Review: Piaggio MP3 Scooter

MP3’S THIRD WHEEL

March 2008 By Brett Solomon

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MP3. When you see that file extension acronym in E-Gear Magazine, 99 percent of the time it is going to be associated with a portable music player or device making it easier for you to listen to your tunes. But Piaggio, the Italian scooter manufacturer has something else in mind. The clever marketing department figured they would tie-in with the famous MP3 moniker to persuade a younger, hipper audience to launch a unique vehicle. Along with other bystanders at the New York Motorcycle Show, I did a double-take when I came across the MP3 by Piaggio. “What the heck is that?” Clearly, the MP3 is like no other motorcycle, scooter, or motorized vehicle on the road.

Why? Because it has three wheels! And, before you ask, yes it can tip over if you try and ‘lay ‘er down,’ just like any other motorcycle or scooter. However, the three wheels add a tremendous amount of stability and confidence to the driver. If you never thought you would ever get on a scooter, the MP3 might just convert you. The magic happens with a push of a button on the right handlebar. This button either locks or unlocks the cantilever suspension system. So, when you are above 5 MPH, you push the button to unlock the suspension and allow the vehicle to lean through the turns. This is the difference between ‘riding’ the MP3 and ‘driving’ a car—the ability to lean into the turns. However, below 5 MPH another press of the button locks the electro-hydraulic suspension. This means the scooter can remain upright while at a standstill. The upright locking is by far one of the coolest features: If you need to input data into your motorcycle-friendly Garmin Zumo 550 GPS unit at a traffic light, you can do so without trying to accomplish the task without your feet balancing 450 pounds of motorcycle between your legs. Moreover, it also means that there is no need to put the vehicle on its stand, ensuring easy parking.

The process is simple. Hop on the scooter and fire it up making sure your hands are on both hand-mounted brake controls. If you want the MP3 to give you confidence, leave the button engaged that locks the suspension so you have ‘training wheels’ when you start off (it only works at speeds lower than 5 MPH). Just twist the throttle and go- Piaggio’s ‘Twist and Go’ automatic CVT with torque server means that you do not have to worry about shifting with your left foot and operating a clutch with your left hand. As soon as you get rolling (remember that on a scooter or motorcycle, speed provides stability so your confidence level automatically increases once you get rolling), you click the button off.

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