Modern Vespa

I own the mp3 500 (1300 miles ) - is there a way to adjust the front suspension to handle bumps more aggressively because i feel it is bottoming .

I've not heard of or seen a method to adjust the Mp3's front shocks.

There are after-market rear shocks for the Mp3 500 (not sure if this works on the 2023). I have these on my 2016 Mp3 500 Sport and it dramatically improve the bikes rough road handling and my rear tires last allot longer.
https://scooterpartsco.com/01-malossi-master-part-list-c-170_180/malossi-rear-shock-absorbers-for-piaggio-mp3-p-909.html

After-market front shocks other than the factory defaults (replacements) are hard to come by and I've never seen any.

The thing to remember is the Mp3 is not designed or built for tackling rough roads at high speeds. Its built to bounce along cobble-stones or mostly smooth paved streets. So far my own Mp3 has handled everything I've thrown at it from narrow rough pavement, short gravel roads, long highway tours, and narrow rough paved trails without any damage or issues. Its a very capable and reliable road machine, but don't ride it like an ADV or off-road bike as that would indeed damage the bike.

If you think your pushing the Mp3 too hard on those roads, then its worth thinking about a different bike that has more robust suspention.

Thank you for the reply .

I am riding from GW bridge on rt 95 to Connecticut - the road is full of patches that were not flattened - they have bumps of 2-3 inch . What unprofessional work ! who is hiring these people ? I am riding 50-60 mph and can feel bottoming every time i pass them .

I have 2021 model - not 2023 - do you think changing the rear suspension will improve situation ?

thank you for the link - i ordered them and will install them once I get them - your help is very appreciated .

I've heard stories of RT 95 and east coast roads in general and sorry you have to deal with that quality of roads. Folks in my area of California like to complain about the roads and there are some that are indeed bad. However I don't know of any road in my area that has 2-3 in pavement bumps as a consistent feature for such a long section of highway. Thats amazingly bad by any standard.

A quick story about those Malossi shocks vs stock shocks for my 2016 Mp3 500.

With the stock shocks on my 2016 Mp3 500, the bike felt unstable on rough pavement which forced me to slow down and often this happened in turns. I had thought that I was the problem and I was just a terrible rider. Then one day on a group ride the guy who was riding behind me made an observation while watching me struggle to control the bike on a twisty roughly paved mountain road. The rear tire (the whole swing arm) was leaving the pavement and slamming back down hard on those rougher mountain roads. The instability of the bike or the feeling of lost traction was because the rear tire was not in contact with the road at all. Every time the rear tire slammed down it would rebound to bang into the road again which rattled the whole bike and tore up the tire. After installing the Malossi shocks the bike was dramatically better to ride on those same roads, faster and more stable and the rear tire was not getting chewed up anymore. Its worth the money.

thank you for sharing that story . I am going to replace them and hope they do the same here .


I have bought Honda rebel 1100 DCT and ride it in L.A - the roads and highways are perfect . I wish we had them here on the east coast . I think it has to do with bad contractors or even corrupted system where no one checks . next time I ride there I will try to take some photos and share with you . you should hear the truck when they go over these bumps - smashing and crashing. it's un believable that someone has approved this kind of work. probably some $$$ under the table exchanged hands.

Those 2" to 3" transitions are frightful. Bottoming out might be the issue but, if you haven't greased the front end, it'd be the first thing to try. My used (purchased with 200 miles on her) 2021 MP3 500 was shockingly terrible at negotiating any abrupt road conditions. After purchasing one of the bolt-tools for lubing and greasing all the fittings, 90% of the trauma was eliminated. It's a much more pleasant ride, so much so that I've greased it a 2nd time during these first 7,000 miles of riding.
Hope this helps.

can you send me a photo or a link of this tool please . I want to do everything I can to eliminate this horror every time i drive that road - there are around 30 bumps like this .

Here's a good thread on the tool and procedure. I purchased the tool from a helpful member of this group but you can also get it from Scooter West.
A modification to increment the live of the bearings sistem

You can get pre-made zerk bolts from Scooter West to use with grease tools. Do not leave the bolt permanently installed. Just buy one bolt and move it from spot to spot as needed while always correctly re-installing the original solid bolts when done.

https://www.scooterwest.com/tool-for-lubricating-mp3-fork-bearings-020943y-ia.html

thank you so much . i ordered that part - i have electric gun degreaser - i will probably use it to inject the grease . I hope replacing the rear suspensions and degreasing the front fork will improve the suspension performance . i am going to take photos of the rt95 here and will upload it so you can see how ridicules and amateurish job the contactor did.

BTw, I did another query to see if I could find after market performance front shocks for an MP3. There was some sketchy stuff on Ebay and a few finds that were "not quite" correct for the Mp3 that showed up.

If you ever need new front-shocks for the MP3 here they are.
https://scooterpartsco.com/mp3-500-c-108_3555/front-shock-right-for-piaggio-mp3-56432r-p-37701.html

https://scooterpartsco.com/mp3-500-c-108_3555/front-shock-left-for-piaggio-mp3-56431r-p-37712.html

thank you very much for the links - Do you think this is replacement or real upgrade ?

The links are for replacement front shocks. I doubt it would be an improvement on the existing shocks presuming they aren't broken. With the bad roads and rough riding it would ne good to have the link for replacement parts ready

thank you so much . I am going to take the photo of the bumps and you will see . it's highway so you see truck doing 90-100mph there and the moment the cross these bumps you should hear the noise - bang! - like the whole vehicle is crushing .

As cool as it would be to see such photos, please do not put yourself in danger for a photo

There's your problem. The MP3 is not capable of doing 100mph. Vmax on the MP3 500 is about 90mph-ish.

You're endangering your own life as well as those of others.

Stick to slower roads.

OHH - I don't ride 80 - i am saying trucks on this road and other vehicles get to these numbers . i ride my 55-60 safe . and in these speeds i bottom and sometimes there are 3-4 patches in a row so imagine hoe uncomfortable it is you ride and suddenly bam bam bam

Ah yes, the MP3 is notorious for having a (very) poor stock suspension. I call it the "riding a dump truck while sitting on the toilet seat"

For the rear, about the only thing you can do is install a pair of Bitubo shocks. I installed the Piaggio version (see link) but this version is no longer available.

It is the best improvement you can make to a MP3, although I wouldn't call it night and day difference. Vastly better, yes . . . mind blowing, no

However, Bitubo still sells rear shocks for the MP3.

As for the front, not much you can do about that. It is what it is although I find that lowering air pressure in the front tire by a few psi goes a long way to improve the ride comfort.


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

https://www.easyparts.com/Rear-shock-absorber-(pair)-BITUBO-WMB-V2-MP3-400-500-p33537172