Modern Vespa

New to the MP3 scene, but from my understanding they started with 12" rear wheels and then were upgraded (to 14"?) for improved stability. Is that correct?

Two questions:

1) Did anything else change, maybe on the front end to account for the taller rear?
2) Has anyone switched from the 12" rear tire to a 14" tire? If so, what was involved?

Thanks!

Not sure where you would get wheels for 14" tires that would fit.
You can you the 13" wheels off the Piaggio YouBan.

the 12 and 14" wheels that come on the 250 could be interchangable. they are not a bolt on wheel like web thinks. they are spline drive direct from output shaft.

I would look to see if rear disc size used is same between the 12" and 14" models. if its same diameter then its a good bet all you need is a wheel and tire to swap. but its just a logical guess.

another option might be to use the spline drive hub and bolt on wheel setup from a vespa gts. then you would have 12 and 13 wheel choices. the wheels on the back of mp3 are heavy duty. so that can be a concern for this path.

Actually I thought he was talking about the fronts, missed the REAR, in the subject.
The whole rear swing arm changed when they updated it to a 14" rear wheel. Caliper is on the wrong side connecting the parking brake is different.

Not a lot you can do, lots of parts changed from 12 to 14 inch rear wheel.
This was hashed out by lots of people when the MP3 250 came out.
Some people just switched to a car tire. I don't advice this though.

If you want to look into a car tire I know stickyfrog is one that did so and liked it.

I was thinking about the Yourban rear tire, I saw that there's a kit on ScooterWest https://www.scooterwest.com/13-yourban-wheel-with-hub-cap-and-mounting-hardware-each.html
A little pricey but I'm due for a new rear tire soon anyway so now's the time to look into it. I've only had my MP3 for about 10 kilometers (less than 10 miles), so I'm open to feedback from experienced MP3 250 riders.
Thanks all.

when fitting the a yourban rear rim you need to change the exhaust bracket also on some 250's depending on build date build in 2009 could do with out but if your in the Us als 250's where build in 2007 and 08

and your link is a front wheel won't fit on the rear

I fitted a 14" rear wheel to my 2007 250. There was a posting from an Australian contributor on his experiences and I followed them.
The 14" was from the late model MP3 and came from Easyparts in Holland.

It was a straight forward job necessitating spacing out the wheel 8mm on all mounting points, this to correctly align the brake disc. I may have replaced the cap screws with longer ones too.

Comfort is improved, the gearing is 'higher'-an extra 4" rolling distance over the 12". And I'd say the handling on our twisty roads has improved-a bit more cornering clearance!
I wouldn't go back to a 12"

Doh! I'm in Canada on a 2007 MP3 250. I'm guessing I would need to change the exhaust bracket? I tried searching for this but couldn't find it on the forum. Do you know if this thread is still live somewhere?

I had previously fitted a Leo Vince exhaust and can't recall having to change the bracket. The LV system saves a heap of weight...makes a nice sound too.

On my 50cc scoot I always used a 140/70 instead of a 130/70 rear tire - which doesn't sound like a huge upgrade, but improved stability and tire life noticably.

Oh, and apart from being a very easy upgrade, it also looked better 8)

This is probably what you were looking for, by the way:
12" to 14" rear wheel on the 250

Well done that man