piaggio mp3

shipwrek12001 · 10-22-2012, 12:18 PM

good or bad??? we just got one. what are the things to look out for? we get lots of attention from people about the two frnt wheels!!!

gogogordy · 10-22-2012, 01:56 PM

Like a wild woman....you're having the time of your life, but there'll ultimately be a price to pay!

Parts and service knowledge are the biggest cautionary notes I can make. Not enough of either, at least in my experience.

Have fun

cbolling · 10-22-2012, 02:44 PM

They really are cool. I would love to get a ride in one.

Photog · 10-22-2012, 02:57 PM

Check ModernVespa's forum for tons of info.

I've got an MP3-250. Neat bike.

Warney · 10-22-2012, 05:04 PM

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=827873
Fun to ride, bound to fail at some point, good luck with parts and/or service.

Wi1dB1ue · 10-22-2012, 07:59 PM

We have two MP3 500s--they're a blast to ride and still get lots of looks and complements from passers-by. Like any vehicle from an overseas manufacturer, they have their quirks, and like ANY vehicle on the road, you are going to have to figure out how to accommodate service requirements; but if you invest even just a LITTLE time for some DIY maint, you can keep them running and performing well for years.

What model did you get? Many of the gremlins that have cropped up more than once are easy fixes for someone who is vigilant and thorough in their inspection and deliberate in asking questions. Just remember that forum posts aren't necessarily a representative sample--people who don't have any trouble at all with their rides aren't typically going to log in and tell everyone "yep, still riding happily with no trouble" so the apparent rash of "common problems" or difficulties finding parts may be overblown from the "average" consumer experience. About the only thing to be really careful of right off the bat is the steering notch--many early model MP3s came from the factory with over-tightened steering bearings...take the advice of another inmate and head over to the MV forum and do a search on the notch. If you have a certified Vespa/Piaggio tech nearby, there is a service bulletin that has been released which details the procedures for correcting the bearing torque settings.

JerryH · 10-22-2012, 08:26 PM

Best of luck with it. They look like fun. I have never ridden one. But most of the comments I read about them seem to be about problems. I even passed up a great deal on a BV500 because of all the negative things I've heard about not getting any support from Piaggio. I'm used to Japanese bikes, where you can just go to cheapcycleparts.com or bikebandit.com and get parts. I don't like having to deal with dealers.

fullmetalscooter · 10-22-2012, 11:00 PM

neat scoter but your suppost to change the belt every 6000 miles at 100 bucks a pop. As one guy said modern vespa is the place to go.

shipwrek12001 · 10-23-2012, 11:04 AM

so far it is a sweet ride,
had her up to 120km ph 2 up... it didn't get there fast but it did get there at a reasonable speed...
we puchased a 250 mp3... it looks like a possible electrical night mare... if anything went wrong... as far as dealer support, i am a mechanic for a second trade, so i'll be the one working on it, getting the dealer to order the parts for it..

thks for any insight on this puppy

gogogordy · 10-24-2012, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shipwrek12001

.....getting the dealer to order the parts for it....

This has been Piaggio USA's Achilles Heel....parts availability, in my experiences.

Have fun, there's nothing like the Mp3!

10-22-2012, 12:18 PM	#1
shipwrek12001 ^OP Shipwrek Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Ottawa Oddometer: 1,587	piaggio mp3 good or bad??? we just got one. what are the things to look out for? we get lots of attention from people about the two frnt wheels!!!

10-22-2012, 01:56 PM	#2
gogogordy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula, So. California Oddometer: 1,365	Great fun! Like a wild woman....you're having the time of your life, but there'll ultimately be a price to pay! Parts and service knowledge are the biggest cautionary notes I can make. Not enough of either, at least in my experience. Have fun __________________ You really need to get out more.

10-22-2012, 02:44 PM	#3
cbolling Here...Hold my Beer. Joined: Mar 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Oddometer: 2,368	They really are cool. I would love to get a ride in one. __________________ 2011 Kawasaki Versys http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661436

10-22-2012, 02:57 PM	#4
Photog Charismatic Megafauna Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Cackalacky Oddometer: 46,036	Check ModernVespa's forum for tons of info. I've got an MP3-250. Neat bike. __________________ Only an XR1200 owner knows why Cthulhu hangs its head out a car window. Like I like. Yep.

10-22-2012, 08:26 PM	#7
JerryH Vintage Rider Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ Oddometer: 1,653	Best of luck with it. They look like fun. I have never ridden one. But most of the comments I read about them seem to be about problems. I even passed up a great deal on a BV500 because of all the negative things I've heard about not getting any support from Piaggio. I'm used to Japanese bikes, where you can just go to cheapcycleparts.com or bikebandit.com and get parts. I don't like having to deal with dealers. __________________ "I refuse to give up the thrill of living for the relative safety of existing" Nick Ienatsch "Life is not a race. Don't treat it as such. If you don't believe me, just have a look at the finish line"

10-22-2012, 05:04 PM	#5
Warney Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2010 Location: Omaha, Ne Oddometer: 440	http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=827873 Fun to ride, bound to fail at some point, good luck with parts and/or service.

10-22-2012, 07:59 PM	#6
Wi1dB1ue Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Bloomington IN Oddometer: 9	We have two MP3 500s--they're a blast to ride and still get lots of looks and complements from passers-by. Like any vehicle from an overseas manufacturer, they have their quirks, and like ANY vehicle on the road, you are going to have to figure out how to accommodate service requirements; but if you invest even just a LITTLE time for some DIY maint, you can keep them running and performing well for years. What model did you get? Many of the gremlins that have cropped up more than once are easy fixes for someone who is vigilant and thorough in their inspection and deliberate in asking questions. Just remember that forum posts aren't necessarily a representative sample--people who don't have any trouble at all with their rides aren't typically going to log in and tell everyone "yep, still riding happily with no trouble" so the apparent rash of "common problems" or difficulties finding parts may be overblown from the "average" consumer experience. About the only thing to be really careful of right off the bat is the steering notch--many early model MP3s came from the factory with over-tightened steering bearings...take the advice of another inmate and head over to the MV forum and do a search on the notch. If you have a certified Vespa/Piaggio tech nearby, there is a service bulletin that has been released which details the procedures for correcting the bearing torque settings.

10-22-2012, 11:00 PM	#8
fullmetalscooter Let me take this duck off Joined: Apr 2009 Location: BC Oddometer: 2,021	neat scoter but your suppost to change the belt every 6000 miles at 100 bucks a pop. As one guy said modern vespa is the place to go. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body,but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting WHAT A RUSH, WHAT A RIDE. Got to go places to be, people to kill and far to many woman.

10-23-2012, 11:04 AM	#9
shipwrek12001 ^OP Shipwrek Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Ottawa Oddometer: 1,587	so far it is a sweet ride, had her up to 120km ph 2 up... it didn't get there fast but it did get there at a reasonable speed... we puchased a 250 mp3... it looks like a possible electrical night mare... if anything went wrong... as far as dealer support, i am a mechanic for a second trade, so i'll be the one working on it, getting the dealer to order the parts for it.. thks for any insight on this puppy

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