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Vespa GTV 250

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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
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 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.