Modern Vespa

Just completed my 6k service last night at San Jose BMW/Vespa, so I took the opportunity to do a few mods and it feels like a totally new bike. This is the way the bike is meant to operate. It has a lot more pick up and really flies off the line, it is VERY SMOOTH now at low speeds and it sounds awesome. Purrs like a tiger (vs. the previous lawnmower putt putt sound).

Here's what I had done:

1. 6k service - belt, spark plugs, oil, filter, overall safety check
2. New Milossi air filter
3. New MGS rear tire 140/70/14 (I had wanted to do the 150, but it did not come in).
4. J Costa Variator - this is a must upgrade for the 500 it makes a huge difference in how smooth the engine runs. I can actually see and feel less vibration (waiting at a stop light the handlebars and mirror do not vibrate as much).
5. G&G exhaust - It sounds awesome, 18kg less weight, looks awesome and it gave me back 3 inches in my garage because it is thinner and shorter than the stock exhaust.

Back view

Side view

Sounds good. The pictures will be welcome. And by the way, good job on taking the initiative and starting that MP3 wiki.

Nice - looking forward to seeing the pics. I am really anxious to get my J Costa as well, and everytime I hear about the improvement they bring to the 500 I get even more anxious...

Can you give me some indication of what each effort set you back? Did you purchase materials or did you have dealer do it?

Thanks!

I purchased the J Costa from Matt at Scooter Trap and the G&G exhaust from BR tuning in the UK. The dealer purchased all the other components at prices comparable to what you see on Scooter Trap.

Jim.

Appreciate the reply. Ride safely and have fun...!

I got my G&G aswell today isnt it the best? the sound is perfect! I already had the j costa and the G&G give my a little more Nm. Power

tell me about the airfilter please

Nothing special about the air filter, just the red Milossi one from Scooter Trap. Eventually I would like to remove the entire casing and replace it with something more aggressive. Congrats on the G&G. I am very pleased with it too. It's a huge difference.

Thanks for the couple pics - you're right, looks great. Almost can hear it... but only almost.

Did you see this thread, mods and includes changed air filter?

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic52992

It's hard to see the air filter mod, but I will probably go with something more standard and tested. They have some in Japan already. Should be here soon.

Jim.

I have to say, the only advantage I can see in an air filter mod is to make it easier to get to the transmission. The ECU negates any better air flow, surely?

Lookin' good! Do you know how easy/hard was it to swap out the exhaust? Was it just the muffler or did the shop have to get in there and take the whole exhaust system out?

Just the muffler. Slips right on the exhaust pipe and then tightens with a clamp. I would have done it myself, but I decided to have the mechanic do everything at once. Plus the directions with in Italian.

Like to hear the G&G exhaust, could you make a short video?

Where did you get that G&G from anyway?

Check the G&G vs. 4 Road post it has a video and the links BR Tuning in the UK.