Modern Vespa

I've put together an MP3 Yahoo Group...I'm sure it will be only a matter of time until we have a modernMP3 forum (unfortunately, I'm still partial to mail that comes to me).

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/piaggioMP3/

I've already posted a few links to videos and some good pics of stunting etc.

If you've got any more video links or great pictures go ahead and post them.

thanks,

This raises an excellent point, Phil. Being partial to the MP3 myself, I'd certainly like to accommodate the MP3 audience when and if they appear. Do we treat the MP3 like any other Piaggio scooter? Do we have a separate forum area for it? Or should we set up a completely different forum altogether?

(sorry, Phil, not trying to step on your toes, but I have a massive aversion to Yahoo Groups. Hence the existence of this forum.)

Never thought I would like the scooter, but it has grown on me. It is a Piaggio product and would seem to fit in well with the interests of MV. However, if you start to see a large swelling of interest, you can always add a separate forum area. I would like to see discussion of the MZ3 continue within MV.

My vote goes for encouraging MZ3 discussion on this forum. It's clearly part of the scooter community and definitely a modern Vespa.

I don't see any problem with MP3 discussion on this forum. We're all Piaggio family here.

well, being called modern vespa it could be a bit confusing to people who don't know vespa and piaggio are the same (partly why i thought piaggio should be called vespa in the states...though i know they want to keep the vespa as the classic metal scooters only)

i say add a forum or split the forum---vespa and piaggio

yes they share many parts, but they do have separate concerns and issues...

i'm sure most with a vespa will peek into the piaggio forum, and vice versa, but i see it as a good thing to add a forum or two (as long as it isn't too many forums...ie, we don't need a modern vespa political forum, but we could use a MV dealers forum)

g

so maybe this:

General Vespa Discussion
General Piaggio Discussion
Rallies and Events
Project
etc

Classifieds
For Sale
Sponsor deals
Dealer Forums (discuss dealer, good and bad, but keep it clean)



or not

Piaggio is part of the family... Lets add some new family here

I like to hear about them, and would be nice to keep up with the
3 wheel progress

my vote is keep them on our forum..

Scott

Hey POC Phil welcome! ( Folks if ever a guy knew his scooter stuff-this is him!)

MP3 looks awesome! The more info/sources the better.

Well it is a modern Vespa and it shares some of the 250 components, engine anyway...so I say let it stay , plus it will give us something new to read about.

Did some quick calculations, if the MP3 sells for $6,999 I am guessing that the "out the door" price will be around $8,400. Ouch...

Some people are not able to view a forum like this at work but can look at their e-mail which is the only thing Yahoo has going for its forum. I hope you don't mind double posting because I'd imagine you'll get a lot of responses from this forum on the MP3.

You could alway click "watch this topic for replies" if you need to get e-mails on the topics you are interested in.

Tim

My vote - another forum or split this forum.

I really don't have any interest in the MP3 myself, thus would rather not have to see a ton of threads on this topic if I didn't need to.

Just my 2 cents.

As long as MP3/MZ3/Whateveritscalled threads are noted as such, I don't see why they can't be allowed here. If you don't want to read it, then don't read it, but if you're looking for info or are curious, then you don't have to look elsewhere. that's my two dollars.

I would suggest keeping this forum format. As a Piaggio owner I wouldn't want to have to look in both a Piaggio section and a Vespa section since my Fly has so many of the same engine parts, issues, and mod possibilities as the LX. Posts about the MP3/MZ3/Piaggio 3 Wheeler or whatever it is officially called will most likely stand out so if someone doesn't want to read about it, they won't have to. Even though I have no interest in purchasing one of these scooters, I think it will be fun to hear about new owner's experiences.

Ahaha...yes, but we all know how this worked out with a couple topics (IE: dealers)! The logical "if you don't want to read it, then don't read it" approach didn't really work in that situation.

The more Balkanized a set of forums becomes the less content it gets. Less specificity means more community and more content. If people want to talk about the MP3, then they start threads. We've done that many times already.

Sage advice, Bryce.

mmmm, i agree...and disagree...

one "problem" with MV is that general disscussion covers almost everything...

it could be divided a bit more:

i like having a general discussion page for vespa related info that is non-repair/problems---painting, new scooter, fun rides, mods and add on and such

and have a different page for repairs/problems

kinda like at stella speed....they have a technical forum and a general forum....kinda like looking at one to ask about problems with scooters and looking at the other to shoot the breeze about scooters....one forum to address problems and repairs and the same forum to shoot the breeze seems too spread out

but i have no say anyways...and you have a nice board here...it just might get bigger and busier...and having some spread isn't a bad thing

ie...is it harder to look in two forums on the same board, or look through 100 posts on one....say i'm looking for an exhaust problem and i have to wade through 12 posts on people who just bought vespas and want to share that fact...that is fine, i love reading those posts...but i don't want to at that moment

not a biggie, just a suggestion

g

Phil
I got pics of you on one of those damn things in Texas.
I will get it to you..

I run a few yahoo groups, and the spam is getting really bad. I wouldn't go in that direction.

I see what you're saying, but the search feature helps with that. Even using your browser's search function would quickly get you where you want to go.

I've never seen a forum (StellaSpeed included) where that model worked very well. In fact, I've seen quite a few forums that divided everything down into neat little packages, only to find that users wouldn't spend the time going from forum to forum hunting for content that they would be interested in. There's a lot of people here who might not think they're interested in a technical post (for example) but would read the post if they saw the title and realized it applied to them. Then there's the question of what constitutes technical and what constitutes general, and so on.

Dividing Modern Vespa into lots of smaller subforums has been suggested many times in the past, but I'm holding to my (very strong) conviction that doing so makes a forum much much worse for users.

here is a video from Europe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zJwRbQHCZU

nice video...and i now finally understand roll lock...not sure when i would ever use it, but i understand it

mmmm, liked see all the MP3s riding together

g


and ps...jess...i like your board fine as is, just like having the technical discussions and the general discussions separated a bit better...but either is ok

you might change it as more people sign up to MV, or you might not

Parking is the best time to use it, really. Flick a button, pull the parking brake handle, and you're set.

The word I get from Piaggio is that the MP3 will be in fact called the MP3 here in the USA too.

Regarding the Pricing of the MP3 -

MSRP is $6999 which is a pile of cash...no doubt.

BUT,

The much heralded GTV250 retails at just $100 less. And that's for the EXACT same motor and one whole wheel less

To go fully insane you have to buy a GT60 (Sorry, Nyle) at $7299.

Debating the Piaggio vs. Vespa discussion is pointless. They are the same company/product. Most Vespa owners are very much interested in the MP3 and most MP3 owners will probably have (at least one) Vespa in their garage.

Dealers will have them in March. Feedback from the motorcycle show attendees was very good, even among the folks you know will probably end up calling it a moped and flipping you off a week after you get it.

I don't have any interest in the MP3, however I would like an opportunity to learn more about it. How peverse is that? Thus if at least to start with, discussion of the MP3 is included here two wheelers like me would get an opportunity to broaden our horizons. Which would be good perhaps, for us.And one hopes the forum at large.

Yeah, but what does Piaggio charge for a spare wheel these days? For that extra hundred bucks you also get an additional fork. Seems like a better deal than the lowered headlight you get on the GTV compared to the GTS.

I encourage all MV members to go have a ride on the MP3 and see how long it takes for the grin to go away.

Not allowing the MP3 based on it being different is a form of racism.

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Martin Luther King Jr.

When you learn more about it, and hopefully ride it, you will find your lack of interest replaced by amazement. Seriously. Show me a person who doesn't like the MP3 and I'll show you someone who hasn't ridden it. It puts the "oo" back in scooter.

I hope you're kidding...

I completely agree with you, Jess. I rode the same demo as you did in Walnut Creek, and was completely amazed at its overall performance. It handles more like a large motorcycle then any scooter I've ever ridden, but it feels like a feather.

I've ridden for over 50 years, have owned about 35 motorcycles and 4 scooters. The MP3 is a spectacular machine, and should be experienced before it's critiqued. Because of my height & weight, I'll hold out for a 400cc version to make it across the pond, but the 250 is a perfect in town scoot and will be great for the commuter, too.

I know you're right and i promise when one arrives in Miami I will give it a shot. I'm just a little slow to accept change which is stupid. There: I've said it.

Drama. Yes, it was intended to be dry humor, something lacking as of late.

All: I was just contacted by my dealer at TOV and they will be one of the first to have the MP3 in stock. It will be there on Feb 16-23rd, bring your helmet and a DL to drive it. There will be food and drives in the showroom and journalist there on hand.

can't wait to try it...still plan to ride it, the GTS or GTV and the BV500 all in the same day to get a good feel for what i like best...and i really wanted to wait for the 400...but in reality the 250 will be fine for me...i drive 98% of the time on city streets doing 45 or less, so the 400 isn't needed...just like the looks of the 14" tire in the back better, like the paint job of the 400 better and like the fact that i could cruise the highway easily on it (the 250 will strain a bit)...

i'm likely to get the MP3 as i have a stella for my classic scooter look...though the GTV is really nice (love the brown leather split seat) and would be my pick just on looks...throwing in the BV to try to see how i live 16 wheels on a scooter...

however it plays out i will have a fun new scoot soon...if piaggio would hurry up and get those MP3 and GTVs in stock...

the only thing that would stop me would be if they don't come till march or april and at the same time i hear that the 400 is coming in summer or fall...i might wait for that

g


g

I'm getting really excited about the MP3 -- I can't wait to take it for a spin. I'm thinking about upgrading the ET. I'd like to be able to keep both, but lack of space might force my hand. I'm not sure if I'll be able to adjust to the size of the MP3 -- dunno if I'm ready or willing to move up to a maxi or quasi-maxi sized bike. It's interesting though that those that have ridden say it feels smaller.

It's not just that it feels smaller, it really is smaller than it looks in pictures. Once you stand next to one in person, you'll realize it's not very physically intimidating. Bigger than an ET, I suppose, but not maxi-sized.

The MP3 is almost 15 inches longer than an LX. It's just 5 mm wider. I'm guessing that's measuring from mirror to mirror. '

One thing that's holding me back is that my parking situation at my place. I pull into a locked breezeway on the side of the building that has a little "notch" that I park the ET in. It's probably 10 inches longer than the bike. So, until I move, no MP3 for me.

Start packing.

From what I have seen with the GTS Piaggio does NOT take into consideration the mirrors in their dimensions.