Modern Vespa

I can see no preload adjustment on my Mp3 500ie. Most shocks have the step up adjustment where you put the spanner wrench and change from step 1 thru step 4. All I see on my 2018 rear shocks are red colored springs and two rings the spanner wrench fits on. (one is an adjustment, and the other is the locking ring). Does anyone else have this type of rear shock on their 2018 Mp3 500ie Sport? Trying to figure out why it does not have the preload steps 1 to 4 on this model. Any help out there in MV land? Do I just increase the tension on the spring with equal turns on the adjustment ring on each side, or should I just "let it ride as it is"?

pics are worth a thousand words. but sounds like they are infinitely adjustable

There was a fundamental problem with the original type of pre-load adjustment, in that the adjusting ring corroded very easily in wet conditions. See:
100% MOT failure rate on '07 MP3 rear shocks

The description of your shocks sounds like a much better solution. Note, they don't have to be be adjusted exactly the same.

After years and years of putting on what are arguably the worst stock shocks in the world, starting with the HPE engines Piaggio finally spent $20 extra per bike (but only on the Sport models) for some KYB shocks.

Rides better, and gives a least some form of adjustability. They do not have adjustable rebound though.

I went with the Bitubo ones that Piaggio sells, and are only available through Piaggio. What a difference. Words can't do justice. No need to use some goofy wrench that tends to slip off. And in very UNlike Piaggio fashion, when I blew out one of the shock oil seals 6 months into ownership they overnighted me a brand new set no questions asked. If only their dealer network was that customer oriented.

I installed bitubos along time ago WAY WAY WAY before piaggio even thoughts about them. Bitubos are here Edit: up date 6/1/10 installed

This is a pic of the shocks on my 2018 Mp3 500ie.

So if they are "infinitely adjustable", then you would have to adjust them with the same number of turns on the adjustment ring for each side? Right?

Seems easier to just step them up from one notch to another, and then back down again.

They don't have to be the same! You could buy a single replacement shock (left hand) and ride with no right-hand shock - if you so desired. The single Fournales shock for the X9 500 would do.

So there's zero need to make each side 'match', though it's probably far easier to dial them in if they at least look similar.

jimc
do you have that fournales shock?

cant find any shops that sell it?

that stock red spring shock looks like its rebound adjustable as well.
anyone order that from dealer yet to upgrade? part number is still same for all years 2009-2020. my luck it would result in getting the old crappy black shocks

No - but I knew several folk that had them on X9s in France a few years ago.

They may have gone out of business. Good shocks though, apparently.

gotta love those coilovers with adjustable threads. I was able to adjust mine down a bit and let me tell you, PITA. The spanners they give you to adjust just don't reach in there very well and would much easier on the right side if you were to remove the exhaust. Brought mine down not even half an inch. being vertically challenged, i was hoping this would help a little, which it did, but not to the effect I was hoping. oh well.