Piaggio MP3 125 and 250

 

The MP3 three-wheeler opts for two wheels at the front and one wheel at the rear. The front axle is articulated and has a tilt angle of up to 40° (limited to around 35° for a two-wheeled scooter). The two front wheels are suspended independently of one another.

This three-wheeler is not self-supporting, i.e. you have to put your leg out when at a standstill to keep the MP3 balanced. However, an electro-hydraulic front suspension locking system is available as a cost option (price around £350). If the speed is between 23 and 10 kph (14 and 6 mph), the butterfly valve is closed and the revs are below 3,000 rpm, a sound and visual alert informs the rider that they can activate this lock by a switch operated by the right thumb, and the MP3 becomes self-supporting. Then they no longer have to put their foot down when at a standstill or use the central stand to park the MP3, particularly since it is equipped with a parking brake! The tilt mechanism is automatically released as soon as the speed exceeds 15 kph (9 mph), the butterfly valve opens or the engine rpm goes above 3,000.

Even more amazing, the MP3 is as easy to ride as a traditional scooter. Inevitably dubious, a regular two-wheel rider is soon convinced of the advantages of the formula.

The front axle is only 420 mm wide, which means that the MP3 can be homologated as a two-wheeler. The width at the handlebar is only 745 mm - the same as the Piaggio X9. In other words, threading one's way through urban congestion is no more difficult than with any other GT scooter. A relative heaviness in steering at slow speeds is just perceptible - explained by a more marked distribution of mass at the front (51% front / 49% rear, as opposed to 40/60% on a classic scooter) and the substantial weight of the machine - but nothing that will trouble a rider already used to big GT scooters. Cornering is without excessive restraint and the road grip immediately puts you at ease. In short, the MP3 handles like any other two-wheeler, and you soon forget its technical originality and concentrate on riding; the MP3 particularly appreciates dynamic riding.

In a straight line, at low or high speeds, this three-wheeler displays impeccable stability. But it is above all in corners and when braking that its performance is staggering. It seems impossible to reach the limits of the front axle literally rooted to the ground, whereas front grip is precisely the weak point of two-wheel scooters. In tight bends, the limits of ground clearance are rapidly reached, while it remains possible to tilt even further. Truly amazing!

When braking, Piaggio mentions stopping distances reduced by 20% on dry roads and 24% on wet, compared to a traditional scooter. It has to be said that with its two front disc brakes, the contact surface offered by the two tyres and the favourable mass distribution, the MP3 has excellent predispositions. Here too, the skid limits at the front during heavy braking seem extremely distant, even without ABS, whereas this is another "structural" weak point of a two-wheel scooter. In the absence of a combined braking system it is, on the other hand, a little trickier to measure out the rear disc brake.

Besides the now classic electronic immobiliser system with coded key, the MP3 offers all the practical aspects that the user is entitled to expect of a GT scooter.

It has a vast underseat storage compartment, with room for two full-face helmets or objects up to a metre in length. Access is by flipping the seat up forwards or via the rear boot lid, as on the X8. This dual access can also be controlled from a distance, by remote control. It is also possible to carry a large travel bag on the footrest: handy for getting to the airport, for example.

As for comfort, the performance of the MP3 is remarkable at front axle level, thanks to the presence of two shock absorbers that are more efficient than the fork of a classic scooter. By comparison, the two independent rear shock absorbers seem very dry. Nevertheless, on the whole, the assessment is satisfactory. The passenger has been very much taken into consideration at the rear (backrest, large grab rails...).

60 years after launching the Vespa, Piaggio is now setting itself apart by innovating on territory where other manufacturers have proved to be more cautious. The MP3 is particularly efficient and reassuring. At £3,600 - an intentionally affordable price for most - the offer will not go unnoticed. You can try the MP3 at all Piaggio dealers, who will be distributing it from late summer.