GTS250 Road Test - - RON DALEY SCOOTERS

^{Vespa GTS 250i.e

Having being given the chance recently to test ride a GTS 250 for a couple of weeks

I jumped at the chance. After all the press are raving about them, The old school PX

and Lambretta owners are talking and even buying them, I mean lets face it they do

look the business on the road.

So i picked it up one sunny Sunday afternoon filled it up with petrol and went for a

short ride. That short ride turned out to be nearly sixty miles. (There were plenty

more done by the end of the two weeks ) That’s sixty very smooth, very

comfortable miles. It’s unbelievable just how this scooter just eats them up. I’d like to

say it was hard work, but to be very honest, it wasn’t. Now don’t get me wrong with

this, I normally ride a large capacity 1000cc super sport bike with well over 125

horses and I’ve rode many another bike with more too, but the GTS is different.

It has a power delivery for example that is so smooth but yet progressive it makes

you smile. From setting off from a standing start with a simple twist of the throttle

you glide along as if on a magic carpet. There is no gear change at all from

0-85 mph (slightly more when/if tuned). You just glide down the road.

The suspension, chassis and engine work in complete harmony. The suspension

works and reads the road well whilst the pure engine power will pull you out of any

corner you throw it into. When (if) I ride my big bike I have to put on my leathers,

back protector, boots, earplugs, and then try to find a piece of road where I can

open it up or at least get it out of 3^{rd gear. Constantly pulling in the clutch at}^{junctions, traffic jams and traffic lights. Then there is always the fear of being caught

for speeding, so 9/10 times it stops in. It eats fuel, servicing prices and parts are

ridiculous, it’s uncomfortable and as for using it for work forget it, it’s too uncomfortable.

This is where the GTS 250 comes into its own. I can throw a good quality coat on, jeans,

trainers, pair of gloves and helmet and I’m away. No clutch to pull in at lights/junctions

. Left side lever is the back brake, the right hand side lever is the front brake. Simply

brake and stop twist the throttle and off you go. It really is that simple, honest!

Comfort is as standard, the seat is large and easily accommodates two people well.

This is a metal bodied scooter. This keeps up the Vespa history of metal bodied scooters

throughout the 60+ years they have been in business. There is plenty of room for your

feet as the running board is quite large. Along the footboards there are rubber strips to

help your feet grip. The dashboard is well presented and easy to read. It has Fuel gauge

including low fuel light, Oil warning light, High beam light. Indicators on the dash

are on either side so it’s easy to tell which way you’re indicating to go. The Speedo

reads in both MPH and KPH. There is a temp gauge and tachometer too including trip

meter and a clock so you’ve always got the time at hand.

The front light is halogen, very bright and can be seen from quite a distance. It throws

a good beam of light and can lighten up the darkest of roads. Mirrors are well fitted and

give clear view behind. Vibration is minimal even on motorways and dual carriageways

. They are not too big and in your face, they most certainly do not spoil the good looks

of the Vespa. A small genuine screen helps wind buffeting during motorway/ high

speed riding and really helps stop your helmet from moving about when you don’t want it to.

It has plenty of power on tap should you need it, so no need to have to thrash the

engine to overtake or travelling on national speed limit roads. With this scooter being

fuel injected it is very economical too. I got well over 75/80 to the gallon, around

£8.00 fills it up to the top, and at a time when fuel costs are well up the price of

commuting to work or just having fun stays well down. It certainly stands its ground,

from a standing start at traffic lights/junctions I never found a car that could beat the GTS

away. (Not many Ferrari’s in Barnsley). This can be handy if you should ever need to get

out of a tight situation.

Around town the Vespa is a dream to ride and manoeuvres easily between standing traffic.

It has a great centre of gravity so with smooth movements of throttle/brake it is almost

unnecessary to put your feet down at low walking speeds. Benefits of scooter riding

usually include very easy and free parking in most towns and cities (Although it may

be worth your while checking first !!)

Country roads are a breeze, the suspension holds up well over uncertain roads, this

applies to riding two up. Point it into a corner and the GTS will bring you out the other

side with a grin as big as a Cheshire cat. Even when riding pillion the GTS holds its own

. The way the suspension travels whilst riding over bumps even at speed has to be tried

to be believed. It is almost as though the suspension travel is never ending.

Overall the suspension reads the road very well whether you are on your own or two up.

Pillion footrests are part of the chassis and pull out when riding two up. Sometimes the

pillions feet can get in the way but after a few miles and you are aware that they are

there this is easily overcome. Adjusting the hardness of the rear shockers can be done

to your taste. Though don’t expect massive differences between soft and hard settings.

There is also upgraded suspension available (Bitubo Gas Shocks) if you’re into tuning

and tweaking. These are fully adjustable shocks. They have a lot more movement in them for tweaking to your taste and riding style.

Although I have never ridden a GTS 250 with the Bitubo shocks on I have ridden a

PX and the difference was outstanding. The brakes on the GTS are awesome and have

plenty of feel to them. Rest assured if you needed to stop in an emergency these

beauties would do the trick. Just by using two fingers on each lever you could make

this scooter stop on a ten pence piece taking your breath away at the same time. They

are responsive and give the rider plenty of confidence knowing this. The Vespa’s final

drive is belt driven so at the end of a hard days work or run to the coast you haven’

t got a chain to adjust or oil. Your only concern is if the alarm clock will go off 1 hour

earlier than normal so you can get some miles behind you before work.

There is under seat storage for waterproofs/ lunch boxes etc although sadly a helmet will

not. There is also a colour coded top box available. The seat cannot be opened if the

steering lock is on as a theft deterrent. A factory fitted immobiliser is as standard. A good

chain lock can be put through the wheel. The engine is easy to get to by lifting the seat

and lifting out the inner box. Under the seat is a cover that pulls out to protect the seat

from getting wet if it is raining whilst it is parked up. I thought this was a brilliant idea

. If it has rained whilst the bike was stood but stopped when you get back you won’t

get a wet backside. It’s the little things like that, that make the GTS so special.

Scooters over the years have come a long way.

Many people think Oh a scooter? What they fail to realise is that it does far more than

what you may think. It is not to be underestimated in any way shape or form. It is

Green, because it is fuel injected it is extremely economical, and it does not cause

congestion on the roads. The road tax for this vehicle at the moment 05/09/08 is just

£33.50 for twelve months tax. Insurance is cheap. Tyres are around £39.00 each for

a top quality brand i.e. Pirelli/ Continental. These can last well into 4000mile + mark.

It keeps up easily with traffic and have plenty left should you wish to use it.

Need I go on?

This scooter will do the lot. It will take you to the shops, it will get you to work and

back without the hassle of sitting in traffic. It will give you great pleasure in taking

you to the coast even into Europe and beyond. Maybe a Sunday afternoon ride to blow

the cobwebs off can be on the menu and home in time for tea with smiles all round.

All in all this is and I personally think always will be a flagship scooter for Vespa.

Let’s face it, your buying from a company that is part of the Piaggio/ Aprillia/Gilera

and Moto Guzzi group. It is Italian and Italians certainly don’t do things by half.

Paintwork is excellent and finished off to perfection. The styling alone will stand

the test of time and from what I have seen, the engine will too. With regular servicing

this vehicle is designed to do miles and miles. To be honest it looks like it could be a

final farewell to the sports bike and say hello to some serious riding carrying a

worldwide recognised name "Vespa".

Steve Shaw}}