Piaggio MP3 500, an alternative?

[Derwin]

Semi.... Sorry to hear about your loss. I've also lost a close friend due to an accident they say was caused by a vehicle failure. Not a bike, but a car. I would hate to see something like that happen with somebody riding a Spyder, but these are machines made by human-beings which are fallible.

I still buy products made by the "big 3" automakers, even though there have been a "zillion" recalls that have caused many deaths. It would be the same way with BRP and Piaggio. As a matter of fact, BRP has legal action against them as we speak due to the death of a girl that was riding one of their skeedoo's. The complainant states that there was a flaw in the Skeedo that caused her death. They claim there was a design flaw in the unit made by BRP. You can actually watch the proceedings on CourtTV. It's been going on for the last week or so now.

I'm sure many people buy BRP products, including the Spyder, even though they have pending lawsuits against them, including this product negligence lawsuit. It doesn't mean that BRP products are all garbage, including the Spyder. It most likely means that there was something wrong with THAT PARTICULAR unit.

But I feel with you, man. I might just feel the same way if I were in your shoes.

Derwin

 

[Ray R]

because of a sunspension failure on one of the first MP3's

Sorry about your loss. That had to be terrible.

I don't mean to open old wounds. But can you describe in more detail what happened with the suspension? I'm seriously considering a MP3, and would like more info about any potential failures.

Is her case documented anywhere?

 

[DrKnowItAll]

My brother in law owns a MP3 500. I've had the pleasure of riding it several times. When he first bought it, we thought it was simply a 3 wheeled automatic motorcycle... Neither of us were impressed. I decided to put deposit down on SE5 Spyder after initially reacting to Piaggio.. He kept it, kept riding it, and it kept growing on him. I kept riding it more as well and it has grown on me too. I think it's a great piece of machinery. It handles well, the gas mileage is phenomenal and the service quality from Piaggio has been stellar. The 500 can get up to around 90 mph which is plenty speed for most. I've considered several times forfeiting my deposit and getting one. The wait for the SE5 plays brutal tricks on your psychology. But since so many have started to recieve theirs, I anticipate mine will arrive sooner than later. I know this is a Spyder site but we're all reasonable people here. I think the Piaggio is a great trike and I give it positive reviews in every aspect. The gas mileage is by far the best incentive to owning one of these.

 

[Greg H.]

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!).
Derwin

You just said it! The MP3 500 is a Scooter. That's about as removed as you can get from a Spyder. :shocked:

 

[Putt-Putt]

Well I've never ridden a MP3. But I do like the gas mileage, and if it is made by Vespa it should be good. I have ridden Vespa's and they are as good as it gets for scooters.

 

[Derwin]

You just said it! The MP3 500 is a Scooter. That's about as removed as you can get from a Spyder. :shocked:

Well, how is a "scooter" different than a "motorcycle"....or any other 2 or 3 wheeled vehicle that gets a person around? The MP3 has a 500cc engine....pretty good if you ask me. A lot of small motorcycles don't have that! The only visable difference that I can see is that a "scooter" has a small platform to put your feet on. Other than that, it's a motor vehicle like any other. The Piaggio MP3 is a great vehicle, no matter what you want to call it. It's far better than a whole lot of vehicles that people call "motorcycles", but just because it has a platform to put your feet on, are we supposed to think less of it? Sounds silly to me.

Like I said in a previous post.... The "BEST" vehicle (Spyder vs. Piaggio) is defined by ONLY the INDIVIDUAL who is looking (although you CAN independently look at various aspects of a vehicle to see the quality and specs, of course!) If a person has absolutely no need for a Spyder, does not like it, and has absolutely no use for it or intention on buying it, then its obviously not the "best" vehicle for THEM and for what they intend on using it for. I, personally, like BOTH vehicles, no matter what you want to call them. The Spyder fits my needs the best, though, and that's what I ordered.

I just agree with marcel in that it does not matter WHAT a person rides, as long as THEY like it and enjoy it.

Derwin

 

[Greg H.]

Well, how is a "scooter" different than a "motorcycle"....or any other 2 or 3 wheeled vehicle that gets a person around? The MP3 has a 500cc engine....pretty good if you ask me. A lot of small motorcycles don't have that! The only visable difference that I can see is that a "scooter" has a small platform to put your feet on. Other than that, it's a motor vehicle like any other. The Piaggio MP3 is a great vehicle, no matter what you want to call it. It's far better than a whole lot of vehicles that people call "motorcycles", but just because it has a platform to put your feet on, are we supposed to think less of it? Sounds silly to me.

Like I said in a previous post.... The "BEST" vehicle (Spyder vs. Piaggio) is defined by ONLY the INDIVIDUAL who is looking (although you CAN independently look at various aspects of a vehicle to see the quality and specs, of course!) If a person has absolutely no need for a Spyder, does not like it, and has absolutely no use for it or intention on buying it, then its obviously not the "best" vehicle for THEM and for what they intend on using it for. I, personally, like BOTH vehicles, no matter what you want to call them. The Spyder fits my needs the best, though, and that's what I ordered.

I just agree with marcel in that it does not matter WHAT a person rides, as long as THEY like it and enjoy it.

Derwin

Again; I'm not knocking the MP3 500. I think they are very cool! I completely agree, too, that whatever makes a person happy is what counts. That's really all that matters.

Corvettes are Awesome (wish I could afford one)! And, Certainly; so is the Murcielago! :thumbup: They both do the job very well. They're just different animals. And, this is how I choose to compare the two aforementioned vehicles.

For sure; the fact that it has a 500cc engine qualifies it more as a 'motorcycle' doesn't it? Half the size of the Spyder engine, but hearty!

And, I don't even like calling the Spyder a motorcycle. To me, it's a Roadster. It's unique! It's different! Funny thing is, my wife said she will probably always call it a bike! Ha! Oh well.

 

[Derwin]

And, I don't even like calling the Spyder a motorcycle. To me, it's a Roadster. It's unique! It's different! Funny thing is, my wife said she will probably always call it a bike! Ha! Oh well.

Yep! It IS unique! I think that's why so many people absolutely LOVE the Spyder. It's also why I ordered one. :2thumbs: But PAYING for it is a whole other matter. Still nobody interested in a nice VogueOne vehicle? It has 3 wheels...and it TILTS! It also gets around 80 miles per gallon. Very cool thing to bounce around town in. Go see it at www.FlyTheRoadNow.com

Derwin

I think you can tell I am REALLY pushing this thing. I want my Spyder, and need to scratch-up some scratch!

 

[mrfilovirus]

Derwin - shouldn't your spyder be sitting at the dealership already?

 

[Derwin]

Derwin - shouldn't your spyder be sitting at the dealership already?

Well, I told Brett (dealership manager) to contact me when it arrives, but he still has not contacted me. So I really don't know where my Spyder is at this point in time. It's probably for the good anyway since I don't have all of the cash to pay for it. By the way, mrfilovirus..... Are you interested in getting the VogueOne as a nice little "toy"? I'd be glad to send you one. I know.... I'm shameless.

Derwin

 

[GoodHouse]

Derwin - Do you have a regular job besides selling the vogueone's? My question is because it seems like when you talk about finances your only source of money can come from the vogue's. If you are having a tough time selling them, i would try walking up to some mom/pop stores and asking if you can put one out in the front of their store property on a main road and give them a piece of the pie for commission. Or try and go to a local bank / festival / charity / radio station and since these vogues are unique offer to sell one to the establishment so they can auction them off or give one away. Maybe offer to give one away to a radio station so they can give one away in a contest on the radio therefore you can get your website out there with free plugs. You need exposure to sell those things. They are neat looking and inexpensive but i would never buy one through the internet. I dont know anyone who would.

 

[Derwin]

They are neat looking and inexpensive but i would never buy one through the internet. I dont know anyone who would.

That's pretty strange. Literally BILLIONS of dollars in commerce takes place over the internet on a daily basis. There are tons of protections in place to help the consumer and the seller. Back in the 1990's it was risky, but not really in todays world. I have sold MANY of these over the internet, and I know a whole lot of people/companies that have sold scooters, motorcycles, and most every type of product over the internet. It's a great place to market items. But you are not alone in your "fear" of the internet. MANY people feel the same way as you.

As to your question...I make money by marketing various products.

Thanks for your suggestions on marketing the VogueOne. I have a good marketing plan that will be coming into affect next month, but I don't think it will kick-in in time to get the Spyder I have on order. This is why I was mentioning it on this thread.

If you think the vehicle is cool, and you are interested in it, feel free to give me a call. You can even come over to our warehouse in Rockdale, Illinois to check one out in person.

Derwin

 

[GoodHouse]

Derwin

I never mentioned anything about purchasing the vogue would be risky, i just said i wouldnt do it. That vogue is a product that is not mainstream. Its rare and the general public does not know about its reliability, looks, safety, feel of driving etc. Its not like buying a used honda civic on ebay. And its too expensive to take a chance on like buying gorilla hooks from as seen on tv. So purchasing off the internet site unseen or tested will never work unless somehow nationally it picks up major recognition. Its a vehicle which is never a simple purchase. Most practical people will not dump 2500 on a vehicle not seen or tested and most will not go to ILL to check them out. Its just not practical IMHO. If i saw one locally here in CT i would definitely check them out because 2500 is cheap for a cool toy like that. Good luck

My point is even approaching a local powersport dealership would be a good idea for marketing your machine.

 

[Derwin]

So purchasing off the internet site unseen or tested will never work unless somehow nationally it picks up major recognition. Its a vehicle which is never a simple purchase. Most practical people will not dump 2500 on a vehicle not seen or tested and most will not go to ILL to check them out..

Well, I guess I respectfully dissagree with your opinion. I have witnessed far too many products of even higher cost and less recognition sell over the internet "sight unseen" by people from across the country, and, in fact, from other parts of the world. I have been in marketing for over 20 years, and have seen most everything. But I do appreciate your suggestions, and I respect your opinion. :thumbup:

Derwin

 

[bjt]

Well, how is a "scooter" different than a "motorcycle"....or any other 2 or 3 wheeled vehicle that gets a person around? The MP3 has a 500cc engine....pretty good if you ask me. A lot of small motorcycles don't have that! The only visable difference that I can see is that a "scooter" has a small platform to put your feet on. Other than that, it's a motor vehicle like any other. The Piaggio MP3 is a great vehicle, no matter what you want to call it. It's far better than a whole lot of vehicles that people call "motorcycles", but just because it has a platform to put your feet on, are we supposed to think less of it? Sounds silly to me.

Derwin

To me, the difference between a scooter and a motorcycle is the transmission. Most scooters I know of have an automatic transmission of some type. There is no gear shifting done by the rider at all. Most motorcycles have a manual shift transmission. Those that don't have a fully manual shift, like the SE5, may require rider shifting at some point and allow for that.

 

[Derwin]

To me, the difference between a scooter and a motorcycle is the transmission. Most scooters I know of have an automatic transmission of some type. There is no gear shifting done by the rider at all. Most motorcycles have a manual shift transmission. Those that don't have a fully manual shift, like the SE5, may require rider shifting at some point and allow for that.

But to my point..... What is the difference that should cause one person to think themselves better than another simply because one is riding a machine that has an automatic transmission (scooter and some motorcycles), and the other is riding a machine with a manual transmission (most motorcycles)? I'm sure a whole lot of motorcycle riders also drive a car of some kind that has an automatic transmission. Should people feel "superior" because they own a car that they have to shift themselves? Ridiculous, right? I feel the same way about this discussion of motorcycles vs. scooters....It's just pretty childish if you ask me. Personally, I love shifting gears in a car or truck, but I don't feel "superior" for doing it!

Derwin

 

[GoodHouse]

Ive been very interested in the Mp3 500 for some time now. Its what i was originally looking into and then stumbled upon the spyder. Well today for the first time i saw an mp3 400 in person in traffic next to me. I thought it looked great, and it definitely had pep it was beating all the cars from the line light to light. I'm glad i finally saw one. Because now i definitely know i made the correct choice in the spyder. Theres no doubt as for as commuting is concerned the mp3 is the most practical choice. Due to the price, mpg, etc its a very practical buy thats safe and fun. But I am not buying a motorcycle/scooter for the practical purpose but for a fun purpose. And the spyder is just that, fun! Its got the power, looks, and fun factor i am looking for. If you sat and mp3 and a spyder next to each other, i bet most would want to jump on the spyder first... thats how i feel about it. I cant wait much longer for my se5!

 

[axhead]

Ive been very interested in the Mp3 500 for some time now. Its what i was originally looking into and then stumbled upon the spyder. Well today for the first time i saw an mp3 400 in person in traffic next to me. I thought it looked great, and it definitely had pep it was beating all the cars from the line light to light. I'm glad i finally saw one. Because now i definitely know i made the correct choice in the spyder. Theres no doubt as for as commuting is concerned the mp3 is the most practical choice. Due to the price, mpg, etc its a very practical buy thats safe and fun. But I am not buying a motorcycle/scooter for the practical purpose but for a fun purpose. And the spyder is just that, fun! Its got the power, looks, and fun factor i am looking for. If you sat and mp3 and a spyder next to each other, i bet most would want to jump on the spyder first... thats how i feel about it. I cant wait much longer for my se5!

You couldn't be more correct about the "wow" factor. My wife and I have had the Spyder and the MP3 both at several rallies, local events, shows. The reaction is always the same - "wow, awesome, etc. on the Spyder", and "OH, it has 3 wheels too" on the MP3 500". So if you looking for unique looks, attention, etc get the Spyder. It just wasn't for me.
Wayne

 

[Derwin]

If you sat and mp3 and a spyder next to each other, i bet most would want to jump on the spyder first... thats how i feel about it. I cant wait much longer for my se5!

Absolutely! What clinched it for me was when I actually test drove it in Wilmington, Illinois. The "wow" factor is with both vehicles, but the Spyder DOES win hands down on that. Also, I feel that the Spyder is just so much more stable and much more safe to ride than ANY 2 wheeled (or 3 wheeled tilting) vehicle.

Very good post. You summed up my feelings exactly!

Derwin