@NobbysPcHelp The Piaggio MP3 400ie needs a full bike licence. The MP3 400 LT has a slightly wider gap between the front wheels so is classed as a trike. Because this one is a trike it can be driven with a car licence.
@jorgecornet What this bit..."The MP3 400 LT has a slightly wider gap between the front wheels so is classed as a trike. Because this one is a trike it can be driven with a car licence."
I suppose if you read "this one" as in meaning "my bike" then it could be mis-understood.
So to clarify. I owned the 400ie which needed a full bike licence to ride in the UK and isn't classified as a trike. You can get a 400LT which is classified as a trike and can be ridden on a car licence.
Unfortunately it was in a shed for 6 months while I built a garage. After I got it back I have covered 1500 miles. I absolutely love it and can't wait to use it again. On Saturdays I go to & from work (70 miles) - 30 of which are on the M6 motorway - its plenty fast enough (max = approx 95mph) it pulls away from lights quicker than any car & it turns heads like no other bike. Downsides, Piaggio's fit and finish is typically Italian & the petrol tank is too small, I would definitely buy another.
@Techmoan I have the 2010 version, I ride in Paris and to home on the motorway. Its a good bike, far more comfortable than most scooters and safer than a 2 wheel version. only real problem is the capacity of the gas tank!
@gazza0209 You are right about the gas tank - I was hoping that Piaggio would update the MP3 this year, I had a list of improvements I wanted to see but
unfortunately they seem to have stagnated. I was looking at the Burgman 650 at the NEC Bikeshow the other week, pity the MP3 isn't as highly specced as this, heated grips, electric windshield, electric folding mirrors and lockable storage boxes in the front.
@Techmoan I'm also a litlle surprised by the boot/seat switches being where they are. Useful for the owner, but does that mean anyone can just walk up, press the button and open the boot?!
If you need the key (as I would hope), then if you accidentally lock your keys in the boot, having the switches surely doesn't really help as mentioned in the video ...or can the scooter detect the proximity of the key via a transponder of some sort?!
Anyway, great bike (or trike!) and nice overview, thanks.
@Diddlydoids The boot and seat switches only work when the bike hasn't been locked up with the key (by turning it all the way to the left). So if you have the ignition in the position where you could open the seat to put the keys inside then you could also open it again to get them out. Hope that makes sense....
Very interesting video. Didn't know about the boot and seat switches until I watched this.I would be interested to hear what you think of the performance now you have done a few miles.
Great Bike Im planning on getting one. can you ride this with a full driving licenceup toa 400 with a passenger and how much is the tax and insurance on this . thanks
I'm not sure if you mean a full UK car licence or a full bike licence. The MP3 400 LT has a wider front track is classed as a trike and therefore can be ridden with just a car licence. The 400 IE like mine requires a full bike licence (type A not A1 or A2)- If you have an A and are 21 or over you can ride any bike with a pillion as well.
i think my tax was £35 - your insurance could be anything at all depending on your age, time you've held a licence, postcode, previous acc/conv history etc.
Thanks for the feedback - now that more people are viewing this, I kind of wish I'd made a bit more effort putting it together. It was a sweltering day - I had my thick motorcycle jacket on and I had forgotten my proper camcorder, but I wanted to get something recorded on video whilst the opportunity was there.
I've been 650 miles on the bike now and I'm enjoying it more and more as I get more familiar with it.
what sort of licence do you need in the uk for one of these as it has 3 wheels?
NobbysPcHelp 1 year ago
@NobbysPcHelp The Piaggio MP3 400ie needs a full bike licence. The MP3 400 LT has a slightly wider gap between the front wheels so is classed as a trike. Because this one is a trike it can be driven with a car licence.
Techmoan 1 year ago
@Techmoan oh right i was a little confused. thanks for the info
NobbysPcHelp 1 year ago
@Techmoan
read what you just wrote...it contradicts itself..this is a 400IE not a 400LT
jorgecornet 11 months ago
@jorgecornet What this bit..."The MP3 400 LT has a slightly wider gap between the front wheels so is classed as a trike. Because this one is a trike it can be driven with a car licence."
I suppose if you read "this one" as in meaning "my bike" then it could be mis-understood.
So to clarify. I owned the 400ie which needed a full bike licence to ride in the UK and isn't classified as a trike. You can get a 400LT which is classified as a trike and can be ridden on a car licence.
Techmoan 11 months ago
nice little bike! quaint storage areas to!
leonardo1480 1 year ago
funky!
pixonu 1 year ago
Unfortunately it was in a shed for 6 months while I built a garage. After I got it back I have covered 1500 miles. I absolutely love it and can't wait to use it again. On Saturdays I go to & from work (70 miles) - 30 of which are on the M6 motorway - its plenty fast enough (max = approx 95mph) it pulls away from lights quicker than any car & it turns heads like no other bike. Downsides, Piaggio's fit and finish is typically Italian & the petrol tank is too small, I would definitely buy another.
Techmoan 1 year ago
@Techmoan I have the 2010 version, I ride in Paris and to home on the motorway. Its a good bike, far more comfortable than most scooters and safer than a 2 wheel version. only real problem is the capacity of the gas tank!
gazza0209 1 year ago
@gazza0209 You are right about the gas tank - I was hoping that Piaggio would update the MP3 this year, I had a list of improvements I wanted to see but
unfortunately they seem to have stagnated. I was looking at the Burgman 650 at the NEC Bikeshow the other week, pity the MP3 isn't as highly specced as this, heated grips, electric windshield, electric folding mirrors and lockable storage boxes in the front.
Techmoan 1 year ago
@Techmoan I'm also a litlle surprised by the boot/seat switches being where they are. Useful for the owner, but does that mean anyone can just walk up, press the button and open the boot?!
If you need the key (as I would hope), then if you accidentally lock your keys in the boot, having the switches surely doesn't really help as mentioned in the video ...or can the scooter detect the proximity of the key via a transponder of some sort?!
Anyway, great bike (or trike!) and nice overview, thanks.
Diddlydoids 1 year ago
@Diddlydoids The boot and seat switches only work when the bike hasn't been locked up with the key (by turning it all the way to the left). So if you have the ignition in the position where you could open the seat to put the keys inside then you could also open it again to get them out. Hope that makes sense....
Techmoan 1 year ago
Very interesting video. Didn't know about the boot and seat switches until I watched this.I would be interested to hear what you think of the performance now you have done a few miles.
homepowerdave 1 year ago
Great Bike Im planning on getting one. can you ride this with a full driving licenceup toa 400 with a passenger and how much is the tax and insurance on this . thanks
guardsman32 2 years ago
I'm not sure if you mean a full UK car licence or a full bike licence. The MP3 400 LT has a wider front track is classed as a trike and therefore can be ridden with just a car licence. The 400 IE like mine requires a full bike licence (type A not A1 or A2)- If you have an A and are 21 or over you can ride any bike with a pillion as well.
i think my tax was £35 - your insurance could be anything at all depending on your age, time you've held a licence, postcode, previous acc/conv history etc.
Techmoan 2 years ago
Nice looking scooter and I have to say the boot on the back is a nice idea. Does this have good leg room for people over 6ft?
sirnatty 2 years ago
I'm 6ft and its fine - although I have read reviews saying it's not the best for leg room - so you might struggle if you are over 6ft.
Techmoan 2 years ago
Well done. I've been considering the MP3, it would be my first scooter of any type. Thanks for taking the time to film this walk thru.
Livesteam45 2 years ago
Nice review. Cheers.
LeighPing 2 years ago
Thanks for the feedback - now that more people are viewing this, I kind of wish I'd made a bit more effort putting it together. It was a sweltering day - I had my thick motorcycle jacket on and I had forgotten my proper camcorder, but I wanted to get something recorded on video whilst the opportunity was there.
I've been 650 miles on the bike now and I'm enjoying it more and more as I get more familiar with it.
Techmoan 2 years ago
nice review!!! love it :)
Peccia92 2 years ago