Advice on piaggio MP3

[bfree]

Thinking about switching to a 3 wheeler. Any advice on a MP3 or any other 3 wheeler? The front suspension sort of look like big money problems.

[severely]

Owned one for 4 years now, no problems. Good luck.

[bfree]

Thanks

[Zinfan]

Go here http://modernvespa.com/forum/forum13 for all the info and expert riders you would want.

[Arizona Wayne]

I've ridden 2 MP3s for about 9 years now.   In fact just yesterday Tom Au (`80 Guzzi 1000 SP) and I got home to my place in Kingman, Az. from Carson City, Nev. yesterday afternoon after leaving for same place last Wednesday.  I ride my `09 400 MP3 all over the country.   Use my 250 MP3 for local stuff.  Both are bullet proof for me except the factory has over tightened the front suspension when assembled.  If you have some mechanical abilities you can correct that yourself complements of instructions from an MP3 owner on modernVespa.com like many of us have.   Or if you buy the MP3 new you can have it done under warranty if the front suspension starts acting up.  This is the only issue I've had in both my MP3s.  No other trike let's you still lean in the corners like a MP3 does.   

So far I've ridden my 400 to northern Idaho, Colorado, most of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada from Arizona.  Get 60 mpg most the time and I can carry more stuff on it than  any other bike I've ever had except a sidecar rig.  They also give me more weather protection than any bike I've ever ridden. I call them a poor man's trike that leans.

[pehayes]

Thinking about switching to a 3 wheeler. Any advice on a MP3 or any other 3 wheeler?

Odd question.  All of the other 3-wheelers run flat to the road and steer like a car.  The MP3 leans like a motorcycle and requires counter steering.  It only uses the 3-wheel stability when it is stopped.  Best of both worlds if your concern is low speed stability.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[SLDMRossi]

You'll come to appreciate the three brakes!

SR

[pyoungbl]

Our Ducati/Triumph dealer has had a used MP3 400 on the lot for about 2 years now.  I think he's asking $3500.  The machine has 4200 miles.  http://www.redlinemotors.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventory
The Richmond Triumph/Guzzi dealer also had a used one when I visited there about a month ago.  I mention this because both machines seem to be slow sellers.  Maybe that's because they are such an odd duck.  At any rate they seem to have a very loyal but small following so you should be able to get a good deal on a low mileage unit.

[bfree]

Thanks for all the replies. No one has any complaints about the suspension.

[gearman]

I test rode one one and it scared me. I guess I am different.

[twowheeladdict]

I test rode one one and it scared me. I guess I am different.

What scared you about it?  I assumed one wouldn't even notice the difference when moving.

[rbond]

I had read that there is a ongoing problem with steering head bearings and Piaggio is rather slow at fixing them under warranty. Other than that they are good machines.

[Arizona Wayne]

In rainy conditions riding a MP3 with 2 wheels up front is like driving a car.  No more worries about the front wheel possibly sliding out like on a MC.  The front wheels are independantly sprung and if 1 of them goes over an object you hardly feel it.  Yes, it feels different than a MC because it IS different, in a good way. There is no sidestand.  When you stop you can lock  it upright afterward if you want to.  It has a parking brake if you need it on a slope.  You can even lock it upright on uneven ground.  When it's locked upright it's easy, peasy to roll around even when loaded up with camping gear.   Very easy to put on it's centerstand even when heavy.   MP3 has many features no other rig has.    Because of it's seat shape I put both my feet down when I stop.

The headlights work really good too.  There's a light under the seat for when you raise it to put stuff under the seat.  My 400 has a rear trunk lid(where I keep my 1gal. of extra gas) but the newer 500s don't have that feature.

[Arizona Wayne]

I had read that there is a ongoing problem with steering head bearings and Piaggio is rather slow at fixing them under warranty. Other than that they are good machines.

This issue is just loosening the tightness a bit and greasing the races.  You get a bolt with a zerk fitting and as needed periodically regrease the bearings.  It took a MP3 owner to show Piaggio how to fix this issue. 

[Zinfan]

What scared you about it?  I assumed one wouldn't even notice the difference when moving.

Other than the front end seeming to be just a bit "heavier" than a standard bike handling you can't really tell the difference once moving.

[Arizona Wayne]

Other than the front end seeming to be just a bit "heavier" than a standard bike handling you can't really tell the difference once moving.

That's because it is heavier and more solid.   You have 2 wheels on the front, not 1.  But they lean just like 1. 
Also on a MP3 when you grab a handfull of front brake your front end doesn't take a dive like on a MC.  + you have 3 tires stopping you, not 2. 

Maxi-scooters have a linked braking system similar to Tonti Guzzis where 1 brake lever is for the front brake and 1 lever is for the other front & rear brakes.  So it's very hard to lock up a brake when stopping fast.  Your brake control is all in your hands.