Modern Vespa

Hello all,

A nice MP3 review is to be found at:


http://www.scootersales.com.au/Review-67-piaggio-mp3250.aspx

Interesting, a 125 cc or 250cc version.

Nice curt review. I so want one...250cc for sure.

I think the only part I don't like is that it 'seems sluggish on acceleration' - I don't see the need for a 500cc verison, I think a 300 or 400 would be fine.....

I think the review was referring to the 125cc as being sluggish:

There's a choice of two engine sizes, a 125cc and a 250. I chose a 250 so I could push the chassis harder, although with a 30kg weight penalty over a similar conventional scooter, the 125 MP3 does suffer from sluggish acceleration.

Hmm... a scooter that plows (understeers) into a turn, eh? That's something we gotta get used to. :?

-Rick

Good article. I'm sorry, though; even with all the practical advantages of the two front wheels, the great stability, handling, ablity to stop without putting your foot down, etc. -- I still think it's as ugly as dirt!

-Dan

This may be a silly question, but does anyone think this is a mechanical nightmare waiting to happen?

Having looked at it up close and in person, I'm pretty doubtful that it will. It's basically two Vespa forks on a parallelogram. The complexity seems to be in the suspension locking mechanism, and even that isn't mechanically all that complex, though electronically I believe it is. My educated guess is that it is less complicated than ABS.

Even as a lover of retro, I say Piaggio are "doing the business" of being leaders in the MP3 c'mon you have to love them for thinking outside the square.
A 400/500 is going to be such a weapon, my Mod soul (cutting edge) gets really pumped at this beastie.
Old Mod

If you're pumped thinking about it, try riding one.

I you think the 250 is to slow you can always get the Gilera Fuoco 500

We should consider ourselves fortunate to get the MP3, for those of us who migh enjoy it, and not suffer any misconceptions that we were the target market. Piaggio knows ultimately that any scooter is a hard sell in the USA.

Europe is a different story, where people use scooters as daily transportation. It's far less about looks and image than it is about a practical, fun and economical way to get around.

Europe offers huge dispensations for the rider of any motorbike under 125cc's -- you can ride with your own car drivers license, and you get a huge tax break.

In this light, the MP3 really shines. A practical transportation solution made (possibly far) safer.

Also in this light, the Gilera looks like it might fit our market better. It's hard to consider the kind of money Piaggio will no doubt be asking for the MP3 to have it not work on the highway.

The Gilera has the added bonus of looking much better than the MP3, though clearly the designers are still struggling with how to pull off the proportions of the beast.

I think the most important thing to consider here with the MP3 is how to do "the wave." Would MP3 riders have to use 3 fingers? If so, which 3? I think this is going to have to be addressed before they can officially be sold.

Now thats funny! Gangland Style with three fingers (depending on the 3) could be any number of gangland hand signals. careful what you wish for...

As for me I have only one finger that I will show the MP3, thats one ugly baboon.

Hopefully they won't flash this:

Haha. I'm on a bowling team and that just happens to be our team name We made our shirts ourselves.

I knew there were more dirty minded people here than the handful of the most overt ones (cough...sethbcole...cough).

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Why is there a finger in my Steak Tartare?