Modern Vespa

WTF? Is it real or something done in photoshop? An MP3 with training wheels??

If it's real it's wrong- on so many levels.

the mp3 was just too drastic of a step down from the SUV I suppose.

If it is photo shopped, they covered the license plate too, nice touch. If it is not, I like it and where did they get the kit? I'm really thinking in a year or two I would like to add something like that on my GTS if such a kit exists.

I believe it's real... Look at the wear patch on the MP3's rear tire - there is a crisp, sharp line where the contact patch ends and the unused portion of the tire begins. This would look more "blended" on a tire that leans, whereas this one clearly stays upright.

It's real. She's a member here and posted at least one thread relating to it in the MP3 forum.

If I weren't so lazy I'd use the search function and find it for everyone

It is fake, who would do such a thing?

However, she's since upgraded to a CanAm Spyder, and is a MV member so be NICE!

Tow-Pac Mini-Trike Kit on My MP3 250

MiniTrike conversion by Tow Pac

MP3 MiniTrike

[topic34987]

I would guess 'real'. Don't get the point tho - you might as well stay with a cage as you might not be able to enjoy leaning into your turns too sharply

Shadow details look good. Regardless, the engineering is at a level that would suggest it's not a fake. Doesn't tell me/us if it's a kit or not.

I thought those gadgets were supposed to be easy to ride?

So it is real! A friend sent me the link to the Flickr pictures and I tried searching for it but there's like 70 plus pages of MP3 photos on Flickr so I gave up.

I'm just not sure what the point of it is and isn't the MP3 considered to be pretty undroppable already? Also I'm curious what it would be registered as. It now has five wheels, and I'm not sure how it could be considered to be a scooter or motorcycle. I didn't even realize from these pictures it retained the rear wheel! How does it corner? It can't lean (can it?) and reminds me of those Dyson vacuum cleaners ads when he demonstrates why regular vacuums can't turn because the wheels are fixed. Wouldn't the rear just be dragged around corners?

Maybe the owner can comment?

Wow! Aren't those gadgets hard to ride? Seems like an aggressive swap.

RitchJ posted the various threads about it 4 posts up...

the owner does talk about it's specs,, handling,etc in those threads

It now has FIVE wheels.

The Tow-Pac kit is much like training wheels, they're 'quickly,' removeable as well.

Spyder is easy. The Spyder is probably lighter than an MP3 with all that extra stuff and extra 740cc of power and a more appropriate design, as well as engineered from the FACTORY, as compared to some bolt on parts.

The brakes and CVT would have to get eaten by that much weight- probably at the Cannonball miles rate.

HOWEVER, I'm glad people are out there doing these things, and getting to enjoy nature, and the feeling of riding a completely open vehicle between 1 and 10 wheels.

Oh well. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

But to go from that to a Spyder? Do they make a kit that puts two additional wheels on the back of the Spyder???

I think it is the tow pac insta trike

http://www.tow-pacinc.com/

edit: it is the tow-pac mini-trike. They list the Piaggio MP3 as one of the bikes it will work with.

she has the scoot on ebay also since she got te can-am

I think it is amazing because when you get older balance typically (not always) goes right out the door. Just because you no longer have the ability to balance well does not mean that you want to give up your scooter, so being able to add a kit that allows you to keep your mp3 is definitely a nice option!

According to CanAm you cannot flip one- too many computers, ABS, traction control - plus they don't lean. I'm not saying the right person couldn't fall off.

I really think they're great for those with limited balance abilities, weak or short legs, or incomplete bodies (factory or otherwise) to get the feeling that we all know and love.

I thought I read somewhere that Spyders are hard(er) to corner? You've got road time, right?

I met a guy at St. Louis Vespa that was riding something like a silverwing, some big scoot like that, with that same kit on it. He was like 85 years old or something.

I guess I'm in the 200 miles of seat time club - more on the M/T, but I liked the Semi-Auto a lot more. Some miles were supervised, most were not.

It is different from turning a motorcycle/scooter. If you're sore after riding it, you're doing it wrong. It does have power assisted steering and reverse.

Spyders are not motorcycles in anyones eyes other than the department of motor vehicles. Motorcycle magazine/website/shows have been reviewing them like motorcycles, and haven't liked them.

You won't like them either, if you go at it like it is a motorcycle.

Reviewers who aren't motorcyclists loved them, and got 'it.'

In a Miata/Solstace/convertible you still have all this stuff around you, and the ability to ignore the elements by turning on the heat-A/C-windshield wipers- open or close windows- put up or take down the top. You can't ignore the elements on a Spyder; yes I'm aware of heated/cooled clothing, but that's different.

There are other discussions here with tons more opinions - from current MV owners of Spyders and opinions from those that haven't ridden one or even seen one in person. If you want more info, do a little searching or PM me.

I am pretty sure we should turn that into a bumper sticker for our scoots!

all too real.

I sold an mp3 (same color too) to a lady in San Jose and she took it to Moto Amore for that same treatment..


..?!

I rode it. It rides like it looks.

Ritch secretly owns 3 Spyders, and is looking to make one of his oddscoots in to one

reminds me of a dune buggy back in the day

or adopt it as the motto for the Cezeta Owners Club of Kahleeforneeah

I saw a Honda Helix that had this sort of thing welded onto the back of it to make it a trike. It looked crazy. I'm sure the mp3 owner shown here will next weld a complete cage onto it, and put on a winshield, rear seats, air conditioning, etc.

This post was not quite
What we were hoping to see
Try again, perhaps?

So then what is the low down on the owner?? YOu have not provided any links. This just looks dumb. That's all I have to say.

Jon

Actually, MP3's are quite "droppable". I would suggest a visit to your local dealer to check one out - maybe even test ride one.

Christ thats minging

It's not my cup of tea but neither is the Spyder. I fond the push in the corners totally unacceptable. I felt like the bike was fighting me the whole time when I was cornering. Burning out off the line was fun and dropping the clutch in second was a blast.

There's a guy here in town that has one of these on the back end of his Harley. I think he's got some type of physical disability with his left leg or foot.

It's real. Theres a guy just north of here, in Middletown Maryland, who is now disabled, but did not want to give up riding. He has a Honda Helix set up with this or one just like like it. You see him riding all over between Middletown and Frederick with a grin on his face. It lets a disabled person have the same fun we have; getting out on the road.

Sometimes lots of things change as we age. We have to use a different approach.

The tow-pac has been around for quite a while.As far as scooters,there on Suzuki Burgmans,Honda Silverwings,Yamaha Majesty's etc.Hey if it keeps a rider on the road,that's a good thing.Also with a tow-pac,you can readily add a trailer.

Tim

What would they call it now that it has five wheels?????

What on earth is the point?

Buy a Mini convertible. It takes up about the same amount of road estate.

An MP...5?

Here is the DansonTrike training wheel set-up on the Burgman and S-Wing.I really think the Danson setup looks a little nicer than the tow-pac.The Danson trike may well look purdy on the MP3.