2009 Vespa Piaggio 250 GTV ie Motorcycle

Description

The Vespa has become something of a cult object over the years, worshipped by enthusiasts around the world and thoroughly transcending the original design brief to provide cheap transportation to millions of Italians. Popularised using clever marketing and an association with celebrities, the Vespa is famously remembered for its role in ‘Roman Holiday’ starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. The Vespa has become the ‘Godfather’ of scooters and can be found on pavements outside the hippest cafes and bars today, thanks to a recent revival of interest. Created as homage to the earliest Vespas, the GTV 250ie has several design touches that evoke memories of the original machines. Its mudguard-mounted front light mimics that of the 1946 prototype, while the handlebar is 'naked', another nod to the earlier bikes. 'Retro' markings are used for the analogue dials and the leather saddle has visible stitching and is split into two sections for added passenger comfort. Under the classic look lies a far more modern scooter, with a dual rear shocker, two-wheel disc brakes and 12-inch wheels. The engine is a 250cc single with electronic fuel injection (hence the ie in the model designation) and produces 16.5kW at 8250rpm, while drive is via a CVT automatic transmission. In all, the GTV 250ie really offers the best of both worlds and has proven to be popular amongst Vespa enthusiasts.