Is this the best Vespa GTS to date? – RST22 SuperSport 300 | Road test

I could quite easily save myself quite a lot of time and trouble by just telling you to click this link then go out and buy yourself the latest Vespa GTS RST22.

It really is that good. But you probably want to know why, so here goes…

You all know how it is, like all manufacturers, Piaggio launch an updated model every. now and again and the ‘new’ scooter is basically just a facelift to help shift a few new scooters. Looking at photos of the ‘ReSTyled in 2022’ RST22 (quite a cool name I reckon) you could be forgiven for thinking that’s the case with this model, but you’d be very wrong. This really is the most complete and extensive update in the history of the Vespa GTS.

Spot the difference

If you know your GTS’ and get a chance to see the RST22 close up you can play a game of ‘spot the difference’ and there are many. Aesthetically all the panels, mudguard, glovebox, headset, rear end, floorboards, side panels, instruments, lights, horncast, floor mat, knee pads, seat and many other hidden details are different to the previous HPE. It’s an altogether sleeker, sharper design.

Those changes mean that hardly any accessories a current owner has will fit onto their new model if they’re trading up and planning on swapping things over. For instance, if you have a genuine Vespa screen it won’t fit your new 2023 scooter. As many of you know, at SLUK we make various protection and styling parts for the GTS. We quickly made a new SLUK Guard and SLUK Catcher to help keep rusting at bay as soon as this model arrived in the UK (Like all Vespas, the GTS is made from steel and the UK climate isn’t kind to it). We also reworked our Shorty and Driver screens so they fit all models now.

Which to choose?

Talking of accessories, we had the choice of three models to road test. The Super, SuperSport or SuperTech. I opted for the SuperSport, purely because of the colour choices and just how much Piaggio had accessorised it as standard. British scooterists like to swap things around but this model hardly ‘needs’ any aftermarket modifications.

Black parts matter

Black detailing has been all the rage for a few years now and this latest model comes as standard with virtually everything an owner might ordinarily change. Stuff like the legshield trim, mirrors, headlight and clock surrounds and pillion pegs. Even the exhaust heatshield comes in gloss black. So do those trick-looking 10-spoke wheels and the horncast is finished in carbon effect. It’s pretty much a customised scooter before it leaves the showroom. That alone will save the owner a good few quid. If I were to be picky I’d tell you that I don’t really like the chrome switchgear, that should have been black as well. The only other thing you might want to change are the alloy levers and maybe put an aftermarket exhaust on.

**Prices correct May 2023**

Pricing

The SuperSport costs £6450, whilst the top-of-the-range SuperTech is £6600, pricing across the whole range is much closer than it was when the HPE first arrived and a SuperTech was around £800 more than the standard GTS 300.

Of course, not all owners want to have all those bits and pieces, the base model GTS 300 costs £6200, or the Super at £6300 if you want to save a few quid. Then there are 125cc equivalents as well. You can find all the specs and details for the GTS Super in our launch report from last November.

Prices have gone up for everything over the last few years, even the popular 300cc Far Eastern Royal Alloy TG retro scooter costs around £5400 and isn’t as well built as a Vespa. The RA has a very sketchy parts backup as well.

DreamRide finance

Piaggio offer DreamRide finance on their full range with options for standard HP or PCPand prices from just £61.69 per month.

Keyless ignition

Most premium-priced new scooters come with keyless ignition these days so it’s no surprise that the RST22 has it. In fact, it’s a very good and easy-to-operate system on the Vespa. The remote keyfob can be used to unlock the scooter but most of the time you just stick the proximity-sensing key in your pocket and forget about it. It’s easy to use and stops you from fumbling about with a traditional key. Simply press the centre dial, turn it at the ‘welcome’ message on the speedo and you can start it up.

Aside from styling and tech, the RST22 comes with some impressive stopping and handling upgrades – we’re talking about Brembo brakes and anti-dive front suspension as standard. Both of which are an improvement on the previous models. Piaggio really have gone to town on creating a superb package.

Engine upgrades

Engine wise it retains the same liquid-cooled, HPE – High-Performance Engine as its predecessor but the technicians have reworked certain aspects. There’s a new camshaft and multi-jet injector, as well as the latest generation Magneti Marelli MIUG4 ECU. Some earlier HPE motors used more engine oil than they should have done and so far we’ve heard no reports of the RST22 HPE suffering the same problem. Hopefully, Piaggio have sorted that nasty issue out.

Pleasure ride

The engine tweaks have improved start-up, reduced fuel consumption and increased low-speed torque. The mapping has also been improved immensely. We had a long-term HPE SuperTech back in 2019 and although I loved it, the intrusive rev limiter put me off owning one. We ended up fitting a ‘Speedwheel’ which sorted the problem out but you shouldn’t need to fit such trickery to a brand-new scooter just to allow it to be ridden to the max. I can categorically state that the RST 22 has cured that issue. This scooter is a joy to ride flat out at motorway speeds. Vespa really have put some effort into perfecting the new model.

Love at first sight?

Having ridden 80 miles down the M1 on my own trusty 2006 GTS 250, I picked the brand-spanking new scooter up from the Piaggio press fleet to ride home again.

I was instantly smitten.

The SuperSport is available in a choice of five colours; Nero Covinto Matt (matt black), Grigio Travelgente Matt (matt silver), Aranchio Impulsivo (orange), Bianco Innoccente (white) and the one we had, Verde Imbizioso Matt (matt green). I’d say the 2023 Vespa GTS colour choice is the best lineup in the model’s history. Well done Vespa!

Premium product

Jumping on board it instantly felt very impressive and subtly different to the previous HPE. The seat shape and re-shaped runner boards leave you feeling slightly closer to the floor (even though the height itself is the same). The instruments look classy and refined, they also come with the Piaggio app for extra trip statistics and connectivity. This GTS feels like the premium product the Vespas price tag suggests.

Riding away, the engine felt responsive and smooth. The front suspension is much plusher than on my current 250, or my last 2015 300 for that matter, or the long-termer HPE. It felt just how a new high-spec scooter should feel. I already knew I was going to get along just fine with the RST22.

Long distance

I had the scooter for just over two weeks and during that time I had a chance to ride it to Weston-Super-Mare for the National Scooter Rally. It’s a 360-mile round trip, almost all covered by motorway at 70mph or more. I usually ride my classic Lambrettas, or tuned Vespa PX to rallies but opted to go modern for a change. Before I even left home it had saved me lots of time. I didn’t have to sort spares out or get 2 stroke oil and tools together. I didn’t have to check every last nut and bolt to stop things from dropping off. I simply fitted my MoniMoto tracker (never leave home, or a GTS without one), stuck a chain under the seat and I was ready to go and meet a few mates.

Mile muncher

The GTS was an absolute pleasure to ride long distance. Comfortable, fast, and economical. That’s not the only thing though, remember that oh-so-annoying rev limiter? That is now a thing of the past. If you want to ride at full throttle, on the RST22 you can! This point alone, for me as a flat-out, long-distance GTS rider makes it worth trading up to this new model. Believe me, I tried very hard to find that limiter and during over 400 miles of riding only felt it kick in once. My top speed (according to the max speed function of the clocks) was 88mph. In real life that’s a GPS speed of 82mph, which puts it where the older (pre-Euro4/5 models) used to be. You really do have to be trying very hard though and won’t feel ever that limiter in normal motorway riding.

Cheap to run

That journey to Weston and back probably saved me lots of fuel and oil when compared to my own Lambretta. A TS1 Lambretta riding friend was with us, he spent £94.84 on fuel and £15 on oil for the same return journey. The GTS took just £40 in fuel. It was also marginally more fuel efficient than the 2015 GTS I was riding with and the tank range was considerably better, despite being half a litre less in capacity. Win, win. That’s one benefit of Euro 5 regs, engines need to be cleaner and better on fuel.

This was riding at almost full throttle for the majority of the trip, riding more economically would massively reduce fuel consumption. You can expect to see around 75mpg if you’re careful with the throttle.

Aside from that weekend trip, I used the scooter for running a few local errands, trips to the post office to send out orders from the SLUK Shop and general day-to-day use. It really is a fantastic scooter.

After selling my 2015 model GTS a few years ago I didn’t expect I’d be tempted to buy another new one. The HPE was good but had its faults and I ended up without a GTS in the garage for three years until I bought a cheap used 250 last winter. Although that 2006 scooter is still in great condition (the early ones were the best) and it does everything I need of it (in fact a friend is borrowing it to ride to Vespa World days in Switzerland next month) I really could be easily persuaded to sell it and buy myself an RST22.

I didn’t really want to take this scooter back at the end of the loan but Piaggio needed it back, so reluctantly I handed it over. Riding back home on my 250 it hammered home just how much of an improvement the new model is. Mine felt a bit rough around the edges, the ride quality is nowhere near as good, the brakes and suspension aren’t a patch on the 2023 model and the engine isn’t half as smooth. There’s no ABS or traction control and the styling is starting to look a bit dated in comparison. Maybe it is time to splash out on a new Vespa GTS after all…

How’s your RST22?

If you own the latest model let us know what you think of yours, do you agree with our findings? If you’re heading to a dealer to check one out, (or buy one) let them know that ScooterLab sent you there. It helps us if they know where you read about it.

Words, photos and video: Iggy

Action shots: Linsey

New Vespa campaign

For spring 2023 Piaggio has launched the advertising campaign above. It’s a video to signify “A call for freedom and self-determination.”

To many scooterists around the world, it may seem like a strange plot but remember we’re in a minority of Vespa customers. Vespa is a brand aspired to by many. Read between the lines and the campaign shows that there’s more to life than the hectic world of work and business. Embrace the unknown and it can be filled with “Lightness, freedom and colour”. For 2023 the Vespa GTS is certainly colourful.

According to the back story accompanying the video it’s…

A joyful choreography combining exceptional dancers, colourful Vespas and creative camerawork, this short film is an uplifting celebration of individuality and personal growth. Vespa has always been a catalyst of self-expression, a rule changer, a way of life. But above all, Vespa is freedom.”

Scooterists have been showing individuality and self-expression since the first scooters rolled off the Italian production lines. Riding scooters has certainly given us freedom and as clichèd as it is, it’s a way of life.

If you’re reading this and aren’t already a part of that amazing way of life, you can get yourself on board a new Vespa at your local dealership or find out more information here.