Menus
- One-month trial of the large three-wheel pendulum
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- In the city
- Highway
- National
- Braking
- Comfort / Duo
- Consumption
- Convenient
- Conclusion
- The Quadro 350D video
One-month trial of the large three-wheel pendulum
By rushing into the legislative loophole allowing driving a three-wheeler with a car license, Piaggio opened the breach with MP3 and a huge sales success. If Peugeot has to follow, it is especially the Italian manufacturer Quadro which offers today with the 3D 350 a big three-wheeler, with large wheels, which is distinguished if only visually from the famous MP3.. So simple improved copy or real alternative ?
Discovery
The Quadro 3D 350 is both massive in its build and elegant in its lines, innovative in the niche of the large scooter. If the dual front optic offers a nice and smiling face, we especially note the huge front wheels of 14 "(15" at the rear), larger than those of the competing MP3, and especially as the front does not descend. not so low. Suddenly, the hydraulic front axle is particularly highlighted.
The long saddle offers a wide base, on two floors for the pilot and his passenger. The rear, on the other hand, looks almost tapered with an oblong taillight and sleek teardrop type turn signals..
But it is above all the Hydrolic Tilting System technology that makes the difference, replacing the mechanical balance of the MP3 by three hydraulic cylinders constituting an adjustable hydropneumatic pendulum front fork. The secret ?
The whole thing hides an air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder injection of … 313 cm3 unlike the figure of 350 which could suggest a larger displacement. Designed by the Italian studios of Marabese, the engine is from the Taiwanese manufacturer Aeon and displays reliability and low maintenance cost..
In the saddle
Well placed on its two front wheels, kept horizontal without a stand thanks to the integral front and rear parking brake, with locking of the front suspension, one settles comfortably aboard the Quadro 3D. The handlebars are quite wide and the arms are slightly apart. The feet just find their place on either side of the huge central beam, the right foot being locked forward by the brake pedal.
The passenger can then lean on the step to climb without the pilot needing to be dismounted.
In front of the pilot’s eyes, a huge and elegant central analogue tachometer is complemented by an accurate fuel gauge with 10 sticks (which can alternate with the temperature), and on the right a digital screen showing speed, clock on top and double partial trip down. At night, everything lights up in a deep blue for the most beautiful effect.
The commodos are standard with a warning on the handlebars on the right. The turn signals, on the left, have a central button for easy deactivation. For the record, they emit an "auto" type noise during their operation; and even through the full face helmet, we can hear the alternating sound.
On the practical side, two storage compartments, one on the right and the other horizontal under the pilot’s knees, can accommodate a few trinkets, a mobile phone, or even a can of drink. It is not large but we especially note the 12V socket allowing recharging or an accessory connection in the central storage compartment. Finally, the apparently fairly low front smoke bubble is in fact placed high, and protects the entire upper body well..
The mirrors offer a good side view, without retracting the elbows, and are very easy to adjust.
Contact
With a stroke of the key, the Quadro 350 snorts with a pleasant, discreet, rather serious sound. The parking brake is then lowered, and the scooter remains straight, aided in this by the hydraulic system. Suddenly, no need to dismount when stationary. The whole thing offers increased stability and easier to use than its competitor. Engine speed slowed down to 1,900 rpm, the stroke of the right handle allows you to set off clearly propelled by the single cylinder: better than a 125 but slower than a large 500 scoot … The 23 horses announced are there , but it is only 23 horses when the competition like a Piaggio X10 of the same displacement announces 10 horses more.
The first turns of the wheels give an impression of general inertia, especially when setting the angle. The scooter does not fall on the angle quickly but rather seems to accompany the movement in slow motion. It is confusing for the biker used to having a very light and very responsive steering, whereas here one initially has the impression of having to force noticeably. But you get used to it very quickly. Suddenly, the advantage at low speed is quickly undeniable, because even under 10 km / h and during a reduced maneuver, the three-wheeler does not fall. On the contrary, it seems to accompany and retain its pilot at idle, even allowing an impressive 40 ° angle of inclination, in complete safety. Unlike a motorcycle that would fall during a slow maneuver at very low speed when cornering, the Quadro 3D 350 supports the rider and the machine. And with a simple gas stroke, everything straightens up naturally, with less effort. Moreover, do not try to force, because the steering then seems heavy to go up. Here, everything must be done smoothly.
In the city
The Quadro starts vigorously and comes out of the stop in front of the 125s to reach the next traffic light. The three wheels then make it possible not to need to dismount when stationary, once you have taken the balancing act to stop. If the brakes are set suddenly, and the machine has started to tilt, it’s not easy at first to get it straight without putting your foot on the ground for even half a second. But once you get the hang of it, you get used to it easily. The system is more intuitive and simple than its competitor Piaggio MP3 which requires the activation of a button. Here, this is done without having to operate anything manually.
The Quadro goes easily between cars, once you master the relative inertia of the machine, which can seem a little less maneuverable than a traditional two-wheeler. Its width is also noticeably wider, requiring a little more attention between cars so as not to touch the mirrors. It is much narrower than a Burgman 650 but it is a little wider than a Burgman 125. In this environment, it offers good protection for the legs and the bust..
The only limits are found in the rain where the slightly hard tires like to slide gently, without ever causing parasitic behavior, however. In the dry, a stroke of the accelerator on white stripes can cause the rear to drift, proof of the dynamics of the engine but also of tires that could deserve a little more grip … without however ever being scary. nor destabilize as would be the case on a traditional two-wheeler. On the contrary, you always feel confident on the handlebars of the 350D.
Highway
The Quadro sets off vigorously up to 100 km / h and then can reach 120 km / h on a flat surface (including a duo), a speed at which it maintains itself well, even in the event of a false flat. Well launched, and on a slight descent, it is even capable of offering a good 130 km / h … a bit tight to consider long motorway journeys even if, well launched, with the wind at your back, it was possible once during the thousand kilometers of the test to reach 142 km / h on the odometer, while the tachometer is then at 8,000 rpm at the start of the red zone. On the other hand, the times and overtaking beyond 100 km / h are hardly.
The bubble protects very well up to the maximum speed of the machine, deflecting the wind towards the upper body and without generating any eddies at the level of the helmet itself.
At this rate and whether in a straight line or in a big curve, solo or in duo, the Quadro remains perfectly in line, without any parasitic movement, including on bad road joints. Stability is assured at all speeds.
National
The Quadro 350 is more at ease on national roads and small roads, with enough fishing for passages in fast curves, on condition to anticipate a minimum and not to hesitate to push hard on the handlebars to make tilt the machine almost as important as a motorcycle. Because the Quadro actually accepts a maximum tilt angle of 40 °, while ensuring excellent stability.
At night, it offers powerful and distant lighting, more than sufficient in dipped beam headlights and even more so in high beam headlights..
Braking
With a double 240mm disc at the front with two calipers, the Quadro brakes very well, even very hard as long as the foot brake is also used. Because beyond excellent braking coupled front and rear between the two handles, it also offers a brake pedal. The foot having more power than the hands, we can actually press very firmly, and brake over a distance markedly shortened compared to normal, to such an extent that, without warning, it is the pilot who could almost pass over the handlebars. .! Not equipped with ABS, we then reach the limits of tire grip, and especially in the wet, blocking being quite possible. The rear then drives a little but the three wheels allow it to remain very stable. The most impressive is taking the right or left brake handle and pulling out the combined feedback of the other handle, this also applies when using the brake pedal. The whole thing offers a good feeling and a good progressiveness.
Comfort / Duo
The rider’s seat is wide, as is the passenger’s. The footrests hidden in the grille when not in use can be easily unfolded, offering a good position for the passenger. The handles, positioned laterally offer a good grip. The whole allows to make a milking of 200 kilometers without suffering in any way. The shock absorber is rather firm from the outset, but it deals with the poor condition of the road relatively well while providing a stable ride..
Consumption
With a 13-liter tank (including 3 reserve), the Quadro allows a range of around 270 kilometers, depending on driving. Because if in town, consumption is rather around 4.7 liters / 100 km, on the motorway, at stabilized speed and at the cleat, consumption climbs to 7 liters! It’s simple on the motorway, the first bar disappears after 55 km and then every 15 km while in town it does not disappear until after 75 km and then every 20 km thereafter. The reserve warning light comes on after 220 km. But don’t panic since at the end, the yellow gauge icon lights up on the dashboard and the LEDs flash at the same time. And then you still have about fifty kilometers of autonomy.
Convenient
The large trunk allows you to place two full-face helmets and a small rain suit without worries: a large, well-differentiating point, further helped by the rear support, allowing a bag to be secured, even if there is a passenger. In the event of a well-filled trunk, especially at the central part, there was a small difficulty in closing it at the rear latch..
The parking brake is effective, even on steep slopes, provided you are not seated on it. In the latter case, the Quadro can roll back. In short, we put the parking brake and we go down.
The central fuel cap opens from the central contact, from the left, and remains held by a lug.
Conclusion
The Quadro is a real discovery and a real pleasure on a daily basis, very reassuring. Stable, dynamic, balanced and with a large storage space under the saddle, it will be a real choice for the frame wanting a protective and useful machine for the city. It simply admits its limits for the large periphery because of a limited top speed associated with soft times and then excessive consumption in view of performance. If it will finally seduce by its plush and imposing side, rewarding for its driver, its price a bit higher than its competitor at 7,290 euros may make you think before taking the leap despite a three-year parts and labor warranty, this also in order to compensate for a still restricted network. Its storage capacity under the saddle and the security it brings will be the main reason for choosing, with good reason..
Strong points
- stability and security
- storage capacity
- braking
- look
Weak points
- motor
- consumption
- tires in the rain
Competitors: Piaggio MP3
Datasheet
The Quadro 350D video
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