Modern Vespa

Peugeot now has a three-wheel scooter with a hybrid motor and a hard top. You can see photos here: http://www.scooter-infos.com/photos-actualite-2989-exclu--les-infos-et-images-du-3-roues-peugeot--le-hy-motion3.html

Don't miss the video of the MP3 250 LT in the upper right hand corner of the page.

The Peugot model is nice looking, but definitely a concept. I wonder when/if it will be a production model.

BTW, didja notice the idiot in the mp3 250 video driving between cars on the street, both parked AND WHILE BOTH LANES WERE MOVING! I don't care if that is legal in France, that's just stupid. If you watch closely, he's swerving between them too, barely keeping it from hitting one of them. Ugh.

And the proliferation begins in earnest. I fully welcome the new choices. Hope the price point is comparable to the MP3.

So umm...what exactly is the point of the hard top? The wind blows, you get wet anyway. Not only is it goofy but kinda useless...

It is pretty cool looking but unless the people they show sitting on it are super tall the distance between the seat and the running boards looks less than an mp3. Would like to see a concept who's designers take into consideration people over 6'.

But that is a really cool concept bike and I agree with you scootermeister...bring em on!

Reading the specs on the 250 LT shows a 14' rear tire, so I guess it's official and not just a rumor.

You know, I read the same thing, but I swear, I watched and watched this video just specifically staring at it and I think it looks like a 12". I might be going blind, but especially toward the end where they show it straight on from the side, that it's a 12". I'm using my 500 for comparison and unless the engine somehow got extremely large compared to the current 250s, that's a 12 inch tire. Maybe they just did it for the video or to f*** with the French(who doesn't enjoy that?).

I have a 2007 MP3 250. The rear wheel on the MP3 in the video is different. There is much more room between the rim and the hub.

My MP3 is a fun toy and a utilitarian commuter. I also see it as an interim place holder until the eco friendly technologies catch up to the current fuel reality.

I have a new Honda van and two elderly paid off gas guzzlers. As my wife drives the new van (of course), my master plan is to drive the old gas guzzlers in the rainy season(s) until the next gen tech is propagated. I imagine the next gen in the near future is just better hybrid cars, but hydrogen fuel cells or some other alternative would great.

When I got the MP3 I knew the market would take off with "MP3 Like" machines. I have strong feeling for my MP3 (dare I say love), but better yet is having options.

I believe it's not a just a bigger rear wheel but the front ones look like they're 14" ones as well! look closely at the start of the video.

I'm about 99 percent sure the front ones are 12" Michelin Golds. These are the same as the ones that came on my 09 500. Same size and tread pattern. The shot that shows them side by side makes them look taller and a bit more lean than the original 250 which has got 12" Michelin Pilots. But this is the way they look. I had the opportunity to ride with Fuzzy and the Golds tend to look thinner and taller, but are still 12". This is why I'm almost postitive they're the same as the fronts on the 500(which are 12").

There's no doubting the rim is a new one on the back tire, but I still think it looks like the same size as the front tires. On my 500, if you look at it from the side, it's obvious that its larger and that there's plenty of clearance behind the engine for putting in air, etc. The biggest sign to me that I think its a twelve, is that from the back, it seems the same width as the 250s normal rear tires. When you look at the back of the 14 tires, they appear more like a motorcycle tire than a scooter tire. But heck, who knows? It is a 4 inch video that is choppy and has bad shots of the bike and is in French.

The tires do look the same ....
Could it be 14 inch tires all the way around?

I don't care much for the other changes....
notably the grill vent redesign or the fog light (at least I'm guessing its a fog light).

I am pretty sure the gentleman in the video said they were 14 inch rear tires. They for sure are not 12". Sorry Luthor.

Dale

the specs are on the left of the page, no doubt in french but no prize for guessing what 120/70 x 12: 140/60 x 14 means.

http://www.scooter-infos.com/essai-1362-piaggio-mp3-250-lt.html

interesting thing is, the LT's front wheels are actually 45mm wider than the standard mp3s. and the 500-esque turn lights are really nice, but i just hate the grill. reminds me of a daewoo.

Then they MUST be 14". The French are NEVER wrong...oh wait...

Yeah, the specs say it, the guy says it, but to me IT LOOKS like 14s. I'll believe it when I see an actual person with one in the states riding around on 14" rear tires. One guy stating that it has 14" tires on the back on one video for a model that is obviously not in full production to me does not say they will have 14" tires. Sorry dccappy.

OK now that we have 100% confirmed its a 14" wheel. WTH does LT mean?

Hang on, I don't think I said "production". I just wrote that the gentleman in the video said that his were 14' rear tires - to me it sounded as he was referring to his tire. My french is rusty and I cannot speak to the whole of the video so I cannot say if he said all of production nor did I catch what year.

Your statement saying "but to me they look like 14s" is confussing.

"The French are NEVER wrong...oh wait... " - wow I am sure you meant that as a compliment right? We are an international forum and you are what - flogging the French for one video? You sure that I am not from French bloodlines?

Is it really that important whether or not the new 250 comes out with a 12" or 14" rear tire? There is an interesting point to be made from the fact that the specs listed on the page state these are 14" rear tires, the gentleman in the video states the scoot in the video has a 14" rear tire and you think that it really is 12" tire. Truly I am not making fun of you. It would have been an interesting point if you had put a different, less defiant tone to your reply.

Luthor you are one of the most helpful gentlemen on this forum. Your insights, suggestions and tips have helped us all. Your posts have been of patience and congeniality. This however must be an off day for you. I am sorry for the disagreement.

Dale

Sorry if I offended anyone, especially you Dale. Its just that you're first post hit a nerve with me... I think because of the "FOR SURE" part and the "SORRY LUTHOR" parts. You're right, it is an off WEEK for me.

BTW, the French comment was a poke at myself...I'm French. I won't post my last name, but I will tell you it ends -ois.

I will slink back into the darkness now and await the new 250s, in quiet. As of late, my post on here have only offended folks, so I think I'll go 88 and be an observer only for awhile.

If you think thats close you should visit Italy.
Dam, when your been there and looked how they drive there scooters in ROM, then you will wonder why you dont se more accident.

(You will se a lot "side" mirrors broken and patched back)

I do also think he is pressing it a bit tight.