Modern Vespa

Hi, I'm waiting to receive my brand new 2022 500 HPE, expect be a huge change vs my loyal 2007 MP3 250

From what I read here and in some French forums (and please confirm if I'm true) to gain some "happiness", smooth and reliable response, without losing high speed and without adverse effects, the best that I can do is:
- Change the roller weights and put a staggered config (25-21-25-21-25-21-25-21). In my case in the MP3 250 the DR.P are good but not that good, so I stay with the OEM ones.
- Change the clutch springs to Malossi yellow ones (when the time is right and wear and tear warrants it, I think in change the whole clutch by a Malossi Maxi Fly with the Malossi Bell)
- Change the variator spring to Malossi White or Yellow (in France all people talk about white, not sure between them what is the better choice?)
- Increase the gap in the variator 0.5mm. Something like the Fuzzy washer, but making a washer that replaces the original (2mm) one with a 2.5mm. (Less parts, more direct)

Any else that I'm missing?

Thanks for the help and advice, regards

I have a 2020 MP3 500HPE.

I started with a 2007 250, moved up to a 2008 400, had a 2019 500ie for a while.

Each step up was significant. (I did put Dr. Pulley sliders and an iridium plug on the 400)

You are going to be wowed by the difference between your 250 and the new bike. It's a whole other beast.

My advice to you would be to just ride it as-is for a while. I think you are quite likely to find that it's more than sufficient and doesn't need the added cost (and risk) of doing the mods.

Of course, if you want to, have at it!

Thanks mpfrank for your words. I'm sure is a different beast, but I know myself, after the first 1000Km (break-in I don't touch anything) I know I like more ha ha ha
My 250 is completely moded, cylinder, top end, clutch, variator, etc etc and after I do all that it start to be the machine I love.
I'm not sure if in my list I'm missing something or is a combination that is not the best one?

Thanks for the help

Just make sure to turn off the ASR traction control each time you start up (unless it's slippery out). When the ASR is on, it flat-lines your acceleration as you exit a curve or turn. It's very disconcerting.

I'm just getting to 2000 miles on a 2020 500 hpe
The only people who beat you away from a light really want to
Merges on to the freeway in a reasonable way even 2up
I ride with the asr off most of the time to avoid the awkward throttle by wire flat spot when you lean hard turning
The motor & clutch shake as a big single will, which seemed to have smoothed out some as it breaks in

I read about, in my list one of the first things to do is a ASR calibration as sounds as is a must before enjoy the bike

I never expected to feel a performance improvement from installing the Akrapovic exhaust, but I do on my 2019. It is smoother off the line and pulls more linearly. Like I said, I was a performance skeptic, but I do feel a definite difference. They claim around 1.5kW and some more torque, but to me it is the linear, clean pull that makes the difference. Love it. Of course it's a pricey upgrade. For me over 10% of the bike purchase price, but I am just glad it's not just about shaving a few pounds and better sound (the latter is really nice though).

There *is* a difference between ASR on and off, but it's not huge when calibrated. There's just a short hesitation if you really start full throttle open (which will use up your rear tire fast ).

needs periodic calibration for reliable results.

But never ever do calibration on a new rear tire.

In general in all my bikes after I put a new rear tire I support the front wheel(s) against a short wall, leave the front brake tight and without the ASR (in this case) activated and on a surface preferably with some dirt/sand I accelerate so that the rear tire slides, and thus I remove the layer of wax release from rubber manufacturing. that helps to adjust it quickly. With the front tires I always use coarse sandpaper to achieve a similar effect.

I imagine that after that the ASR reading would be correct and/or can it be easily calibrated again?

no it would not be correct. and yes it's easy (check the manual).

Any additional recommendation, that occurs to you and is a good idea to do (logically after the break-in period)?

Bitubo shocks are the best bang for buck mod you can do to a MP3, especially if you can find the version with the external reservoir.

Been trying to score some, they are impossible to find

100% agree with sbaert. Last year I was lucky enough to find Bitubo on eBay.

I'm not sure about the rear shocks. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the post 2020 models comes with the Kayaba shock that is suppose are a lot better that the oldest?

this link makes me think Kayaba (KYB) have been used as standard on MP3 for a lot longer than that

https://partsrepublik.com/en/moto/piaggio/mp3-400-ie-mic-2008/rear-suspension-shock-absorber-s

The Kayaba shock have threaded adjusters, instead of stepped
Adequate about what you would expect out of a non-linked twin shock set up

Since we are on the topic of the 500hpe, I have a 2019 and so far it has been great. have around 15.5k kilometers on it and just noticed a slight hesitation after 100km. Mostly affects the full throttle. It pulls, hesitates, pulls up to the top end limiter. Any ideas? I usually run 98Ron fuel from Esso, take it easy until warmed up, and never had a problem until around 2 weeks ago. Seems to be heat related when hot, as cool mornings it is fine. Not trying to hijack, but maybe some of the other HPE owners have seen this or this will help if they run into in the future via search.

I don't think it is spark related and seems to be fuel related, based on my background as a mechanic while I was in the Army many moons ago.

Try running some Liqui Moly injector cleaner through a handful of fuel fillups along with cleaning the throttle body.

Also cleaning and reoiling the foam air filter element goes a long way, but do not overoil the air filter. Just a few coats until the foam gets tacky.

Thanks for the tips SBAERT. I am actually running Super (95RON) per a suggestion from another thread and already started running some fuel system cleaner in the tank now. Only on the first tank, so hoping this makes a difference over a few tank fills. I will need to look at my bill to see if they did the air filter, as they did the oil change at 14.9k since the bike was sitting for almost a year and a half due to the VID and changes in riding laws during that time period. So far this year, I've ridden around 3k kilometers, so hoping just needs a fuel treatment cleaning.