Following on from the success of the GTS 300 with its 278cc engine, Piaggio Group has been hard at work to bring its latest release, the GTS 310 SuperSport, now sporting an all-new 310cc engine, making this the fastest Vespa currently in production.

But coming in at £6,765, is this Italian-made scooter really worth the price tag?

Let’s face it, the GTS 300 was already pretty good, to say the least, having proved popular with us when we had it in for review. With smooth, linear power coming from the already quiet 23.8hp engine, how could Piaggio improve this?

In line with Euro5+ emissions regulations, the new Vespa has an increased stroke from 63mm to 70mm, along with an enlarged cylinder capacity by 32cc with new injectors and a new crankcase designed to cut down on mechanical and belt noise, making the GTS 310 both punchier and more refined than before.

Now, as mentioned, we have much updated engine internals in the latest GTS, but what does that translate into, in terms of figures?

Naturally, if Piaggio had made the required emission updates to its existing 278cc powerplant, it would be down on power due to the restriction, and ultimately, this is the reason why we now have the new engine, but it is also slightly faster, too.

With 25hp on tap and 28.9nm of torque, it is immediately clear to see that whilst not up on power a huge deal over the previous generation, with an increase of only 1.2hp and 2.9nm of torque, it comes in a lot earlier. Instead of power peaking at 8,250rpm we now see a massive 1750rpm difference at a much lower 6,500rpm, although torque still peaks at 5,250rpm.

Because of the power coming in earlier, it actually felt larger than its cylinder capacity would suggest. Maybe that’s down to its CVT twist-and-go gearbox too, but I even had the traction control kick in a fair few times, even in the dry, so it must have a bit of poke behind it. I wouldn’t say it is fast, but for a scooter, it is pretty quick, and let’s not forget, it is Vespa’s fastest production scooter.

Overtaking was never an issue, even on faster dual carriageways, and the 310 has plenty of top-end power, enough to get you into trouble anyway, but otherwise, it sits happily at 70 without stressing the engine. If you did have the right area to really stretch its legs though, you’d be topping out at a healthy 80+ mph.

Coming in 5 suitably Italian-named colourways, all with orange highlights, we have a choice of 3 matt finishes, being Verde Ambizioso (Green), Grigio Travolgente (Grey), and Nero Convinto (Black), and two gloss options with Bianco Innocente (White) and Blu Eclettico (the Blue we had on our test bike), which popped wherever I rode it, and personally, I think it looks great.

 

Another feature of the SuperSport range is the blacked-out trim. Almost everything that is traditionally chrome (aside from the levers) is now black, which really helps to frame the bolder colours and make it a little more modern, all while staying retro.

If this doesn’t take your fancy, though, there are other trims to choose from on the 310 at varying prices and specs, such as the standard GTS 310, Super and SuperTech; again, all with a varying choice of colours too and chrome trim, so there really is something for everyone.

Talking of it being retro, I have to comment on this iteration of the GTS being more of a modern take on a retro Vespa rather than a remake of an original. It’s no bad thing, though, and I think it still looks great. It is evidently not a PX200 or anything from the past, but there are so many distinctive styling elements that still clearly make it recognisably Vespa such as the round headlight, footboard design and rear wheel covers, to name a few.

When it comes to touring, it’s in the name of the GTS for good reason. Surprisingly, the Vespa is reasonably fuel efficient and achieves 88mpg, costing a little over a tenner to fill up, which should get you around 140 miles on faster roads, even though it only has an 8.5L tank.

As mentioned too, it is happy to sit at 70mph, which is great for touring or doing the distance to your next rally, but having said that, whilst the GTS 310’s engine is comfortable at speed and also efficient, without any wind protection, it felt very exposed at 70mph and became uncomfortable quickly, so I think it could benefit from a windscreen if touring is your main focus.

 

If this is your priority, however, the seat is super comfortable with plenty of padding and is an approachable height of 790mm, albeit a bit wide, as most scooters are.

Of course, storage is always important if you’re doing the distance, and whilst we get a full-size opening for the front glovebox in the leg shield, the under-seat storage is very shallow and not able to accommodate a full-face helmet when tested, although we couldn’t test to see if an open-face would fit. It would fit a lot of your essentials, though but just make sure you don’t mind them being hot when you arrive, as it does get toasty under there.

Something else to bear in mind on the Vespa is its weight. I wouldn’t say it’s heavy, especially at 163kg, but it does carry some of that weight when you’re riding and is noticeable in comparison to, say, a 125 Vespa in terms of balance. This is possibly down to the 310 using a steel body, which is no bad thing, as it feels solid and has a planted feel on the road, but as I say, some of that weight is noticeable when you’re riding.

Another thing worth noting is just how much bigger the 310 is than a classic Vespa or even a current 125. It’s definitely not at maxi size, but the size difference is comparable, and I personally always prefer a small frame for a Vespa.

It does handle well, though, given the 12-inch wheels front and rear, and it surprised me with its comfort and damping on a variety of roads. At the front, we have a single-sided swingarm, and at the rear, we find twin shocks, which have been set up in a way that gives the GTS versatility. It’s not just a city or town scooter but one that’s also at home on the open road.

It’s also all well and good having a bit of power, but what good is it if you can't stop it? On the GTS, we have rather large discs front and back, bearing in mind we have 12-inch wheels, and it is a scooter. At the front, we find a 220mm disc, which is also what we find at the back, alongside a twin piston and single piston caliper, maximising all of the available space within the confines of wheel size, barely leaving much room at all for the calipers.

Onto lighting, and, as expected for its price point, the Vespa GTS 310 SuperSport comes with LED lighting all around, which is paired with an in-keeping split analogue/LCD display to keep it retro. The dash displays everything you would want to know, including all your standard economy and trip data, but also gains Vespa’s MIA as standard, allowing you to connect your phone for calls and music, which is a nice, discreet addition, although it is worth bearing in mind that you don’t get this as standard on the lower-spec GTS 310's.

Aside from this, we get keyless ignition with remote seat unlocking and traction control, which can be turned off with a button on the switchgear. It’s nice to see that it’s switchable because whilst it works well and keeps control of the bike, I did find it a bit sudden when it comes in, as it cuts power quite aggressively.

When you're looking at a premium retro-style scooter like the Vespa GTS 310 SuperSport, you may be wondering what else is out there, but I would suggest it has two key competitors in the form of the Lambretta X300 GT and the Royal Alloy GP 350 MT.

The Lambretta X300 GT comes with similar power at 25hp, but slightly lower torque of 24.5nm compared to the GTS’s 28.9nm. It has a smaller 7L fuel tank and uses a split analogue/LCD display like the Vespa to keep it retro. While it’s built in Taiwan (vs Italy for the GTS), it undercuts the Vespa significantly at £4,999, which is about £1,750 less than the Vespa.

The Royal Alloy GP 350 MT has the same engine size but comes with a bit more power at 27.5hp, although it slightly lags in torque at 27.5nm vs the GTS’s 28.9nm. It’s got a bigger 10.5L tank, though and comes with a modern TFT display. At £5,199, it’s also around £1,550 cheaper than the GTS 310 but does lose out on the brand reputation associated with the Vespa.

In summary, I found the GTS 310 to be great fun. It has a load of classic Vespa styling elements, but remade for the modern day. With a pokey engine, this makes the 310 the fastest scooter Vespa currently produces, but not without a few downsides, like the wind exposure at speed and price.

We have to appreciate that this is a very premium option, and some may justify its near seven grand cost, whereas others may not, bearing in mind it is a scooter. With a screen fitted, I’m sure this would also be great for touring or going to your next rally with its comfy seat and under-stressed engine at all legal speeds.

Overall, the GTS 310 is a very versatile bike that covers a lot of scenarios well. As happy in town or flicking through traffic in the city as it is on the open road, if you want something a bit different, quick and retro in scooter form, could the all-Italian 2025 Vespa GTS 310 SuperSport be for you?

If you enjoyed this review and are tempted to get your own slice of Italia for your next rally, or indeed, even have your own scooter and need somewhere to insure it, be sure to head to Lexham to get a motorcycle or scooter insurance quote direct!