Modern Vespa

Has anybody tried to lower the seat height of a 2019 MP3 500 is it possible to cut the foam down to lower the height as I am struggling to reach the floor
Any suggestions

No answer for you, other than considering thicker soles.

If you don't get many answers here, try posting your question on the MP3 page where it might get seen by more MP3 users

If you can't plant your feet on solid ground then the bike is too big for you, or you are too small for the bike depending on your perspective

Major personal risk and/or safety hazard if you are not fully in control of a bike that pushes the 300kg/650Lb mark

Cutting down the foam will accomplish next to nothing other than give you backache.

It's a 3 wheeler where there is no need to put your feet down until you're getting off the thing.

You can't drop it by not being tall enough to keep it upright.

True on flat ground if you get the knack of the tiltlock spot on, otherwise on sloping ground the weight of the monster on short legs can be punishing, unless you go to the gym and squat 250 kilo weights

What on earth leads you to think that? It falls over even more easily than a normal two-wheeler *unless* you are very adept at using the tilt-lock.

It certainly isn't a panacea for those with short legs, dodgy knees or balance issues...

I read the review for 2019 models onwards, it clearly mentions the tilt lock automatically comes into effect when the bike goes below 10mph.

They don't even need a stand to park up.

I haven't ridden one so happy to be proven wrong by someone who has.

Becomes available, NOT turns on...

Perhaps you could direct me to that assertation, so I can have the opportunity to dispel the misinformation.

A moment's thought (and any experience actually riding an MP3) will show how probably life-altering if not lethal turning the tilt-lock on at less than 10mph would be.

The tilt lock does NOT automatically trigger below 10. If it did Piaggio would be getting sued left, right and center due to accidents and loss of control.

The tilt lock, at best, is a short term parking aid. I never use it.

The only time the tilt lock comes in handy is riding 2up, as it allows the pillion to get on and off easily.

Wow such aggressiveness, all I did was read the below review, shoot me down why not.

My post about not worrying about tipping the thing over at low speeds is covered in paragraph 3.

https://kit.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/piaggio-mp3-300-and-500/

well you did kinda ask for it as you came on a MP3 dedicated area and the folks who own and ride them for many years now know just a little bit more than some writer who has barely seen one and repeats what he is told by other writers.

Paragraph 3 says: Even when you come to a stop, there's no need to put your feet on the ground as a button on the right-hand bar locks the front end in the upright position at speeds below 10mph.

The key point here is "as a button on the right-hand bar locks the front end in the upright position at speeds below 10mph" clearly indicating that is not something that "automatically comes into effect" but exist the button and you can use it

But to be honest, I know a lot of people who have either fallen or dropped their MP3 believing that it is something that activates automatically, in the same way that it DOES deactivate when you are sitting in the seat and accelerating the MP3.

Over here in the US we get a bit twitchy about the current trend of potentially dangerous misinformation being spread on social media - it's not just aimed at you!

Engaging the tiltlock at low speeds just feels wrong, all of a sudden you can't lean & have to just point the wheels in the right direction
Once you stop panicking it becomes easier
If you aren't pointed straight the take offs are exciting as you do a quick correct

Locking after stopping, is easier, but you have to make sure to be straight up n down, which is gonna be tricky for someone with short legs

The locking is good for
Passengers
Maneuvering with the motor off, [backing out of a parking spot ]
Broadsliding on icy roads

For overall ease of use my Liberty150 reigns supreme
Light
No Hump
Adequate power for city streets

No idea why an mp3 doesn't require a motorcycle license
Sure it's easier than a goldwing...

I've read somewhere that the very first mp3s were made so: they locked the suspension automatically at lower speeds. Which caused drops and drops again.

Depends.

Here it does require a m/c license. And it should in fact. It is not a moped in any sense.

not true

"Somewhere" was wrong.

OK

They even said that the early versions (2005 model year) required a reflash of "parking computer" to change their behavior

Here it's considered a three wheeler, which is "more stable" by virtue of the third wheel, completely ignoring the articulation...
I can see it for a CanAm spyder
But not a Harley trike or Ural, which take more skill than a two wheeler

As to the thought that an MP3 could auto-lock, crazy
The whole Tilt-lock while in motion is bound to be problematic

So…to maybe bring this back towards the original ?? I think there are some things that can be done. The bike I bought was owned by a short guy who was active on this forum. He replaced the rear shocks with a Hagon shock which lowered the rear by about an inch or an h and a half. He also went to the comfort gel seat which helped a bit as well (to my understanding). The comfort seat is expensive so I'd be doing it for more than a slight height change…and it is a very nice seat.

I undid some of the benefits by upsizing all 3 tires…150 rear and 120 front. BTW…I'm 5'9", well coordinated and fit. I'm going to darkside my rear next change which looks like it could lower me a bit.

All this to say the MP3 500 is a big heavy beast. If it gets very far over on you when stopped the best you can hope for is as gentle a lay down as possible. The tilt lock is absolutely wonderful in a garage. So easy to wheel in an out. Probably one of the best features for sure. Using it upon stops when riding at slow down speeds is definitely a neat trick. I live in the mountains and that's mostly a no go around here…maybe somewhere flat with very straight intersections. Now…once at a long light…or backed up traffic for roadside tree trimming crews and such…then it is very handy. Pharmacy drive thru lines also. Get her stood upright, hit the button …pull away when clear. Sure beats straddling or leaning for 10 minutes.

I don't know if anyone else mentioned this but taking foam out of your seat and changing your riding height will result in your knees being bent a a sharper angle. My knees are a little more than 90 degrees when on the bike and anything more acute than that would probably be troublesome when riding for more than short trips.

Mostly that is a problem of long-legged ones. But they don't really need to lower the seat.

Maybe a good place to give a public shoutout to the wonderful floorboards and highway pegs I got from OAD. Talk about transformative. It just totally transforms the whole bike and my connection to it. There's zero chance I could own one after having them installed. The only time I'd ever have my feet/legs onboard in the "factory default" position is if I was extremely cold or riding in pouring rain and improperly dressed for the event. I try to anticipate or avoid these situations. This would be the absolute greatest and least expensive thing Piaggio could ever do for these machines. Absolutely game changing.

Who are OAD?
Thanks

OAD…Old as Dirt…forum member!

me

Hi OAD,
can you let me have any info on your floorboards and highway pegs please as I am interested in getting some

the new style floorboards I don't have the measurements for them with the foot brake. And if I did the engineering costs are about $3k to get to the photo type phase. So that alone I am not willing to go down that rabbit hole anymore.