2023 Vespa GTS 300. Can a motorcycle rider with 60 years experience find happiness on a scooter?

Quite a Departure from my usual motorcycle reviews. I’ve been riding motorcycles for 60 years and have never owned a motor scooter. I’ve only had very short rides. This was a chance to get a long ride on one and I was really amazed at how much fun I had. You have to put your preconceptions behind and go with the flow.. What a fun machine! I had a hard time starting it with the crazy procedure that Is really my only complaint about this machine. Turns out we forgot that it won’t start with the kickstand down!! The scooter is the perfect middle ground between tiny under powered machines and large heavy motorcycle like scooters. Kind of pricey ,but I’m thinking of looking for a used one. Thanks for your support. Ron 

[@glastronjohn1]

Put the side stand up and it will start.

[@TrevorDodd-ev1sx]

I've owned all sorts of bikes , mainly sport bikes, but now exclusively a Vespa. I've ridden mine from the UK to Azerbaijan and they are a lot more capable than you would think.

[@silenuic]

How did you prepare for the trip? How was it? What was the daily distance?

[@TrevorDodd-ev1sx]

@@silenuic absolutely no preparation whatsoever! I made my mind up on a Monday and left on the Thursday. The Vespa was great and. I made sure that every 2000 - 3000 km I had an oil change and a service which normally cost 60 Euros. I changed the belt and rollers after 4000 km and I glad I did as it was shredded. I covered roughly 8-9000 km. My wife road on the back from Istanbul and even two up we could maintain 110kmh.

[@silenuic]

@@TrevorDodd-ev1sx Nice to hear that. I'll go some trip next summer. I've driven T5 LML 150 for few years, and I've bought myself GTS 300 09 one month ago and already made more than 2500km on it so I just want to take an adventure and I've founded your comment randomly and asked you. Thank you!

[@TrevorDodd-ev1sx]

@@silenuic please let me know where you go. The small size makes them ideal tourers and once in Turkey the hotel parked it in the lobby! Also the availability of parts especially in Europe gave me confidence in the event of a breakdown.

[@FJWH]

Would love to hear more...I am planning to ride my GTS 300 from the Netherland to the Canary Islands (boat from Huelva) next summer. About 2500km over land in distance. How much did you ride a day? my plan is 300km/day...

[@secretariat-13]

Once the key fob is enabled you just have to press the knob wait one second for the welcome and then turn the knob quarter turn, I keep my my fob enabled unless I find myself in a bad part of town, press the any of the brake levers push the start button and you’re good to go, yes they’re fun to ride around the city and beyond.

[@jamesvandemark2086]

Over the last5 decades I've ridden, raced, and enjoyed 6 motorcycles folloewd by 3 scooters now. Quite happy with my Genuine Rattler 200i. I average 3,200 miles a year on the scooters.

[@Sam-nt5kh]

I have as a 69 Yr old found happiness I have been riding since 1970 90cc to 1400cc still have a BMW r850r yamaha rxs100 yamaha tricity 300 and have just restored a 1970 yamaha yas1 love the vespa perfect for all the roads here in northern ireland 😊

[@jag64mol]

Good for you! Around here the traffic and driver aggression make a scooter a little vulnerable. The 300 is big enough and fast enough to hold its own. Thanks for comment. Ron

[@user-iv1wd8hl5v]

Wonderfull, now i am 70 old, after 50 years Bultaco and guzz i my last "bike" is a GTS 300...greetings from Austria

[@ErikJensen2]

Great review! I kind of want one now for zipping around town! 😀

[@billhurless1398]

You don't need to hold the key fob against the knee wall, just need to be about 3 to 4 feet away. Keep it in your pocket.

[@mtrotter325]

Hold it there only if the battery is dead? I think that's what Robot says.

[@kayakmalta2444]

@@mtrotter325 yes or when using the smaller master key

[@IowaLR4]

You have to press the top button then the bottom button on they key fob to "enable" it. Once you do that it works like you would expect. You can also disable it. Holding it close to the upper left side is just the backup way to use it.

[@jag64mol]

Good to know! But! It shouldn’t have to be so complicated. I guess it’s like anything else. Once you get used to it it’s no big deal. Thanks. Ron.

[@IowaLR4]

@@jag64mol agreed, my fob came disabled and i thought the key was broken.

[@IowaLR4]

​@@jag64mol kzbin.info/www/bejne/gafHh56gi7KXb5o

[@barryervin8536]

I've been riding motorcycles since 1964 and have owned about 25 bikes, but was never a scooter fan. They always seemed silly to me, designed for people who were afraid of "real " motorcycles. Then about 10 years ago I noticed all these cheap Chinese scooters selling on Ebay for almost nothing. I always like a new toy, so I bought a new 125cc scooter for $700. I knew it was going to be a piece of junk, and it was, but it was also great fun to ride around on. I moved up to a Chinese 250cc scooter that was even more of a piece of junk but I got it new for $600. Then I rode a Honda CB500X for 5 years but now I'm on a 150cc Kymco scooter (which is much morte comparable to a Japanese bike in quality than to a Chinese bike). I've put 6000 miles on it in 2 years and ride it anywhere I want to go, just staying off fast multi-lane roads. I'm now thinking about a bigger/faster scooter, but anything that goes over 60 mph will have to have wheels bigger than 12 inches. These things really are fun and useful. And after 60 years of riding motorcycles I don't feel that I have to prove to anybody that I know how to work a clutch and shift gears.

[@jag64mol]

There is probably a scooter in my future. Thanks for your comment. Ron

[@banevukojevic6187]

Sir, you can keep the "key" in your pocket, you dont need to press it on the bike 😂

[@jag64mol]

Good call!

[@IowaLR4]

the key can be put into a disabled security mode. mine came that way. Just have to enable it.

[@Scale_Slotcars_Latvia]

As othere have said the Key fob was on the wrong setting but nonetheless i would not buy the latest gts300 because of this very Key fob and the overuse of unnecessary electronics. Been riding motorbikes and vespas all my life but I will never buy a bike without an old style metal key 🙂 Greetings from Latvia...Harry

[@tonywright8342]

Yep I’m with you, wouldn’t touch the new ones either no key.

[@stuartloader4672]

My friend went to Spain from UK, got stranded by bad key fob and had truck recovery home 😮

[@Banditmanuk]

Two wheels still equals fun. You see so many of these in European cities. With you on keyless 👍

[@michalviktorin6758]

Well I ride semi-automatic, it is little bit more fun than automatic, but they make them too weak no factory 15 hp. What a shame in my opinion, semi-auto turn like bike, but in traffic is super easy like scooter.

[@Jimo368]

I own the 2007 and love it but Vespa engineers need to see this video.

[@yafreeaccount]

Heh. The key fob is disabled and we are using the manual failsafe. Just turn the key fob transmitter on and hop on and go!

[@mercian6925]

Enjoy the experience.

[@dominicedwards9117]

It’s not gonna start with side stand on because back wheel is on floor so it could ride off, it will start on middle stand as back rear wheel off floor

[@user-se7vt5ow4e]

I have a 2019 300 and it has a proper key.

[@peterbutcher4848]

Trust the Italians to come up with a more complicated way of starting a scooter

[@Simulera]

All you have to do is read the owners manual with respect to the key. I wont go into it here but keep the fob in your pocket, put side stand up….etc

[@d.f.9064]

Bought my first Vespa scooter at 59 after a lifetime of riding motorcycles. It is a 300 gts as well. It doesn't have that stupid key fob. Problem: riding solo is the way to go. Riding double, the seat is high so balance when stopped, on tip toe isn't ideal. Also the passenger pegs, and therefore passenger feet, are in the way when you put your feet down at a stop. Gas: the tank always spits up gas when filling, spilling gas into your storage compartment. If you prop it up as many do, with the gas cap, the gas goes into the engine compartment.

[@jag64mol]

I would consider buying a used one versus a new one just did not have the key fob! I realize you can probably get used to it but my comment is why?? Interesting about the gas. Probably pays to have a couple of rags under the seat to use and throw away. Thanks. Ruda

[@mtrotter325]

Doesn't the 23 or 24 have the hole by the fill with a tube that takes the gas down and out? I thought Robot mentioned that.

[@joseadavila7445]

you have to have the trunk cup under the seat . to start it . safety reasons . they are ver nice and practical . hard to steal with fob no key . they look like fun toy .

[@mtrotter325]

Ahhh, that's good to know... then where will I put my pets hahaha

[@HarveyWallbanger-ho2cq]

Don't make a space before a period.

[@tomg6284]

Not down to the beach here in southern cal. They will put it in the back of there truck and take it.

[@ckckmobile370]

How about your height bro😊

[@nathantherealtorsonoma]

Vespa's key less system is stupid. So is their Bluetooth. Aside from that, they are great bikes.

[@juliodiaz4493]

Don't lose that remote. That's all I'm gonna tell you don't lose that.

[@1954Antony]

Was the side stand out when you tried to start it?

[@jag64mol]

Yes! I still think it’s too complicated of a start up procedure. I guess you get used to it but why should you have to? Thanks. Ron

[@alexanderhetzel8271]

​@@jag64mol My scooter has a similar system. When the key is active, you just need have it in your pocket, no need to hold it to the bike. Sit on the seat, push the button/knob thingy, wait a second, then turn it to the start position. Kinda like you would do with a key, put it in, then turn. You'll get used to it in a week and if you do lots of little stops, it is really nice to not have to pull the key out all the time and you can keep the fob on a keyring with other stuff without it dangling in the wind.

[@clangerbasher]

You can get a bigger underseat box that should take you helmet.

[@juliodiaz4493]

You have to press that Button inside

[@stevehemming5797]

wont start with side stand down

[@TheForeigner68]

Technical glitches aside, I can't help but think you sound a little patronising towards the Vespa.

[@jrnumex9286]

starting, holy crap, leave it running if you buy ice cream. some type of highway pegs better than nerd flat foot.

[@tonywright8342]

That crazy no key setup turns me off the bike.

[@tomcat6933]

No quick getaway. Hope nobody robs you

[@rubarbcrumble5359]

Read the manual

[@dennisparker4935]

PS the kickstand was down... duh...wont start

[@Leoholmes]

Vespa isn't wrong; you are. Do your research before you comment. The keyless system is simple

[@juliodiaz4493]

Do not lose your key please

[@dennisparker4935]

sorry I appreciate you review but read the basics in the manual BEFORE ..you cant complain from lack of knowledge ..

[@HarveyWallbanger-ho2cq]

You should be sitting on any bike before you start it

[@jag64mol]

Why? After 60 years riding motorcycles I’ve never had a problem starting a bike while standing with my hand on the brake.

[@nomad90125]

Yamaha grand filano or honda scoopy are far more practical than the vespa, also more reliable.

[@hodaka1000]

Yeah nah

[@joesofiasr.8185]

I'd be embarrassed to make this video if you don't have a clue how to start it. Just sayin'!

[@heritagehillsecurity8778]

I think the small hook that pops out by your knees is for a small bag or two of groceries to hang on. Good times. The Piagio Ape is supper cool also.. 🛵.

[@alexanderhetzel8271]

Yeah, it's a small carabiner to put the handle of a bag through and keep it from falling off. There are small knobs under the seat to lock your helmet to the bike if it has those D-rings in case it is too big to fit in the trunk.