BIG VESPA STYLE.

2018 Vespa GTS150 Review on Total Motorcycle:

THE I-GET ENGINE MAKES ITS DÉBUT ON THE LEADING MODEL OF THE VESPA 125 AND 150 CC LINE

THE LARGE GTS ADOPTS THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED ENGINE: LIVELY PERFORMANCE AND CONTAINED FUEL CONSUMPTION THANKS TO VERY HIGH EFFICIENCY

Big, comfortable, welcoming and amazingly protective, the Vespa GTS combines its elegantly urban and city soul with the vocation to travel and tourism that the big Vespas have always embodied. From the GS of 1955 to the PX of 1978, without forgetting the Vespa Rally of 1968, the biggest Vespas have always combined great performance and comfort, even on longer and more challenging journeys.

Vespa GTS renews itself, by adopting the very modern and technologically advanced i-get engine in its most advanced version, with liquid cooling, electronic fuel injection, 4 valve timing, and, for the first time on a Vespa, the “Start and Stop” system.

Two engine sizes: 125 and 150 cc, both Euro 4, classic features in the history of the world’s most beloved scooter.

With this step, Vespa confirms its cutting-edge technological leadership which has always marked its history and makes it one of the most modern, advanced and safe vehicles on the road today.

The engine technology of the Gruppo Piaggio aims to develop engines increasingly advanced in terms of fuel consumption and emissions containment. On the strength of the most important engine and scooter research and development centre in Europe, and one of the best in the world, Piaggio has developed unique technologies and skills that contribute to the construction of engines in line with the strictest standards in the world.

The Vespa GTS receives the family of i-get engines, available in 125 and 150 cc sizes, with electronic fuel injection, four-valve timing, and liquid cooling system. These engines are at the top of their respective categories, in terms of performance and low environmental impact.

The Start & Stop system makes its début on a Vespa. It was patented by Piaggio and named RISS (Regulator Inverter Start & Stop System). The system eliminates the traditional starter, replaced by a brushless “direct mount” electrical device, installed directly on the crankshaft. There are many advantages: more quiet starts, lower weight, greater reliability, and lower fuel consumption. Piaggio’s Start & Stop system automatically switches off the engine 3 – 7 seconds after the scooter is stopped (depending on whether the engine has reached its correct operating temperature or not). A very small rotation of the fuel control handle is sufficient to instantly re-start the engine, absolutely silently, as there is no traditional starter. If the side stand is deployed or the tilt sensor comes into operation, the control unit cuts off the Start & Stop function, that is, the engine turns off and will not re-start automatically.

The i-get engines are the result of a design philosophy that sets more advanced quality and reliability levels among its primary objectives. Every aspect of the design was aimed at optimising the efficiency of each individual part in order to contribute to maximising performance. In the initial testing phases alone more than one million kilometres were logged in the intense search for reliability. Each one of the engines’ components, from the exhaust to the internal design of the gearbox cover, all the way to the air filter, has been designed to make the ride smoother, quieter and more comfortable, and to increase the life of the engine.

A large portion of the Piaggio technical work had to do with the maniacal attention to reducing friction, by introducing bearings in all rotating parts, in the timing and in the crank gear geometry, with the cylinder axis shifted to minimise losses due to friction on the piston. The mechanical noise of the i-get engines is also extremely low thanks to reduced play and optimisation of the materials and shapes.

The parts in the i-get engines family are:

– thermal plant (head, piston, timing with rocker arms); In addition, all moving parts have been optimised to reduce mass and operating friction.

– the crankshaft for a sharp decrease of vibrations.

– starter: – there is no longer the classic gear drive starter motor, now there is an electric “direct mount” type “brushless” motor on the crankshaft. The result is the total absence of friction in order to obtain a quiet, durable, and reliable starter system.

– cooling system, with radiator on the engine: this reduces the overall weight of the scooter and its warm-up time (thermal management), with distinct benefits in terms of fuel consumption and emissions.

– the gearbox cover, to reduce the noise even more.

– the latest generation double toothed belt to minimise passive losses, once again all to the advantage of consumption and emissions.

– the gearbox setting that improves rideability, performance and consumption.

– the air filter, which improves filtering action to reduce intake noise.

– built-in engine electronic control unit with the S&S management part (Alternator, S&S Inverter, RISS), entirely developed by Piaggio.

The eighth-litre version is rated at a power of 9 kW at 8,250 rpm, whereas the more powerful 150 cc generates 11 kW at 8,250 rpm. On the road, these numbers translate into lively engines, specifically designed and built bearing in mind the needs of the rider for daily use in city and metropolitan environments. These riding conditions are characterised by frequent starts and stops which require elasticity, lively acceleration and a smooth ride. These qualities are ensured by excellent torque values (11.1 Nm at 6,750 for the 125 cc and 14 Nm at 6,500 rpm for the 150 cc) which confer excellent start and acceleration performance to the Vespa GTS.

The engines also guarantee long intervals between scheduled maintenance services. The lubricants’ filters are replaced every 10,000 km and the play of the valves is adjusted every 20,000 km.

Overall fuel consumption benefits from the optimisation of each and every component: the fuel consumption recorded on the WMTC cycle reaches 41.6 km/l for both Vespa GTS.

Big Vespa style

The Vespa GTS has always evolved along the path of tradition, striking a magic balance between tradition and modernity in the lines of the body, made strictly of steel. The Vespa GTS still preserves the characteristic and distinct traits of the large-body Vespa, but it includes numerous and important stylistic updates.

The Vespa GTS has an ornament of modern design on the front fender, front and rear turning lights characterised by transparent parts and by a rear optical group enriched by a chrome-plated frame, which repeats the motif of the crest on the front fender. The cover of the centre tunnel if the foot board is ornamented by the Vespa logo.

Legendary comfort

The perfect ergonomics and the natural seat position have always contributed to making every Vespa comfortable, pleasant to ride and accessible to all. The saddle of the Vespa GTS 125 and 150 provides superior comfort, thanks to the specific padding and upholstery. The under-saddle space makes optimum use of the available room and can accommodate two Vespa demi-jet helmets and more. The drawer in the leg shield back plate contributes to increase the load capacity of the Vespa GTS. It is ideal to keep at hand smaller items such as glasses, documents, and mobile phone. The handy bag hook, in the upper part of the leg shield back plate also helps. The Vespa GTS also provides the comfortable and firm support of the chrome-plated rear luggage rack.

2018 Vespa GTS150 Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

Versions, special series, and colours

The classic GTS is supplied in the metallised colours Black, Beige, and Grey, and in pastel Blue. The daring GTS Touring, characterised by the double front and rear luggage racks and available in metallised Red and metallised Brown derives from this basic model.

The gritty GTS Super, immediately recognisable from its black rims with diamond-shaped finish and from the double-upholstered saddle with clasp, is available in four colours: the classic Black, White, and pastel Red and the bright metallised Green.

The Vespa GTS SuperSport is the sportiest of Vespas. Its strong character is immediately signalled by the entirely black rims, by the matt metallised Grey and Yellow paint finish enhanced by dedicated graphics and, as in the Super version, by the saddle with two distinct upholsteries and by the graphics of the instrument panel.

2018 Vespa GTS150 Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Cutting-edge technology

These features are standard on all models of the Vespa GTS line: remote opening of the saddle by remote control and the Bike Finder, very convenient to identify one’s Vespa in a crowded car park, thanks to the flashing turn lights.

There is also the USB port, located in the compartment in the leg shield, convenient to recharge any external devices while the front turn lights include a series of LEDs that also serve as daytime sidelights. The digital instrumentation trapezoidal in shape and compact in size, but providing very comprehensive information, consists of a classic speedometer and a small multifunction digital panel, surrounded by as many as six warning lights. The information provided also includes the fuel level, clock and two trip meters.

Naturally, the Vespa GTS 125/150 is compatible with the Vespa Multimedia Platform (VMP). Connecting a Smartphone with one of the most popular operating systems to the on-board electronic system, VMP transforms the latter into a true and sophisticated multifunction trip computer, capable of providing a quantity of information to the rider both regarding the vehicle status as well as the route taken. To easily keep all the riding parameters under control, thanks to the touchscreen of the smartphone, and complete both metropolitan and longer journeys in total safety.

Among the various functions that the Vespa and smartphone combination offers, pleasing the more distracted of us, is the parked Vespa search option. The system, in fact, automatically stores the last position of the vehicle before the engine is switched off, making it easier to find the Vespa if you forget where you parked it: a big help when, for example, you find yourself in a city that you do not know too well. It is also possible to store all the journey data so as to analyse, in a simple way, your riding style thanks to a host of parameters acquired in real time along the route.

Renewed safety

The Piaggio Group was the first company in the world to install on scooters the electronic systems once reserved for top-of the-line motorcycles, such as the ASR (available in the 300 version of the GTS) and the ABS which also equips the GTS 125 and 150. Each wheel has an rpm detection system – a sensor and a phonic wheel – that instantly measure the speed and deceleration of the same with respect to that of the vehicle. The sensors communicate with a 2-channel hydraulic control unit which activates the ABS system if one of the two wheels decelerates sharply with respect to the vehicle, preventing it from locking and guaranteeing stability and efficient braking even on surfaces with low friction coefficient.

Technical features, the uniqueness of Vespa

Vespa GTS 125/150 derives from the reliable and well-tested technological base of the earlier series. The body, as always for Vespa since 1946 to date, is made strictly of steel and provides an unequalled strength, as well as truly unique safety and dynamism. The result is a particularly brilliant ride both in city traffic as well as on country roads: an exhilarating mix of handling and reassuring stability, also thanks to the generous section tyres fitted on as large as 12 inch diameter wheel rims. The double-disc braking system ensures prompt deceleration, even in sports use, with a reserve of modularity able to put at ease even the neophytes.

Accessories for the Vespa GTS

As always in the Vespa tradition, the GTS line also has a wide range of accessories to customise the vehicle and increase its level of comfort and functionality.

Great attention to functionality and aesthetics.

The top box, which can accommodate a full-face helmet, is painted to march the body colour and has a padded back rest to optimise passenger comfort.

The chrome front and rear luggage racks are among the most requested and appreciated accessories that characterise Vespa’s personality in a strong and distinct fashion as well as its long touring history.

The chrome perimeter guard kit is just one of the chrome accessories and guarantees maximum Vespa protection while offering a strong aesthetic personality.

Protection on board is guaranteed by the methacrylate impact and splinter resistant windshield and by the transparent high quality top fairing with its compact and sporty lines. The leg cover in thermal material, easy to install, offers driving comfort all year long. The set of accessories is completed by the mechanical anti-theft device, the electronic anti-theft device, the bag inside the top box, the luggage rack straps, the “Made in Italy” genuine leather saddle, and the elegant “Country & Leisure” travelling rug.

On-board technology

Among the most detailed and cutting edge technology accessories include the Vespa Multimedia Platform, which allows the driver’s smartphone to interact with the Vespa GTS.

The Smartphone, through a dedicated “App”, is able to display all the information on the vehicle status (through the on-board diagnostics), on the ride and on the trip. The VMP technology thus allows use of the vehicle to be optimised when riding in and out of the city, enhancing the travel experience.

2018 Vespa GTS150 – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ USD

2018 Vespa GTS150 – Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $ CDN

2018 Vespa GTS150 – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

ENGINE

Type      Single cylinder, 4-stroke Piaggio i-get with “Start & Stop” system

Engine capacity  155.2 cc

Bore x Stroke     58 mm / 58.7 mm

Max power at crankshaft              11 kW / 8,250 rpm

Max Torque        14 Nm/ 6,500 rpm

Fuel system        Electronic injection

Ignition Electronic, with variable advance

Cooling system Liquid

Lubrication          Wet sump

Gearbox              CVT with torque server

Clutch   Automatic centrifugal dry clutch

VEHICLE

Load Bearing Structure  Sheet metal body with welded reinforcements

Front suspension             Single arm fork with coil spring and hydraulic control

Rear suspension               Double hydraulic shock absorber with four-position spring pre-load adjustment

Front brake        Hydraulically operated 220 mm stainless steel disc

Rear brake          Hydraulically operated 220 mm stainless steel disc

Braking system Two-channel ABS system

Front tyre            Tubeless 120/70 – 12″

Rear tyre             Tubeless 130/70 – 12″

DIMENSIONS

Length/Width    1,950/755 mm

Wheelbase         1,380 mm

Saddle height     790 mm

Fuel tank capacity            7 litres

Emissions compliance    Euro 4

CO2 Emissions   61 g/km

Consumption     2,4 l/100 km

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).