Can A VESPA Ride On N. America's BUSIEST Highway?

Can you ride a Vespa on the highway? In today's video I'll be taking my Vespa GTS on the Highway 401 in Toronto. Highway 401 is North America's busiest highway, and until a few years ago, it was also the largest highway in North America. My Vespa is seventeen years old and less than 250cc. Let's see what happens!

#vespa #vespagts

[fennz]

I've had a 650 and an 1100 cc bike which of course, were no problem on the freeway. I now have a Vespa GTV 300, and it too is OK on the hi way doing 125+ kph, but where it shines is on secondary highways and country roads doing 80 to 100 kph. It is so much more fun and comfortable to ride. The big bonus is going on rides with Vespa clubs on rides with up to 50 or more riders. For anyone older than a kid needing to get his rocks off, I would highly recommend a Vespa. P.S. My wife has a 2008 GTS 250 and, like you, has no trouble at any speed.

[michaela.]

Creeping on Black Creek Drive = P.I.M.P

[bugscooters]

That's the worst feeling. Cruising down the highway and thinking, "ok time to zip by this guy" and then realizing you're already at full throttle. It's like grabbing your coffee mug for a gulp and it's empty...

[blazer]

I took my Vespa 300GTS on a short stretch of I-75. I was hesitant at first and stayed in the right lane. Soon I discovered that it had all the power I needed to get in and out of traffic. It was stable at 70-75 mph with a small windscreen. The top end speed was 85 mph but I rarely used it. You didn't seem out of place on those roads.

[teslageek]

Yeah, interstate/highway isn’t ideal, but entirely doable. It’s more a matter of managing how you ride with traffic. Avoid the idiots, keep it mellow, and cruise past the slower traffic. That all in mind, it’s the fun and adrenaline rush of being on such a minimal machine doing all things full motorcycles do that makes it a blast. And, urban it’s perfect for. My best rides are here the western North Carolina mountain twisties, relaxed and exhilarating - that’s the sweet spot!

[NK-erci]

Another reason for me to get a vespa is that when you passed the lorry you didn't get that crazy side wind blowing you around. Scooters sound safer

[jameskrell]

I have had four Vespa GTS 300’s in just over ten years, one was stolen. I had big bikes in the 1990’s, the Vespa is so much more fun, user friendly and I love it. Here in the UK it is more than adequate on the Motor ways, often they are choked up anyway and restricted by speed cameras. The GTS really excels on the A roads and is a pleasure to ride even two up.

[ThePayneer]

First off, you're an animal! 🤣Vespa+401 = you need to be committed! 🤣 That guy who cut you off marking the right turn, the guy who passed you without even seeing your bright red a$$, plus the guy at 8:50 are all reasons this is nuts! That being said, sweet video! Good to know, in a pinch, this can handle faster speeds no problem! I think most people do consider Vespa's city bikes so this is cool!

[tanja]

I take my Vespa 300GTS on secondary highways (100km/hr) and it does just fine, it doesn’t feel unstable to me. I have also taken it on a busier freeway, yet I wouldn’t enjoy it for a long way. I used to ride a Ninja 650 and that bike was great on a freeway, also lots more in the throttle left and as you say, passing was quick. However, I now enjoy the pace and ease of my Vespa, it’s a great bike!❤ Just better for a more relaxed pace…yet in the city it is fantastic…very quick off the line and extremely nimble.

[Antoniu]

Ok, it seems that some of you are missing it here… I'm in the USA and ride a 2023 Vespa Sprint 150cc. This thing is amazing! I didn't want a GTS because it felt too bulky and took too much away from the original. I can easily do 70mph but the sweet spot is 55-60mph. The idea here is not to speed but to enjoy the ride and the 150 Vespa Sprint does it beautifully on any road!

[martyn_g]

I went up the M1 freeway going into South Australia on a Honda CT125. Yep. Maxed out at 85kph on the flats, hills dropped to 55kph. I lived - by being super aware!

[itsMEmotovlogs]

Great video man. I just bought my Vespa, 3 months ago, and i was wondering if i can hit small European roads with this, or even highways (here are smaller). I now see that people are travelling with this bikes even through states. Cheers from Bulgaria!

[willemoudewater]

I totally agree with you on the riding on the highway. I have a GTS300 for some years now and I agree with all you experienced. Also when you have someone on the back it does feel more stable to me aswell. I'm getting a bit older now and I don't have to go fast anymore I'm very comfortable just sticking to the most right lane and just enjoy the ride. maybe I get when I want to go 10 minutes later but still love my Vespa ride and the things I can take with me onder the seat.

[Shagnasty-bobj]

The first stock from the factory speedo on my NSS250 Honda Reflex strangely was dead on accurate according to my Garmin and my cell phone. But the bike had been wrecked before I bought it and the gauge cluster stopped working so I had to get one off Ebay. The Ebay replacement speedo is exactly 5 mph off(optimistic) at any speed. Many years ago I had the chance to ride a 250 Elite on the interstate, it was jittery, that thing did not have the high speed stability and easily was blown around by semis and just the wind. But these maxi scooters like the Helix and the Reflex are extremely stable at high speeds on the interstate. Even with that I still try to avoid the interstate at all cost and stay comfy and relaxed on slower backroads. Later man, gotta go for a scooter ride!!😁

[MillieonaVespa]

Oh boy ….nope I wouldn’t..I drive a Vespa 300 GTS ….and it’s just so much fun on twisty country roads and regional roads …so much fun puts a smile on my face every time I take it out . …but motorways nope never always take the scenic route …

[giridhars]

Your feeling about the pillion giving more stability, is correct. In fact, a tail bag tied on the pillion seat gives a greater top-speed or cruise-speed stability because the bag remains glued to the body of the scooter unlike a human who has to learn to lean with the scooter. The tail bag or the pillion causes the stiff suspension to compress a little that offers a slightly plush feeling over undulations on roads.

[KrakensGarageandAdventures]

It's true, there's nothing left to pass on a freeway. That said, I can't say I've had any issues riding all these years on the freeway. Great video to think about!

[nicknelson]

If you think "N. America's BUSIEST Highway" is more dangerous than central Rome or any other big city in Italy, the land of the vespa, I suggest a trip over there to see for yourself. Especially the 250...more than enough grunt...try a 50 in Italian rush-hour traffic.

[Crismont]

Recensione esatta.Ho tre vespe d'epoca e una Triumph, abbiamo gusti simili per le moto. Quando torni in Italia se passi dal piemonte, se vuoi fatti sentire!

[mikaelpettersson]

Yes, driving 2up makes the Vespa more stable at all speeds, and the suspension works better!