Modern Vespa

Greetings all! I am in the process of trying to get feed back from various scooter/motorcycle forums about the owners experiences with their rides. I am looking for mid to long-term users feed back on any problems they may have encountered during their time with the machine. If you haven't had any problems, then please feel free to sing your praises of the bike here also!!! Also, those with some time with the bike, would you buy another without hesitation, or would you consider another possible means of transportation? I have read about the cooling hose problem and I am aware of that, but any other minor/major problems please list. Thanks in advance and safe riding.

there is currently 135 pages of info to read just here in the mp3 area. Have you completed that reading?

I have skimmed through the various pages, and for the most part it looks like people are looking for solutions to their problems or suggesting solutions to problems. If this is the case, then it would appear that the mp3 is not worth my time. I was hoping to save myself some time (I work and go to school full time) so my reading time is limited. Really, I am to read through 135 pages before I can try to get some rider feedback??? Sorry if I cannot stay on here all day and night reading every post.

First question would be, what are Your expectations. Are you an experienced rider, light weakling, or standard build? City driving or all? Only issues so far, that I see repeating, were the emergency stop switch possibly vibrating (fixed with just moving it once every few months), or the front end bearing in the steering creating a small notch point. (factory supposedly addressed this now). All other problems noted, just seem to be the typical low percentage failures, common to any other brand. Looking for a solo ride, or dual rider? Unless real young and thin, I do not consider this a dual riding scooter; but I am older and "thinless", now! Test ride one, like any other style or brand you like, is the best evaluation.

I think its safe to say that most of us like our bikes here, a few have sold and gone elsewhere, as is the case with most anything.
Most forums have the issue of new people showing up and asking the same questions again and again, and this is particularly true of the MP3, so I think its true we hope you spend some time going through what is already here, rather than asking us to rehash it all yet once again.
That said--no real issues with mine to speak of in 12,000 miles. Some minor stuff. Not everyone has been so lucky, but overall I think the MP3s get reasonably good marks. Japanese or Korean is likely to be more trouble free,
if you just want a scooter with few issues.
Most of us, naturally, think three wheels are reason enough to go with the MP3.
.

Just to help you out. You will see posts here about problems people are trying to solve. This is true on most any forum like this. That said I don't think it wise to base your opinion of MP3's based on this. Think of this as a warehouse where all problems come to be solved not as an indicator of a bike that has many problems. Does that make sense?

There are some recurring issues like the water hose clamps you mentioned and the steering notch (you have probably seen threads on this too) because like most bikes MP3's are not perfect, but for the most part they are pretty solid.

My experience with my mp3 has been pretty good so far. The only element I have had problems with (and this just happened) is it appears that my voltage regulator is gone. Other than that it has been trouble free.

Last thing to consider is that anything Piaggio is going to be more expensive to maintain than say a Honda or Kawi. Parts generally cost more as does labor. (Though you can find alternatives oem that are cheaper in some cases.)

Hope this helped.

I would be looking to use my new ride (whatever that may be) as a daily commuter with the possible "long" ride through local mountains or maybe an all day ride somewhere with friends. I realize that ALL mechanical contraptions have the inherent flaws and problems, but basically I was wanting to hear from some who did not have many, if any, problems with the mp3.
I would not be basing reliability issues simply on posted problems from other members. That is why I was wanting to try and get feedback from those who have not experienced problems or only a few.

based on what you just said I have 10,000 trouble free miles, most others have more mileage than I. As for running up the the mountains say the Dragon or the skyway I do it all the time an at a pretty good clip if no traffic.. It runs up and down the interstate with all other vehicals most of the time above the speed limit with ease. As a daily commuter well Fuzzy did over 20,000 mimles before he upgraded to a 400 and has done over 30,000 miles on that in less than a year. I know Luthorhuss has close to 20,000 on his 500 in under 2 years.

i've done + 20.000 miles in 1 1/2 year only things are the stearingbearings and i did have a valve problem that was solved under warranty

Other than the uncomfortability of the seat, I really haven't had any complaints about my MP3 500. I use mine as my daily driver and just recently completed a 2200 mile road trip in less than a week, doing time on the Interstate, country roads and mountains. My MP3 gave me no trouble at all.

I've had my bike about 11 months (including 4 where it was garaged due to a typical Illinois winter) and have put 6500 miles on it. I'm hoping to make it over 8k by the end of the year. The only limiting factor I can see will be how much time I have to ride...

At first, I was very disappointed with the gas mileage. I was only getting between 45 and 50 MPG. As I've used it more and broken it in, that number has been steadily climbing. Lately, I've been closer to 60 MPG with a top of almost 75 MPG while up on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Overall, I'd highly recommend an MP3.

As for most of the posts on here being about problems, I don't think that's true. There are just as many, if not more, about people modding to suit their tastes, trying to "improve" some aspect of their ride.

Mark

The purpose of any bulletin bord like this is to ask questions.. and by default it becomes a place where only problems are brought up.. so in reading it, one would expect there to be only problems if you buy an MP3.. Not the case at all.. You just have to understand the nature of the beast..

I bought mine for the same reasons you are looking for one. Mainly as a commuter on the freeway and a weekend toy as well. I started on mopeds, then scooters, and thought my Mp3 would be my last scooter. It was awesome for me at first. Felt flawless, never had any mechanical problems, so it seemed bulletproof enough to me. In my mind I was always worried about all of the mechanical aspects failing in some way. I know it's unlikely, but the more parts you add to something, the more chance you have of something failing. That didn't sit well with me as it was already an expensive scooter.

I rode it for a year and a half, loved it at first, but then wanted something different and wanted to get back to shifting. So I switched to a triumph scrambler. I always secretly wanted one though.

The 500 is an awesome commuter, grips well rain or shine, it was just time for me to move on.
Hope this helps.

Ruh Roh Raggy! Showing your age man. Bulletin Boards were like so 2,400 baud ago...

Uhhh.. gee that's right.. that dates back to my Prodigy days.. sorry I slipped..

Over 20,000 miles and I love my scoot..though I've had a fair share of problems but mainly cause of the rough usage (modiifcations) and undersized motor I have. Given the chance (money) I'd buy the MP3 again but I'd go for the 400.

I have had my MP 3 400 for 2 years and I have over 11,000 miles on it with no problems except for the regular maintenance. I liked it so much that my dealer made me a deal I couldn't refuse on a new 2009 MP3 250 so I bought it as a spare and am enjoying it as well. I wish you well on yours.

If you want to take a closer look-see sometime, give me a yell. I could meet you in Chattanooga pretty easily. I love mine. I've had it just about 2 years, right at 12000 miles, andt he only real problems I've had have been sensor issues. I think whoever put my bike together might have been epic failures at waterproofing . My hubby or the shop mechanic (when we had a shop in chattanooga) have replaced most of them and no problems after they were replaced.