Modern Vespa

Just got my first Vespa! 2001 ET4 with 2900 miles. Replaced tires with Michelin City Grip 2 front/rear. Full service and riding with my daughter (17) tandem noticed slight bottom out over drive way curbs at slow speeds. Found these upgraded Bitubo shocks on ScooterWest.com and live in San Diego so they would install them. Most comments have said solid upgrade, and wanted to ask since it's an older Vespa and all new to me. Thanks in advance. Totally hooked on riding.

yup they are very good shocks. I am installing a set front and rear now on my 07 GTS.

Had a set of rears on my MP3 500 and they were a great improvement over stock.

Lots of adjustability with them.

Put the Bitubo rear on my ET2, it looks very solid and well made to me, the original was shot so huge improvement. I was also considering Pinasco but went for the Bitubo, they were easier to get in the U.K. at the time.
For the Bitubo they build them to order in Italy and it depends on weight / driving style. I think it took about a month for mine.

City Grip 2's also a great choice

while they are made in Italy they are not built to order. SIP has multiples of them in stock ready to ship out. They even tell you if they are in stock when looking on the web page and an estimated date for when the next batch is expected.

Great, that sounds easier.

The U.K. distributer doesn't carry any of them in stock.

They state

'Please Note:These shock absorbers are built to order by Bitubo in Italy, so typical delivery time is approx 2-3 weeks'

that's a way of saying "we ain't going to stock these" so wait while we order them AFTER you pay for them.

I think this is getting a bit off topic now, however the point was you might have a few weeks wait for it.

I'm just passing on what the official U.K. distributor tells all its customers. Once you order them they send you a list of questions to answer.

If you look on the bitubo site it states

'CUSTOMIZATION

Bitubo suspensions can be optimized for each individual rider directly from the Factory: when you order your Bitubo shock, specify the intended use (racing, road, off-road), your weight as well as brand and type of tyres used.'


It states they 'can' be optimized. On the SIP site it makes no mention of customization that I could find, so maybe this is something the U.K. does as standard?

That said they may well have batches made up in the factory, especially for the more common type of bike and customizations.

However as they make shocks for many of types of motorbike, it isn't inconceivable they would in fact have to assemble it to order.

Getting back on topic I'm very happy with my 'individually optimized' shock 1883/WEB-70 even though I had to wait a few weeks to get it.