Piaggio MP3 500cc Scooter First Ride 3 wheeled scooter review

My friend wanted to learn to ride motorcycles, but he decided to start out with a scooter. He bought this Piaggio MP3 500 cc 3 wheeled scooter. I rode it to a parking lot for him and shot this video of his first ride. The Piaggio MP3 a friendly machine, and it can stand up at a stop so you don't have to put a foot down. In motion you feel like you're riding a motorcycle. It has an automatic transmission. I rode it around town, and it has plenty of power. You could take this scooter on the freeway and keep up with traffic. It has plenty of power. Gas mileage is close to 59 mpg, which is to be expected from a 500 cc engine and an automatic transmission. The smaller-engined 400 cc or 250cc versions of the Piaggio MP3 should get better mileage. Piaggio claims the engine makes 40 horsepower at the crank, which sounds about right based on my test drive. Top speed is 90 mph, and it runs the quarter mile in 17.43 seconds. It's a neat machine in a class all its own, and I have observed first hand that it is a good scooter for new riders to learn on. If you're learning to ride and don't want a Vespa, this is a good alternative.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• piaggio scooter
• piaggio mp3
• 3 wheel scooter
• vespa scooter
• vespa motorcycle

[sheikyerbouti63]

Thanks for the presentation. Let me ask you a question. How tall are you ? About 180cm ? Are you comfortable with the seating ? Ok, these are three questions in fact. Thanks for your reply.

[hoohoohoblin]

@sheikyerbouti63 The guy in the video is around 180 cm high. I'm around 185 cm, and we both were comfortable with the riding position. It's easy to get your feet on the ground, and the Piaggio MP3 is a big scooter with lots of room to sit on.

[Adriangrosvenor]

I have never bought a scooter but I have rode 1, I prefer the semi-auto matic or clutch bike with two weels. The fear of having a flat tire with one of these is the reason why I never owned one, so do u have any videos showing how u actually change these weels. The back one to be more specific as the front is basic. If you do that would be really nice.

[hoohoohoblin]

@Adriangrosvenor I don't actually own a scooter, so I can't do a tire change video. I did a tire change video about my Royal Enfield, but scooters are different. Look up YouTube user HappyParrotFL and you can see how to do a tire change. She does a great job of explaining every step. The video is titled "Vespa - Rear Tire Change (How To)". To get to the wheel, she has to remove the exhaust system. It looks easy to do with the engine cold.

[Johnsouthshore]

I have one, exactly the same color and model.. and love it ! I added a Givi windshield and a top box and both are good additions. Go to the MP3 section of the MV Forum and find the thread for footpegs.. I added those as well and they really enhance the highway comfort.. Got mine in April of 2010, and had 3200 miles on it by the end of the year (before the snow hit).. tell him to enjoy it !

[hoohoohoblin]

@Johnsouthshore Good modifications. You can see from the rider's expression in the video how much he loves his MP3. The video was his first time ever riding the Piaggio MP3, and before that he had only ridden a 2-wheeler in MSF class. He had me ride it to an empty parking lot for him to take his first ride. I rarely see these scooters on the road, but they definitely have a cult following, and everyone stares at you when you ride up on one.

[hoohoohoblin]

@MissKuriosity Try your local scooter dealer. It's a Piaggio, so a Piaggio or Vespa dealer should be able to sell you one.

[hoohoohoblin]

@WildBill1006 I took a ride on the Can Am Spyder, and it is a lot of fun. The MP3 is as heavy as a motorcycle, slower than a motorcycle, costs $9,000 US, gets the same gas mileage as a motorcycle. The Spyder gets bad gas mileage and you can't split lanes on it, but it has a great engine. I think the bikes are aimed at new riders with lots of money. I like the MP3 and think it would be cool to strip the bodywork off and make it into a crazy mutant bobber. BMW has an uber scooter out now too.

[theSMYRNAcowboy]

There pretty cool scoots.  Got a friend that has one and there sharp.

[WildBill1006]

we had them at a demo ride along with the spyders fun toys for sure. A friend of mine was thinking of buying one to break into the motorcycle world but was quickly convinced since you still need a motorcycle licence to drive one and the price of one that actually buying a bike was the better way. Anyways to each his own and ride safe.