Modern Vespa

I've had my MP3 500 now for a few months and 2,500 miles, and am loving it! But, has anyone noticed an acceleration performance drop after only 2,500 miles, or am I just imagining things?

I'm planning on getting the J Costa Variator very soon, but I'm curious if anyone else noticed a drop in performance. Again, I may just be imagining it.

I noticed exactly the opposite. My 500 seemed to begin to "wake up" at about 1500 miles and kept getting better. I have 7500 miles on it now and am lovin' every one of them.

Like I said, it might just be that I'm imagining it. My fear is that I didn't break her in properly, and now I'm going to see the results of my overeager overuse. It probably didn't help that I took it on the Tail of the Dragon in TN after only 600 miles.

I've got almost 8000 miles and lately I've been thinking my acceleration has been off as well. I had a J. Costa installed about 1500 miles back and expected an improvement; but instead it seems slower.

If performance seems to have dropped off a smidgens, give the air filter a clean. My Fuoco likes this done every 3000 miles.

Easy AND cheap. My two favorite words. I'll try that this evening. Thanks!

I don't think riding the Dragon would have anything to do with properly breaking in the engine. In fact, the Dragon requires varying your speed throughout the ride which is best for breaking in the engine.

I too took my MP3 through the dragon at about 600 miles and now have 3000 miles on the scoot. No obvious drop in performance.

I hope you had a good trip to TN for your ride. It sounds like we rode about the same time.

I went on Memorial Day weekend. Had a blast doing it too. Oddly enough I was just looking through some of the photo's on killboy.com, and as far as I can tell, I was the second MP3 to go through that day. Warms your heart to see others out there.

I'm thinking now that I just need to get that new variator, that way the lag in the acceleration will get taken care of. Who knows, I might have gotten some watered down gas, too.

I was wondering who that was in the photo set. I rode on Saturday of memorial weekend with my son and three of his friends. They were all on scooters.

Check us129photos.com for additional photos.

Let me know when you may be this way again. We have several mp3 riders in the area that are always looking to ride.

Boy, it's a small world and big forum, eh? Unfortunately, I'll not be anywhere near TN until probably next year. I'm from Pa., and it gets tricky finding time to get down there during the summer. Plus, I'm getting married soon, and after splurging on a certain three-wheeled vehicle, I've got a lot of catching up to do.

But, you never know. Next time I travel below the Mason-Dixon I'll give a shout! I'm just loving this small world of ours.

I love the Dragon, but my favorite part was seeing the reaction of all the HD riders on the side of the road, doing odd double takes. Lot's of fun.