Piaggio MP3

[L]

Now now, don't laugh!!

With the inevitable move to the city (Istanbul in fact), my wife is making noises about getting a scooter of some description. Unfortunately, I've seen her on a push bike and the prospect of wifey riding a motorized two wheel vehicle in Istanbul scares the hell out of me!

So I've seen a few of these MP3s around and thought this could be a better alternative. At least she won't have to worry about falling over!

Anyone know anything about them?

 

[moody]

I know someone who's got one. She commutes on it in London - she really rates it.

I wouldn't mind trying one out.

 

[Rushy]

Even Performance Bikes and their ilk thought it was good.

Great fun, amazing front end grip, practically uncrashable they said.

 

[Gas'd Off]

If I were in the market for a scooter an MP3 would be my first choice without a doubt

 

[snoopy]

I still have a soft spot for the Yam T-max.

 

[Micky]

Now now, don't laugh!!

With the inevitable move to the city (Istanbul in fact), my wife is making noises about getting a scooter of some description. Unfortunately, I've seen her on a push bike and the prospect of wifey riding a motorized two wheel vehicle in Istanbul scares the hell out of me!

So I've seen a few of these MP3s around and thought this could be a better alternative. At least she won't have to worry about falling over!

Anyone know anything about them?

I've heared nothing but rave reviews... I'd love to try one and no doubt will

I've ridden in Istanbul, in the rush hour

... and I'd buy your missis one of these if I wuz you, she'll be able to park it anywhere... and she'd be safe

 

[DavidHale]

I like them! Thought about one for the winter. Isn't there a fully 'bull-barred' version?

 

[Gas'd Off]

Isn't there a fully 'bull-barred' version?

Aye.....
Linky

 

[Womble]

Now now, don't laugh!!

With the inevitable move to the city (Istanbul in fact), my wife is making noises about getting a scooter of some description. Unfortunately, I've seen her on a push bike and the prospect of wifey riding a motorized two wheel vehicle in Istanbul scares the hell out of me!

Jonothan Ross rides one, so they must be both stylish and unthreatening.

They look a right larf - get one but don't get caught using it too often

 

[jonothan]

When we were on holiday in Canada, we met an American couple who had the RV pitch next to ours in Banff.

They had an MP3 in a trailer behind their RV and we got talking. He let me have a go on it. It really was an incredibly stable and punchy machine. I'm not too sure that the 125cc one available here in the UK would be as awesome as the 250cc one which I rode. I'd have bought one rather than the Vespa GTS250ie (which has the same engine, incidentally) had it been a bit narrower, as I need to be able to wheel my scooter down the narrow passage which runs down the side of the medical centre where I work.

As an urban twist 'n go commute, it's going to be hard to beat.

J

 

[piedevant]

MP3 on and off road test

"So I've seen a few of these MP3s around and thought this could be a better alternative. At least she won't have to worry about falling over!"

That's not true. She could still fall over on one.

"Anyone know anything about them?"

Yes. I tested the MP3 250 both on and off road, including 20 miles of green lanes, half of them two up.

I was particularly impressed with the stability on slippery surfaces.

Mail me off forum if you'd like to see the story & pix.
PNB in London

 

[L]

no hanging around!

Test rode one this afternoon... a 400cc Piaggio, (33hp) but there is also a 500cc one by Gilera (40hp and the one with the bars on). Both have only just been launched in the UK.

A right hoot, very stable and even on gravel/wet stuff its great (apparantly). Wierdest thing is low speed manouvres and the stability when turning around - quite unnerving at first as you can lean loads at walking pace, but still very stable. At speed its very much like a normal bike

Very clever electronics mean that you lock the suspension in place at standstill, but it automatically unlocks at anything above walking speed. Also has a safety device that stalls the engine if there is no weight on the seat!

At £4999 for the 400cc and about £5400 for the 500cc, they ain't cheap, but I'm feeling quite comfortable about the missus driving one! Wouldn't want the 125 or 250 on the grounds that Istanbul is very hilly and I wouldn't want to ride something that small

from me!

L

 

[L]

found this on youtube!

how funny!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=DFWjfGV4SRM&mode=related&search=

 

[Rushy]

When we were on holiday in Canada, we met an American couple who had the RV pitch next to ours in Banff.

They had an MP3 in a trailer behind their RV and we got talking. He let me have a go on it. It really was an incredibly stable and punchy machine. I'm not too sure that the 125cc one available here in the UK would be as awesome as the 250cc one which I rode. I'd have bought one rather than the Vespa GTS250ie (which has the same engine, incidentally) had it been a bit narrower, as I need to be able to wheel my scooter down the narrow passage which runs down the side of the medical centre where I work.

As an urban twist 'n go commute, it's going to be hard to beat.

J

Hey Jonothan have you actually checked out the dimensions. I seem to remember reading in one test that it was no more than an inch or so wider than comparable 2 wheeler models of the same capacity. I find that hard to believe myself but maybe its worth checking out, i'd love one for commuting.

 

[L]

Certainly didn't feel wide than the GS and by all accounts is only a little wider than a standard scooter.

For the commuter there is a "super screen" which looks like it almost goes over the head of the rider...

http://londonbikers.com/news/a3d96aca-5d0a-4b6b-a783-2e11fd306de3

They also do a top box and heated leg blanket!

 

[marcus]

I'm considering getting one. Might wait a year so and see if any teething issues come out 12GS style......

 

[Bones]

My neighbourhas one at rates it highly. all the reviews I have read rate the front end grip even on wet roads with cold tyres, situations that would have a conventional bike on it's side.

There is a 500cc version. I think it's badged as a Gilera. Apparently it's not a light bike and the 250 can struggle in some circumstances.

 

[mermoto]

I was at my local dealer today and he put the keys of the 250 MP3 in my hand and said take it out and let him know what I think.



What an absolute HOOOT, I want one. Initial thoughts, comfortable, nippy, grippy, great brakes and suspension and what a pose at the lights.

Mermoto