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| Vespa GTS 250 ie |
Vespa’s flagship model the 2007 GTS IE is a smooth number, whether you are cruising along in the summer sun, battling the traffic to work or on a weekend road trip on the open road. The 21hp, fuel injected, 4stroke motor is the most powerful engine that Vespa produce; it has strong consistent power perfect for overtaking and will easily out accelerate most four wheeled transport. The GTS also sits effortlessly at the speed limit on the open road. At idle it has a gentle lumpy throb due to the large single cylinder motor.
What this scooter has in spades is style. Almost everything has little touch of Italian flair. There is a tasteful use of chrome harking back to Vespa’s origins; the chrome accents include the mirrors, badges, and a few small trim parts. The 21st century however has not been forgotten; many modern touches such as, the digital tachometer, fuel gauge and the engine have been subtly integrated into the retro design and were created using the latest technology. One detail that truly stands out is the pillion passenger foot pegs, these are works of art, even the action of extending them has style, it has to seen.
On the road you know you’re on a big scooter, although compared to the average maxi scooter it’s quite light at around 150kg. The weight settled it nicely on the open road, only when weaving through traffic did it feel a little cumbersome in comparison to a smaller bodied machine. You’ll notice the weight compared with the smaller cc scooters, but you will also notice another thing. THE POWER! While reviewing this scooter, we ran our 0-50kph test. The GTS performed very well, with a time of only 3.9sec, that is fast currently the fastest we have tested to date (12/2007), and it will do these numbers all day long thanks to the CVT automatic transmission.
The most important test for a traffic weapon is the 50km/h to 80km/h time. Thanks to the powerful 250cc engine 4.2 seconds was the recorded time. This time correlates to easy overtaking of all the other sheep… sorry cars. There aren’t many scooters that can match that time. The only downside to this powerful machine may a slightly lighter pocket after a visit to the fuel pump, however considering the admirable fuel efficiency of this Vespa your wallet won’t be all that empty. The storage was great, unfortunately though the under seat compartment will not take a full-face helmet. If you prefer the full-face option Vespa will sell you a 42 litre top box to store it in when you stop for coffee. A full-face helmet is obviously a far safer option, and tends to make open road travelling more comfortable. Assuming you prefer the open face variety you can squeeze two into the storage area, and fit a few other bits and pieces as well. There is also a small, lockable glove box which is a very useful size and gives quick access to smaller items without having to access the under seat storage.
If there had to be a weakness it would be the centre stand: it could be a handful for a smaller rider. It takes a big stomp and pull on the bike to get it up on the stand. Also the digital rev counter is…well…digital, it’s quite small and right next to the fuel gauge, which looks very similar. Fortunately with the CVT you don’t tend to spend much time checking your revs, so it’s no great loss. One unusual if not vital missing component is the kick-start lever, I am not sure as to the reasoning Vespa have for leaving this off, and I doubt you would miss it. For myself I prefer the security of having one… just in case. I would have thought a classic styled scooter like the Vespa GTS 250IE would have one simply for nostalgic value if for no other reason. The only real issue with the GTS is the price, this will not affect the die hard Vespa purists, however for your average commuter it could be hard justifying the price. Buying this Vespa becomes an emotional rather than logical decision.
The Vespa 250 is at home in the modern city; it is a thing of beauty both in aesthetics with its classic yet modern look and in engineering with its powerful injected 250cc engine. It’s certainly one of the best all round scooters available today, then again you’d expect so, it’s Vespa’s flagship and well…they invented the scooter.
Manufacturer Specifications
Comments
(7)
 written by Justin Négler , August 20, 2008
Great website and great reviews! I really enjoyed reading them - they are funny and very informative.
Votes: +3
After reading these reviews I got myself a Vespa 250gts and my girlfriend a Sym Mio 100, and we love them both. We're having a lot of fun riding around on these bikes, our first scooters. Thanks for the helpful advice. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Justin report abuse
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 written by vincel , June 24, 2008
Eric... Yeah the dealer we got the test bike off had changed the exhaust for a bit better performance... I believe it gives a small hp boost over standard. Unfortunately we didn't have access to a stock model at the time. Will test numbers when one arrives... I am trying to organise a GTS for our long term fleet so will see how we go. Fair comment Regards the stand... Can only really comment on how it feels initially as we only have them for a short time... and that is the only objective way to rate things... all bikes have their quirks that you iron out with use.
Votes: +3
Kevin... Glad we could be of assistance and super happy you like the bike. I agree, I would personally trade off a bit of economy for the added performance and the bike really is a good peice of kit. Unfortunately in our market the initial purchase price puts it out of many peoples finances for an economical and fun commuter. report abuse
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 written by Kevin , June 18, 2008
I just bought the GTS 250 yesterday. It's my first two wheeled vehicle and I love it. I'm using it as a commuter vehicle in suburban Ohio, U.S.
Votes: +3
I liked the feel of the heavier scooter. Other scooters felt like toys by comparison. Too bad about the reduced fuel efficiency but I need the better pickup and faster speed to blend in with the suburbanites and their SUVs. The center stand did prove a little challenging at first and I'm an average size guy (82kg, 183cm). But after a few times getting use to how much weight needs to be applied, it's easy to prop up. Thanks for the review. It helped inform my decision. report abuse
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 written by Eric , April 13, 2008
I have the GTV250 which is very is the same except for cosmetic changes and to be fair, the center stand is only tricky when you first start using it, once you get the feel for it, it becomes easy.
Votes: +5
I noticed in the pictures, the GTS tested is not stock. An aftermarket performance exhaust is installed as well as a windscreen which makes it more aerodynamic. Who knows if other mods have been done. My point is, a stock one may not give you the same performance as described in this review. That said, I like the performance of my GTV stock. report abuse
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written by Del Fuego , April 10, 2008
Haha, no I have had plenty of experience with all manner of two wheeled machinery. I love this bike but it did show it's weight when putting it onto the stand. It is easy compared to the Silverwing but it is heavy compared to many regular (non maxi) scooters. Anyway the stand was a minor problem with an overall excellent bike.
Votes: +2
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 written by Dave Bentley , April 08, 2008
Hard to get up on kickstand, are you crazy, this is the easiest I have ever used, I thought I was going to launch it it was so easy. No lifting what so ever, just step on the stand and it goes up, a 100 pounder can so easily do it, you aparently must not be experienced if you had any difficulty. Superb machine, I currently own a Burgman 650 and a silverwing 600.
Votes: +6
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This is an awesome sccoter... I've had mine about 6000 miles at this point.