Modern Vespa

Don't see any posts about the new MP3 530. I have been seeing youtube videos, anyone else have any info?
Is it a real thing?

Wayne B

This is the first mention of Cruise Control I've seen. Great addition to this highway capable scooter.
Thanks for sharing.

It is a real thing. Coming to Europe first this fall, US probably a year later as a 2024 model.

It is a evolution (aka another facelift) not a complete redo. Engine slightly bigger (essentially a stroker motor of the current Master 493), slighty torquier but no more powerful.

The usual electronic doodads that are becoming the norm or have been on bikes for a while like keyless ignition, LED headlights, and the like. Reliability and Italy, only time will tell although history has proven that the Japanese are not lying awake in their beds at night.

The biggest issue I foresee is the pricetag. 13K Euro/14K US is a huge increase from the current one whilst knocking on the door of real maxiscoots like the Yamaha T-Max and more expensive than the Honda Forza750 which is a twin and has a real automatic DCT gearbox.

the price tags quoted are including 20 percent vat.

It'll wind up being the same price in the US - with the strange MSRP + everything else.

I still can't get used to buying something with a tag of $9 and having to pay $10 at the till.

That really does look good. I am sure the additional 30cc may slightly benefit low down torque where I think the 500HPE lacks, but it probably truly feels the same as the 500cc model. I do like some of the additional changes like the color coded arches up front, the screen/display for sure, and the addition of LED headlights.

Hopefully dealer will get one in for an up close look and possible test drive. That price is pretty hard to stomach though. Being that I am serve the military in Germany, I do have the ability to get the VAT removed, but that is still a hefty price. I paid €8600 for my 2019 new, and removing VAT on this one brings me down to €11000. Again, horse pill, versus a small tablet.

I am sorry to say, but that front end is just not doing it for me.

It looks like the MP3 is starting to resemble Joan Rivers after one too many plastic surgeries.

As for the rest, it looks like Piaggio is going down the same rabbit hole as all the other Euro car manufacturers, i.e. throw a bunch of (unneeded) electronics on it so the thing will become a electronic total loss as soon as soon the warranty is up and first big electronic hiccup rears its ugly head.

Example, a rear camera. On a motorcycle. Seriously?

I have to admit, a rear camera is totally pointless when you have the ability to see everywhere around you by just turning your head with absolutely no blind spots, but you have to do something to standout from the crowd.

Well, they could make it rock solid reliable like a Honda OR make a 500cc boxer 6 with a real transmission and shaft drive to make it something really exceptional especially at these new stuuuuupid prices.

But I get it, they're just going after the (Paris) city crowd that is foregoing 2nd car ownership in favor of this with almost car pricing to match.

Okay, so I was at my dealer today and lo and behold, they had a 530 on the floor and available for test rides. Didn't have time to schedule a ride, but in person, it is pretty sharp. Materials feel so much better over the "previous" model and that screen. Wow...that screen. It's sharp and easy to read. I do like the front end. Pretty menacing if you ask me. Kind of looks like a Transformers' face looking at it straight on. I think the one that I looked at was a business model because of the clear windscreen and the black springs on the dampers. Not 100% though. The seat feels much better in my opinion along with the quality of the materials used. The controls on the bars are nicely laid out but the other function buttons were kind of senselessly placed. I spoke to one of the techs who was able to take it out for a 20km ride after unpacking it for the showroom and he said that the additional 30cc's is noticeable at the low end, as I thought, and it has a much more refined ride and feel. Especially from an engine standpoint. The hardest pill to swallow is the price. €13999.00, which includes the tax.

Has Piaggio stepped up their game? Yes, I really stands out versus the Pug Metropolis that was sitting next to it. Pug hasn't aged well, nor has the MP3 in my opinion until now. I think impressions may change once you get to see it in person. I know there will be people that won't like it, whether in person or based on the video, but now that I've had the in person look, I really do like it. I would trade mine in a heartbeat if the price wasn't such a big letdown. I will chalk that up to the inflated prices we are currently seeing the car market at this time.

In the Los Angeles Times this morning: Average cost of a new car in the U.S right now is $45,000.

Here is a inevitable news flash: Car repossessions are up 300% since 2020.

Who can possibly swing a 1K+ monthly car payment and yet make the mortgage payment and still live???

Haha. I work for a large credit union and totally understand the cost of vehicles. I am a loan officer too, as well as a manager of a branch office. I am just shocked at what a current new, or used car, costs today. I purchased a 2015 Ford Mustang GT a few years ago, in cash, and now I am ahead by around $.5000.00. I see plenty of soldiers in the military get into a car that is well above their means, no matter how "good a deal" they think they are getting.

Nothing is as expensive as having dreams above your means.