2023 Vespa GTS Has SOUL!

A viewer writes that modern Vespas are soulless bags of... Well, he doesn't like them very much is what he's saying.
I disagree. My 2023 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport is loaded with soul. It's got soul coming out the tail pipe.
Join me as I sort through this mess and also test out my new DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera! I have some learnin' to do when it comes to exposure and whatnot, but this thing is the REAL DEAL!

Filmed on my 2023 VESPA GTS SUPER SPORT 300 HPE.

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Tech Notes (current as of Feb 2024):
I shoot these videos mainly on DJI equipment:
• DJI Osmo Action 4 cameras
• DJI Osmo Pocket 3
• DJI Mic 2 (used with Pocket 3 and in-helmet with Action 4)
• Sony ZV-1
• Fuji X100f for stills
All video is edited in Davinci Resolve Studio on a Mac Book Pro
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[richardvillar]

I love Vespa but my 1968 Super Cub has soul and so does my 2023 Honda Trail 125. I deliver food, I take my dog for weekend rides to the park, I go camping and commute to work and I cruise just for the fun of it. My Honda Trail has a kickstart or electric start and gets 125 honest miles per gallon. Its green and my students call it the Green Hornet! Who names a bike with no soul? keep up the great vids but Honda mini moto bikes/scooters definitely have soul my friend! PEACE!

[jimt]

I'm right there with you...except the comment about a cat. Cats have soul. It is a fickle, dark and evil soul, but soul nonetheless. Cheers!🐱🐱

[weightlessliving]

“If I wanted a weekend project filled with anger and hate, I’d go back to high school.” This is priceless.

[Retro_Iron]

Hah!! You’ve NAILED IT!!
And as for Elon Musk. Androids, by definition, do not have souls. ‘Nuff said..

[philsentry]

First time i saw a vespa as a kid, wanted 1. I always dreamed of a gas powered wheelchair riding on a highway. When i played GTA 3 i always stole a faggio to get in speed chases with cops. As a middle aged man i love my vespa, and always will. I give it soul cause it gives me joy.

[paulbyrumii]

Great talking video, soul, brother. Bring back soul to the modern Vespa, respect the Vespa. Pismo, Paul.

[ralphtechnow]

You've taken her out camping and formed a bond with her practicalities and beauty [besides chrome around buttons].
My friend doesn't motocamp so he got a ground level room so he could take his Zoe in the room. Mine is Beverly and she loves riding with me and hangs out in the garage of our Redverse tent. She will go anywhere we want at any time and even shielded me from a flying buzzard. Bev's got soul!
I think it's time to name your GTS.
I say name it Nutsie or Casper sinc it's white.

[AltitudeRider]

That quote sounded very familiar!👍🏻Every time I take a ride, I feel the soul, the history, the heritage of Vespa, like no other motorcycle I’ve ever owned, and there’s been plenty! Love my Mustang, hate Musk, my Rolex stays in a drawer, love pizza, also dislike Neil Young music, very cool bungalow, and a beautiful camera! Keep up the videos! Very entertaining as I drink my Sunday morning coffee!

[michaelhiggins]

Bug, I agree with about 98% of what you just said. I too don't know what Vespa was thinking when they went to the chrome switch plates on the handle bars. I came dangerously close to buying a blue 2022 GTS 300 with a tan seat, (Sans ugly chrome switch covers) until the Dealer here in AZ screwed me over with ludicrous added fees. I mean $950 set up fee on a Vespa that comes fully assembled ? The one thing I would disagree with you is where you stated the older Vespas were better built. Yes on one hand, I cannot argue with the all metal body including the headset, I believe the only plastic part was the horn cover but . . . These machines were also two-stroke, air cooled and carbureted. A modern Vespa is leaps and bounds more reliable with fuel injection, liquid cooling and the more robust four stroke engine. I very likely will be buying I suppose a 2024 around this time next year, a financial agreement with the wife is driving this. It would be nice if the 2024's lose the chrome switch covers, but I'm not holding my breath. I was a little discouraged with the $700 price increase over the 2022, but, the 2023 does have several design improvements including the new front suspension and I love the new style two-tone wheels over the outdated daisy style. Please keep the vid's coming Bug, you already have a cult following.

[victorhawkins]

Greetings from the South China Sea. I agree with you about darn near everything -- okay, I like Neil Young a helluva lot more than you do, but as I type this, I'm listening to Gerry Mulligan's JERU album, so do with that what you will. Yes, we form bonds not just with our scoot du jour but with Vespa in general. I still miss my GTVie...and I sold her 12 years ago. Same for my ET2 50cc...sold her 6 years ago. But I never stopped wanting another Vespa. To that end, I'm picking up another "soulless" ride shortly after the first of the year. Great stuff as always, bug.

[SCALE_SLOTCARS]

HI Bug 🤗 I definitely prefer the older px model Vespas but I certainly wouldn't put any hate on the modern Vespa's. Old two stroke geared Vespas are as rare as hens teeth here in Latvia and really where I live and my health, I need to use brain over heart, reliability and touring capacities! The modern auto Vespas are wonderful machines and my Gts300s is staying with me for the long haul 😍 I get more positive feedback on my Vespa's over many years than I ever got on my motorcycles .Just like that couple who stopped to chat 👍But the old style Vespa owners can be such Dinosaurs and the are just afraid of change .soon they will wipe themselves out in their refusal to advance 🦖 hey love the robot t-shirt, I must check how much posted to Latvia from Vespa motorsport, humm need to check 🙃 ..who is Elon Minsk 😂😂 great post 👍...Harry .ps with you on the horrible chrome switchgear surronds ..ile be changing mine to black 😁

[ricksanchez]

I have the 2023 GTS 300 SuperTech.. Mine has soul and I love her! lol Keep them coming Bug. Cheers!

[lupaie]

If I could ride a GS on a daily base, without the need to ever service it myself, and without the chance of the bike breaking down every ride….I’d choose the GS or a Rally, even a PX. But it isn’t. The thing is, I love Vespa, don’t have the budget for multiple bikes, I’m the worst mechanic and drive the Vespa for Love and Work. The GTS does all that and kinda is more a soulmate to me than a GS could ever be.

[nellfuntimecoops]

Love the gentle nudge in the kidneys from the scoot with plenty of soul!!!!

[monkeyspanner]

I've owned many both old geared two-stoke Vespas and newer auto Vespas. I like the new ones but I prefer to ride the old ones. I'm currently restoring a 62 GS160.

[Tcoldsteel]

I get accused of my RA as having no soul, etc. it never breaks down and is much better looking than modern Lamberettas (in my opinion).
But then again I’m ginger so I can’t tell what has soul or not.

[tinddu]

when i pull up the first time at work they call my 2022 gts a MOPED !!!

[mttd]

I believe it depends on why you buy a s-stroke Vespa or a modern GTS 4-stroke and I own both! My beloved 2-stroke is great for short rides and meets, the odd Scooter Rally! But my GTS is great for long rides out with my wife on her GTS! We sometimes go out on a summers day and put about 120 miles on the clock, last we we toured the Isle of Wight and all rouble free! For 2024 I'm planning a Tour of Holland on our GTS's, so for Touring definitely the GTS is best! Just twist and go, then get back! If you know you know!

[davestone]

I like the shirt. Can you bring it to Calgary? I’m a size small.

[donaldmathieu]

I agree with you about the Vespa, and everything else, except Neil Young. I Had a 2005 Vespa GT200, that I loved and commuted on. Then, so many Triumphs and other motorcycles. In 2019 I Bought my daughter's 2002 Vespa ET4, which I enjoyed. But, it made me think about getting a new large frame Vespa. In June, I bought my Red 2023 Vespa GTS 300 Super. I enjoy riding it, and just hit 2900 miles while doing a October Murdercycles Murder Miglia riding challenge. It's a documented 100 miles a day for 10 days. If you miss a day, or mess up your documentation you have to start over. I really enjoy your videos. Have fun on your Vespa.