a Ducati Scrambler either 400 or 800 are cool jiggers and more than capable of a soft roading adventure and daily ride.

Have owned both nice BMW motorcycles and a scooter. Scooters are more fun. On a motorcycle, its all about the macbine, and on a scooter its all about the ride. 300gts is the meanest vehicle on the road. Just my opinion. Im also in portland. Lets go hit some twisties sometime.

Just bought a new ‘23 Super Tech. Rear brake started squeaking at around 90 mi on the odo. (I have a 180 now). Squeak hasn’t gone away but after about 10 mins of hard braking it quietens down. Very annoying. Hate the turn signal switch. Such a cheap little thing. Not confidence inspiring at all. Have to check my indicator to make sure it actually turned on and turned off when I want it to. And my rear reflector just fell off. No idea when or where - it just fell off. It had one when I picked it up from the dealer. So disappointing for an 8500.00 bike. But I love the thing regardless.

Bug Bug Bug. seat squeak, brake squeak, cheap switches, insufficient highspeed power -You know west of the Mississippi they come from the Thailand factory, right? or do they? - ha. I have a '22 GTS and have none of these issues. I've gone on the interstate and had it up to a real 80mph (I got that after market tone wheel Robot showed and it makes the speedometer really accurate (tested it against a couple of different apps and a car)). p.s. - I saw a guy on RU-vid doing a road test of a Ducatti something or other in Italian model (racer maybe) and he literally got to 75 in about 2 seconds IN FIRST GEAR! and was not near the red line on the tach. oy. thanks for the fun vids. - have fun out there - stay safe.

I have own a bunch of scooters. Vespa p200 Honda Big Ruckus Honda Reflex Yamaha Morphous Thought I wanted a bike Brought beautiful 2003 Triumph Thunderbird 900. Never felt comfortable Never felt like before Me one with two wheels Sold it and brought another Honda Big Ruckus. And we are one again.

Great review thanks. For the seat not staying up, pop a little blue pill in the gas tank and you should have no trouble. No more than one though or you won't be able to get it down ;)

PGHONKIN13 is my favorite middle ground.

Uh, bug. -- thanks for reminding me of all the reasons I sold my 2010 GTVie 🙃 My most recent two-wheel transport was a 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000...Mo'Dean was a big-boned gal, weighing in at 850 pounds dressed. With 2000 CCs, she would move on down the road, now...and well she shoulda, as her engine was larger than the one that powers my 2022 Honda CR-V! Nah...when I pick up my next Vespa, I thiink I'll stay with scoots. Just kinda more my style these days...and yeah, I was once a cafe racer-ridin' hipster a$$hole -- damn near 50 years ago!

Yes those switches are terrible on the new vespas .strange thing happened to me yesterday ...full battery in both the key fob and scooter .walked up to the scooter in the garage and nothing ...no connection. No ignition .no recognition. Nothing 🤬 its to cold to look at it but not good on a 6 month old scooter .....maybe it heard me saying i needed to give up riding and its sulking 😅

Colorful language! 🤣 Damn that thing is sexy!

Ckeck the hinge on the seat. Squeaky squeaky.

Is that color called white lol😂

How many are here disappointed it's a Vespa and not a Viper GTS? On my own personal opinion.. but it's an Italian vehicle! It's made with passion and not practicality in mind! Just ask all the other RU-vidrs how bland and boring (but functional) all the other scooters are from Japan!!!

Really.

Driver SUV thinks u have mental issues cause ur talking and hand gestures alone .joke😅✌️ Just wonder d Germans and Italians using and still loving d old ones (two strokes).some of them are big as 6 footer and long road tripin on old Vespas