Modern Vespa

I subscribe to Motorcycle Online ( http://www.motorcycle.com ). This is a pay site and an excellent site if you are the least bit interested in motorcycles, they don't do much of anything with scooters.

To my surprize they were invited to the launch of the Piaggio MP3 and have an excellent review of the 250cc version. As this is a pay site I will not divulge much, but will suggest that the small yearly fee is well worth the price of addmission if for the MP3 road test alone.

Thier bottom line - the MP3 is great and the technology could and should be ported over to serious motorcycles.

Dave

This site from Piaggio has some pretty good info on the MP3;

http://www.mp3.piaggio.com/index_eng.html

I just stumbled across the MP3 and found you guys were already talking about it. What do people on here think about it? I'm undecided for right now. It's different, and you know how people are about something that's "different".

My opinion is that the Piaggio line of scooters tend to be of a lower quality than thier Vespa line. They seem to have put a lot of effort behind the mp3, which is a stupid name btw, so maybe they're turning a corner with this scoot. I just wish it was a bit smaller and lower to the ground. The maxi-scoot thing just doesn't appeal to me at all.

That's how I feel, too. I wasn't aware of the Piaggio quality, though. And the name is a little silly.

Thanks for the link to the website and the videos. After watching them, I am very impressed. I will definitely have to test drive one when they show up in Denver. I thought they were strange at first but seeing them in motion is impressive. And I love the extra storage "trunk" in the back. It's like a built in top case (you can see this if you watch the 2nd video all the way through).

pretty neat seeing it roll, looks like it handles nicely

scott

Piaggio makes good stuff, particularly in the upper ranges of displacement. Here's the thing, they make scooters with plastic bodies and modern styling. Most owners of new Vespas have bought into the concept that steel is automatically better, and automatically means quality. Most of them don't realize that 40-50% of the visible bodywork on the LX, GT, and GTS is plastic. When the right plastics are used, and when they are well painted, they can look great. Several Malagutis had very nice panels and paint. Peugeot does amazing paint on plastic and the panel fit is superb. Most new Vespa owners also think that retro looks are the ticket. Really, it's just a matter of personal preference.

MMmmmmm....perhaps it is a little too different.I'll wait till I've seen one in the flesh before making my mind up.

Motoblog.it has a bit on a MP3 test ride ... Check it out HERE

Damn! I've got to try one of those out. And get some leathers before I do.

Wow!
That thing must be sooooo much fun to ride.