Modern Vespa

Thinking of jumping from my 2022 GTS to an MP3. I ride lots of around town stuff, but also do multiple day trips and think the MP3 might be better at the longer stuff, while still easy and simple to ride close to home. I love that about the GTS (the simplicity- my BMW R1250R is a great bike as well, but not as "simple" and fun).

I've read and studied on a number of pages on this subform and will continue to do so, but curious about the group's opinion. Low mileage, excellent condition 2019 or 2020 or 2021 500 for roughly half the price of a new 530. Seems like a good choice. No cruise control, no reverse, no notification of upcoming traffic, but basically the same scoot. I like the looks of both, and actually like the older model just a smidge more.

Sub-question. Any significant difference between 2019, 2020, or 2021?

I've read a touch about headsets, but would deal with that if it became an issue (I ride lots of miles), but would have $7000 +- in my pocket.

Your thoughts and words would be appreciated.

The 500 is a LOT simpler bike than the 530

Computers, programs, and electronics? I do like something that doesn't have as much that can go wrong. I know modern vehicles are pretty well thought out, but I can employ the saying "more to go wrong"?

Electrics and Italians don't mix, so what it doesn't have can't break. The MP3 will never have Japanese level reliability

Besides the 530 is way overpriced and looks like ass

I do like cruise control, but do okay with the little throttle kick on my GTS.

I suspect the ride characteristics are the same. The 530 is said to have lightened the suspension, but I doubt I'd notice any difference.

Logic would be to get the newest 500 and save some cash, newer means older problems ironed out, 530 is nice but new models get all new problems, and 7000 is plenty of petrol.

You make good sense (and dollars!).

By the way, one bike I see shows pitting on the part the front wheel bolts too (and a few wheel bolts). Is that normal? Seems like I see that now and again.

Mine is 2019 and has none of that, maybe it has been on salted roads and not been cleaned properly.

My local dealer only works on bikes less than 10 years old

Backing up a mp3 is much easier than a two wheeler, electric would be another thing to break..

I find the locking front to be handy, lock the tilt, set the brake, walk away
It's harder to lose the front since, you're always over one of the wheels.
Three wheels means one of them is going to hit a bump
Low speed maneuvering, is different, sometimes you stand the bike up & crank the bars, more than lean & countersteer



My 2020 is in no hurry to get to speed, adequate, 30cc's is not much, the difference would be minor.

The 500 is a tried and tested bike . . . for the good and the bad.

The 530 still has to prove itself in many ways. Only time will tell.

Either way, don't expect either model to be light or cheap on maintenance or tolerate the slightest service neglect. A GTS is far easier to tolerate servicewise.

Personally, even though I'm contemplating a switch (as noted in my original post), I try to avoid buying and selling because it takes a lot of effort and time (and with dealerships more money). So, your thoughts about the servicing on the GTS vs. MP3 are appreciated and have me still thinking of keeping the GTS, but that darn MP3 keeps popping up (in my mind)!

Much of this inquiry is because I am contemplating a ride on either the GTS or MP3 (no camping this time so only one small bag with me - I travel very light) that would leave southern Michigan and head to Ludington MI where I'd hop on the SS Badger to cross Lake Michigan. Do a clockwise loop up through WI and back into MI, likely up to Lake Superior (and then back to southern MI). I know the GTS is capable of such a trip, and it looks like the MP3 is even more so (better/more stable at higher speeds). I just got back this morning from a quick 60 mile ride on the GTS that reminds me of how fun the GTS is though! I love the ease of riding it.

Part of my selection process involves this trip and how complex I might make it if I go with an MP3. The buying and selling process is one thing. Others include that the GTS fits easily/beautifully on my rack behind the van I drive. The MP3 might, but I'd need to modify the rack for strength (the rack's limit is 600 pounds) and to accommodate the three wheels both on the rack and the ramp. Otherwise, another option is that I could roll it into my enclosed trailer, but the trailer would need to have a large piece of equipment I keep in there removed and stored while I'm gone. All this includes driving from Florida to Michigan to the start of the trip, so a trailer can add cost and complexity.

Anyway, just some extra information and ramblings. Thank you all so far for your input.

I find the GTS a much more fun bike, and faster (up to about 80 km/h, 50mph) too, than the MP3.

The MP3 shines as a grocery getter thanks to its generous underseat storage, BUT the toiletseat riding position, undersized fuel tank, and laughable performance are something to seriously think twice or thrice about it.

Whenever I toured with some friends using the MP3 I was always the butt of jokes "Let's see if he can make it to the next reststop without refueling". Granted, they have bikes with 4 cylinders and near 30Liter fuel tanks.

Thankfully, I solved that problem with my own Honda ST1300 and very recently a ST1100 as well.

My MP3 was recently put up for sale, and I don't think I'll ever look back.

Also, the drivetrain belt replacement every 10K km/6K miles became soooo old. Especially for a bike that barely had more power than a tractor lawnmower.

The 530 is, at a minimum, overpriced by 3K $ or Euro. And it is still stuck with a gutless drivetrain. For the kind of money they're asking nowadays, it needs and deserves a twin badly

Superficially and just from a 'looks' point of view, I much prefer the face of the 530 compared to the 500

and the arse end for that matter..

To each his own, but to me the 530 has lost its friendly feminine face and now resembles this

I nearly daily a 2016 (but switching), but also have put over 1K miles on a 2021, and already 1k miles on a 2023. My family has all 3.

I don't use reverse, I got used to just pushing back on the 2016 and on newer ones it is easy to just push back so that was not a deciding factor for me.

The biggest difference for me is tech, riding comfort and throttle.

Tech: I don't find myself needed a camera, or navigation on the screen (it sucks anyway on the 2023) or anything else like cruise control. So for me the older simpler is better. Only positive for 2023 is not having the dual MPH/KPH gauge. I do also find myself hitting next song or answer call (before I got cardo).
Comfort: I find the stock seats and suspension to be actually more comfortable for a bigger guy on the older models. its more noticeable for a passenger I have taken on all 3 as well.
Throttle: Not even close the 2023 has by far the nicest throttle experience on a MP3...

All in all, for going around town - save the money and get the used model. If you find yourself more touring, and longer journeys I would encourage you to at least take a spin on a 2023 to feel the difference in throttle if its more something you prefer.

Let me know if you have any questions. Like most above I was waiting to see problems a little bit more fleshed out on the 2023 before I dive in (trying to get one used myself .

Yes further down the list of options is riding my BMW R1250R, and that would dictate using the trailer. I've done many thousands of single (multiple day) trip miles on it, but for some rationally unexplainable reason it seems too "serious" and therefore maybe less fun than the GTS or an MP3. On the scooters I wear casual riding boots, a Shoei 3/4, and gloves, but on the BMW I add Kevlar jeans, occasionally a neck brace, and an armored riding jacket. Not logical to separate gear wearing like that, but it just feels better on the scooters to be a little less protected. There is a little logic in the fact that speeds, both average and cruising, are lower on the scooters. Therefore less chance of serious injury. Not wanted to get into a debate on safety (I prefer oil threads 😄), but just throwing in some of my logic (illogic ?).

I would like to ride both, as that would remove the doubt between the two for good (but could again add many $$$s).

Good insights from your experience as well - thank you.

As the old saying goes "never buy anything in the first year or two of its release"

What I have found when it comes to Italian vehicles (cars, scooters , motorcycles) is that the last couple of years of production are the best.

Enough time has passed, enough complaints have been resolved, and the buzz of the chianti has worn off to allow the Italian engineers to get their shit in order (for the most part)

That is why my MP3 was among the last years of the tried and true ie engines before Piaggio's marketing team came up with the hpe fanfare

It was/is not a "high performance engine" as Piaggio would like you to believe. Rather, it is a near 20 year old (over)hyped pensioner engine. And on some US spec hpe MP3s it was merely a leftover ie with a hpe badge. Classic. Must be Italian humour.

But I'll settle the argument if Piaggio is willing to admit that all the hype s nothing but a ece (emissions compliance engine)

I actually was sold one of these ("on some US spec hpe MP3s it was merely a leftover ie with a hpe badge") by mistake. After some serious negotiations (and some help from the dealer - thanks, David) Piaggio took it back and replaced it with a new 2020 hpe.

I have owned four MP3s - 250, 400, 500, 500hpe - and each one has been better than the previous ones. I have no experience with the 530.

That said, I have ridden the hpe for over 5000 trouble-free miles. BTW, it has 5 more horsepower than the previous model - enough to feel the difference.

When I got mine in October 2020, the 530 didn't exist, but I also considered the new vs used pros and cons. And a month ago I actually rode the new 530 for a 200 mile trip. Handling and accelerating wise, there's honestly zero difference. And pretty much everything feels identical. I should note mine has an Akra exhaust, which I think made a slight difference in response, and my friend (who was riding mine) remarked on that. Akra has stopped making exhausts for the newest MP3, by the way.

On looks, to each their own. The MP3 will never look svelte and bad_ss to anyone, it's very practical and different, and that's about it. But here in CA it is a conversation starter and I get 10x the thumbs up I ever have got with any other bike.

As to reverse gear and cruise control and cameras and what not - spare me. It's completely unnecessary on a motorcycle, in my opinion. Reverse may be needed for the very heavy supertourers, but that (and HD style cruisers) has never been a preference of mine. I like motorcycles that handle as such, and that's why i have a Honda NC750DCT and a BMW R1100S too. My cars get 2-3k miles a year or so, tops. And most of the everyday miles (except longer trips, where the MP3's limited range is a bit of a PITA) I do on the MP3 these days.

My '19 edition MP3 (one of those fake HPEs with an IE engine) has actually proven quite resilient and fun in the 12k+ miles I have owned it. Only hiccup was with the immobilizer things twice or so. The 12k service was over $700, which is far less than the Beemer service but more than the Honda, so YMMV on whether it is expensive or not. That was w/o any tire replacement, and with me bringing the new drivetrain aka belt parts (~200 bucks).

I really love my MP3's mix of fun (much more fun than driving a car to me) and practicality (good protection from elements, no need to wear all the motorcycle protection gear on short urban rides (i know I may get pushback on that but hey) spacious storage, and the engine is known for being bomb proof.

PS: The range thing is a bit irking, but one can live with it. The MP3 gets about 110 miles before it starts blinking and you start getting increasingly nervous, although there's prolly still 50 miles in the fuel tank. The BMW R1100S is not that different, it's about 160 miles or so. And the Honday maybe gets another 20 miles or so. They all lie... the warning light comes on waaaaaay early and psychologically no one can resist the urge to refuel soon after.