Classic Bikes Custom Bikes Individual Racing Bikes AJP AJS Aprilia Ariel Avinton / Wakan Bajaj Benelli Beta Bimota BMW Brough Superior BRP Cam-Am BSA Buell / EBR Bultaco Cagiva Campagna CCM CF Moto Combat Motors Derbi Deus Ducati Excelsior GASGAS Ghezzi Brian Gilera GIMA Harley Davidson Hero Highland Honda Horex Husaberg Husqvarna Hyosung Indian Jawa Kawasaki KTM KYMCO Laverda Lazareth Magni Maico Mash Matchless Mondial Moto Guzzi Moto Morini MV Agusta MZ / MuZ NCR Norton NSU Paton Peugeot Piaggio Revival Cycles Roland Sands Royal Enfield Sachs Sherco Sunbeam Suzuki SWM SYM Triumph TVS Ural Velocette Vespa Victory Vincent VOR Voxan Vyrus Walt Siegl Walz Wrenchmonkees Wunderlich XTR / Radical Yamaha Zero Video Technical
Complete Manufacturer List

Vespa GTV 250

Make Model	Vespa GTV 250
Year	2007 -
Engine	Four stroke single cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve
Capacity	244 cc / 14.9 cub in
Bore x Stroke	72 x 60 mm
Cooling	Liquid cooled
Lubrication	Wet sump
Ignition	Electronic
Starting	Electric
Clutch	Wet, multiplate
Max Power	16.2 kW / 22 hp @ 8250 rpm
Max Torque	20.2 Nm / 2.06 kgf-m / 14.9 ft/lb @ 6500 rpm
Transmission	CVT, twist and go
Final Drive	Belt
Frame	Pressed sheet steel, streamlined monocoque structure
Front Suspension	Single arm with dual acting hydraulic shock and co-axial sping
Rear Suspension	2 x double action shock absorbers with adjustable pre-load
Front Brakes	Single 220 mm stainless steel disc
Rear Brakes	Single 220 mm stainless steel disc
Wheels	Cast alloy
Front Tyre	120/70-12
Rear Tyre	130/70-12
Dimensions	Length 1930 mm / 76.0 in Width 755 mm / 29.7 in
Wheelbase	1395 mm / 54.9 in
Seat Height	790 mm / 31.1 in
Dry Weight	138 kg / 304 lbs
Wet Weight	151 kg / 333 lbs
Fuel Capacity	9.2 Litres / 2.4 US gal
Reserve	2.0 L / 0.53 US gal
Consumption Average	2.6 L/100 km / 39 km/l / 92 US mpg
Top Speed	122 km/h / 76 mph

In addition to having the largest displacement engine available from Vespa in this country (the same engine is available in the less expensive GTS 250), the GTV features a relatively luxurious leather saddle, front and rear disc brakes, cool retro styling (including a fender mounted headlamp and retro instrument gauge), standard chrome luggage rack, fuel injection and liquid cooling. Vespa claims a top speed of 76 mph and fuel consumption of 65 to 70 miles per gallon. Our testing yielded 62 mpg.

At a claimed 322 pounds, the GTV 250 is no lightweight. Nevertheless, it moves away from a stop briskly and has no trouble handling city traffic nimbly, and even aggressively if you choose. At first, the GTV felt somewhat unstable at higher speeds, but a simple preload adjustment on the dual rear shock absorbers allowed this amply-sized editor to balance the chassis better

Riding a Vespa, or other small scooter, is not like riding one of the mega-scooters (such as a Suzuki Bergman 650). Your upper body is much more exposed to the wind, and the machine, as a whole, has a simpler, more toy-like attitude.

With the smaller 12-inch wheels found on the Vespa, braking and cornering needs to be a bit more measured than it need be on a scooter with 14 inch or 15 inch wheels. Nevertheless, the disc brakes on the GTV 250 proved adequate, if not confidence inspiring. In the handling department, it tends to “dart” more than “flow”, and this just might be appropriate for its primary purpose of city traffic negotiation.

When I returned the machine to the press representatives on the other side of Los Angeles, I rode it nearly flat-out on the freeway for approximately 100 miles. Top speed, as indicated, varied from 75 to 85 mph depending on wind direction and incline. Stability was adequate if not quite at the level offered by a full-size motorcycle or larger-wheeled scooter. This is not a freeway touring machine, but it offers adequate power and stability to use the freeway for relatively short hops — making it more versatile than many other small scooters.

Styling is always subjective, but we thought the bike looked very cool. You don’t see genuine leather saddles very often, particularly in dark brown, and the rest of the bike has a certain retro-yet-modern attractiveness and simplicity.