Modern Vespa

Hello Mp3 Community.

Expanding on the discussion of Bitubo shock absorbers from this older thread. How good sounds this mods in a 2022 500 Sport Advanced

I'd like to get the same Bitubo shocks that are on alexram and sbaert's Mp3 series from the other post. I need the model number or a product link where I can buy the correct model for a "2016 MP3 500 Sport ABS ETRTH4BUS2 NAFTA series".

Web searches turn up plenty of Bitubo shocks for the Mp3 but so far none appear to have that little cylinder attached that looks to be the defining feature of good Bitubo shocks. All the models I'm finding look like just the spring and piston but all of them lack the little cylinder hanging off the shocks.

Why do I need new shocks or an upgrade?

While out on a group ride today I finally learned the reason why the rear end of my Mp3 felt a bit squirrelly and unstable whenever I took a rough surface corner at speed.

Either
A) I've reached the limit of what the rear shocks of the MP3 can handle when out pushing the limits of the bike on the twisty mountain roads
B) The rear shocks are busted and I need to invest in replacements. I'm getting a new rear tire installed later this week and will ask the shop to check the factory suspention.
C) Buy a newer 2022 or 2023 Mp3 that has the Bitubo already Update; newer MP3s do not have the "good" shocks but rather slightly better stock stuff.

The background....

Was out on a group ride today and noticed that the handling of the bike got pretty bad whenever I took a corner where the road surface was imperfect (a bit uneven, some bumps, older mountain twisty roads, etc). The handling felt like the rear of the bike was loosing traction and trying to slide while the front got little squirrely. This was nothing I couldn't handle (happened before) so I just slowed down and things stabilized and thought no more of it.

I figured I was probably at the limits of my own skill and was thus doing something wrong when taking the corner at speed, or maybe it was just my city bike wasn't meant for these mountain roads at high speed. But then if that was the case, why does everyone else's bike look so planted and stable while taking the same corners with the same imperfect road surface? I know I'm not as experienced or skilled a rider as the other people in the group but I wasn't that much slower and my cornering lines were roughly matching theirs. So if it was a skill or talent issue then why am I and my bike struggling for roughly the same speed, lean angle, and cornering skills? Is my own skill set that deficient?

At the next stop one of the riders that was behind me approached to ask if I'd felt any instability or wobbliness in the handling during those hard corners on imperfect pavement. When I replied yes and describe how the bike felt a bit "Squirrely" on the front and loss of traction on the back he explained what he had seen while riding behind me the last few miles of twisty mountain roads. He said the rear end of my bike was bouncing around all over the place whenever I took those fast corners on the bumpy roads. At first he thought I simply had the wrong pre-sets on my suspension or some other mechanical problems. On closer inspection he found the pre-sets were correct, the suspension seemed okay and I was observed as being "confident" in tight corners when the road surface was good.

The conclusion was that my riding style and skill was not the problem. It was the MP3s suspension and how it was designed for getting groceries around town and not tearing up mountain twisty roads. Thats both a relief in that its not my skillset thats lacking but rather my steed is no longer cutting it for the style and type of riding I do.

I'm not ready to change platforms, I really like the Mp3 and the smiles it brings when I'm out on the three wheel weirdo around town. Its a beast in the corners due to the 3 wheels stability and the front end feels so very planted and solid. Plus the biggest reason is the wife will not permit any "two wheel" machine in the garage so I'm staying Mp3 for now.

So...
A) I've reached the limit of what the rear shocks of the MP3 can handle when out pushing the limits of the bike on the twisty mountain roads
B) The rear shocks are busted and I need to invest in replacements. We'll find out when the mechanic inspects the bike later this week. Fingers cross the shocks are not busted.
C) Buy a newer 2022 or 2023 Mp3 that has the Bitubo already Update; newer MP3s do not have the "good" shocks but rather slightly better stock stuff.

Last edited by pinheadh78 on Sun, 18 Sep 2022 17:30:14 +0000; edited 1 time

https://www.piaggio.com/en_EN/accessories/vehicle-accessories/cycling-parts-scooter/bitubo-special-shock-absorbers-606390m/

but these shocks are no longer in production as I know, I have no complains at all

Pinhead,

I know a shop that may still have a pair of NOS Piaggio/Bitubo shocks left. Just be aware that the price of shipping internationally nowadays is not like it used to be pre-2020.

The shop where I got mine is out since I got the last 2 sets (first one was leaking and exchanged)

FWIW, my set is holding up well and has already gotten its first full stripdown and rebuild. Per Bitubo, these shocks need a stripdown every couple of years. I let mine go about 3 years since the MP3 is now only a wet weather and winterbike.

PM me, and I'll send you the details

BTW, 2022/2023 MP3s do NOT have the Bitubo shocks. They are units supplied by Kayaba to Piaggio and have very limited adjustability, mainly preload. There is no rebound adjustability unlike the Bitubos.

And knowing Piaggio's track record on suspension and ride quality, dollars to donuts they went bottom dollar as usual. Granted, the Kayabas ARE slightly better than the old black 5 click adjuster type with the keyword being slightly.

Thank you sbaert and alexram. That is very good information.

Are there other brands or models of shocks that are compatible with the Mp3 and would improve its handling?

I see there are Malossi Rear Shocks but I don't know if they're any better or compatible.
https://scooterpartsco.com/malossi/01-malossi-master-part-list/malossi-rear-shock-absorbers-for-piaggio-mp3

I've not decided yet which path I'm going to take to solve the problem. At minimum I need to wait until the mechanic has a look at the shocks condition.

I see plenty on the web searches but all look to be just different variations of the same piston + spring configuration and none have the little cylinder. I don't know allot about shocks but form what I've read that little fluid reservoir cylinder is what gave the Bitubo shocks their improved handling vs the generic piston + spring setup.

The Bitubo shocks might be worth the cost even if the shipping is a bit high. I want to stay on the Mp3 platform and I've already invested in modifying my current Mp3 to where I want it. I like taking it on mountain twisters and a newer Mp3 will not improve the situation.

All new factory stock shocks are around $300 USD (2 x $130 + shipping to USA). If the Bitubo are within a few hundred dollars then it might be worth the investment to keep the Mp3 I like and improve its handling on those rougher twister roads.

Thanks again for the help and guidance. I'm getting an education on my Mp3 and Moto Suspension.

Sample of the generic "piston + spring" shocks I"m finding
https://www.easyparts.nl/Rear-Shockabsorber-p33559440

Sample of some Ebay "Bitubo" shocks but these lack the reservoir cylinder.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144214701817

What I want for the bike
https://www.piaggio.com/us_EN/accessories/vehicle-accessories/cycling-parts-scooter/bitubo-special-shock-absorbers-606390m/

Has anyone tried installing the Malossi shocks and are able to share their experience?

I'm wondering if these might be a suitable middle on the cost vs quality vs performance choice. The best shocks are super expensive, the stock shocks are terrible, and the middle choice (Malossi) is lacking of reviews or information beyond the catalog of compatible parts.

https://www.malossistore.com/en/np/twins-rear-shock-absorber-pair-wheelbase-408-mm-gilera-fuoco-500-ie-4t-lc-euro-3-4614789-gifu500-M-P

Yes the standard shocks are rubbish and expensive rubbish. Theres always Hagons which are probably best value for a decent shock made in England or Ikon 7610 old name Koni dial a ride made in australia. I fitted a pair of koni dial a rides taken from a old guzzi t3 dismantled then cleaned reoiled and fitted lighter springs that sorted out the rear end ALOT BETTER. My bike 2008 fuoco/mp3.

I took the middle road and ordered the Malossi shocks.

The Bitubo shocks are the best but are very expensive and require more regular maintenance at specialized or experienced shops.

The stock shocks are indeed rubbish. I figured out why my rear wheel had strange unevenly spaced lines of various widths on the rear tire. Those strange marks were skid marks on the rear tire from contact with the road surface at a significant speed differential. Thats how bad the standard shocks are when the bike is pushed to the limits in corners.

The Malossi are a couple hundred bugs for a pair that fit the bike. I'll report back if they are any good or how the shocks either improve (or make worse) the ride. But I figure these Malossi cannot possibly be much worse than whats on the bike stock.

I will update this post again with photos and commentary after the Malossi are installed.

Can you share that info with me, please? I've sent dm to you, but looks like you are not checking it..

PM sent. Sorry I don't check my messages very often.

Try running the rear tire at a lower pressure & the preload at the lowest setting that doesn't bottom out often

Worth the investment. Get the Malossi Rear Shocks.

Scooter Parts Co
https://scooterpartsco.com/malossi/01-malossi-master-part-list/malossi-rear-shock-absorbers-for-piaggio-mp3?zenid=hm8tgvdfsd2itj7pf4mj13g956

Malossi Rear Shocks Shocks website
https://www.malossistore.com/en/gb/twins-rear-shock-absorber-pair-wheelbase-408-mm-4614789-P

Online assembly instructions for Malossi Rear Shocks
https://wemalossistore.blob.core.windows.net/files/montaggio/pdm/73%207900.pdf

The Bitubo shocks are superior still but are also eye wateringly expensive. The Malossi shocks dramatically improved the bikes handling and ride quality at a much more reasonable price.

Previously when going over some of the rough mountain roads I could hear the bike rattling and bouncing a bit. Always a thunk, clunk, or rattling of something loose. This was paired (in the original post) with the terrible handling that slowed the bike down. Now that the Malossi are installed the bike is far smoother and no more sounds of the bike shaking itself apart.

Took it out to the test road where previously I was the slowest rider in the group due to the problems with the Mp3s suspention. According to RideWithGPS metrics with the stock default shocks, my average speed through there was about 40 mph with peaks as high as 65 mph. With the Malossi the average speed was closer to 50 with bursts as high as 72 mph.

So there ya have it. If you're running the Mp3 as a touring or fun bike then you should get the Malossi shocks.

Let's have a small reality check here.

ANYTHING is better than the stock MP3 rear suspension, especially over the 5 clicker type.

The least expensive upgrade are the Kayaba shocks now currently used and installed by Piaggio at the factory and will offer the greatest return on investment.

FWIW, upgrading the rear suspension is the single best improvement anyone can do to a MP3 regardless of budget or cost.

Anyone knows why the Malossi Rear Shocks are not listed for MP3 500 more modern bikes?


Compatibility Guide

Most likely because the newer gens MP3 have gotten bigger and heavier.

Just as with cars, you have to match the suspension to the vehicle it is intended for.

Using shocks that are too soft is inherently dangerous (a primary cause for weave) in the same manner as using shocks that are too stiff (reduced vehicle control and rider discomfort).

At some point my 2016 Mp3 will need to be replaced with something newer.

If I'm still on the MP3 platform I hope there will be a reasonably priced upgrade from the stock shocks available. I wouldn't want to run the newer (and heavier) 2023 MP3 on those mountain roads given how terrible the defaults are.

Unless Piaggio move away from the current rear suspension setup (ie direct connection to single springs/dampers), you'll never get responses close to newer designs. It's a drawback with most scooter designs: somewhat archaic suspension tech. When I was in Europe, I saw a very cool Italjet that had a very interesting suspension setup while being a city scooter.

I love my MP3 500 and thank it for providing me with a lot of fun, but the rear suspension setup is as advanced as the first motorcycle I ever got in 1978...

Scooters have lots of unsprung weight in the rear
the 650 burg [simple twin shock] is even worse as the motor/transmission is even heavier
The 400 burgman with it's linked single shock is better, but still nowhere near as plush as a chain drive bike single shock setup
These guys will build what ever you want, should your wallet be too heavy
https://racetech.com/page/id/98

Great discussion, but lets remember folks we are talking about a Piaggio mp3 500 3 wheeled scooter, not a Ducati or Suzuki track bike, the shocks on the 2020 and up have plenty of space to move around and are plenty for this scoot.