Modern Buddy

I'm cross-posting this from MV because I figured some of the curiosity-seekers and 2-wheel enthusiasts here might appreciate the chance to test ride this really unique and extraordinary scooter. I rode one this morning—you can read my impressions here. Plus, free l'il MP3 player!

Tikka Masala wrote:From piaggiousa.com



You have to try it to believe it.
The new, three-wheel MP3 scooter is safety, comfort and FUN, in one unique package. Two front wheels add stability and braking performance but still allow for leaning angles of up to 40-degrees while remaining glued to the road at all times. Bring the MP3 to a stop, flip a switch and it stays upright until you're ready to go again. Add this to an eco-friendly 250cc engine with automatic transmission and riding the MP3 is a breeze.

Get a free mp3 player just for trying.
See how easy it is for yourself. Go to your local participating Piaggio dealer
April 19-29, test drive the MP3 and get a free COBY mp3 player, while supplies last. To get your free mp3 player, simply sign up for Piaggio's updates. You will then receive a coupon to download and print. Bring it in to a dealer during the open house dates, test drive an MP3 and walk out with an mp3 player!


Please check with your local dealer for hours and further details.

Or is this a test by a MB moderator to see if we will cheat on our Buddies?

I won't be unfaithful to my Buddy so I won't press your link.

I like my Buddy, which is why I joined this Forum and hang out in this section.

I went in to my used to be dealer and picked up a rear chrome rack. It was 40 percent off, since they don't sell them anymore. The people who work in there are really nice. They had an MP3. Didn't ride it but did download the offer from piaggio today and will return for my ride and player.

I am going out to Vespa Batavia here in Cincinnati next Saturday to ride the MP3. I am really looking forward to it. Since I could not do it today, I decided to take the Argo AR150-2 out and put it through it's paces. I was actually impressed with it. But it is no MP3.

If you’re not going to ride a Buddy and want a 3 wheeler, then check this one out as well, its closer to a car than a scooter but it has 3 wheels.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Dr ... eId=119581

San Francisco wrote:Or is this a test by a MB moderator to see if we will cheat on our Buddies?

Ha, not at all! I'm not advising anyone to buy one, but as I said it's worth the test ride just for the experience of something interesting, new and different. Plus, free gift!

rajron wrote:If you’re not going to ride a Buddy and want a 3 wheeler, then check this one out as well, its closer to a car than a scooter but it has 3 wheels.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Dr ... eId=119581

The Can-Am is much more of an ATV type vehicle. The MP3 is solidly a scooter. The front wheels are close together and work in unison providing previously unheard of stability. They really feel as if they're holding onto the road! And, more importantly, it LEANS like a scooter or motorcycle.

Something that also leans, is closer to a car on 3 wheels, AND a hybrid—the VentureOne:
http://www.flytheroad.com

I want one!

I test rode an MP3 yesterday. It was a gassss. Got some double takes from the public, even got some thumbs up from a group of Harley riders. It was very responsive to body english, but also very smooth. Deceptively smooth, I wound it up over 70mph (indicated) without even realizing it, but felt completely in control. I didn't try to find it's top end ... but it definitely had plenty in reserve - this is a 250 I'd feel comfortable taking on the freeway, and even better on twisty back roads. There is really no sensation of being on 3 wheels at all, which begs the question: "why 3 wheels?". I dunno, but if they had anything to do with the excellent ride, they are a good thing. Worth the price? Sure - as much as any other Piaggio product. Which puts it out of my range. For now.

-Mark

Why 3 wheels? Stability and handling. From what I hear, you can lean this thing as far as you like on any curve (which may not hold true at all speeds). While not impossible to lay one down, I think it handles like a dream... This may also lead to a bunch of crashes due to rider overconfidence, something we saw in the early days of the Buddy. But it's obviously engineered much differently than anything else out there.

70mph? I thought I was hauling ass at one point, then noticed the speedo is in km/h, with mph in the small red numbers.

ericalm wrote:70mph? I thought I was hauling ass at one point, then noticed the speedo is in km/h, with mph in the small red numbers.

Yep, that's why I didn't realize at first how fast I was going - what is 120 km/h?, plus I wasn't wearing my reading glasses ...

-Mark

I stopped by the local Vespa dealership today because they had a MP3 out front. Even though I rode up on a scoot and was wearing gear, no one even came outside to see if I had any questions. Maybe it was because I rode up on a Buddy?

Tulsa Scooters has nothing to worry about from those guys as far as customer service goes.

ECS

That would also be my experience there too. I was pretty much treated like I rode up on a toy by the owner of the place.

I rode the MP3 back last October as part of the press launch. I enjoyed it. I really something like it.

Having a pair of wheels up front permits shorter braking distances by basically doubling the amount of rubber available for the front brakes. Weight transfers forward (which is why you get front end dive on most bikes), and as it goes up there you have double the braking capacity. It's nice.

I'm not entirely sure that the handling limits are significantly higher than a comparable scooter, if they are actually higher at all. However, this configuration allows someone with less skill to use more of the handling capabilities safely than he or she would be able to on most 2 wheelers. When riding I was able to really carve up corners in a way I rarely dare the first time out on a bike. I'm a mediocre rider compared to amateur racers, much less the pros, but I felt like the bike changed my last name to Mladin or Rossi because it allowed me to ride very hard with ease. However, that got me wondering whether I would eventually begin to feel like I was somehow cheating. I started seeing the possibility of really missing the challenge of 2 wheels.

The other benefit I noticed is that it is much less susceptible to cross winds than other 2 wheelers. I'm not sure how much to attribute that to the extra wheel, or the shape of the bike, or it's rather generous weight, but I have a feeling that 3rd wheel is at least partly responsible.

Assuming the MP3 sells really well around the world, I could see other manufacturers rolling out their own offerings. In fact, I could really see this sort of thing being applied successfully to sport touring bikes.

Three wheels could also be nice to have in less than ideal road conditions- wet railroad tracks, sand in the corners, etc... Put it together with ABS, and it would make a great all-weather commuter!

Bryce-O-Rama wrote:Assuming the MP3 sells really well around the world, I could see other manufacturers rolling out their own offerings. In fact, I could really see this sort of thing being applied successfully to sport touring bikes.

They're already selling out in the US. Apparently, Piaggio underestimated demand here.

Rumor is, a larger CC version may come to the US next year. The MP3's angrier-looking cousin, the Gilera Fuoco, is available as a 500cc. w00t!