Modern Vespa

I'm still waiting on some ordered PPE & warmer weather to ride, but I was also wondering about protection for the bike. I'm waiting on some Hepco & Becker saddlebag mounts, which between the mount & saddlebags should provide some protection, but is there anything else available?

Looks so good right now which would be nice to preserve, plus protects the brake levers and potentially hands in a topple.

Why order adventure bike gear when you don't have an adventure bike?

He's in the mountains of Colorado, not the flatlands of Belgium. Lots of technical roads, plus gravel etc.

Logic dictates that you should first spend on the best rider gear before spending & buying dress up parts for the bike. It is just a scooter after all.

Parts for the bike are easy to get, replacement parts for the rider . . . not so much

What in his post suggests he doesn't have good rider gear? As he's paraplegic I suspect that's a given! True. But as always, let the rider decide.

I've looked and found nothing. The closest thing I saw was the hepco and becker junior 40 side cases. There's a video of someone laying down their 530 with these cases on youtube.

I mostly had all dirt gear for an ATV, so I got a new helmet, textile suit, gloves & boots, which I should all have by the end of the week. There may be an airbag in my future as well.

I'm not interested in dress-up parts for the bike, but nice not to lose brake levers on a ride. Some items like hand guards and highway bars can protect both bike and rider. In the past, I have found that a little protection is cheaper than repairs, plus often the falls come sooner than later.

If nothing is available, I'm not too surprised, just thought I would check.

Let me know what side cases you decide on. I'm thinking of ordering the H&B's as well.

Cheers,
Tross

H&B shows quite a few saddlebags mounted on a MP3 on their site. The mounting system that they offer for the MP3s are the C-Bow mounts. On the C-Bow MP3 product page, they picture the bags on an MP3, so you can get an idea of relative size and how they will look on the bike. Lots of options within the C-Bow line, plus they also offer the bag mounting hardware separately so that you can attach the hardware to any bag, and make it a removable C-Bow bag.

The pricing on H&B across the line is quite pricey, however for quick-release removable saddlebags, I believe they are the only option on an MP3 (besides fabbing up something of your own) plus when running without the bags, the mount is fairly minimal compared to most structures for removable saddlebag mounts.

Ultimately my favorite choice would be the Xcore hard bags in natural aluminum, however the US distributor, MotoMachines is the exclusive distributor to order them here, and they cost $738 for a pair of bags, plus another $70 (each!, so $140 for both) if you want the soft inner bags fitted for them, plus then the mount, $306 for either the 350/500 or the 530 mount. So that's $1044 for the mounts and saddlebags, or $1184 with the soft inner bags too. Ouch!

I ordered the mounts before the price increased due to tariffs, but I'm still waiting for them, as they are coming from Germany. MotoMachines told me they only ever offer discounts on Black Friday & Christmas week, but they offered me a 5% first order discount (Coupon Code "Welcome5"), so I was able to get the mounts for $264. I ordered them as I also found a pair of barely used H&B Royster Speed C-Bowbags on eBay for $140, that list for $414 on MotoMachines, plus it included a couple generic rain covers. H&B charges about $80 (each! $160/pair) for rain covers, which is basically a somewhat fitted shower cap. The Royster bags are somewhere between a soft and hard bag, so will likely offer some protection to the bike, plus they are unlikely to break in a tip-over event. Not my first choice, but quite content with saving so much over my first choice. For the eBay price, it was less than buying the bag hardware only, which I could always take off the Royster bags and fit them to any other bag from any manufacturer if I wanted as well.

If there isn't an exclusive Canadian distributor for H&B, you can order directly from H&B, & they have a 50th anniversary sale coming up May 30-31 & June 20-21. It's just available in their outlet, & won't be listed on their site, so you will have to call or email them during this time to see what's available. They can't ship to me as MotoMachines is their exclusive distributor in the US.

To see a couple bags on your 500:
https://www.hepco-becker.de/en/c-bow-sidecarrier-for-piaggio-mp3-500-2015.html

To see a half-dozen bags on the 530, which still should help you decide:
https://www.hepco-becker.de/en/C-Bow-sidecarrier-black-for-Piaggio-MP3-Exclusive-530-2022/6307650-00-01

Lots of other compatible C-bow bags available other than these however.

I like a hard case, and the X-core aluminum would be visible to drivers, plus match the aluminum on my bike. The 530 link shows a black X-Core case on the bike, and it looks appropriately sized. The Roysters are quite nice though and reflective, so I'm happy with what I have, and will probably only upgrade if I damage them, or find a deal on the X-cores, or another style I like that I can move my Royster hardware to.

I wondered why so many get top cases vs side cases as the weight is down low and further forward for better handling & aerodynamics, plus I think they look better too. However I now know, as the prices for a top case are far less for more storage combined with a pillion backrest. I got a Shad SH59X, adjustable hard top case (expandable between 46, 52 and 58 liters, MP3 specific quick-release lockable mount, inner bag, & pillion backrest all for $379, all-in shipped from Italy. (I usually don't like the look of a top case, but this one is wide, so when viewed from the side it's not that large when in the 46L position, yet wide from the back which I like for more visibility.) So $379 for 58L of storage with the bonus of a backrest, vs $1184 for a combined storage of 36L (18L each) on the Xcore bags. So for sidebags, it's more than a third less storage for three times the price, without the added benefit of a pillion backrest.

The Roysters I bought are 13L each or 26L, so I'll have a total maximum added luggage space of 84L, which should give me a lot of added utility for the $793 spent. Between the storage and a bit of added protection for pillion, rider and bike, I'm happy with the outcome, especially because they are all quickly removable.

Side bags make the bike wider vs a top box. Wider meas more drag due to increased cross section which significantly reduces fuel economy. Wider also makes it harder to impossible to lane filter at stops or split traffic on larger roads. I'm in CA where both are legal and a narrow bike is a dream in heavy traffic, just coast on through while all the cars are crawling or stopped.

took my Mp3 on multiple 1000+ trips and just a Givi 57 and under seat storage was enough. I deleted the gas fume pollution control system from under the seat that also gave a considerable storage boost. Unless you're doing major cross country on an MP3 and bringing all the things, side bags might be over kill vs a big top box and delete the under seat pollution limit system.

I just received the H&B sidebag mounts today. They seem like they will be very sturdy. The mounts including hardware for both sides exceed 5 lbs, and should offer protection to the back plastics in the event of a fall. They attach to the rear shock top mounts and the pillion footpeg mounts. If no bags are mounted, they would be a convenient place to attach a bungee net to, for securing things on the pillion seat.

I have got the same fittings on my 530 and usually have a pair of small H&B hard cases mounted. I can confirm that they do offer a lot of protection for the back panels, having dropped the machine a couple of times at very low speeds when coming to a stop on a bad side gradient. the other good thing is that they prevent your legs from being trapped between the machine and the ground when this happens. The main problem is trying to pick the thing up again as, unlike a conventional bike, there is nothing to put your back against to push.
If anyone has the technique for picking up a 530 I would be pleased to hear it.

Both threads are advise for picking up a 500, but it's going to be the same process:

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic28258
https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic75679

Widge, which H&B hard cases do you have & do you like them?

Not as easy as it sounds, here is an excerpt from one of the posts you quoted

Using the Ride-like-a-pro technique is a problem because the 500 does not lie with its wheels on the road and the engine casing supporting the bike (HDs DO sit like this). It lies FLAT with the wheels off the road. This means that you actually have to lift it to the position where the wheels touch BEFORE you can use the RLAP technique. Doing this lift is hard because the bike is heavy, and, because the side panels are touching the road, you scratch them while lifting

I have the small hard cases, sorry I don't know the model number. They are small enough for filtering and by fitting a top box and using the under seat storage I have enough space for a week of touring

Dongoose may have had the best advise, "Probably best not to put it on it's side" and "there's little embarrassment in asking a passer-by to give you a hand".

Being a paraplegic myself, my best shot at uprighting the bike is to crawl to the side of the road so I don't get run over (again), flag someone down and instruct a person or two how to get the bike up while preventing further damage. My main reason for the side cases is crash protection, for both bike and especially pillion, plus it would be less likely that I could become pinned under the bike.

It's a crazy heavy scooter, so it's not going to be easy, but by using mechanical advantages and leverage described on those threads, you may have a chance. Someone said they were not that strong, yet mentioned they were able to get a 500 up albeit with a struggle. Perfect technique is going to be the only way most people can upright a bike of this size.

If you can get a hand, it's probably best to contain your pride, and ask for help. You could already be injured from the fall, and since the most pain doesn't kick in until the adrenaline goes away, you may be unaware of the existence or severity of an injury, and uprighting the bike could just complicate matters.

There's a stigma on bikers, and some will say you shouldn't ride a bike if you can't upright it. That's just one more reason not to ride. No one expects you to flip your SUV over in the event of a rollover. If we're lucky, all of us will get to the age or disability where we can still ride a bike, yet cannot upright it. It's not a reason to stop, but rather just an excuse. Don't sweat it and come up with plan "B".

It's still a good idea to have a plan, and understand the process, as brute strength will only work for the strongest amongst us, and you might find yourself in a remote area where help isn't readily available.

Safe Travels!

I've managed to get a 500 upright. The trick is to ensure the tilt-lock is OFF and ensure the front wheel furthest from the ground is as extended as possible (IYSWIM).

Yes, it's a bit of a heave to start with.

I have that exact setup. They are expensive yes but awesome.

Unfortunately, there really isn't a big market for MP3 530 HPE gear.

I too have been looking for crash bars, frame sliders, and hand guards for my MP3 500. The previous owner of my MP3 has already broken the left safety switch for the rear brake lever by dropping the scooter. I found some hand guards on Amazon that look like they might fit and will try one out. As for crash bars, I haven't run across any for the MP3. I may look at making my own. For frame sliders, I found this on Amazon, though there may be others available:

https://www.amazon.com/LaiSShh-Motorcycle-Practical-Protector-Accessories/dp/B0FHC6GMPD?th=1

Although not severely handicapped, I have degenerative arthritis in both knees plus a short inseam so keeping a very heavy scooter upright can sometimes be a challenge. I know I'm going to drop it some day, and probably more than once. I chose the MP3 because the majority of 2-wheeled motorcycles with 500cc or more displacement are not rideable for me other than cruisers, which I don't care for because the riding dynamics, styling, and riding position is not to my liking. I've been riding for over 50 years and would like to continue doing so until I can't.

Hope you find solutions that fit your needs.

Did you lift it up by backing up to it and lifting with your knees (like with a regular motorcycle)?

Faced it, but used legs not back!

I've heard when a MP3 falls over, both wheels leave the ground so picking it back up is a little challenging because one needs to get the wheels touching the ground before any picking-up takes place.
I also want to install frame sliders mostly to protect the body work when it does go over.