MP3 500 Experience?

[mtwillyman]

My friend just got a new MP3 500. That thing is pretty cool. I rode it a bit and was impressed with the fit and finish of it. Anything good or bad to say by riders who have ridden/owned one? I liked the short stint I pulled on it.He has little bikey experience, thanx.

[JeffOlson]

They look pretty interesting. I went on a group ride last weekend with a couple dozen Vespa riders with a few MP3s and a few Urals thrown into the mix. The MP3s are very quick! (The Urals struggle up hills.) my wife is opposed the trikes, but the MP3s are very un-trike-like.

[ITSec]

Buddy of mine (also a Guzzisti) up in Minniso-dah has had one for a while. From what I gather, he, his son and his wife all fight over who gets to ride it. Their reports are good enough I'm keeping an eye open for one for my wife.

[Guido Valvole]

When I was freelancing to CNET back in 2008, Piaggio wanted them to test the MP3 500. Nobody on staff had a motorcycle license so I ended up with it for a week or so. It was interesting... same weight as a 1000 Le Mans and a 500cc single for power but a wide-ratio CVT so acceleration was as good or better than a V50 (yeah, that's damning with faint praise  ) and it cruised happily at 65-70 mph. 55mpg or so, enough storage space for a full-face helmet and other stuff, and a low center of gravity so it wasn't too unwieldy at low speeds. The scooter riding position takes some getting used to if you're a motorcycle type (mods vs. rockers?  ). Not something I'd buy but it works and you could easily tour on it. Front grip is *very* good but if anything goes wrong, it's complicated and gonna be $$$$ (cheap Guzzi owner content).
cr

[Arizona Wayne]

In Calif.  you don't need a MC license to ride a MP3 since it's a trike/sidecar rig. 

I have 2 MP3s (250-400)  I ride the 400 long distances and use the 250 for local runs.  The new 500 MP3s are a newer version of my 400 body.  I prefer the 400 for long distances over any of my MCs if the truth be known for solo riding.  It has enough power to do most anything you normally do and is comparable to most cars on freeways.  MP3s are so much more convenient and give you better weather protection while still enjoying the twisties.    Since they have a smaller gas tank(3.2) I carry 1 gal. plastic tank along out West on long rides just in case.  Had my MP3s for 6 years now.

[Arizona Wayne]

When I was freelancing to CNET back in 2008, Piaggio wanted them to test the MP3 500. Nobody on staff had a motorcycle license so I ended up with it for a week or so. It was interesting... same weight as a 1000 Le Mans and a 500cc single for power but a wide-ratio CVT so acceleration was as good or better than a V50 (yeah, that's damning with faint praise  ) and it cruised happily at 65-70 mph. 55mpg or so, enough storage space for a full-face helmet and other stuff, and a low center of gravity so it wasn't too unwieldy at low speeds. The scooter riding position takes some getting used to if you're a motorcycle type (mods vs. rockers?  ). Not something I'd buy but it works and you could easily tour on it. Front grip is *very* good but if anything goes wrong, it's complicated and gonna be $$$$ (cheap Guzzi owner content).
cr

I built a back rest for both my MP3s since my back doesn't like sitting upright for very long.  Ride my 400 70-75 mph most the time.  250 65 mph but it'll do up to 77 mph if needed.

[Ronkom]

I bought a "leftover" '09 June, 2014. I've put about 3K miles on it so far.  Arty issues in my back/hips/knees making getting on/off a motorcycle painful/shakey. Sold Gorgeous LeMans IV and a sweet Suzuki DR650 to buy the MP3. All that said-I love it! Perfect for all the errand running around town, + have done a couple several hundred mile days on it. Mounting the "hiway pegs" (mentioned below), makes a HUGE difference in comfort of stock seat.
 I have an HB 40L tail trunk on my EV, so I bought another mounting bracket & mounted it up on the MP3 rack.A bit of a hassle, but now I can just pop the trunk onto which ever machine I'm taking out. An interesting MP3 specific list on Modern Vespa.com,  Folks very similar to wildguzzisti, making/selling special bits (airbox mods, hiway pegs), lots of technical help etc. etc. Yes it is an expensive, complex machine, made in Italy, but if anyone should know what that entails, it's a Guzzi rider, LOL
ronkom

[guzziknight]

The local Vespa/Guzzi dealer let me take out a 2015 MP3 500. What a fun machine. Took a little bit to get used to the way it turns, but no issues. If I could afford, I would probably buy one...

[Arizona Wayne]

I bought a "leftover" '09 June, 2014. I've put about 3K miles on it so far.  Arty issues in my back/hips/knees making getting on/off a motorcycle painful/shakey. Sold Gorgeous LeMans IV and a sweet Suzuki DR650 to buy the MP3. All that said-I love it! Perfect for all the errand running around town, + have done a couple several hundred mile days on it. Mounting the "hiway pegs" (mentioned below), makes a HUGE difference in comfort of stock seat.
 I have an HB 40L tail trunk on my EV, so I bought another mounting bracket & mounted it up on the MP3 rack.A bit of a hassle, but now I can just pop the trunk onto which ever machine I'm taking out. An interesting MP3 specific list on Modern Vespa.com,  Folks very similar to wildguzzisti, making/selling special bits (airbox mods, hiway pegs), lots of technical help etc. etc. Yes it is an expensive, complex machine, made in Italy, but if anyone should know what that entails, it's a Guzzi rider, LOL
ronkom

For a top case on my `09 400 MP3 I use a Givi 36L saddlebag from 1 of my MCs.  Our earlier MP3s have a rear trunk lid like a car and the mount for the Givi bag lifts up when you want to get the MP3 truck lid.  I put my extra gas can on long trips in the trunk of the MP3.   The newer 500 MP3s don't have this feature.

[Testarossa]

Question re: MP3.  Do you have to put a foot down when stopped?  What keeps Gail from riding is leg length. She can't even reach the pavement from the Kymco scooter.

[Arizona Wayne]

Question re: MP3.  Do you have to put a foot down when stopped?  What keeps Gail from riding is leg length. She can't even reach the pavement from the Kymco scooter.

If you don't have 30" long legs you can't reasonably ride a MP3, unless you got thicker soles on your shoes/boots to offset this.   At the same time a MP3 doesn't have a sidestand and you can lock it upright at any angle of ground when you stop it.  Got our 250 MP3 for my wife but she has the same issue, so it's mine instead.  Could sell it but am too happy with it around town to do that.