Modern Vespa

Hi All,

Just wanted to provide update on my 1year with my MP3 500.

It was my first bike at 40!
Never ridden before but I did a CBT to get familiar with controls etc.

Commute 3 days a week 27 miles or 54 miles in day. 162 miles a week!

Costs
Insurance £1192.28 full comp with pillion Lexham
Piaggio MP3 £3700 (Came with heated grips/iPhone holder and cover)
Oxford Jacket new £200
Boots Amazon new £110
Gloves new £79
Mot/Oil service + rear tyre £411 (Chiswick Piaggio dealer)
Helmet £80
Initial Cost £5772.38

Fuel
Around 700 miles a month £90-125 depends on price per litre.

Given I work 1 month remote and 5weeks holiday, it works around
£90-125 a month fuelling (prices per litre vary), so will go with £125: £1250 a year

I get 104miles range and re-fuel after 2 days, although I have around 40-60 mile range left. It will get me to london but will need to fuel for return hence I fuel every 2 days.

How does it vary to trains
Love it! I was losing 4hours door to door 3 times a week (12hours) without delays and extortionate £31 before 9am travel.
Trains £4836 minus 9wks remote/holidays around £4030

Fuel vs train
£1250 - £4030 saving £2780

Initial total £5772.38-£2780
-£2992.38

Train cost
Year 1 £4030
Year 2 £4231.15 (5% apr)
Year 3 £4443.07 (5%apr)
£12704.22.

Bike
(assuming insurance stays same)

Year 1 £7,022.38 (Initial cost + fuel)
Year 2 £3242.28 (fuel/insurance + major service)
Year 3 £2942.28 (insurance + minor service)
£13,206.94

Loss
Helmet £80
Jacket £200
Gloves £79
Boots £110
Total £469 but if I keep riding these will recuperate if I don't replace

Bike £3700 depreciation 20% yoy
£1900-2000 sell after 3yrs.

Bike is slightly costly but I save the time and I feel every month I'm only paying £90 fuel than £320 train fare.

I hope I got above accurate enough. Apologies if I'm missing something.

Yes initial costs higher but hoping insurance goes cheaper and I might change to a Yamaha Tricity 300 for larger fuel tank (less refuelling) better mpg and insurance quote.

My experience
Never rode a scooter so this was a necessity else I know I'd need a new job! It was scary at first and nervy as motorways ppl shoot past you, don't indicate and cut. But I found if I sit in middle of lane I'm more visible and can get on into london. Then filter through with ease. My nagging points smart motorway it's designed to catch you out once speed sign changes you better be on that speed not slowing down else flashes, it's quiet cunning.

Weathers been awful but I have a cover on legs so that's kept me warmish but you do get soaked through it even if it is an original Piaggio leg cover. I only ride to work and back home. For that it alone is worth it. As I have a car for my local daily and family trips.

Thanks for the update.

Consider doing a Bikesafe course with the police - a very good fun day which teaches a lot. Now you have a year's riding under your belt you're ready for it.

https://bikesafe.co.uk/metropolitan/