Piaggio MP3 Hybrid 3-Wheel Scooter

Folks who residing in Italy and Spain will be able to see the new Piaggio’s MP3 three-wheeled hybrid scooter later this summer. The Li-Ion rechargeable batter ( required up to 4 hours of full charge) provides up to 12 miles of travel, but you can get more miles by rely on the MP3’s single cylinder, 250cc gas-powered engine. The Piaggio also include regenerative braking in the package and when used gas-powered engine, it’ll able to travel for up to 140 miles per gallon at low speeds. It’ll available in Europe later this year with a price range of €8,000 to €10,000.

Piaggio has said that a new hybrid version of its MP3 three-wheeled scooter will debut in Italy and Spain later this summer. We'd wager a guess that the €150 million in low-interest loans from the European Investment Bank to Piaggio late last year spurred on the vehicle's development somewhat. The new hybrid scooter will reportedly be capable of about 12 miles using nothing but electricity, but the MP3's single cylinder, 250cc 125cc gas-powered engine will be able to kick in and provide extended range when necessary. Regenerative braking is also included in the package.

The MP3's electric motor should also provide a usable boost in performance, especially at low speeds, all the while promoting fuel mileage that could be as high as 140 miles per gallon. A lithium ion battery pack will be used by the MP3 Hybrid, which will take up to 4 hours to recharge and likely accounts for a large portion of the scooter's expected price range of €8,000 to €10,000 when it goes on sale later this year in Europe.

Piaggio's Hybrid Vespa MP3

Piaggio MP3, the most awaited scooter by the makers of Vespa, is a three wheeled hybrid, provides safety, road grip and stability, incomparable with a two wheeler.

The two front wheels, tilt independently, maneuvering with much comfort on wet roads and tough riding conditions. It takes on cobble stone streets, tram tracks with the greatest of ease, remaining safe and stable all the while. The braking distance is 20% less any traditional scooter.

It doesn’t require a kickstand as it has a electro-hydraulic suspension locking system.

An environment friendly electric engine that has a linked gas engine runs non stop on electricity for 20 kms and then with a switch on the handle bar, it is turned into a combustion engine, which recharges the battery along with. Similarly, the electric engine mode can be turned on seamlessly with a switch on the handle bar.
Being in the gas mode one can still switch on to the electric mode, giving 85% more power. A mileage of 170 miles per gallon, the scooter can be charged at any plug in for 3 hrs and one can ride for 20 kms non stop on electric power.

CO2 emissions are 65% for the hybrid mode and 35% for the electric mode.
A battery charge indicator on the dashboard, the battery can be charged using 220V battery charger. The traction battery is neatly tucked under the seat with space enough to hold a helmet.

The long wait has ended and the powerful 250cc engine scooter is now available in stores for $7000, much higher than other scooters in this category. But the company is hopeful that with rising gasoline prices this model will attract a large number. Soon the comapany might upgrade it to a whooping 500cc.

2008 Piaggio MP3 500 Review

A few weeks ago I packed up the now-legendary and "soon to be applying for antique vehicle status" MO van with the Benelli you’ll be reading about in an upcoming shootout. I was bound for the secret Piaggio lair to pick up a new scoot. This is where the Fonz gets wet between the knees.
Waiting for me in the wings was a true oddball, and I was itchin’ to take it back to the 23-arce Motorcycle.com Moto-estate on the Malibu coast. Maybe you hadn’t heard of the place yet, but it’s pretty awesome, and all mine. Okay, so I was huffing some exhaust fumes in the rickety van when I dreamed up our fantasy office; nothing unusual there.

The machine I’m hauling is the Piaggio MP3 500i.e. – nothing like your grandma’s scooter, to say the least. I’ve long wanted to ride this three-wheeled machine, ever since its introduction. After being briefed on the MP3 I signed the paperwork, loaded it up and hit the road.



The Piaggio MP3 500’s styling is a cross between a grasshopper and a Transformer.

There’s a bit of a learning curve to getting the MP3 down the road. The tilt/steering lock switch on the right thumb allows the front wheel(s) assembly to swing or tilt. You can disengage it manually or it’ll automatically do so upon take off at about 2000 rpm. Another trick little feature is the rider sensor in the saddle. Like the one in your car that beeps when you or your passenger aren’t wearing the required seatbelts. This mechanical wizardry keeps the throttle from engaging the drivetrain to prevent accidental roll-offs while you might be standing next to the bike. Even at full throttle, it just gurgles without accelerating away if you’re not in the saddle. But sit back in that cushy saddle, punch it, and away you go.

I can just assume this to be one of those features that came about the hard way. Giuseppe came home tired as a dog from the old spaghetti factory and, while unloading his groceries from beneath the saddle, he hung his jacket – or his bag of baguettes – on the throttle before killing the motor and – zoom! – away it went, straight into the canal. Such a combination seems impossible, but stranger things have happened in this world. Thus the saddle sensor was born.



Not your typical little scooter.

What’s that? A banana in the roadway? Not a worry on Fonzie’s face.

The front end consists of an aluminum parallelogram with four arms supporting two steering tubes and cantilevered suspension with 3.3 inches of wheel travel.

There’s also a centerstand attached to the steel-tube framework, but it doesn’t need one, having that third leg… er, um wheel. The MP3 can be brought to a stop and parked upright like a car, yet can share a parking space (as well as a lane here in California) like any two-wheeled motorbike. For the interested buyers out there, when you take delivery of your MP3, tack on a second ramp for any potential moving days. The standard 18” wide one you have now isn’t wide enough to handle the two wheel tracks you’ll now own.

If Darth Vader Had a Scooter

When I finally got the MP3 out of the van and got to test riding it, I learned a lot, fast. A man gets hungry with all the rigorous testing we do; deserving a fine chicken wing every now and then. So there I sat in the takeout lobby of my local restaurant, questioning stuff about the machine, Googling Piaggio on my iPhone. I found out Piaggio is based in Pontedera, Italy, and produces seven brands of scooters and motorcycles, including Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Vespa. As the fourth-largest producer of scooters and motorcycles in the world, the company pumps outs more than 600,000 vehicles annually, with five R&D centers, more than 6,700 employees and operations in over 50 countries. This 493cc MP3 is the largest of three in Piaggio’s lineup of three-wheeled scoots.

Eventually I noticed a padlock-branded button on the MP3’s automobile-like key. Unsure what it was for, I was afraid to push it for fear of watching the scoot tip over from 20 feet away. So I waited for my spicy Asian midnight snack (We’re hoping the Fonz is talking about food here. –Ed.) before seeing what this button on the key fob would do. I tried it when I was within catching distance of the trike, unsure if perhaps it unlocked the tilt mechanism for some emergency failsafe reason.

After pushing the button I hear an audible schlunk but nothing else happens. Again, click, schlunk. It sounds like car doors unlocking. Without there being a trunk as with the MP3 400 model, the saddle is the only remaining “openable” part, so I pushed the button and grabbed the seat to find that it’s now unlocked. Nice. A remote unlock for the saddle is not what I expected to find, but in went the wings and I rode off. The saddle can also be opened by rotating the key in the ignition.

For the experienced rider, the extra contact patch of a second wheel up front is going to be a fun addition to the grocery getting. The MP3 can be pushed into deep lean angles without fear of the abrupt step-outs common to single-track front ends. In the canyons, the two tracks make for increased mental security, with one wheel perhaps in a grease track and the other cleanly gripping the road.

For the newbies to motorcycling or scootering, they may never notice the added weight and roadway feedback from the dual front wheels. Steering transitions are super smooth and as nimble and accurate as any “regular” bike. Despite its pair of wheels up front, the tilting MP3 handles nothing like the three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder, as the MP3’s second front wheel is barely noticeable to a motorcycle operator.

Like riding a Hayabusa compared to a GSX-R, the steering feels a little heavy for the first few rides. The scale of the front end – containing all that steering science – is intimidating only at first but melts away with the first few gallons of gas, as does the nearly 560 pounds of claimed wet weight.



Although you didn’t see me riding the MP3 harder than a CBR up here, it happened.

The three-wheeled MP3 goes around corners like a motorcycle thanks to some innovative engineering.

Features we received on our euro-spec test model that you may not see include a passing light toggle paired to the high-beam switch and a dashboard speedo in kilometers. The handbag/man purse/grocery bag hook behind the fairing and between your knees is rather European feeling as well. Nice additions, in our opinion. Further storage is found beneath the saddle as it is on many other scooters; enough for only one full-face helmet or two half shells. And stuffed into the carcass of the saddle is a handy rain cover.

Ergonomics are upright and more like a standard motorcycle than the cruiser-type foot-forward riding position of my old Honda Elite or a Suzuki Burgman. What’s stranger than having an extra wheel out front - saving you from oil spills and bad line choices - is the basic scootering principles of not downshifting or braking with your feet. Once you get past that, the twist–and-go CVT transmission makes it all fun and games.

'This thing turns heads of the young, old, rich and impoverished.'

The strange looks from the gathering crowd around you take a little longer to fade. My neighbor calls it tough looking, while the guys at the camera store find it “funny but not unlikable.” Surely the couple riding the Suzuki SV hated the looks of a scooter passing them on the freeway. I think the gang at the LA Accordion Festival is going to love it – I hear they’re big fans of tilting three-wheeled fun. In Los Angeles, the MP3 makes a great ride for “being seen.” If you’re an actor/waiter looking for your big break but can’t afford the sixty-five grand to drop on a GG Quadster, consider the MP3 and you’re sure to stick out in the growing sea of scooters. This thing turns heads of the young, old, rich and impoverished. Yes, I even got a few thumbs up from the hobos in Santa Monica.

All that steering science refers to the revolutionary parallelogram front end. It uses an automobile-like double-wishbone aluminum suspension system supporting two independent steering columns. Suspension travel from the front electro-hydraulic suspension is 3.35 inches. Additional performance-oriented equipment comes in the shape Michelin Pilot Sport SC tires spooned on to the 12-inch front wheels. The rear swingarm is sprung with two hydraulic shock absorbers that provide 4.3 inches of travel to the 14-inch rear wheel. It all adds up to a scooter that can lean and steer into a corner as a single-track motorcycle does, and remarkably well we might add.

On the right canyon road, it’s like skiing through the trees, holding your line with your outside foot (wheel) instead of your inside leg’s ski edge. Back and forth is wicked fun –like skiing’s giant slalom racing. At booger-picking speeds, like when maneuvering in a parking lot, a rider feels the added balancing help of the third wheel. The steering feels heavier than typical scooters, but the impression is one of extra stability.



Looking a bit like the unlikely offspring of a Hummer and a scooter, the MP3 500 has a butch appearance.

At speed, the MP3 is as stable as any other streetbike out there, never mind the more flighty feeling of many other scooters. Having a third leg, so to speak, helps to keep the scooter-average 61-inch wheelbase securely planted with 50% more front rubber on the road. Boasting a 40-degree lean angle, the MP3 is great fun on twisty roads outside of city limits, although the centerstand scrapes the road surface in left-hand turns – you’ll hear it in the video. It can be a dangerous hard-part to touch down. Just ask our pal Pete what happens when you unintentionally unweight the rear wheel in a turn… (Pete denies everything. –Ed.) Carving through the turns is much like a cruiser: casual, laidback and easy on the wrists.



Pete kindly displays the lowest point of the chassis for us.

If you’re quick with your right thumb, you can learn to ride around without ever putting your feet on the ground. With the aid of the tilt-lock lever on the right-side hand controls, opposite and similar to a turnsignal switch, you can manually lock and unlock the scooter’s leaning ability. Be careful, though, as the MP3 has the ability to lock at any angle. That’s handy for parking on a hill in San Francisco but dangerous when you lock yourself into a carving line when you want to be riding straight after stopping. If you’re not fully upright when you hit the switch, you might be aimed in an undesirable trajectory. I’ve found there’s a moment between coming to a full stop and tipping over where you can balance yourself as if on your BMX bike at the starting gate, floating.

'The MP3 in the 500cc variety is comfortable and capable on both the local road and the highways.'

Punch that switch and believe in the system. A beep will sound to tell you it’s locked, all within milliseconds. With your feet on the boards, you can ride away by simply twisting the throttle. At 2,000 rpm you’re already moving and balanced, and the system unlocks itself. Magic!

With the MP3’s ability to stand upright when the front wheel mechanism is locked in place, your mind may start to wander at stop lights now that you’re not thinking about the simple act of balancing a two-wheeled machine. You might start to ponder things like why the classic rock band Boston choose to name itself after the baked beans, or how much toothpaste you have left in your travel bag’s tube of Colgate. It’s amazing what a time waster keeping yourself upright at a stop light can be!

If you choose to keep the tilt mechanism unlocked, you’ll notice that the tilt indicator light on the dash blinks at low to no speed so as to remind you that you’re in control of the leaning. It’s a good idea to remind us, but once our attention is on watching the loser in the Nova making a U-turn in the intersection in front of us, our periphery vision keeps noticing the blinking light. It makes our left thumbs habitually stab at the turnsignal switch as if we’re seeing an uncancelled turnsignal. It won’t go away. This distraction thankfully diminishes with time, as it’s kind of unsettling to think I’m the choad with the blinker on when I don’t plan to make a turn.

The MP3 in the 500cc variety is comfortable and capable on both the local road and the highways. “It never feels really swift during acceleration,” says our Ed-in-Cheese Kevin Duke, “but it easily scampers away from stop lights ahead of typical automobile acceleration. The CVT blunts the snap of the injected 500cc Single, but it nonetheless gets up to speed fairly quick.”

When riding the MP3, we were amazed at how much fun we could have with the 40 horsepower claimed at the crankshaft which peaks at 7250 rpm. No need to be afraid of the SoCal freeway traffic, as the MP3 is actually capable of posting triple-digit figures on its speedo. It’s happiest cruising at 70 mph just over halfway through its rev range at 5500 rpm, right at the claimed 31 ft-lb peak of its torque curve. A rough idle and some cold-bloodedness are the engine’s only real flaws. We averaged 54 mpg during our heavy-handed time with the MP3, which gives it a usable 150-plus-mile range from its 3.2-gallon tank.



An engineering marvel deserving of such terrific sunlight. Our test unit was painted in its Demon Black livery, but it’s also available in Passion Red.

When it comes to stopping, it’s all hands on deck. Since there’s no clutch mechanism to manage, the MP3 has dual hand levers for individually controlling your braking prowess. I say prowess because not only do you get 50% more front-end traction, but you also get 50% more stopping power with the extra brake set up front. Dual 240mm steel discs work with a pair of two-piston calipers, while the rear end has a slightly larger rotor, 280mm, with a floating 2-piston caliper. Piaggio says the MP3 requires 20% less braking distance than best-in-class two-wheel scooters. We can believe it, as the MP3 can be braked harder than you might expect.

“The front suspension dives minimally,” says Duke, “And a rider has the confidence that the front tires aren’t going to unexpectedly and dramatically slide out, inevitably causing a spill. Quite impressive.”

Despite having rather standard suspension travel for a scooter, the ride still gets a little rough after a few hours of canyon or freeway riding. The complex and weighty front end is more difficult to control smoothly, plus the MP3 has double the opportunity to find road imperfections with its front wheels. Still, I managed to ride 100 miles before I began thinking about the bumps in the road, so it’s not a major issue for a scooter rider’s typical commuting scenario. The large frontal area offers lots of wind protection.

Piaggio describes the MP3 as “a revolution on three wheels,” and we’d have to agree. The added confidence gained in the corners and during braking are the major benefits of this leaning-trike layout. In addition, its eye-catching and innovative design is very appealing and turns its rider into an instant celebrity. Its $8,899 MSRP might scare off a few budget-conscious scooterists, but it’s not unreasonable for a cool, freeway-capable machine that is blessed with the stability offered by an extra front wheel.




from motorcycle.com

Piaggio MP3 Review

The Piaggio company, nestled in the Tuscan countryside between Florence and Pisa, first invented scooters in 1946 when it produced the first ever Vespa. Today, Piaggio continues to produce scooters under three brands: the classic Vespa, the sporty Gilera and the contemporary Piaggio.

In Australia, the Piaggio brand offers an extensive range of Italian scooters from 50cc to 500cc. The MP3 400 has an innovative parallelogram front suspension. Its tilt mechanism is composed of four cast aluminium arms, with four hinges fixed to the central tube and two guide tubes on either side of the parallelogram, connected to the arms via suspension pins and ball bearings.

Value for money
Pricing

The MP3 400 is $11,990 plus associated dealer and on-road costs. Piaggio is running a promotion from May 26 - July 31, 2008 offering free registration and CTP.

For those wishing to jump straight onto an MP3 400 or 250cc, you will need a motorcycle licence to be able to legally ride one.


Standard features
Tinted screen, large underseat storage, handbrake, digital centre dash with two trip meters, anti-theft coded-key immobiliser, remote boot and seat release, centrestand and shopping hook.

Accessories
A top box, various larger windscreens, heated leg covers, passenger backrest, scooter cover and a Tom Tom rider navigator are available.

Design & function
Comfort
The rider's seat is quite comfortable but it did tend to try and push you forward. The only way around this was to have a re-adjustment from time to time.

The bars are nicely placed in relation to the seat and never gave any soreness when riding in the city or country.

Ergonomics
The finish on all switches and the dash layout is very impressive. An analogue speedometer and tachometer consume the two outer dials, while the middle dial is digital and contains a large clock and two trip computers.

Luggage space
The exceptionally large underseat storage bay will hold two open face helmets plus a medium sized shopping bag.

Build quality & finish
After inspecting the MP3 400 a number of times I was impressed with the build quality and finish. From the paintwork to the switches on the bars, it looks and feels good quality with a Euro flair.


On the road
Fuel
As it has a relatively small fuel tank it was fortunate the MP3 400 returned good fuel consumption results. No change in consumption was noticed riding in dense city traffic or on open country roads. 260km can be expected out of the fuel tank making this scooter a genuine touring option for those preferring not to ride a conventional two wheeled motorcycle.

Performance
Being quite heavy, the pull off the mark was not as good as expected. However, once cruising at speed the 400cc engine had no trouble maintaining speed limits and pulling up hills.

Ride
My first impression of two front wheels was that it looked pretty weird and, although it was unnerving at first, once I got used to feeling every bump and not worrying about the front moving around, I found they gave double the feedback.

When travelling under 15km/h the scooter has a very handy feature of a switch on the right bar which locks the suspension at whatever angle you are at. Although it took some getting used to it made for an easy ride by eliminating having to put my feet down. It can also help parking on uneven surfaces, as the suspension can be at an odd angle whilst you position the bike upright and lock the suspension via the switch.

Handling
The MP3 400 three-wheel scooter has revolutionised personal transport by redefining the entire concept of ride stability. Fun, nimble and nervy, the MP3 400 handles corners with extraordinary safety and road holding. I had the misfortune of approaching a fresh diesel spill around a blind corner at 100km/h. The MP3 400, with its Michelin tyres, only slid slightly, whereas I have no doubt I would have been in serious danger on two wheels.

The only downside was the limited lean angles either side as the centrestand hangs down close to the ground. On numerous occasions the centrestand scrapped the roadway which has the potential to dig into the bitumen and upset the handling.

Braking
I was impressed with the scooter's stopping power with twin discs on the front and a single disc on the rear. The brakes gave the impression of being on a much larger capacity motorcycle.

Smoothness & quietness
As with most scooters the engine was a little rough. However, there was no rattling from poor fitting plastics.

The exhaust was reasonable, producing a putt putt noise which is common amongst the scooter style of motorcycles.

Summary
Comfortable and innovative with exceptional performance, the Piaggio MP3 400 will seduce novice riders as well as seasoned motorcyclists, as it combines enjoyment and ease of use with unprecedented safety.

If you wish to have everyone, and I mean everyone - from small kids to the elderly- looking at you, then this is the bike for you.

If you struggle with putting your feet down at a stop or want the benefits of a scooter style bike, I suggest taking a test ride on either the 400cc or 250cc version and try this unique experience for yourself.

Piaggio MP3-250, MP3-400, and MP3-500 Scooters are in stock

The PIAGGIO MP3 500 uses innovative technology and premium cycle components to re-invent the very concept of the scooter. With two front wheels and one at the rear, the PIAGGIO MP3 500 is sure to turn heads wherever it goes; its dynamic design offers unparalleled stability to provide an unprecedented riding experience.

AVAILABLE NOW !!!

The MP3 500 ie, which shares the same technological platform as the revolutionary original MP3, delivers show-stopping looks, incredible performance and the X factor that makes it stand out from other anonymous maxi scooters. The machine is particularly in its element on twisty roads, where the razor-sharp handling is complemented by a superb three-disc braking system and the double ignition “Master” engine. With a strong personality, aggressive design and cutting-edge technology, the MP3 500ie is ready to ride into uncharted territory, see specs below!

Go out on the Piaggio MP3 500 and enter a completely new dimension: of sensations and safety. The two front wheels combine the ride dynamics typical of a motorcycle with incredible road holding. The parallelogram suspension system, a Piaggio patented innovation, guarantees unrivalled stability, even on wet or loose tarmac, or trailing other vehicles. The Piaggio MP3 500 is also distinguished by exceptional braking performance: thanks to the 3 wheels and 2 powerful 240mm disc brakes with twin piston calipers in front and a 280mm disc in rear, allowing record deceleration (around 8 meters per second) and a stopping distance more than 20% shorter than that of normal two-wheeled scooters (even with ABS).


Designed using the most sophisticated CAD programs and rigorously tested at each stage of its development, the Piaggio MP3 500 scooter is cutting edge in all of its details. The high-strength tubular steel frame guarantees the best stability and distribution of weight, in perfect harmony with the engine and suspensions. The dimensions and proportions are similar to those of a traditional scooter, with even a small front end. Developed in the wind tunnel, the bodywork combines a revolutionary look with dual functions: maximum protection for the rider at the front, comfort and exceptional storage capacity at the back.

Quick and safe, the Piaggio MP3 scooter darts in and out of city traffic as if it’s quite at home: it negotiates cobbles, rails and drain covers with unbeatable safety and stability. The seat, with integrated backrest and special ergonomic shape, is very comfortable and suits riders of all sizes, whilst its height from the ground promotes maneuverability and control in all situations. There is also comfort and protection for the passenger, thanks to the side handles for a perfect grip.

Piaggio MP3 500 is extraordinary in every way, including its accessories; from the “winter pack” with the comfort windshield, the special winter tires, the heated leg cover and waistcoat, to the Tom Tom Rider GPS navigator with its 3.5” LCD monitor, the X-Jet helmet complete with a Bluetooth communication system, the electronic anti-theft device with remote and other great ideas. Actually, they are revolutionary: just like your Piaggio MP3.


PIAGGIO MP3 500 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine Type 4-stroke 4-valve liquid-cooled Piaggio MASTER i.e.
Displacement 492.7cc
Bore/Stroke 94 x 71mm
Max Power at Shaft 29.4 kW at 7,250 rpm (40 bhp)
Max Torque 42.23 Nm at 5,550 rpm
Distribution Single overhead camshaft (SOHC) with four valves
Clutch Centrifugal
Cooling System Liquid
Ignition Electronic inductive discharge and integrated variable timing
Gearbox “Twist and Go” Automatic Transmission (CVT) with dry centrifugal type transmission with damping plugs
Fuel Supply Electronic injection system
Starter Electric (freewheel) with torque converter
Max speed 89 mph (143 Km/h)
Lubrication Wet sump
Chassis Double cradle trellis made of high strength steel tubes
Front Suspension Parallelogram composed of four aluminium arms supporting two steering tubes, cantilevered suspension. Travel: 85 mm. Electro-hydraulic suspension locking system.
Rear Suspension Oscillating engine fixed to the frame with a swingarm and two dual effect hydraulic shock absorbers with four-position spring preload. Travel: 110 mm
Front Brake Stainless steel double disk, Ø 240 mm, two-piston caliper
Rear Brake Stainless steel disk, Ø 280 mm, floating two-piston caliper
Front Wheel Rim Die-cast aluminum alloy, 12" x 3.00
Rear Wheel Rim Die-cast aluminum alloy, 14" x 4.50
Front Tires 120/70-12"
Rear Tire 140/70-14"
Length 85 in. (2,160mm)
Width 30.5 in. (775mm)
Seat Height 30.9 in. (785mm)
Wheelbase 61.0 in. (1,550mm)
Fuel / Tank Capacity Unleaded / 3.2 gals. (12 liters)
Weight 537.9 lbs. (244kg)
Available Colors Passion Red, Demon Black

Features analog speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. Plenty of under seat storage and a 1 Year Factory Warranty with Unlimited Mileage and Roadside Assistance. (Three year [total] - factory extended warranty available at additional cost.)

2008 Piaggio MP3 500 - Legendary scooter manufacturer launches two new three-wheelers

Many dyed-in-the-wool motorcyclists would rather undergo a root canal than to be seen tooling about on a scooter, but the tiny two-wheelers are gaining in popularity. And with fuel costs continuing to rise, the time couldn't be more right to dispel the notion that scooters are uncool.

Scooters range from retro types available in various styles and displacements from 50cc up to 250cc, to hot rod maxi scooters that more closely resemble sport bikes, with models powered by engines ranging from 250cc to 650cc or more. There are scooters with small wheels and tires, as well as big-wheeled examples. An while most scooters roll on two wheels, some more-innovative models sport three.

Piaggio, the Italian company most noted for the legendary and beloved classic Vespa, has come up with a totally innovative concept in a three-wheeled scooter called the MP3. The MP3 debuted last year as a 250cc scooter that traveled on two wheels up front and one wheel aft. The uniqueness of the original MP3 came from the fact that the front wheels formed a parallelogram composed of four aluminum arms supporting two steering tubes in a cantilevered suspension, featuring an electro-hydraulic suspension locking system with 3.35 inches of travel. The two front wheels are actually articulated, allowing the scooter to lean into turns in much the same fashion as a conventional motorcycle does. The rear wheel is integrated via the oscillating engine fixed to the frame by a swingarm setup and two dual-effect hydraulic shock absorbers with four-piston spring preload and 4.33 inches of travel.

Piaggio has expanded its MP3 lineup to the maxi-scooter level for model year 2008, including both a 400cc model and a race-inspired 500cc model, further progressing their self-proclaimed three-wheeled personal transportation revolution. The MP3 500ie model is the three-wheeler for those who want to stand out from the crowd, or at least to keep up with the motorcycling crowd. It features both aggressive styling and performance in one machine that projects a somewhat sinister appearance, especially when finished in Demon Black (the other available color is called Passion Red).

Power for the MP3 500ie comes from a 492.7cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, SOHC 4-valve Master 4-stroke engine with double ignition, featuring electronic inductive discharge and variable spark advance in an electronic unit with an electronic immobilizer; fuel pump shutoff in case the bike tips over; two spark plugs; and an electric starter. The engine generates 40 horsepower (at the crankshaft) at 7,250 rpm and 31 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. The engine mates to a "Twist-and-Go" continuously variable transmission, with the final motive force delivered to the rear wheel via a driveshaft.

The wheelbase and length overall of the 500cc model exceeds that of the 250 by 2.4-inches and 1-inch respectively, while the MP3 400 has the same wheelbase as the 500 and is 0.8-inches longer overall. The 500 appears to actually be considerably longer, but also seems to condense the rider's space and underseat storage due to the increase in engine size. The MP3 400cc model obviously offers less power than the 500, but offers more underseat storage space - room for up to two full-face helmets, though extra-large full-face helmets may pose a challenge fitting in.

The entire Piaggio MP3 lineup makes riding easier than ever before by providing increased stability, particularly at lower speeds. When coming to a stop, the suspension lock lamp begins to flash at three miles per hour, allowing the rider to manually lock the suspension, eliminating the need to put a foot down for balance. A cautionary note here: Make sure that the bike is totally upright and that the wheels are pointed straight ahead or they will lock in an awkward leaning position. When starting up again, the suspension automatically unlocks without touching the switch. Parking is also a breeze thanks to the combination of the suspension lock and parking brake.

Visually, the MP3 500 displays a more aggressive persona, even when parked, with its double steel tube bumper, featuring sleek black handlebars and black, 10-spoke alloy wheel rims. The five-lamp headlight arrangement not only looks good, it is highly functional, and the two largest lamps are covered by off-road-type shockproof covers. The front fairing provides aerodynamic efficiency, while the wide floorboard serves as a comfortable footrest. The two-level seat is generously sized, accommodating both a rider and passenger. The look of the MP3 400 is not as bold or aggressive, but more contemporary. The 400cc model's base price is $8,699, and color availability includes Cortina Gray and Midnight Blue. The 500cc MP3 adds another $200 to the base price. The MP3 250 starts at $7,199.

Summary
Both the MP3 400cc and 500cc models are as stylish as they are affordable and can handle short trips, heavy commuting or long, pleasurable rides equally well.

Acceleration is more than adequate in both the 400cc and 500cc MP3s, and the large 240mm triple-steel disc brakes can bring the scooters to halt in 20 percent less distance than the best-in-class two-wheeled scooters. On the low end, the power difference between the two isn't really noticeable, but the MP3 500 shines in the higher rev range. I spent the majority of my time on the MP3 500, which is both quick and comfortable, though long rides begged for a longer floorboard for optimum comfort - I found the forward portion of the stepped riser seat to be a bit on the abbreviated side, forcing my knees forward toward the dash or fairing, and limiting foot room on the board area. But for the amount of fun involved, you readily adapt. The non-self-cancelling directional signals may be an annoyance for those around you, should you forget to turn them off after making your move. Another small issue is the highly reflective glass covering the gauges in the instrument panel, which can be problematic for the rider if he is at a disagreeable angle in bright sunlight.

All MP3s are freeway legal. There is no foot brake as with a motorcycle, but rather two hand-brake levers, one on each handle bar, the left taking the place of the nonexistent clutch. The dual front wheels create a slightly different riding sensation. Stability is increased during lower speed maneuvering, but higher speed turns yield a unique level of balance, unlike that experienced on more traditional two-wheeled rides. For the beginning rider, this should prove to be a non-issue, and may even prove to be easier.

A host of accessories are available to make sure that every MP3 meets the needs of the rider. These include a tall windscreen, a rear top box or tour pack for storing additional gear and Tom-Tom navigation.

2008 Piaggio MP3 500
Base price: $8,899
Price as tested: $8,999

Engine/transmission: 492.7cc, 40 horsepower, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve Master 4-stroke; "Twist and Go" CVT
Final drive: shaft
Tires: front, Michelin Pilot Sport SC 120/70-12; rear, Michelin Gold Standard 140/70-14
Wheelbase: 61 inches
Length overall: 85 inches
Seat height: 31 inches
Curb weight: 538 pounds (dry)
Fuel capacity: 3.2 gallons

2008 Piaggio MP3 500 Test Drive: Clever Trike Delivers 60 MPG, Tons of Fun

Don’t let the silly name fool you: Piaggio’s MP3 may inspire iPod jokes, but this odd-looking three-wheeler is rapidly building a cult following on American roads. The MP3 is essentially a scooter with two wheels up front for more stability. We were skeptical, but the suspension engineering really works well—and the scooter’s a blast to ride.

While testing the $8899 500-cc model on the roads here, we got plenty of head-twisting attention in trendy neighborhoods already overrun with exotics. Difference is, we got about 60 mpg on our cruise. Not too many exotics (okay, none) can claim that kind of fuel economy. Clad with matte black paint, rally-style headlight shields and double-steel-tube bumpers, the industrial-looking MP3 is bursting with cool features, like an underseat power supply for laptop or cellphone storage. The smallish seat might be a bit cramped for bigger riders, but that’s nothing an aftermarket saddle can’t cure.

All you need for brisk acceleration is a twist of the wrist, and the MP3’s automatic continuously variable transmission takes care of the rest. And it keeps on pulling, right up to 90 mph. The MP3 may look cumbersome to ride, but it turns and leans surprisingly easily—up to 40 degrees thanks to the aluminum-armed parallelogram suspension components.


An electro-hydraulic locking mechanism lets you keep your feet on the floorboards at low speeds and helps the trike stay balanced when parked on hills. Twin 120-mm front tires offer twice the contact patch of a motorcycle, encouraging higher speeds and more aggressive turns than regular scooters do. The 140-mm tire at the rear keeps you planted when the road gets twisty. The MP3’s sure-footed handling inspires surprisingly crotch-rocketesque body leaning. It’s even narrow enough to split lanes. Two-piston floating-caliper front and rear brakes offer strong stops, but the lack of an ABS system means the rider is responsible for keeping the wheels from locking up. And remembering which of the two levers operates which set of brakes is imperative during panic stops.

While the MP3 was fun to ride on urban roads, options like a TomTom navigation system could make this frisky three-wheeler a fetching long-distance cruiser.