Modern Vespa

anyone know if Piaggio is importing new MP3 500,s into the country, reason for asking is that I have seen a couple of adds for sale of 2013,s for $8900.00 thats their new retail price

No, there have been no new MP3s imported into the US since 2010. No announced plans to resume imports, though MP3s (300 and 500) are still being built in Europe. ($8,899 was the msrp of the 500 when it was still being imported - new ones have sold for a lot less than that more recently as Piaggio has sold off it's old stock))

Simple Answer: No

There are some rumors Piaggio may ship the MP3 Yourban 300ie to the USA next year. The Yourban does does not get me excited, I like the MP3 250/400 Body Style.

Thanks for asking that question, I have seen those ads as well. Why are they not imported any longer? Is it a popularity issue?

I am going to call the Dealer tomorrow and see whats what

A lot of other threads on this subject have popped up in the year plus that I have been on this forum. Most of the discussion revolves around the fact that Piaggio has not sold enough MP3's in the US overall to make it worth the effort to continue to import them. Unlike other regions of the world, motorcycles in the US are a niche market (since most US folks would rather drive a car). Scooters, which are a sub-set of motorcycles, are an even smaller piece of that niche market and only one or two brands have real visibility in the US (Vespa being one of them). The 3-wheeled MP3 has NO general consumer awareness so they do not sell well (no sales equal no profit equal no more MP3's in the US). From many previous discussion on this topic, it appears that none of the Piaggio dealers have a clue about what is going to happen with any version of MP3 in the US during 2014.

I'd say you have this exactly right. Piaggio has not told their dealers what they will do next regarding the MP3, so your dealer can't really tell you "what's what". He may have opinions, but so do we all.

Now that all the MP3-250 are gone from the Piaggio warehouses we may see some new product trickle in. Maybe some 500 Sport? Just please no Yourban! Or maybe a model with the 350 motor?

I have tried calling the dealership in PA several times, but they must be closed for the holidays, went on their website and viewed their inventory, sorry to say that there are no 2013 mp3's for sale. I guess it was wishful thinking on my part

When I was looking into my MP3 (sometime 3rd quarter last year), the dealer/owner wanted to sell me theirs for ~ 8k. I was like, that bike is 6 years old. I offered 5k and he wouldn't take it.

Then he started telling me that it's that old, but that newer models were not being imported because when the recession hit, US motorcycle dealers were hit hard. Many MP3's not being sold.

He then told me, that the Tilt Lock was going away in the newer model. But the us Dealers, argued that the US market needs it.

He said that the 2015's would be coming to the US this year.



I ended up getting my 500 off of craigslist. It was a Demo bike with < 600 miles on it. Paid 4k.

What I find interesting is that Piaggio thinks that Mp3 sales / public interest
can exist to the extent that true "momentum results, without MARKETING.
Ad's in print,and or Television (National effort) on a consistent basis, are
non-existent. C'mon, the Japanese have certainly not missed this! it saddens
me,because Piaggio produces great product. "Get the Word out!"

I heard yesterday that they are thinking of using a BV350 drivetrain increased to 400cc for a single US model. That would work for me.

I have a question, and it possible that you Americans. buy common in Europe, new and used models and to come home to the United States?

as an " association of consumer " for buying in europe, then resells the usa.
I'm french and I don't know your import system.
it's just an idea.

Not possible. Has to meet US EPA, CA CARB emission laws. Also they must comply with DOT rules.

affff I understand better why its so difficult for you. and I realize that we have a lot of luck in europe