Modern Vespa

I rode a Honda moped for two years prior to obtaining my MP3. Now, granted, I had it for two years and the top speed was 30 mph on a good day. I felt comfortable riding it.
This MP3 is a whole new beast. I feel it is driving me rather than I'm riding it, and I don't necessarily mean that in a good way. Stopping, starting, turning, speed, other traffic all present their own set of problems or concentrations. I've only managed to put 95 miles on it but it's been a challenging 95 miles.
I suspect that in time, it will get easier so I guess all I'm looking for is assurance that I can/will conquer this beast so that I may in fact enjoy my rides. Does anyone else have the same problem or know what I'm talking about?

It isn't light, and it's obviously faster than your moped was. It ought to feel different; 2 wheels or 3. Even having had the joy of riding many scooters and a handful of motorcycles, the MP3 required a bit of acclimatization on my part. Give it some time, and I think you'll get used to it and you will explore the rather large performance envelope that is offered by 3 wheels.

this is a good point...for some the MP3 represents a wonderful beginners bike...they see 3 wheels and think, hey this will be easy to learn to ride on...
i really disagree. she's big (for a beginners bike), she's heavy and she's fairly fast. beginners really should learn on a buddy or fly or lx. something small and nimble. heck, those are likely too fast for some to learn on. many really should learn on a ruckus or lx 50 or other 50cc model.
as for the MP3, i think there will be a lot of drops and such from noobs riding the MP3.

i see it better as someone's second or third scooter experience. someone who knows riding and now wants to lean more into the turns and such.

noobs are gonna find her a handful for a while.

of course as a rider i say wait about 3 months and you will be able to find slightly scratched up MP3s for good prices from people who are now turned off on scooters (of course that happens with all bikes, but i think we may see a number of them from the MP3 just because some people are going to think, hey this scooter will be easy for...)

g

not calling vince a noob...heck i'm a noob too actually...2 years riding also on my stella...bigger and faster than a moped, but still the MP3 felt like a handful for me. i think i would get use to it fairly quickly. still i understand what Vince is saying.

on my short test ride i just felt the MP3 was bigger than it really is. i felt like i had to pay attention to a larger area around my bike. mostly because my scooter is smaller and lighter. but also because that is the scooter i'm use to.

vince you will find your sweet spot on it. you've been riding one scooter for two years and are use to it. you are a rider and will grow to love the MP3. but she is a much bigger mistress than you are use to.

g

I'm sure you'll reach the point soon. For me, I was puzzled by how to ride it when I took the demo unit home. I knew the roads well, and knew what they should feel like (back country twisties and sweepers), but they didn't feel the same. The bike didn't feel like my GTS, but not in any way that I could really put my finger on.

I really had to get inside my head for awhile on that ride. Then I realized there was nothing in there, so I stepped back out again and just put my shoulder toward the road in the turns. That was the point where I started to "get" it. Everything else followed from there.

The best advice I can give you is to not be afraid of it. It's very forgiving. It has great brakes. It's very stable. It probably won't slide off the road. Don't do anything stupid, but really, try to relax.

And as I've said before, try to lean a bit more and countersteer a bit less. Especially on low speed turns, really put your weight into the turn. The MP3 will respond.

Thanks one and all. I do appreciate all of your comments. I can't say they wern't expected as I know it's a new vehicle and I've only had it "for 95 miles" but it was good to hear from you. Thanks again,

And if you never do end up getting comfortable, I'm sure someone here will be glad to take it off your hands.

I have had mine out a few times, but I only get comfortable on it after I have been out for a couple of hours doing things. I get on it, am a little paranoid, being careful, half an hour later I am zooming around. Go run some errands where you get on and off ten times. After a while you stop being paranoid and just ride. Today I put forty miles on it, just running around. It is heavy, but it is also fun and fast.

do you still have your lx150?

g

Excellent, excellent advice !
Relaxing seems to work best - sometimes it's easy to overthink the ride - especially with a new, larger bike.
When I moved up from a 125 cc to a tall seated Scarabeo 500 I found the latter a beast for all slow speed maneouvres (? sp) - and was quite terrified of dropping her. Strangely enough, with the MP3 - some three years later, I'm barely even noticing the weight. I guess my technique has impoved.

Bet yours will too - persevere, and have a freakin blast on the twisties !!

Ms D

Experienced motorcyclists estimate it takes 3,000 miles to start to get truly comfortable with the particular characteristics of a new-to-them motorcycle.
Your learning curve is particularly steep but the comfort will come as long as you put in the miles. I "clicked" with my GTS en route to my 4,000 mile warranty service. The click will be noticeable.

Thanks again for the encouraging words.
I think part of my problem is the inability to ride on a regular basis. The weather around here has been less than ideal so I can only squeak in a few miles every once- and- a- while. It seems like every time I get on the scooter it's almost like the first time. I'm guessing that come summer or warmer weather (that's predicicted to be Jully 22nd through July 29th around here) and I can get out more, I will improve and so will my comfort level.

Practice, practice, practice.

Vince, just like Jess said, if you lead your shoulder into the front on any turns kinda like your flying, it really seems to help. On two wheels, I usually don't feel I lean forward as much into the turns whereas on the mp3, I was able to lean to the side as normal but then the added lean shoulder lean forward gave me I whole new experience, which is one of the reasons I almost bought this bike, because it felt like flying. One long ride and you'll have it. I kinda had to sink or swim, riding the mp3 for the first time at cycleworld where the piaggo rep lead us on a 35 minute trip up to 80 mph ride, AND I had a passeger on the back. Big difference from the lx50 I was riding at the time. Such an awesome vehicle.

Perspective:

I am a motorcyclist and ride aggressively. I am, due to my age, looking to gradually move away from twho wheels to something with a broader margin of safety. The MP3 was fun to ride but felt like a toy. On the first turn out of the dealership I think I hit the lean angle threshold.

Small 2 wheeled scooters do not handle like motorcycles. Larger diameter wheels and significantly more horsepower require a different riding AND judgement skill. The MP3 moves the scooter rider closer to motorcycling and hence the message thread.

As a marketing move, I'm not sure that the MP3 represents a scooter upgrade as much as a viable alternative for motorcyclists looking for an in town motorcycle or a motorcycle that is simply safer to ride.

My son rides a Vino 125. I wouldn't dare let him ride an MP3 without a refresher MSF course and lots of parking lot training.

To the message originator, you have purchased a hybride motorcycle (or call it a hybrid scooter). You will need to learn new technical and judgement skills. The usual time for someone to learn to ride a motorcycle is 12-18 months (in reality until you feel completely comfortable in all environments at all speeds under all conditions). However, once you train well and accept your desire (read patience) to learn how to ride the MP3, you will find a motorized vehicle that is truly a next generation mode of transportation and a blast to ride.

Hope this doesn't discourage you.....

I am not discouraged. Just the opposite really. Both of the recent posts were most informative and helpful. Thanks people.

Now, if the weather would just cooperate....

Vince:

I am frustrated by the weather as well. I live in Capitola California. So sick of 72 degrees and blue skies.........

But, I did grow up in Buffalo, NY (LOL)

Ah, 72 and blue skys.... I think we're scheduled to see that on June 17th this year.
Actually, we're looking at some good weather just over the horizon but right now the 45 degrees and mist is what we live with. This weekend looks good so I should be able to get out and ride a bit.