piaggio mp3

yeauxkneauxit · Post by **yeauxkneauxit** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:31 pm

Considering one of these. I have a buddy 125, but my commute has gotten quite far 1 way. In Dallas, I would feel better with a bigger bike.

Anyone have experience with these? Know anyone local to Dallas metro that is interested in selling?

Thanks!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Tue Feb 19, 2013 2:20 am

I've strongly considered the MP3 before, but never pulled the trigger. Someone referred to the Modern Vespa as a good forum for info on the MP3.

Rob

ggs34 · Post by **ggs34** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:20 pm

i test drove one at my vespa dealer very good handling
even in wet
very expensive i had heard that they are no longer going to sell this in the usa so if you want a new one do not wait long
you do not even have to put you feet down at a stop sign
justgotta scoot used to have a review on his site but it is gone

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 10:15 pm

Moving to General Discussions.

Vespa Dallas/University Vespa carries them. They may even have discounted ones. Piaggio hasn't exactly discontinued them, but haven't brought new ones in due to weak sales.

They ride well overall, with the three wheels' benefit becoming very apparent when cornering. The 250cc is underpowered for a bike that size and weight. The engineering is cool. Owners have had issues, though, often due to the parking lock tricking them.

I know many who are fans, but I tend to think you don't get a good bang-to-buck ratio with the MP3 (unless you can get a discounted one). Also, any damage to that front end could be very costly to fix.

Consider perusing the Modern Vespa MP3 forum: http://modernvespa.com/forum/forum13

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:06 pm

ericalm wrote:Piaggio hasn't exactly discontinued them, but haven't brought new ones in due to weak sales.

That's a darn shame, really. I like the look of the MP3 City (Yourban) a lot more than the LT-series and would be very temped to go into hock for a smaller, sleeker MP3. If it came here with the 350cc engine, I'd be selling an organ for one.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:14 pm

ericalm wrote:Vespa Dallas/University Vespa carries them. They may even have discounted ones. Piaggio hasn't exactly discontinued them, but haven't brought new ones in due to weak sales.

Piaggio has actually run several promotions on the remaining new MP3s in the US in the past couple of years. I understand the MP3 250 is the only one that Piaggio still has a few of in their US warehouse. They are discounting them substantially to dealers, and my local guy is selling them for $4,995 plus setup and transport. A few dealers still have a new MP3 500 on the floor as well. All are heavily discounted. I think new MP3 400s are pretty much a thing of the past.

Piaggio has not brought any new MP3s into the US since 2010 and all three of the above models are no longer being built. In Europe there is currently an MP3 500 with the 400 style body (trunk, backrest, etc). There is also a smaller bodied MP3 called the Yourban which is being released in Europe this spring with the 350 engine. Rumors continue that we may see the MP3 350 in the US next year, but nothing has been confirmed.

karl utrecht · Post by **karl utrecht** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:21 pm

I have an MP3 250, and it's a very comfortable ride. Admittedly it is underpowered if you want it to go on the interstate, but for the type of riding I'm doing it is really fine.

I understand Piaggio has just released some of the '09 or so MP3 250 from the warehouse, and they're selling them for what I understand is a very good price. If you are on the interstate much, I would say the MP3 400 would be a good match for you, if you can find a good used one. And there are some really good used prices on all MP3s, 250, 400, & 500 ccs..

I would say the 250 would be good for 55-60 mph, maybe 65. The weight is the big thing, with the 250 weighing in at about 425 lbs, and the 400 about 480 lbs, I think.

Karlu
Las crudces, nm

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:22 pm

ericalm wrote: I know many who are fans, but I tend to think you don't get a good bang-to-buck ratio with the MP3 (unless you can get a discounted one). Also, any damage to that front end could be very costly to fix.

Consider perusing the Modern Vespa MP3 forum: http://modernvespa.com/forum/forum13

They are not for me but some people love them. The only real problem I have seen (besides the way underpowered 250) is people that "forget" that there are two wheels up front.

I have lifted more than one up off a rider that pulled over to the side and had one front wheel drop off the asphalt. Oh yeah...they are a royal pain in the ass to pick up...it's easier to lift a Burgman 650 off of someone!

az_slynch · Post by **az_slynch** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:27 pm

Dude, if you think the 250 is underpowered, then you haven't heard about the European market MP3 125ie!

And I though Kymco was pretty derpy for offering a 50cc variant of the Grandvista in some markets...

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 3:53 am

karl utrecht wrote:I would say the 250 would be good for 55-60 mph, maybe 65. The weight is the big thing, with the 250 weighing in at about 425 lbs, and the 400 about 480 lbs, I think.

I owned an MP3 250 for 2 years. Piaggio actually lists the dry weight as 493 lbs. It will certainly do 65 or more but acceleration is influenced by the very high weight for a 22 hp engine. It quickly slows down on the hills. The MP3 400 is essentially the same body with an engine better fitted to the size of the bike IMO. (Piaggio lists the dry weight of the 400 as 557 lbs and hp as about 34)

Now there is another thought in all of this. A BV 350 weighs 390 lbs, has a 33 hp engine, and lists for about $5.6 k. You'll notice what I am riding these days.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 4:46 am

Your age, height and gender may be factors in whether the scooter might be a good fit for you.

I'm an early 50's, 5'4" female, and have owned both the 250 & 500 versions. I put around 2,500 miles on the 250 and about 3,000 on the 500 (both bought used).

I have to say that although I enjoyed them, the extra attention I needed to give to riding one, and the top-heaviness of the scooter, finally led me in the direction of an Aprilia Scarabeo 500ie instead, which is much more like the Buddy (with the lower center of gravity, at least).

The MP3 is a very top heavy bike, which only becomes apparent either at a stop, when you don't have the tilt lock on, or when you are maneuvering with it at very low speeds. It can become VERY apparent if you stop fast and the bike is not totally vertical.

I'm not saying you can't master all of this, but it does involve extra careful attention:
* to remaining very vertical when you come to a stop
* to being uber-careful to NOT forgetting you have the parking brake on when you start out from a stop (when you give it gas and your feet are not on the ground, the tilt lock disengages and the bike will start tipping over if it can't go forward)
* when maneuvering it at low speeds on an incline (in my case that would be my driveway).

All very doable, but just was something I finally felt I didn't want to worry about any more when I wanted to ride.

The bike is a real attention getter, and I must say I really enjoyed that aspect of it...and all the storage you had both under the seat and in the top case.

The 500 is a real speed demon (plenty of get up and go even at 70 mph). The 250...not so much. If I recall correctly, 70mph was pushing it's limits. Also, I have been told (though I never had occassion to try myself) that riding 2-up on the 250 is not a real good experience, due to the lack of power. Both could be cool bikes though, depending on what you are looking for.

Alexbv200 · Post by **Alexbv200** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:44 pm

We have a new 2010 MP3 250 for sale here at Vespa Dallas.
I would be more than happy to show it to you.
We also have the BV 350!!

Let me know how I can be of assistance.

I just had a very, very clean pre owned MP3 400; it lasted less than 24 hours!

Alex

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Fri Apr 05, 2013 10:34 pm

i am waiting on the five wheeler. i mean if three is good five has got to be better

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 6:58 pm

JHScoot wrote:i am waiting on the five wheeler. i mean if three is good five has got to be better

Have fun.

maryinredding · Post by **maryinredding** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:11 am

This is my scooter which is a MP3 400 and it is for sale. I only has 406 miles on it. If anyone is interested, please let me know. 530-246-3218. I live in Redding, CA

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:26 am

Mary, who made the trike unit for it?? JHSScoot., here is your 5 wheeler!!!

maryinredding · Post by **maryinredding** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 3:31 pm

The trike kit is by Tow Pac made here in the US. It's a great unit.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 5:05 pm

Thanks, Mary. confirms my thoughts of putting a TowPac unit on a Yamaha
Majesty when my tired old legs give out. Did not know that they made one
for the MP3. When I asked they were not making them for the Buddy line.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 5:58 pm

Wolfhound wrote:Thanks, Mary. confirms my thoughts of putting a TowPac unit on a Yamaha Majesty when my tired old legs give out. Did not know that they made one for the MP3. When I asked they were not making them for the Buddy line.

A TowPac puts a fair amount of additional load on a bike. I doubt a TowPac on a Buddy would be a good idea even if you could get it to fit (same reason a sidecar on a Buddy would be a poor idea). I'd think a TowPac on a Majesty would be a good combo. A TowPac on an MP3 is a bit of overkill as the TowPac negates any benefit to the tilting front wheels of the MP3. A TowPac could be put on a BV500 for those who prefer the upright sitting position of the Piaggios rather than the "cruiser" riding position on the Majesty.

gar1013 · Post by **gar1013** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:24 pm

Dooglas wrote:A TowPac on an MP3 is a bit of overkill as the TowPac negates any benefit to the tilting front wheels of the MP3.

maryinredding · Post by **maryinredding** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 8:53 pm

The reason I put the trike kit on was because I was afraid of falling over. The bike is super heavy and being only 5ft 3 in it was hard to reach the ground.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Fri Jul 26, 2013 9:11 pm

I have a Cozy sidecar on my TGB Lazer 151cc scoot now. It has 10.1 hp
and runs in the 45-55 mph range depending on the road situation. Hills
definately slow it down going up, speed it up going down. TowPac is a good choice for the Honda Silver Wing, the Yamaha Majesty 400 or the Burgman.
For now I am having a ball with my 170i, use my TGB Del 150 for mail runs
and such and drive the hack once a week just to live on the wild side!!

Have ridden a trike or two and like the handling better than a side car. I can
understand Mary's reasoning tho.

Modern Buddy

piaggio mp3

piaggio mp3

MP3?

How's this for 5 wheels