Like commuting, only much cooler
Traffic Beater
As the commute continues to get busier and more challenging perhaps now is the time to start thinking about supplementing your ‘fleet’ with something more practical in the city than your Fireblade.
The Vespa GTS 300 is billed as being a more mature take on the scooter genre, thus providing the rider with a more dynamic machine. It’s a lot of fun to ride. It may not nail it at a track day, but it will get you down the Stillorgan dual carriageway at 7.45 on a Wednesday morning in an easy and progressive style!
It’s powered by an engine that displaces 278cc and puts out 24 bhp. While this power output would have been unimaginable even just a few years ago, the torque number is the most impressive. Producing over 26 Nm guarantees a commuter that will, indeed, get off the line briskly when the lights turn green.
Made for the city
Stopping at those afore mentioned lights is compliments of a single disk up the front and the same at the rear. The ABS system is managed by a class leading Bosch unit. The rear light being bright enough to let the following vehicles know what you’re at . Both of the brake levers are fully adjustable allowing the rider to tailor the span to the size of their hands.
Having a wet weight of only 155 kilos as well as a tight turning circle makes for a very easy machine to cut through city traffic on. The suspension on the rear can be adjusted across four settings. This just adds to comfort and allows the Vespa to be tailored to fit the riders preferences as well as carry a pillion in more comfort.
The 790mm seat height may sound a little low, but the leg room in the clever and classic foot well manages to make it a comfortable steed to ride on for the taller amongst us as well as being more than unintimidating for us normally heighted people.
The clocks are exactly that, clocks. A traditional speedo is complimented by an LCD display. This shows all the metrics a rider might need. These features include a fuel gauge, a clock, both trip metres, an odometer, an engine warning light as well as a service prompt light.
As is standard with all modern scooters, there’s a space under the seat for storage. The load capacity is more than generous. There’s also a classic Vespa glove box within which there is a power socket. Cleverly, this can be used to charge a phone.
Classic Good Looks
If you ride a bike, but have never ridden a scooter, give one of these a try. You’d be amazed at how easy they make riding in the city. The GTS 300 Sport , as well as the rest of the Vespa range, is available from Megabikes in Wexford Street in Dublin. A new one will run you €7,495 There is currently a low mileage 2022 model available which is available for €6,395.