All Essays – Encounter of the Third Kind! – Used PIAGGIO

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Encounter of the third kind !

All Essays - Encounter of the Third Kind! - Used PIAGGIO

Traditionally split into two clans (motorcycle and scooter), the two-wheeler family could accommodate a third type of vehicle: the three-wheeler, which unlike trikes and other scooters allows you to take an angle. MP3 leads the way.

Impossible to go unnoticed on the handlebars of this UFO! And unless the MP3 starts to proliferate quickly in our cities, the first buyers of this revolutionary scooter may find it difficult to arrive on time for their appointments. !

"Ah! He went out ?","So it’s good ?","Hey I would like this when I grow up !","Hey, zarma, your scooter has three wheels, sir !","Hips? Have you got your wheels right? … burp! Bourquoi, you’re afraid of falling ?"…

These are in essence the remarks that fuse on the part of bikers, motorists, children, passers-by – and even onlookers with doubtful blood alcohol levels … – at the sight of the last born of the Piaggio family.

A newcomer who according to the Italian manufacturer should allow it to give birth to "a new phenomenon", 60 years after having created that of the Vespa thanks to the prototype MP5, or" Moto Piaggio 5 ".
Paris, 19/10/2006 – The MP3 125 plays the stars in Deauville… Video Site.

It is therefore quite natural that the Italian group baptized its new three-wheeled scooter "MP3" (Moto Piaggio 3): no relation to the musical format, even if this homonymy should benefit the scooter, especially among the djeunz !

Created in less than four years with more than thirty patents in the pipeline, the new Piaggio MP3 brilliantly shows that the Japanese are not the only players in the “Research and Development” sector of the two-wheeler world. Yes, "two-wheelers", because despite the addition of the third appendix, the MP3 is indeed classified in the two-wheel category since its "track width" (420 mm) remains less than the 600 mm which mark the transition to the quads family.

But this official membership in the great family of two-wheelers does not manage to erase all apprehension when the biker – as seasoned as he is – decides to ride it….

An exclusive concept

Because from the outside, the dimensions of the MP3 – comparable to those of a GT scooter type X9 – seem more imposing than those of its cousins. And aesthetically, the face of the MP3 is more like that of a snowmobile or jet ski than that of an urban scooter. !

On the other hand, the rest of the MP3 looks furiously like the current Italian production. Seen from behind, the MP3 passes for a very common scooter in the eyes of an uninformed person and when stationary, only the absence of a foot on the ground will hold the attention of the passer-by! But we’ll get to that later.

Derived from the X8, the MP3 has a steel frame similar to that of other scooters and it is obviously the front axle that is worth the detour! The front suspension "parallelogram is integral with the frame and articulated around the steering column", specifies Piaggio, very proud of its exclusive concept.

The tilting mechanism – the MP3 does not stay upright like a common scooter – consists of four cast aluminum arms, fixed to the steering column by four joints. At the ends of these arms are the two guide tubes at the end of which are the two famous front wheels.

This system allows a maximum inclination of 40 °, an angle rarely reached on a lambda scooter. Leaning under the front of the MP3, the sight of the plethora of parts, joints and hoses is quite disconcerting. Yet Thierry Bonnin, technical inspector at Piaggio France, assures that "Piaggio wanted to ensure its rear by inserting a multitude of sensors that ensure the safety of the driver".

Roll Lock System … Much more than a gadget !

Before setting off, it is still necessary to read the instructions for use of this new scooter. Our test MP3 is equipped with the option "Roll Lock", a new button appears on the right comodo.

Functioning like the turn signals, a blow to the left (automatically accompanied by a warning beep and a light on the instrument panel) freezes the suspensions in their position while a blow to the right (two beeps and the indicator light goes out) free them from any constraint, allowing the MP3 to move like a classic scooter.

The "game" quickly consists of not putting your foot on the ground, which requires a certain skill since the thumb actuates the contactor while the other fingers measure the braking on the lever. However, a dozen approaches at red lights are enough to make your mark. We would have appreciated, therefore, to be able to cut the sound signal like "backhoe recoil" particularly annoying in the long run. !

Still by blocking the suspensions, the maneuvers on foot are greatly facilitated by the possibility of moving the scooter without having to manage its balance. "Motomobilists" not used to moving 200 kg at arm’s length will appreciate !

In addition, the presence of the handbrake makes it possible to park the MP3 safely regardless of the location: the suspensions can be locked with a 20 cm differential, sidewalks or parking lots on slopes are no longer a problem! The Roll Lock therefore appears as an option – billed at € 660 certainly – particularly interesting.

It is also good to know that in addition to the switch on the handlebars, an acceleration beyond 3,000 rpm allows the front suspensions to be released. Our test model having somewhat recalcitrant cold starts, it required two to three successive accelerations in order to wake up the automatic choke. At the first start, it is therefore necessary to ensure the balance of the scooter whose suspensions are released at the first big blow of gas !

Weight to watch !

Attention that seems unnecessary for the average biker, but it is necessary to remind beginners because on the MP3, we quickly never set foot on the ground again. Comfortably seated, you quickly take control of the Roll Lock system which avoids having to unfold a leg at each stop.

Be careful, however, not to skip the steps, because improper handling or a false start will cause the beast to tilt unexpectedly. Better in this case to have strong thighs to hold back the fall of the scooter, which still weighs 199 kg (dry).

When locking the suspensions at a red light, it will also be necessary to ensure that the scooter is vertical, otherwise restarting may be difficult for a novice in two-wheelers who do not fully master the balance and the joys. gyroscopic force…

The weight of the MP3 is also troublesome in terms of the performance of the machine: being overweight 33 kg compared to the X9 125, the single cylinder "Leader"125 marks a little more the dip at start-up specific to Piaggio. The acceleration of the new MP3 scooter remains however sufficient to contain that of motorists on green light..

The 15 horsepower reached at 9,250 rpm and the 12 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm are heavily used in town … and quickly overwhelmed on the expressway. On motorways, the maximum speed reached is 120 km / h meter. It is impossible, even when going downhill, to exceed this value, because the transmission prevents the engine from taking more than 12,000 rpm. On the flat, the 110 km / h are stuck but it requires a little patience from 90 km / h.

In addition, if the protection of the original bubble is sufficient in town, it becomes light at "high" speed. Travelers will no doubt opt ​​for the immense "comfort windshield"offered as an option. We suspected it and this was confirmed during a round trip on the Normandy coast: long journeys on the MP3 are possible provided you are patient, motivated, in love … or reckless !

Note that Piaggio offers in its "Winter pack"a comfort windshield, heated leg covers and vests and tires"contact". When will a 3×3 version with Y-slat tires be available for use on Avoriaz? ?

At low speeds, the agility is also slightly behind compared to a conventional scooter: the sharp changes of direction require a hint of more physics. But by tilting its weight outside the scooter, the latter tilts and turns efficiently, a bit like a real motorcycle. Better to check the tire inflation, even when leaving the dealership. !

Driving becomes natural after a few turns and the handling of the MP3 increases rapidly with experience. The latter is coupled with sensational handling. Because the addition of a front wheel is not just a simple trick, only temporarily attracting a population of "fashion victims" !

The front end of the MP3 offers a serenity that traditional scooters provide with difficulty and goes from the status of originality to that of real added value !

A front axle you can trust

What a treat to string together roundabout laps at high speed, rubbing the stand, without wondering if the small front wheel will not suddenly slip away! On small roads, the MP3 gives confidence and seduces the most skeptical of bikers. There is just a slight oscillation of the handlebars when only one of the two wheels crosses an irregularity. But this inconvenience is very slim next to a fall on a classic scooter.

The most grumpy bikers will say that "scooters" just have to look where they place their front wheel … and they will be absolutely right! However, in traffic, it is not always easy to spot the manhole cover or the pothole, hidden by the uninterrupted line of cars in front of you. The two front wheels of the MP3 are then valuable allies when negotiating such surprises….

According to Piaggio, the addition of a front wheel – which results in double the rubber in contact with the ground at the front and a third 240 mm brake clamped by a double piston caliper – would reduce the MP3 braking distance "20% on normal road surfaces, or even up to 24% on slippery roads compared to a conventional scooter".

On clean roads, the MP3 allows particularly convincing emergency braking. Without checking the accuracy of the data announced by the manufacturer – which would require a meticulous scientific second opinion worthy of the CTU and that Moto-Net admits not being able to carry out! -, it is clear that when it comes to catching the brakes, the apprehension is much less strong than with a lambda scooter.

After a few tries, we even find ourselves running beautiful front wheels! On the other hand on degraded, sandy or slippery roads, the observation is less dithyrambic: the absence of ABS forces the pilot to subtly adjust the front brake so as not to block his wheels. Our test model which had biting braking – it would probably have deserved a bleed – further polished the reaction of the MP3 in this type of experiment.

MP3 is therefore not the absolute antidote to falls (we have the names!), But it allows you to tackle turns and braking calmly, which the majority of its competitors are incapable of..

Good city dweller

As far as driving in built-up areas is concerned, after a slight adjustment period, we finally slip through practically as well as with a standard scooter. The overall width of the MP3 (745 mm) is also less than that of an X8 (760) or an X9 (750)! Only the turning radius, which is a little too large, will prevent the "couriers" from regaining pole position at each stroke..

As a duo, the MP3 is welcoming but has two flaws. First of all, the poor 4-stroke single-cylinder quickly runs out of steam on the climbs. Then, the driving position "feet forward" being impossible for the pilot because of the wheel arches, the duos with the big feet could be inconvenienced, as shown in the photo above..

Equipment point of view, the MP3 is practically on par with the competition, even if no storage compartment is offered at the front. As for opening the saddle, it is not easy: a handle would be welcome! The dashboard, on the other hand, is complete, offering two partial totalizers and an additional totalizer as soon as you switch to the reserve..

The 65 liters under the saddle accessible at two points by means of a remote opening will satisfy dynamic executives, tourists and sportsmen. The trunk easily accommodates any type of integral at the rear and a "medium" model in front. Its depth of one meter also allows the transport of long packages.

Be careful, however, not to overfill the boot under the saddle, because if it closes again without problem after loading, it will stubbornly refuse to open for unloading … Unfortunate when you have the keys to your home. in the bag under the saddle, although the said bag can finally be extracted somehow through the rear trunk, but downright disabling when you can no longer recover its full when leaving…

Strongly bigger !

Ultimately, from a biker point of view, the MP3 suffers from a motorization that is far too low in relation to its weight and especially its road skills. The arrival on the market in January 2007 of the 250 "Quasar", which develops 7.5 hp more and almost double the torque (21 Nm at 6,750 revolutions) for an increased weight of 5 kg, should make it possible to offer less frustrating performance.

For users who just drive it around town, the 125 will prove sufficient. On the other hand, to perfect its product vis-à-vis them, Piaggio will have to provide its MP3 with the ABS system. Because if Thierry Bonnin, technical inspector at Piaggio France, considers that this equipment is "useless on a machine of this type", motorists and more and more bikers think the opposite…

As for the price, it does not seem exaggerated in the end: even if it remains prohibitive for small budgets who will prefer to acquire for half the price of the 125 basics, it is not higher than some high-end GT: € 4,690 in version basic – against 4,399 for an X9 -, 5,100 with the large windshield version "C", 5,390 with the option Roll Lock version "RL" and 5,690 in "CRL", it is available in four colors : black, white, blue or red.

But to take full advantage of the new Piaggio front axle, it will especially be necessary to wait for the marketing of a 400 or 500 cc. But we whisper "in authorized circles" the arrival of a sportier version than the current MP3 under the Gilera brand, which would undoubtedly open up attractive prospects !

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