Modern Vespa

If they made the MP3 1200, would that be enough?

These scooters are made more for safety than speed and that is why I think the 500 is more than adequate.

I love my 500 but it just seems people want bigger and faster....

If you want to step up to a touring or speed bike than look no further...

THE IRONY IS..

I have plenty of biker friends who are looking to downsize..

A larger displacement would be nice if you are going on long distance rides and /or 2-up packing gear and all. MPO would be around 800cc.

Safety is a big plus with the MP3 having 2 front wheels-- better corning in all road conditions. That is what is so good about this style of machine. Technology is great.

Hmm I wonder why 99% of the vehical manufactures make different sizes of the same style of vehical. People are people and all want something that is just different from the next person, nothing wrong with that I hope.

I don't think any 500 owner says the machine is not adequte for what is was designed for.

Have your friends go out and get a scooter of some sort and tell them to keep the 2 wheeler also as they are different machines with different purposes/styles of riding.

I never said the 500 was not adequate for what it does.

If it wasn't, I wouldn't own it.

I said for what it is and what it is designed for, it is more than adequate.

The bike isn't built for speed and that is why it is called a "Scooter"

The bike is build for excitement, twisties, turnies, some decent speed and the most important thing......


WOMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They love this thing!

I've had the big bikes and loved every minute of owning and riding them. I'd still be riding them today, but youthful indiscretions left me with injuries that have crept up and bit me in the ass. Below is a shot of my last Harley and my BMW K1200LT.

As I've aged, riding the Harley killed my lower back and made long distance riding more pain then pleasure. With my knees destroyed, too; my BMW's riding position had the same result. So, I sold them both, and in order to continue riding, I bought my MP3 250cc, which handles like some of the best motorcycles I've ever ridden. Now, I also have an Atlantic 500 for my long distance overnighters.

With the scooters I can ride all day without discomfort at all. I'd welcome additional power, but I would not welcome the riding position of a motorcycle, as this juncture in my life.

Check out my bikes, and you'll see that I gave up a lot to continue the joys of riding. I have no regrets; I love my scooters:

Wow!

That has got to be one of the greatest bikes i have ever seen.

Beautiful!

It's nice to see some chrome for a change!

my response: A larger displacement would be nice if you are going on long distance rides and /or 2-up packing gear and all. MPO would be around 800cc. I love my 500 but it just seems people want bigger and faster....

If you want to step up to a touring or speed bike than look no further...

my response : Hmm I wonder why 99% of the vehical manufactures make different sizes of the same style of vehical. People are people and all want something that is just different from the next person, nothing wrong with that I hope.


I took the intent of your post for what it stated. If my reponse p---d you Sorry. It did seem that you were trying to bash others.

More power and more speed is always a plus, but I also want to get some reasonable MPG, so the MP3 500 is the compromise that works great for me. I have friends who ride bikes that are as fast as a bat out of ...well you know, and when these guys tell me about lame MPG it makes me think they must need to fill the tank every time they take the bike out. I'm new to riding, but the MP3 seems like it fits perfectly, just enough power and yet excellent MPG, so my poor suburban sits in the garage.


John

I know the faster your bike is the faster you will want to go.
Everybody wants to test the limits whether they want to admit it or not.

Will it really matter if you have three wheels if you are doing 90 plus and you are about to crash?

That's all I am trying to say.

When is enough, enough.

Incidentally, I have taken all pictures down if you haven't noticed...

When I first saw the MP3 videos and read about it I thought it was a cool idea and ended up buying my MP3 500ie. I do think it is adequate for most people and I enjoy riding it; but if I could buy a 650-1200 cc MOTORCYCLE with optional sidebags a decent sized gas tank and a good fairing all with a well designed MP3 type front end I would definitely be interested.

I reckon "enough" is just a matter of personal preference...i ride a 250 and that is plenty for what i need and want. Plenty fast enough to keep up with traffic on my 25 mile one way commute on mostly 2 lane roads at 60mph. Though if i lived in the mountains or did alot of interstate a 500, 750 or higher may work better....not really sure what your point was but here is an answer to when enough is enough...of sorts.

Happy riding on that overpowered 500 of yours!

but if you came to Los Angeles and experienced the insane speeds they drive around here you would have to get at least a 500....Just to survive!

Yes but as "scooters" go, the GTS250ie AND the Mp3's are pretty darn fast...most of them head of each of their classes, respectively (although to be fair, the "class" for three articulated-wheeled scooters is surprisingly small....hence the Can-Am Spyder isn't really to be included!)

I think for what they are they can't be beat.

and I am not saying that because I am 100% Italian either.

Temecula is a beautiful town to ride in as I go to Oceanside from time to time and it is a very scenic ride.

Yes, the riding is good here. And to Oceanside, points south etc. Check out our schedule www.cafemotovespaclub.com and feel free to join us if ever in the area.

Thanks very much Matt for the invite!
I will check it out and hope to see you soon.

I know I am going to try and make it to the comic con in SD but I hear it is packed more than ever this year.

There is also that beautiful Mission in Oceanside I would like to take pictures of with the Piaggio.

Not to mention some lovely wineries...
(don't drink and ride though, ride first!)

I didn't mean to edit you out, especially since everything you said hit home.
There are a lot of posers out there (you know who you are), but you sir; not one! I too have had my adjustment from Wings & Kings. And too often have doubted my recent decision, many here suffered through my angst. I don't really believe you gave those up just because of age. Unless, age gives us wisdom and through that wisdom we learn comfort is cool (King).

On that note, I doubt there is more than one person, if Piaggio sent us all a letter offering to trade our existing engines for a 1000, that wouldn't jump for joy!
I love mine as is, but still want to blow the doors off an azz-whole next to me now & then. I have shot up tall inclines that slow many vehicles. Just haven't added a passenger yet. But, I still am in break-in (sorry ) and haven't really, I mean really given it a fair trial. I read here everyday about fine red blooded MV'rs riding like the wind, on freeways, across America...So, maybe we (I) have had it wrong all along? Every Wing & King I owned, weighed 900+ and had the CC's to push it. Is the Italian secret in the weight, therefore, pound for pound our MP3's are powerful sleeping giants? Well, at least stealth Romans in Trojan Horses.

So, thanks for the opinion Capt.John!
And for some of the other interesting opinions that made me feel good about my machine.

Matt, I haven't seen that color red anywhere on any Mp3.

They did a great custom paint job on it.

I was just wondering how long it took and where you got it done.

I have also seen some mp3 500's custom painted just on the removable panels though.

That red really stands out and is also a great safety factor.

I, for one, wouldn't jump for joy. I'm in the process of getting an MP3 250, and the biggest engine I can imagine wanting - for fuel efficiency and power combined - is a 400. I considered buying a 400, but it's too expensive for the additional horses relative to a 500 and I hate the color options (dark blue and light gray? Can you get more aesthetically conservative and INvisible?).

If they had a sky-blue 400 for $8K, I'd be on it in a flash. As is? Feh.

Edited: "On that note, I doubt there is more than one person, if Piaggio sent us all a letter offering to trade our existing engines for a 1000, that wouldn't jump for joy!"

yes or maybe an 800 or even 1200. different conditions require different vehicles...i believe that was my point, thanks for reiterating

yes. you have made a very well point.....

Thank you, I like it too. The dealer, Vespa of Oceanside did that prior to me taking delivery. I had seen a couple of his other custom colored paint jobs and his quality met my expectations. It's Dragon Red, matches my GTS 250, and you said it...it's very visible! Of course it started at the beginning of the peak of the scooter boom, early June but was completed in 2 weeks or so. I have no regrets.

MattGordon, how much did you pay for this custom paint job?
did they give you new body panels, or painted the original ones ?

I know Michael of vespa Oceanside is one stand up guy.

Definetly something for me to think about...

They removed the blue panels, and sent them out and repainted them. No reason to replace brand new parts.

I'd tell you how much it cost, but my wife is a member of this forum too....

Cost aside, they are worth every penny!
I wouldn't try to take the panels off myself though...

Please tell us anyway? Your wife presumably can look it up in your bank/CC statement(s) - the rest of us can't!

If she is anything like my wife she already knows and is waiting for the right moment to "drop the hammer"

140hp at the back wheel is about enough for a scooter.

but i'd still want moorrree!


with that amount of power you might be able to pull a wheelie on an mp3

with that amount of power you might be able to pull a wheelie on an mp3 [/quote]


now that would be wild lookin