Modern Vespa

Being a BMW K1200LT owner, I was a little skeptical about how I would like riding the MP3, but Darragh & Kevin at Vespa of Walnut Creek assured me that I would be impressed, although given my height at 6'3", my weight at 255# and my inseam of 34", they said the scooter might feel cramped and the power might be a little wanting.

Well, I have owned a few scooters over the past 50 years of riding, but none of them felt as stable as this machine. The front end is completely forgiving and predictable. I knew the scooter would be good in the tight twisties, but I was amazed how good it handled in the long sweepers. I rode it up Castle Crest Drive, a very steep and long road in Walnut Creeek. I took it out Reliz Valley Road to Moraga and split lanes in Lafayette and Walnut Creek. This scooter did everything I asked and then some!

I did a rear lock-up on purpose, let the rear end swing out a little and released the rear brake. There was not even a hint of high siding me. I took it out on E/B Hwy 24 and went over potholes and large pavement gaps, and still the ride was comfortable and stable. I cruised it at between 125-130kph, and the engine was strong, never giving a hint that I was pushing it to hard. The water temperature gauge stayed right where it belonged.

For a guy my size, I'd have to have a seat made, because the stock one is to low and pitched me to far forward. If I had Russell make me a saddle about 2" taller, I'd be good to go. My wife, who is 5'10", found the rear accomodations o.k., but the foot room was cramped for her. When everything is said and done, we'd be better off with 2 scooters, which we could tailer to our personal preferences.

If you have a chance to ride the MP3, take it! You won't regret it. I got plenty of looks while riding it around St Mary's College, Lafayette and Walnut Creek; but the most attention was on the freeway!

Sweet! I just rode one too, but 20 minutes ago, and had similar observations (which is disturbing since I'm 5'6"). The bike's got a bit of a forward seating position with no good alternatives for the feet but it's otherwise pretty great.

I think it's a bit faster than most people have been saying, but it's not as peppy as you'd hope. That's my concern. It's got great throttle response tho, even if it doesn't burst off the line.

So you both liked it...but will you be buying?

I certainly won't, unless I get a substantial raise

I have another bike to pay off right now, my Honda 599. If it were a 400cc tho, I'd be way more tempted...

I won't be buying right now, because my daughter is getting married next year--Enough Said!!!!! However, when my financial situation improves, I'll be in line for one, preferably a 400cc version at that time.

I'd love to try one but they haven't arrived at the local dealerships yet.

Captain John, I was very impressed with your thoughts. Looking forward to hearing from all testers.

Why no reviews from European owners ?? Wonder when we'll have those??

Anyhow, would like to emphasize the fact that Canada can barely wait for the MP3 revolution,

Ms D

i met daragh yesterday while getting my car smogged next door. i walk in and we chopped it up a little. i couldnt help but comment on the MP3, it's pretty funky lookin. daragh offered me a ride so i stopped by on my way home from my ride.

first impressions were, will it turn easily? low speed? corners? i give it an A+ on all of the above. despite it's two wheels, it turns just like a bike. i took it up to the mt diablo foothills and gave it a run on the short but sweet twisties. it makes you feel way more confortable knowing if one wheel slipped its twin brother would be there

it's definately different but very functional.

At 6'0" the seat fit me pretty well, but were I taller and having a seat made I'd move the bump for the raised section back a couple of inches.

Really? Maybe I just like to sit lounging more... go fig. I guess, uh, that's why I liked the seating on the Atlantic 500... meanwhile M@ called it a "barcalounger".

http://www.scootersales.com.au/News-348-scooternews.aspx


anybody now how this site gets it's info? and how reliable?

still going to do a bunch of test rides on different scoots, but a 400 MP3 would be very high on my list and possibly impossible to resist...unless it felt too big for daily city riding

g

What I wrote was a bit confusing. I would move the step between the upper and lower sections backward a couple of inches. Then taller people would be a lot less cramped and folks my height and under could really stretch out a bit. I prefer being reasonably upright to leaning back, but I like being able to move around on a seat and choose a few different comfortable positions. That's especially important to me on a long ride.

I'm 5'8", and I was a bit cramped on the MP3. Go figure.

The site you refer to is Australian. That's great news for our neighbours downunder - getting both the 250 and the 400cc,

Lucky dogs...