There’s no doubt that the latest 310 GTS is the most powerful production Vespa ever built and its performance already setting a new benchmark in this category. Right now we’ve a £500 reduction on the list price, which brings the starting price down to a little over £6,000. However, we appreciate that some owners have low mileage, well loved RST or HPE models that they’re reluctant to part with. If that’s you, then read on because we can bring 310 type performance to your machine for a little under £750.
Although we’re well known for supplying new and used machines together with original and OEM parts, we also stock a range of performance equipment. We’re big fans of Polini and it’s from their range that we’ve drawn together a package that’ll give a little extra boost to your 300.
Perfectly packaged
We’ve centred the pack around the Polini Euro 5 sport exhaust, which is priced at £499.99, added a Polini Variator kit (with 17g rollers), priced at £237, and finished off with the Polini double-layer air filter which at £9.95 brings the total package to £746.94. We could take things further, but this pack has been selected to delver a meaningful upgrade without breaking the bank and perhaps most importantly, everything can be fitted by a home mechanic in few hours. So, what does each component bring to the party?
Sounds sweet
There are many reasons to buy a performance exhaust for a 4-stroke auto, but outright performance isn't one of them. It’s not like a 2-stroke where 5 or 6bhp and an extra 1500rpm to the rev range can be achieved by changing to a pipe that better suits your tune. When it comes to 4-strokes the gains are more subtle and include less weight, a better look, and a sound that’s much more pleasing than the original. That’s not to say an exhaust doesn’t aid performance though, and the Polini pipe cuts down on the amount of power drawn by the catalyser.
We particularly like this pipe by Polini as it adds a good, throaty note to the exhaust without ramping up the decibels to a point where the neighbours complain and no one wants to ride behind you!
Variator value
If an exhaust brings subtle benefits, the real improvements in performance are achieved through changing the variator.
The Polini Evolution High-Speed-Kit Variator Kit is suitable for use in the 300cc Vespa GTS/GTV models. The pulley weights, ramp angles, and other components are perfectly tailored to the weight and wheelbase of these specific models, rather than just catering for the Quasar motor, as is the case with some other manufacturers.
The precision manufacturing of the variator roller ramps, combined with an accurately calculated ramp angle, results in optimal acceleration and top speed. The included pulley cover disc features a different flank angle than the original, offering improved acceleration and a more performance-focused drive train with enhanced efficiency. Additionally, the redesigned cooling fan provides increased cooling for the entire transmission system, including the Variomatic and Clutch. The provided 'V' belt is shorter and more precisely crafted than the original, allowing the Variomatic unit to open further without contacting the crankcase and risking damage to the oil sump gasket. This kit contains a 'V' belt, pulley disc, 10% stiffer pressure spring, and the option of either 17g or 22g roller weights.
The heavier rollers provide more top speed with slower acceleration, while lighter rollers offer quicker acceleration and hill-climbing ability with a lower top speed. We’ve fitted 17g weights, but adjusting the rollers will allow a rider to ‘tune’ the CVT system in a way that suits their individual riding style.
Breathe easy
The final part of our package may seem the least exciting, but it's one that shouldn’t be overlooked. As its name suggests, the Polini double layer filter has two components. The first has medium sized pores that filter rough dust particles, whilst the second layer has very small pores that can also filter dust particles of microscopically small size. It’s these that can cause major damage to the engine’s internals and we think fitting one is a must, even to a standard engine. These layers are combined in a way that maximises their effectiveness whilst making fitting no different the standard filter.
On the dyno
Thanks to a little help from Dan, the editor of Scootering Magazine, we’e able to justify our claims for this package. In his words, “The Polini exhaust sounded pretty meaty, and the scooter spun up really smoothly and quickly. I wasn’t expecting to notice a tangible difference between this and the standard 300HPE that I had just been working on but, even on the dyno, it felt sharper and smoother by comparison, seeming to pull harder at the bottom end and rev longer at the top.
This proved to be true when I inspected the dyno graph after the runs were complete. The Polini tuned scooter had around 1.5-2bhp bhp more straight off the line, and although that gap lowered lightly as they both surpassed the 30mph mark, with both scooters being identical at exactly 35mph, the Polini then pulled ahead again with a clear 1bhp right through the entire rev range and a little more than that in the later stages.”
Out on the road
The 2bhp increase that the dyno shows at the bottom end, translates to a marked improvement out on the road. Pulling out into a fast-moving stream of traffic from a stationary start, the scooter launches hard and fast. It’s a distinct improvement over the standard HPE, offering punch that’s very noticeable. The sound of the motor through the Polini pipe is deep and smooth, with the difference in power being felt across the entire rev range. Because we’ve used the 17g rollers, top speed is still in line with the standard HPE but if you’re more interested in top end than acceleration, heaver rollers and a speed ring will deliver that extra few MPH.
Try before you buy
So there we have it, proven performance at a fraction of the price a new 310 will cost, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Ring our sales team on 01226 203377 and you can book a test ride on our Polini demonstrator and the new 310. Compare and contrast, then decide which upgrade suits you best. Choice and value are all part of the service we offer at Ron Daley’s.
With thanks to Dan Clare and Scootering Magazine for help in producing this blog.
