Modern Vespa

I just got off the phone with ShadUSA and I have been informed that they have a seat for the MP3 500 2009 - 2013
http://www.shad.es/en/shad-world/products/comfort-seats/piaggio///seat-mp3-2009-13/c65mar6modmotr82/

Any thoughts on this seat?

That looks like the same seat for the MP3/250 & MP3/400.
I thought the 500 was different in the US?
The MP3/500 in the US is not the same as the one across the Pond.
I wonder if you got confusing information, maybe you should have said if it fits the Gilera 500.

I almost bought that seat...
But I went with the Piaggio Gel for my MP3/250, which I absolutely love after riding from Atlanta to Memphis for Amerivespa and back with "No Back Problems".

Keith,
Marietta, GA

I am just desperate to find a different seat lol.

Looking at the pdf instruction photo's this seat would not fit a Gilera Fuoco as the seat base looks different.

I thought the Gilera fuoco was marketed in the USA as a MP3 500 OR are there 2 models of MP3 500s one that is a euro type Gilera Fuoco and one a Piaggio mp3 500 styled more or less like the 125/250/300/400.

My best explanation is, the US got the Gilera 500 and it was Badged as a MP3/500. (Note: Some owners in the US change the Piaggio Badges back to Gilera I have seen.) They also have the Yourban Model as well...

We also have in the US the 2016 MP3/500 ABS Sport, which is the 2015 MP3/500 ABS Sport in Europe.

Across the Pond they have both Gilera 500 and MP3/500 (With Body style of MP3/250 & MP3/400), as well as the MP3/300 and also the LT (Foot Brake) and the RL Versions. It's fun to order parts, but it is also fun to mix and match as I have done to make things different.

Thanks for that so all mp3 500 in USA prior to 2015 arerealy Gilera fuocos .

That is my opinion, maybe someone else who owns one can comment since they have probably ordered parts, and used different Catalogs. In the US they use MP3/500 for OEM parts, outside the US they probably use Gilera. But many or same with exception to Body Parts, and the Seat of course.

Keith
Marietta, GA

Yes when i order parts or look for them on line from UK spares suppliers Fowlers in Bristol and Suttons in Milton keynes i look at the gilera fuoco lists but as you say the majority of parts are the same part numbers except for the plastic or i think you call it tupperware.

Here's a Link I found...
No Seats on ebay.

http://www.topsellerie.com/@EN-FR/GILERA-FUOCO-500-seats-bags-leg-handgrip-covers-scooter_18_528.html

I would not be concerned about going Global to find what you need.
I buy as much outside of the US then I do in the US.

Keith,
Marietta, GA

I know very well that brand, they do a great job !!

The US MP3-500 that was imported from 2007(?) to 2010 was actually the equivalent of the European Gilera Fouco. The 250 and 400 versions that came to the US during the same time period were styled the same as each other (interchangeable body panels) and were roughly the same as the European versions of the MP3. The seats for Fuoco type MP3 are not compatible with the seats for the 250/400 MP3. I cannot speak to what was available or not available in Canada (from your title block).

From what I understand, there were no versions of the MP3 or Fuoco that were imported I to the US from 2011-2015. The current US MP3 is only available in the 500cc engine configuration and is styled like it's European counterpart (much to the chagrin of those of us who like the more aggressive transformer look of the Fuoco ).

Ahh. Thanks for the info i'm now even more informed. I was abit confused maybe it's a age thing !. Pesonally i would not have any piaggio mp3 of any cc i just don't like the style BUT the Fuoco is a different kettle of fish ,i love it's style even with all it's negatives.

I was very disappointed that Piaggio/Gilera didn't seem update the Fouco like they did the MP3 and then bring it to North America. I would find a way to buy one like that. I believe that I read on a post by forum member Maksor that the Fouco front plastics could be grafted onto the new MP3-500. If I had surety on this issue I might upgrade.

[quote="cummingsjc"] I was very disappointed that Piaggio/Gilera didn't seem update the Fouco like they did the MP3 and then bring it to North America. I would find a way to buy one like that. I believe that I read on a post by forum member Maksor that the Fouco front plastics could be grafted onto the new MP3-500. If I had surety on this issue I might upgrade
It would be quite a costly thing to do with new parts unless you can find good used all the same colour or maybe damaged repairable and repaint.

[quote="3legsofman"] I think its possible...
I think it was Maksor that actually did a MP3/250 with a Fuoco Front.
I have done some of the same with my MP3/250 where my Headlights are from a MP3/300 Hybrid, and my Grill is from a MP3/400. Many parts can fit... But I like this look compared to the Fuoco.

[quote="klaborde"] My wife likes her 400 look better than my 500. To each their own...

hi guys im new here and after a little help if poss,
i purchased a 2015 mp3 500 sport it was only 9 months old and had only 800 miles on the clock (as new) but in the 4 years ive had her ive hardly ridden it..last year i mananeged 158 miles between mots.. and done less than 3000 miles from new..
my biggest issue is the dam seat im constantly sloping forward having to push myself back into the seat with my feet on the running boards and handle bars.
ive read post after post saying the same thing..
its a known issue hence shad make a fantastic range of replacement seats for the mp3 line..
apart from my dam 2015 model..any thoughts most welcome..i miss riding my scooter.
thanks for looking pete.

Get the footpeg adapters from Old As Dirt.
He's in USA, and availability is sporadic, but beyond changing the seat the footpegs give you something to rest your feet on, which can cause an effortless sort of push-back effect keeping you on your seat.

I have a few sets left.

I switched to the Piaggio Gel seat on my 2016 500 Sport
and have been very happy with it.

Marty

I attacked this issue on my 2009 mp3 500. the sliding forward was horrible.

what I did:

lower rear shocks one inch
lower rear tire 140/60 (not for everybody but I LOVE it)

raised front bucket by .5 inch. I did whole bucket so I wouldn't loose my compartment seal. my bike is semi-naked. everyone else can raise front of seat bracket but seat bucket will not be sealed. no idea how fast dust would get in.

recovering my seat. I grind away about .25 of plastic to make seat area more bucket like.

then I raise the very front of seat with .5 inch extra padding. I try the 10mm thick gel both over and under padding. seat comfort did not improve and it make me slide forward again. my but sink into the softer original padding better.

after all the tweeks I would say problem was about 90% removed. I weigh 170lbs.

uncomfortable seat just ruins the riding experience.

Your absolutely correct about the seat the fuoco is the same ,the riding position is the same total s--te .I kept modifying my fuoco seat as had the previous owner i had about 4 go's even cutting more out of the seat base to drop my riding position . I finaly found a company family run who all they do is motorcycle seats in South Sheilds nr Newcastle called Saddlecraft seating who did a fantastic recover i'd aready done all the modifying. What i can say is that with my unupholstered modifid seat i did the 120mile one way journey to deliver the seat for recovering no problem BUT for the return journey i fitted a BRAND NEW fuoco seat i had bought 3 yrs ago for £45 a bargain or so i thought because after 25mls my back /bum/legs were acheing and had to stop, at at 90 mls i got off the fuoco and could hardly walk not helped by being over 21C and could have set it on fire due to the riding position . My modified seat i was going to collect just for the nice run but the thought of doing 120 mls on that fuoco seat i said post it. WHAT A DIFFERENCE the new seat has made i'll post some pictures later today or tomorrow.

I cut quite a bit off the base of the seat at the front end and sides along with quite alot from the top of the seat foam especialy at the front end where you don't sit. I should have taken a photo of the original seat on the fuoco to show the difference .I added the sheet steel addition under the original pan ( thats were it is cut out so i sit lower. If i was going to do another i think i would make it in fibreglass and probably make a new complete 1 piece pan.I can now sit alot further back on the seat and still put both feet on the ground almost flat i'm 32" inside leg.

I like a lot of things about your seat.

I like a lot of things about the entire scoot! That thing is NICE!