First impressions: Piaggio MP3 motor scooter

Consumer Reports staffers had a chance to sample a few bikes at a recent driving event outside New York. This is part two of three. Also see our first impressions of the Aprillia 850 Mana and Can-Am Spyder.

Piaggio MP3
Like the Can-Am Spyder, the MP3 scooter also has three wheels, with two in front. The big difference is that unlike the Spyder, the MP3 leans in turns like any other Scooter. A button on the right handlebar can lock it upright at low speeds, for parking and standing at a traffic light. There is also a manual parking brake.

The version we drove had the largest engine offered, a fuel-injected 492cc single-cylinder with 40 hp, mated to a continuously variable transmission, as is typical with scooters. It also had a large, protective fairing and windshield.

The MP3 is hefty. It weighs 538 pounds and costs $8,899--more than many midsized motorcycles. Smaller versions, with 244 cc and 399 cc engines are available for $7,199 and $8,699, respectively.

Eric Evarts: The MP3 was the easiest and most relaxed of the three bikes, which is not surprising for a scooter. What did surprise me was the power from the big 500 cc model. The unique three-wheeled suspension was almost unnoticeable once I was on the bike. The only strange thing was trying to weave through potholes and not knowing exactly where the front wheels were. Piaggio claims the extra wheel gives the MP3 much better braking than most scooters, which seems plausible. The big fairing made riding fast more comfortable than on the other bikes. But for almost $9,000, I’d rather make a nice down payment on a Honda Fit.

Gabe Shenhar: What an engineering marvel! Just to behold that articulation of the two front wheels is a joy to the engineer in me. Riding it is a fuss-free, comfortable affair. It is fairly agile, although doesn’t encourage sporty driving. The ability to crawl or wait at a light without a foot on the ground is great for beginners, as well as for those who can afford the convenience. I only missed not seeing the front wheels and knowing exactly where I put them on the road, such as when trying to avoid a patch of oil on the road.

Jim Travers: The Piaggio MP3 is an interesting concept. Like the CanAm Spyder, it is a three-wheeler, with two wheels up front. But unlike the Spyder, the two wheels are close together, and a sophisticated suspension lets you lean in turns like a conventional motorcycle. This is good. But when stopped, you can lock the suspension so the bike holds itself up. That’s a convenience, I guess, and might work sort of like training wheels for a new rider. But two wheels will always weigh more than one, and the MP3 felt front-heavy to me. Extra weight plus added cost doesn’t add up to fun for me.

Also see our first impression of the Brammo electric motorcycles coming to Best Buy.

Read our scooter and motorcycle buying advice and ratings; watch our video scooter buyer's guide; and check our more motorcycle blogs.

Comments

[Daedal]

I think everyone is missing the point. The Piaggio MP3 can be used when two wheelers are normally put away. Rainy days and winter months are now viable times to ride. This is more of a car alternative other than a 2 wheeler alternative.

[David Brodbeck]

I realize this is nitpicking, but how is this a scooter? I thought a "scooter" was defined as something you could step through. The MP3 looks like you get a leg over and straddle it like a regular motorcycle.

[Frej Krook]

You *can* step through, the picture is on a funny angle.

IMO, your reviewers didn't have enough time to spend on the MP3. The whole reason behind the two wheels on the front is safety and stability. Yes to much better braking and standing up at lights, but the *overall* ride is far more stable. Obstacles that would give me pause on my two-wheeler like wet leaves, grooved pavement, gravel on curves, potholes, metal grating and wet pavement don't really bother the MP3 at all.

[James Wilkinson]

I have had my MP3 500 for one year now, 7320 miles. I have been a bike rider for 33 years. The MP3 is not the quickest I have ever been on but it is by far the bike with the most control. I hit some loose gravel a few weeks ago, had I been on a two wheeler I am sure I would have gone down. On the MP3 I slid a bit then on my way. The MP3 cost a bit more than I thought it should but with the water cooled engine I expect to be driving my MP3 for years to come. Be worth you time to test drive this one.

[Kelby Linn]

I'm 6'1" and have heard the MP3 500 is a bit cramped on leg space and seating. Also how comfortable of a scooter is it for 2 people on longer trips?

[Suk]

I have been riding the MP3 400 for almost a year now and although overall it has been a pleasant experience; at the end of the day I feel as if I was literally taken for a ride by the hype. I did buy this for the extra safety of the third wheel and it does make the bike feel a lot more stable than other comparable maxi-scooters at freeway speeds. What I have mostly been disappointed with is slow-speed handling of the bike. The heavy front-end makes it an exceptionally onerous task to control the bike out of my sloping driveway and onto a street that steeply slopes away from me. The suspension locking mechanism lets go as soon as I feather the throttle and the bike can tip over very quickly (has unfortunately happened to me twice) on the sideways slope. Overall the extra weight of the front-end completely negates; in my view; whatever stability it imparts in slow-speed motion. I am barely 6 ft tall and an ankle injury of the past plays up at times to make holding up heavy bikes bit of an issue. I had thought the MP3 would be a cheaper solution compared to a customized trike - but this is certainly no trike. It is just a very heavy (and overpriced) scoot trying to pose as a trike of sorts. I am happy that I will be trading up to a Can-Am Spyder next week. Now that is what I'd call a real thing with 3 wheels!

[Wayne B]

Suk,

Sounds like your problem is riding experience more than the MP3 ;) It's not a trike it's a motorcycle with 2 front wheels and will fall over. You should have figured that out on the test ride. :)
I am sure you will love the Cam Am it's just was not for me. I like to lean into turns not feel like I am going to be thrown off the seat like I did on the Cam Am.

Wayne B

[Mr. D Sr.]

I'm 65+ years old and have owned my MP3 250ie for 2 years now. It is more fun than my Honda VLX and gets a lot more attention. I agree that it is a little more cumbersome at speeds under 10 mph but so what, you learn to handle it. It carries everything you need under the seat and in the pass through trunk. Travels the freeways at 75+ mph and gets 60+ mpg. I'm no giant at 5'7" but it's very comfortable for me. I would love to trade up to a 400 but like any new inovation they depreciate way too much in the beginning. So I will stay with this unit and ride my VLX on long trips with my buds. It is a great transport for most of you sportsman, carries fishing equipment, golf clubs and Sunday bag. Parks anywhere and handles the road like no other bike. Some might think its overpriced and it may be. But I think some toys are worth more than others.

[Gianna]

Yikes. Not diggin' the look.

[john Q Public]

My review: I couldn't wait to buy this, yes the hype is good! Most of the sales went to inexperienced riders feeling safer. After 30 years of motorcycles I was bored and ready for change. I bought a new one June 2008 and loved the parallel front end. It is cool and has so many unique oddities. Keeping your feet up at a light and parking is a blast, it even rolls like a cart without the ignition. But, like The Emperor's New Clothes, I began to feel the gimmick wasn't worth the cost. So many little things made me feel like I was unpaid R&D for Piaggio. Loose bolts, hoses, wires... Every blog was full of frustration. Had I bought a Japanese machine, it would be tested first, marketed second. Piaggio like Ferrari is temperamental. Therefore, if you want, the technology is worth 10K. For me, it's not what Americans expect in a turn & go scooter. So, it's worth $5,000, but $10,000 out the door; no. It's just a single piston 500cc scooter, with some very innovative technology. The 3 wheel safety hype? I know people that have wrecked their MP3 and I know people that have not wrecked their 2 wheelers. So after 1 month I took a 2K loss and sold it, took the cash and bought a used Harley. I enjoy confident rides and know I got my money's worth. You see, my Harley cost over 20K out the door new and I paid half for used. I still think of that MP3 like an ex high maintenance girlfriend. I miss it, wish I could still ride it as a 2nd bike. In conclusion, why do you want a scooter when you can buy a car for 10K? If you know that and want one for the ride and if price is no object, get it. Otherwise buy a less expensive Japanese scooter with little or no maintenance and be careful, drive safe.

[Jerry W]

I've had my MP3 500 for a little over a year and rode it on a 2,431 mile trip from Dallas to Chattanooga, did the Dragon and then on to Greenville, SC, before returning to Dallas. It rides like a motorcycle (leans) and is NOTHING like a Can-Am Spyder which does not lean and is more like a car with a missing rear wheel. I only took up motorcycle riding last year, went through 4 in 6 months and settled on the MP3 because it fit all my needs -- cruising, city driving and it will even go off road better than most 2 wheelers. Six of us on MP3s rode the Dragon (312 curves in 11 miles) without mishap. We saw two Harleys go off the road (one into a ravine) and the ambulances come and take one Harley rider and one sports bike rider off. It is much more stable and has better braking.

As for slow maneuvering, I have a J Costa installed in mine and it does make that better but I still handle the rig fine though I am 5' 6" at most and weigh 145 with a 30" inseam. I plan to take a trip to CA next year and cover most of the western states on my way back though I am a relatively new rider. I did my trip alone last year and will do the one to CA the same. I get around very well considering I was born in 1933 and bought my first motorcycle just before I became 75 and became 76 one month after returning to TX this year. As for value, compared to a Harley I think it is a steal. I have a buddy with one; we ride together and he has more trouble keeping up with me than I do keeping up with him.

[David Hannum]

I bought an mp3 250 exactly one year ago and love it. I bought it to use mainly around town and for the vastly increased gas mileage over my Ford truck. With the built in storage under the seat and an added Givi 52 Liter topcase (hooked up to turn signals and brake lights), I have more than enough storage for everyday errands. It was several thousand more expensive that a regular scooter of the same size and quality but given the added braking power and stability it was worth it. People who piss and moan about the extra cost of an mp3 should consider how much one can spend in just a few minutes in an EMERGENCY ROOM. I ride it in all seasons and that includes winter. Just put on the balaclava, the leather jacket with liner and off we go.