Modern Buddy

Picked it up yesterday and it rides like a dream now that it's fixed. What a blast. I thought a lot of people stared and wanted to talk about the buddy. That was nothing compared to the MP3.

No offense but that thing looks goofy looking.

How does it handle?

I'm waiting to see how that front suspension and related parts hold up.

Dennis

Lol, I have to agree. I didn't like the way it looked but the wife did.

It handles like nothing you've ever ridden before. People always say "it handles like it's on rails" but this thing literally does. The extra wheels just grab hold of the road and it goes wherever you point it. Truly and amazing thing to ride.

Plus the 2 wheels up front provide for a rock solid ride. But you still have all of the fun of tearing up the twisties.

They been out for 3 years now I think and are apparently rock solid.

How much lean angle can you get and still have both front wheels on the ground?

Dennis

I actually like the oddball looks of the MP3 500. More than the 250/400s.

I enthusiastically encourage anyone who lives near a Vespa/Piaggio dealer to test ride one. It's a totally different ride than anything else. Though you can lay it down, the MP3 basically corners as hard as you lean into it. It's a little hard to describe... but it's fun as heck to ride!

ericalm wrote:I actually like the oddball looks of the MP3 500. More than the 250/400s.

I enthusiastically encourage anyone who lives near a Vespa/Piaggio dealer to test ride one. It's a totally different ride than anything else. Though you can lay it down, the MP3 basically corners as hard as you lean into it. It's a little hard to describe... but it's fun as heck to ride!

I visited our dealer and they do look awesome. The pictures do not do them justice. No test rides though.

Dennis

It leans 40 degrees. Here's a great pic.

WOW! What a machine! I might have to have one of those!

Dennis

That looks like the coolest sports scooter ever, but for the price of 9k and around 10k out the door, too expensive for me.

I like the look alot better than the smaller engined mp3's, much sportier looking.

I haven't yet ridden the 500, but here's my review of the 250:

http://www.motorbyte.com/mmm/pages/2007 ... ew97_1.htm

And here's a bunch of pics taken by Gus B.

http://www.gearwhore.smugmug.com/galler ... 0368_mdqxf

Enjoy.
-K

very nice....i love the looks of those 500's.

i have seen it in person and love it.

That's a cool looking scoot (trike?)! Bet it'd be great for touring duty. Wish I could afford one...

wow its seriously cool.

but i cant help but think........ why not get a quad?

Smellybumlove wrote:wow its seriously cool.

but i cant help but think........ why not get a quad?

Quads don't "lean".

babblefish wrote:

Smellybumlove wrote:wow its seriously cool.

but i cant help but think........ why not get a quad?

Quads don't "lean".

haha thats true, i have a scar to prove it!.

god when they bring out a leaning quad im there!

Saweet MP3 purchase dude....and the helmet is stylin'.

One thing I don't understand - with three wheels, why do the front shocks need to be locked when coming to a stop? I would have thought the bike would be self stable. Even with only two wheels, I can stay upright for several seconds at stop signs while looking for cross traffic without putting my feet down.

babblefish wrote:One thing I don't understand - with three wheels, why do the front shocks need to be locked when coming to a stop? I would have thought the bike would be self stable. Even with only two wheels, I can stay upright for several seconds at stop signs while looking for cross traffic without putting my feet down.

It's because they're not on a fixed axle. They were made to lean and they do so very easily. You probably could get it to balance for a bit but you have to remember it's a 500 pound bike once it starts to go over you'd better catch it fast.

Also the shocks don't need to be locked at a stop. IT's just convenient for some people. If you time it right with the tilt-lock switch you never have to put your feet down.

jperkins wrote:i have seen it in person and love it.

It looks like a beserk baby elephant!
-Would luv to test ride one tho...

Of the scooters sold here, that Fuoco is on the top of my list . . . that reminds me, I should try buying one of those poweball tickets one of these days.