Modern Vespa

have the shop check the balance on the tire and rim. They should also check the runout on the rim.

I inadvertently tried to teach my MP3 400 a few tricks in the sand, deep sand that is. After that experience, I have advice for anyone inclined to do the same. DON'T!

First is the direct cost:
$440 to extract
$660 to repair
$1100 subtotal

Then the collateral costs:
$225 diesel to return home for repairs
$90 gasoline for two round trips to the shop
$315 subtotal

Finally the incidental expenses of which I would have been oblivious if had I not returned home:
$6500 re-roof home due to wind damage in my absence
$5000 credit from insurance
$1500 subtotal

GRAND TOTAL $2910 That is well over half my original cost!

So a final warning to desert rats. The Piaggio MPS is not for use off road.

Garry,

Fair enough.. Butt how is you scoot behaving now after it is fixed?

I take mine off road all the time. But you need 4x4 for deep loose sand, not a motorcycle.
Sorry to hear of your adventure.

Wayne B

Was it like this:

that reminds me of the time in 78 I went to visit my sister at Pismo beach and er boyfriend at the time(now bro-in-law) had 2 125 hodakas. he told me not to go over that big sand dune as it was for 250 and up and sandrial buggys, everything else gets burried and stuck. Well I couldn't resist. I took off over the hill and my gosh the area was full of buggies with big paddle tires. I spent an hours just gettin it back there and I remember thosefaces and jaws dropping because this little 125 was just gong everywhere. When I came back my bro-in-law said he was just about to call out a search cause he knew I had been burried back there.

Its all about techique and power does help but skills are by far more important.

Omygosh - not the "Combat Wombat" of nut-crusher fame was it??!!
A dang good dirt bike. I liked these better than the Elsinore's which IMHO were too "peek-e" (as we called it) - engine was either on or off so you were forced to overuse the clutch. I also like the CanAm's when they came out... Ahhh the good ol days!

Ouch! And to think that NASA was considering it as a lunar vehicle (or was it just a rumor)?

I think that the biggest setback that I had was the 550 pounds with 220 pounds on top. No self respecting off road bike would eat that much!

Wayne B. : There is a huge difference between off-road on hard pack and soft sand. I will continue to ride on off road hard pack, as that is where I boondock in my RV. But no loose sand!

OaD: I don't think expert technique will save one on a 550 lb MP3, though sand dune technique does require expert technique. Too heavy, too fragile, drive belt not protected, not enough suspension travel, incorrect suspension tuning, auto transmission not suited to off road. Designed for pavement. I would love to also have a 125 or 250 dirt bike for those mountain trails...

Brian.

I have ridden it only a mile. I will take a longer ride today, probably, if the weather cooperates.

Here is the thing I am concerned about.

The when I left the shop last week I suggested that they inspect the belt and variator for any damage. They thought that was not necessary. This week, they had second thoughts, called for permission to do so. I answered by all means, do.

They found the belt/variator area littered by sand and debeis. They found the clutch glazed (probably occurred when the wheel jammed and I did not know it was jammed).

The shop flushed out and cleaned the drive traun. They manually de-glazed the clutch, not replacing it.

My original reason for wanting that area inspected was becAuse I recalled reading that the belt cover actually vents underside, and apparently it does. That explains the debris/sand found inside.

That begs the question: Envision riding in "safe off road" conditions, i.e. dusty and sandy hard pack dirt surface like many roads in the west have, such as the road I where my house is located.

Is the exposure of the drive train to the elements a design flaw? If one rides off-pavement, will not dust, debris, and even fine sand always collect in the drive train/variator/clutch area, causing reliability issues and early failure?

Experts in the design of the MP3 400 - Comments on this issue?

Just looked it up, the Aprilia RXV 5.5 (549cc) weighs only 262.3 lbs (119 kg). The 220 pounds can be modified somewhat; but the 550 pounds of the MP3 is such a deficit!

Project: an all-carbon-fiber MP3

Garry I quite agree with you on the MP3 not to be in deep sand. hard packed dirt roads would be ok. Remember when riding it less than ideal conditions dusty,dirt, and such you need to be preforming servicing and maintence 2-3 times more than just riding on paved roads. I would recomend oil changes every 1000-1500 milesair filter cleanings 700 miles and rinsing off the scoot every couple days just so the dirt sand dust doesn't wear into theose little areas and start messing things up. Also the belt area should be cleaned when doing the oil changes if for nothing more than a good visual inspection. Brake pads wear faster also so keep an eye on them as well.

I have been too loose with my comments on "off-road". There is "off-pavement" and then there is "off-road."

My routine riding is frequently "off-pavement", as my house is off pavement.

The place I got stuck was definitely "off-road".

The MP3 is simply too heavy for any litter box.

Garry,

?? Are you serious about the weather? You have to get more rain than I do living in Midtown Tucson. . I do not remember the last time when we had meaningful rain in the city. Hopefully 2010 will be different and the drought will cease or at least get the normal rainfall of 12 inches a year.....

Hey PM me if you would like to get together and ride.. It would be a hoot to have two MP3 riding together... I do have a J.O.B. so it would have to be on a weekend...

Brian,

I just took a 5 mile ride. All seemed aOK. I rode it up to 60, whuch is about my max limit unless I am on the freeway. And I do not like freeways as they are usually one semi backwash after another. That is over the speed limit of most roads around here.

I have a lot to do - trying to get on the road again, RVing. Besides, I am still on my learning permit. I would hold you back riding, I am sure. I look forward to a ride with you this spring. We'll have our hoot then. Maybe we can meet and ride in the Sonita area.

My issue is not rain, as it never does. My issue is cold. Remember Sierra Vista is at least 5+ degrees cooler than Tucsoni. I am a winter wimp.

I bought this from PJ's Parts and it has made a world of difference. The medium height Fabbri Windscreen is amazing. Went from being buffeted and bounced around on I-10 to rock steady. And it keeps the winter wind off your hands and torso.. Very nice... Lotsa great rides in Sonoita area... Ever been to the Home Plate Restaurant in Patagonia?? Great Place to eat.. Heck Garry, I may even buy... Then we can ride to Parker Canyon Lake.. some of the best twisties you will find in the desert southwest....

Let me know what you think of the Windscreen. it worked for me..

Tucsonrider

I have been strongly considering a wind screen. Where is the cheapest place to buy the Givi? And I also am undecided about medium vs. tall. I am 6-1, or at least used to be.