Looks like the Telegraph got their hands on the MP3 and gave it the “who’s yer daddy”. It’s a very short piece, but this paragraph really stood out…
Telegraph | Motoring | Three wheels are hard to crash: “The real test was tough, though: I found a corner with a deep line of gravel around the outside and pointed the MP3 at it while leaning over. The front slid and my leg flailed, but instead of being upended, as I certainly would have been on a two-wheeler, the MP3 understeered through, then carried on unflustered.”
This should mean a LOT to anyone who has gotten a little scare from sliding on gravel. There was another line which I didn’t really like that said the scooter weighs 60 lbs more than a similarly powered scooter so the take off on the 250 was…s l o w.
If the 250 is slow to accelerate, imagine what the 125 is going to do. Turtle’s are stable too.
14. June 2006 at 10:36 pm
I hope an american finally publishes something on the MP3. I would like to know when it will be here also how much?
15. June 2006 at 5:51 am
I know I’m looking forward to reviewing it, but it’s not in country yet.
15. June 2006 at 11:38 am
I think the reason why Piaggio isn’t bringing the 250cc into the US is because they plan on skipping it entirely (from the US lineup, that is). I’ve a hunch they’ll go for the big one (400cc) as the alternative variant. The US lineup will be the 125cc for light ‘burb commuting (and the such) and the 400cc for heavier-duty stuff. At least that’s what I suspect.
15. June 2006 at 1:29 pm
I called our local Piaggio dealer who called his regional rep about this machine. They said they doubt the mP3 will EVER hit US shores.
15. June 2006 at 3:40 pm
Though it looks odd, the MP3 would be perfect for the US market. We are a country with a diverse range of climates. A machine that could handle the colder ones (with the addition of winter tires) would really extend the riding season for many riders.
15. June 2006 at 3:42 pm
Weird. I live in the boonies of Europe (Romania) and when I called my Piaggio rep they said they’d been offered the MP3 by Piaggio Italy, but unsure of market feedback they had put them on hold for now (currently they’re only bringing them in per special command). Truth be told, I don’t quite understand why they did this, since the price of the 250 MP3 is the same as that of the 250 Bev/X9.
Paul
15. June 2006 at 9:22 pm
This is just my opinion but I think the reps. are telling people that the mp3 probably won’t come to their area because they are afraid we will wait for it and they won’t be able to sell what they have on the floor now.