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Piaggio MP3 500, an alternative?

A

axhead

New member
I'm a "Spyder Spouse". However, after several rides on my wife's Spyder, I chose a different route. I purchased a Piaggio MP3 500 scooter. See www.piaggiousa.com if you aren't familiar with it. Although, also a 3-wheeler, the approach is entirely different. Two front wheels are articulated so that it leans like a conventional cycle or scooter. Before discounting this bike (available in 250cc, 400cc, and 500cc), take a test ride. Handling is excellent, performance is good with plenty of power for interstate travel, and Piaggio has been building scooters forever. Thus far, I've experienced an average of 55mpg. Build quality is excellent.
I ride with a group that is mostly 1000cc or up, and have had no problems keeping up with the group, mountains or highway.
Like the Spyder, it has no shield - Marcel is custom fabricating one for me to solve that issue.
Like most European scooters, the seat is terrible. I plan on having the seat modified this Fall by either Russell or Bill Mayer Saddles to solve that.
All in all, I love the bike. It cost $6600 less than the Spyder, outhandles my 750 Yamaha Virago, and draws almost as big a crowd as the Spyder.
I realize this is a Can Am Forum, but having seen several, less than complimentary comments on this and another Forum about the MP3, I thought it might be beneficial for Y'all to hear from a rider with 35+ years of riding experience who owns one.

Wayne Hall
Whitesburg, TN
 
axhead said:
I'm a "Spyder Spouse". However, after several rides on my wife's Spyder, I chose a different route. I purchased a Piaggio MP3 500 scooter. See www.piaggiousa.com if you aren't familiar with it. Although, also a 3-wheeler, the approach is entirely different. Two front wheels are articulated so that it leans like a conventional cycle or scooter. Before discounting this bike (available in 250cc, 400cc, and 500cc), take a test ride. Handling is excellent, performance is good with plenty of power for interstate travel, and Piaggio has been building scooters forever. Thus far, I've experienced an average of 55mpg. Build quality is excellent.
I ride with a group that is mostly 1000cc or up, and have had no problems keeping up with the group, mountains or highway.
Like the Spyder, it has no shield - Marcel is custom fabricating one for me to solve that issue.
Like most European scooters, the seat is terrible. I plan on having the seat modified this Fall by either Russell or Bill Mayer Saddles to solve that.
All in all, I love the bike. It cost $6600 less than the Spyder, outhandles my 750 Yamaha Virago, and draws almost as big a crowd as the Spyder.
I realize this is a Can Am Forum, but having seen several, less than complimentary comments on this and another Forum about the MP3, I thought it might be beneficial for Y'all to hear from a rider with 35+ years of riding experience who owns one.

Wayne Hall
Whitesburg, TN
Click to expand...
Saw a Piaggio MP3 500 at the Portland, IN scooter meet a couple of weeks back. It had Illinois plates. It also had a large, flared windshield. Someone is already making them. No way to see over the darned thing, however...too tall.
-Scotty
 
I tried the Piaggio too and was impressed. I liked that it leaned in turns. However, being vertically challenged, the Spyder works better for me.
 
GIVI makes one but I wasn't impressed with it. It's fairly large so that may be what you saw. Piaggio makes a factory shield, but its got lots of mounting hardware and doesn't really provide full protection in rain. It's also pretty short, and I think you'd get some helmet buffeting with it.
 
Semi said:
You can not compare that peace of s*** with a spyder!
Click to expand...

Well it's clear you don't know anything about the Mp3's - Next to the Spyder they are one of the most safest bikes on the road. The dual tire suspension is a one of a kind and don't be surprised if you see more bikes with this set-up. I owned the MP 250, when they came out.

It's a great bike for touring, quiet - quick, and cheap to buy and operate.
 
Semi instead of posting a derogatory statement that is of little or likely no use why don't you try to articulate a statement that would illustrate your disagreements with the MP3's. I find your lack of tact to be less than useful on this forum and would appreciate it if you could be both respectful and informative. Thanks in advance.
 
MP3

Hi and Hello to all.
Slowly but surely, it just is not funny anymore
what I read here.:mad::mad::mad:
I do believer, that it does NOT matter, what bike
someone drives.
:clap: Drive what suits you best.:clap:
I thing that's a shame, that there are still in 2008
people use a forum for nasty words and low end comments or just onside statements in there post.
I really don't judge anybody no matter what there drive
and what there wear.
I love to ride and meet people from all Groups and Ages.
Just let us have some fun on the road.
See, I rather ride with a group of people with
different models and brands than a "mono" cultured
group. Just for the fun of it.
Sorry, but those attacks just go to far (at least for me).
That's it for me.
Marcel
 
Was looking at MP3/500, decent ride, interesting front suspension. DON'T forget to lock it when you come to a stop! Couldn't find enough storage, and less than 4 gal. tank. I think I like my Spyder better. (Could be I'm biased.)
 
retread said:
Was looking at MP3/500, decent ride, interesting front suspension. DON'T forget to lock it when you come to a stop! Couldn't find enough storage, and less than 4 gal. tank. I think I like my Spyder better. (Could be I'm biased.)
Click to expand...

Well your right it's not a Spyder in any form but then again I paid around 6K for my MP3 250. You only use the lock when your getting off the bike so you don't need a stand - some guys use the Suspension lock at a long traffic light, it will unlock when you increase the throttle or hit around 5 mph. You can store a full face helmet in the trunk and there's plenty of storage under the seat for a few other items. Regarding the tank I was getting around 200 miles on a tank. For the rider who still like to have the feel of a bike with leaning and the security of two wheels up front, the Piaggio MP3's are a great alternative.

By the way here's some great reading for those interested:

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/2008-piaggio-mp3-500-ie-review-84851.html

http://www.modernvespa.com/forum/topic7574.html
 
Last edited:
Marcel July said:
Hi and Hello to all.
Slowly but surely, it just is not funny anymore
what I read here.:mad::mad::mad:
I do believer, that it does NOT matter, what bike
someone drives.
:clap: Drive what suits you best.:clap:
I thing that's a shame, that there are still in 2008
people use a forum for nasty words and low end comments or just onside statements in there post.
I really don't judge anybody no matter what there drive
and what there wear.
I love to ride and meet people from all Groups and Ages.
Just let us have some fun on the road.
See, I rather ride with a group of people with
different models and brands than a "mono" cultured
group. Just for the fun of it.
Sorry, but those attacks just go to far (at least for me).
That's it for me.
Marcel
Click to expand...

Well spoken Marcel. :agree:
 
Semi said:
You can not compare that peace of s*** with a spyder!
Click to expand...
Actually, I can and Did. My wife has owned a Spyder for 3 months so I had time for a fairly in depth analysis. I also researched the bike via internet both on European and USA sites.
Comparison:
Spyder / MP3 500
Cost $15,499 / $8899
MPG 35 / 55
Performance outstanding / good even on Interstate
Handling very good / very good
Stock seat very good / horrible
Brakes good - squeal / good - no squeal
Fit & Finish good / very good
Met my needs NO / Yes
First service $280 / $160

To use the derogatory remark that was used to describe this product show a lack of knowledge of Piaggio/Vespa quality and performance. From a cost/benefit standpoint the Piaggio won, hands down, for ME. I continue to be impressed with its performance and handling and its consistent 55 mpg. My dealer (Destination Cycles in Knoxville) is exceptional - courteous, friendly and committed to customer service - just the opposite of what I experienced with the Knoxville Can AM dealer.

So, ride what you will, but don't condemn another's ride unless you can back it up with facts and figures, and personal riding experience.
 
Last edited:
I find this thread interesting in a few ways. One thing that is cool is the fact that the starter of the post now has both a Spyder, and a MP3 500. Nice balance. :)

However; comparing an MP3 500 to the Spyder is much like comparing a Corvette to a Lamborghini Murcielago. While in some ways they do the same things, in other ways, the comparison is unfair. You can also use the Mazda Miata to Honda S2000 for a comparo, if you wish.

The MP3 500 is Economy. The Spyder is an Exotic. Something else that comes to mind here is the fact that the Spyder is an ultra-stable platform. The MP3 500 isn't. Again; I'm not knocking the MP3 500. With the exception of both the MP3 500 and the Spyder having 3 wheels, they really do not share much.

At this time, there is no other vehicle on the market that should be compared to a Can-Am Spyder. Nothing exists. The Honda Goldwing Trike while has to be a touring dynamo. But, it doesn't handle very well. The T-Rex is $50,000! Needless to say, the T-Rex is Exotic! :) But, practical? Not to my bank account!
 
Last edited:
Ah, heck, I may as well jump in on this!

I have been looking at the CanAm Spyder and the Piaggio MP3 for some time now. As you all know, I decided upon the Spyder. They are BOTH great products, in quality as well as just plain fun. I think they are in different catagories, though. I would feel VERY comfortable riding the Spyder cross-country on a major road trip. But I don't know if I would feel the same way about the Piaggio, altough I think the Piaggio is more than capable of doing it. As with MOST things, this is a personal taste type of choice.

It is a well-known fact that the Piaggio MP3 is considered the very Best when it comes to scooters. And that is what the MP3 is....a 500cc scooter (also 250 and 400cc!). I don't understand how people can say that you can't compare the MP3 with the Spyder....of course you can! I have been doing it for the past year. But each person makes the comparison based on PERSONAL preferences and needs. There are a heck of a lot of people that simply prefer the Piaggio MP3 over the Spyder. Many compared both products, and decided the MP3 meets their needs and desires better. Others, obviously, have come to the conclusion that the Spyder meets their needs best, me included. Now I just have to figure out how to pay for it! :D

Marcel.....Good words that we all should remember. Thanks!

Derwin
 
MP 3

Sorry guys for that bad words but my girlfriend died because of a sunspension failure on one of the first MP3's :(. Now i have a spyder and up to now it is a great vehicle and absolutly not compareable with the piaggio.
I agree with some of you It seams to be a great technology but personaly i hate that vehicle!!!

Sorry again!
 
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