Modern Vespa

No, I have not had an accident. I accidentally ended up with an MP3 400. I rented a GTS 250, my normal ride, from Eagle Rider in LA for Amerivespa but ended up with a choice between an LX50 or the MP3. It has definitely been an experience, especially considering that I am a small/short woman. I reach OK but don't really have the height or weight to maneuver it at low speeds properly.

I rode it from LA to San Diego and then on the mountain ride today. I'm still not used to it, especially how much further you have to lean than a PTW. Unfortunately, being a rental, this bike is probably not a good example. It seems to really lug at low speeds but maintains good speed and acceleration at higher speeds. It's definitely a lot heavier and requires much more attention to braking. I don't dislike it, but learning to ride one in unfamiliar territory with a lot of unknown riders around us a bit disconcerting.

Any advice? I have been avoiding the tilt lock, except when parking or maybe stopped on tilted surfaces. It seems like it should have a reverse:)

I forgot to mention that the moh is really hard to see, and I pretty much had no idea how fast I was going from LA to San Diego,

First I hope they gave you a serious discount for having to take an alternate.

The MP3 line is heavier than the normal 2 wheel scoots.

When corning on your GTS you probably use very little countersteer input. on the MP3 you do have to push a tad more in the direction your turning. But once you get use to it you'll find it holds corners really good and it is a fun ride.

When riding slow speeds and try to turn / manuver try dragging the rear brake a bit while using the throttle to power thru. some folks have found this helps in slow tighter turns.

Also you probably have to force your self to slide forward on the seat when coming to a stop to get your feet down. pretty normal for you height and the crappy stock seat. Alot have gone to custom seat or shad seats.

your doing right by avoiding the tilt lock until your ready to shut it off.

It does have a reverse BTW. tilt lock on and a left /right foot step moonwalk.

Some people will take exception with this but I owned a 400 so can speak from personal experience. It's not your imagination on the low speed chugging - it sucks. Makes it very iffy taking off from a stop on a hill - with a passenger it becomes a real fright. The good news is a fuzzy washer and Dr Pulley washers will pretty much fix the problem. This for if you decide that you might want to get one. The 400 has a lot to recommend it for transportation when you take care of that one issue.

Thanks for the advice guys.

I definitely have to slide forward, but I expected to need to. I have an aftermarket lowered seat ont GTS, and I still tend to slide forward at stops.

I think I was inadvertently trail braking a bit when turning slowly. It's something I am used to in my car. I do it on my GTS sometimes, but usually only at high speeds.

Sometimes, it's easier to back up without the tilt lock on. I think that's because I tend to rock it back and forth, which the tilt lock won't allow.

It's been an interesting experience. One that I probably wouldn't have had otherwise. I think though, if I decided to get a bigger scoot, I would probably get a Silver Wing or Burgman.

If it's flat, I'll back up just by doing side to side moonwalk. If it's uphill, I just engage the tilt lock, get off, and walk it. Faster, safer, and easier to control IMO...

I should try moving it w/ the tilt lock while standing next to it. I hate doing this on my GTS, unless it's in a really tight space. The GTS is more stable when you sit on it. Thanks

I have very limited experience on 2-wheeled bikes or scooters so my experience is the reverse of yours. I recently rode a Honda Ruckus and it felt to small and unstable with not enough power. And I have never ridden on a Vespa. I love riding my MP3 and can't imagine riding anything else. It obviously is a bit bigger than your average Vespa but with a little practice and a few calculated modifications to the basic bike (seat comfort and body placement being the two primary ones fixed by a custom seat and UFP brackets and pegs) it is very easy to ride with good manners and positive traction. The two front wheels are very forgiving of rider inexperience or stupidity. The MP3 is definitely a unique ride in this world of cookie cutter machines. I wouldn't trade it for anything else at the moment (and I currently own 3 at the moment, bought a 4th for my father-in-law, and had one that got run over by a cager) and I think you will find a good number of folks on this piece of MV communication that feel the same way.

I don't know how much easier or harder a Bergman is to ride vs an MP3 but would think that most of it would be about the same except the use of the tilt lock making it easier to push the bike around in a garage or parking garage lot.

Still, to each their own on their choice of ride.

I haven't ridden a Burgman/Silver Wing, but the MP3 definitely turns differently than the other 2 wheels that I have ridden. Plus, I find the seating position to be more restrictive than my Vespa. It would be nice to have a bike that my husband would want to ride. Neither the MP3 or Vespa are good because he's close to 6ft.

Don't get me wrong. I still think it's one of the most interesting and beautiful bikes I have seen. It's just not ideal for me.

I have seen a good number of folks on this forum that are well over 6' in height that comfortably ride an MP3 including the leader (Perry riding a blue MP3 400) of the Mountain Ride that you mentioned you did in your initial post; however, this definitely requires the purchase and installation of a set of Universal Foot Peg (UFP) brackets and some footpegs. There is a great thread on this modification/addition here: 2013 UFP brackets - SOLD OUT This is probably the best and least expensive modification any MP3 rider can do to their MP3 since it dramatically changes the way the bike sits eliminating many of the comfort complaints that come with the stock configuration.

If your husband got a MP3 400 or 500 and could get a set of UFP brackets I believe he would love the bike. Since they are no longer being imported into the US you can get a pretty good deal on some mildly used bikes. Incidentally, my wife and daughter (5'3" and 5' respectively) both ride MP3's with no problems. They do tend to stay away from the tilt-lock however, since it is both a blessing and a curse.

However, to each his own.