Me and my Piaggio MP3 400

[two wheels]

Having driven for 15 years or so, I've seen my fair share of accidents, road rages and selfish driving behaviours. More and more cars are hitting our roads these days, along with the similar rise in number of new and equally bad drivers. ERP gantries seem to sprout up as quickly as you can count them, and spending nearly half my income every month on a car that is parked 9am-5pm and 7pm-7am everyday and being stuck in traffic jams in between those times has become the norm. Going on holidays are the things that I envy my friends can do as my bonus is burnt on insurance and road tax every year. So while many are "upgrading" from two wheels to four, I made the decision to head in the opposite direction.

 

In the beginning it was hard, especially for my poor wife. But I am lucky to have my significant other stand by my decision, even though she relented with a lot of reluctance due to the risks. Which is why I decided on the Piaggio MP3 400 even before I passed my 2A licence. Although technically not a two wheeler, it still needs all the skills required to operate a regular motorcycle. Skids, counter-steering, helmet and blind-spot checks are also not exempted. I needed a "safe" bike and got plenty of assurances about the MP3's outstanding handling and road-holding capabilities, mainly by reading lots of reviews from reputable websites such as http://www.motorcycle.com, http://www.thekneeslider.com and http://www.autoblog.com.

 

Logically it has to make sense, with two wheels in front you must get twice the grip, right? Still, I wasn't sure. Armed with nothing but only from what I read on the Internet, I booked the MP3 400 just three days after passing my 2A test. I have seen the MP3 at the bike shop before but it was when "my" baby arrived that I really had a good look at it then. My first impression was, "What a big butt she's got!". But you know what they say about women with big butts, they always deliver the goods. And in the MP3 it wasn't any different.

 

You can literally deliver lots of goods with the huge underseat storage space which, like its sister the X8, can be accessed from a boot. First task, transfer two sets of raincoats, my backpack and my wife's bag from my old scooter over to the MP3. They all fit under the seat with no problems. And with the additional top box I can easily hold another two full-faced helmets. Both the seat and the boot can be remotely opened with the key, with the additional option of opening the boot from the ignition keyhole. A clever push-and-turn mechanism also opens the well-hidden fuel cap cover between the footpads.

 

Taking the MP3 onto the road for the first time is usually recommended after you have taken a few spins in the safety of a carpark or a deserted road. Unfortunately none were available so off I went into the evening peak hour traffic with my wife on the passenger seat, adding to the stress which already was at the highest level. Having ridden the light and extremely agile Gilera Runner VXR200 for ten months before that, the 244 kg MP3 felt like an Airbus A380 for the first time. Not only did it weigh a lot more, it felt a lot bigger too. But thankfully the 400 cc engine has plenty of torque to handle all the mass. And zipping in between traffic is totally possible, though it took a bit of practice in the beginning.

 

Riding the MP3 does feel very different from riding any two wheelers, due to the bigger footprint at the front. Some likened it to driving an ATV, and in some sense it is true because you can ride the MP3 so slowly without tipping over you have to steer it like you are on four wheels sometimes. But get too carried away and you will find yourself on the ground because the MP3 can't stay upright on its own. That's right. You still have to put your feet down when coming to a stop as the two front suspension arms are linked via two horizontal members which enable them to move vertically in opposing directions while remaining parallel to each other, hence the parallelogram name.

 

You can still make drivers scratch their heads by performing the magic balancing act that some of you may have seen me doing on the roads. Well, the magic is the button on the right handlebar which you push to activate the tilt lock. When the bike is rolling at speeds lower than 5 km/h with the engine below 2,000 rpm, a yellow light on the display cluster flashes, telling you that it is safe to activate the tilt lock. The tilt lock also prevents the shock absorbers from working, and this is important as the bike can still tip over if it is locked at an angle, and gravity overcomes the springs in the shocks. When moving off, you can either push the same button in the other direction to deactivate the tilt lock or simply accelerate away and it automatically disengages as soon as the engine revs above 2,000 rpm.

 

Acceleration is a little disappointing, but I attribute this to myself being spoilt by my Runner which used to leave bigger bikes in its exhaust smoke on take offs all the time. Still, the MP3 400 is not a weakling and although it is not a good comparison, I once dragged with a Lexus 300 and that guy had trouble keeping up with me all the way up to 100 km/h. Once on the move, torque is plentiful and the 399 cc engine simply pulls all the way to a top speed of around 150 km/h. Fuel consumption is around 22-23 km/l so with a 12l tank plus 2 on reserve, I visit the petrol station just once a week, or just over 250 km.

 

So what's the point of having three wheels? Four words: South Buona Vista Road. This road is famous for its twisties and the MP3 is truly in its elements on this 1km stretch. Much of the bike's weight is concentrated forward, which is nicely balanced with the two front wheels. Although tiny, the scooter-ish 12" wheels working in a pair more than make up for their size with their superbly uncharacteristic grip. I can lean without fear as far as the maximum 40Ëš allowed by the parallelogram suspension before I get a warning on the seat of my pants. Some say you don't need it and should get it removed, but the centre stand is a "sacrificial" part of the bike, grinding the road and warning you that you're about to go too low before the stainless steel exhaust or transmission cover get some cosmetic alterations.

 

The 400 cc version comes with 14" rear wheels as compared to the 12" ones on the 125 and 250 versions, although the latter two will get the bigger wheels with the 2009 facelift version. The rear brake feels a little weak and although you can still lock it up with a firm grip, it requires more work than the front pair which are far more effective in shaving off speed. Best is to use both when coming to a stop, using the front most of the way before transferring the braking over to the rear just before the stop line, effectively removing any braking dips.

 

Although it is no substitute for a car, the MP3 is still loved by my wife and me. It's comfortable, carries our groceries from NTUC, cheap to run, parks anywhere and most of all, fun to ride. And I can finally afford to take my wife on holidays!

[contrarian]

Quick question: how do you open the boot remotely without inserting the key into the ignition?

[Seraph]

Oooh! Sounds nice! want to give a ballpark figure of how much does it cost OTR?

[two wheels]

Quick question: how do you open the boot remotely without inserting the key into the ignition?

 

there are two buttons on the key, one to release the seat catch, the other pops open the boot.

[two wheels]

Oooh! Sounds nice! want to give a ballpark figure of how much does it cost OTR?

 

Probably around 13k with COE right now, not inclusive of insurance.

[Dafanshu]

upz for your detailed review

[dragonforce]

quite surprised at the fuel consumption.. i thought it would be poorer than that.. i guess mp3 grips better and harder to fall than a normal bike?

[spaiduhz]

question:

 

how does it handle when you squeeze in between lanes?

 

does it suffer from sticky steering like cars when you are at a standstill? for example you need to turn your handlebar when you want to reverse out of a parking lot.

 

150kph top end speed might not seem much, but considering how bulky the mp3 is, i am quite impressed.

 

do update us when you go for the next few servicing.

[two wheels]

how does it handle when you squeeze in between lanes?

 

As mentioned, you can ride it very slowly without tipping over, almost at a walking pace. At that speed, i just have to steer it around the mirrors. Some hip action is needed sometimes, especially with a pillion on. The widest part of the bike is still at the handlebars, so it squeezes no differently than most maxi scooters. Note, I split lane at traffic lights and traffic jams only.

 

does it suffer from sticky steering like cars when you are at a standstill? for example you need to turn your handlebar when you want to reverse out of a parking lot.

 

There is a little stickiness, but only when you're astride and the wheels are on the road. It turns more easily on concrete MSCP floors. You don't have to be on the bike to reverse it out of the lot. If the tilt lock has been engaged you can literally push it around without worry about it falling over (unless the ground is uneven). This is my SOP when parking the bike. Stop near parking lot with both feet down, make sure bike is upright before activating tilt lock, turn off engine, get off, push bike into lot, engage parking brake and steering lock. Sometimes i do all of these with my wife still on it!

[Thailia]

thanks for your detailed reviews, as MP3 is one of my considered models for a class 2A, how about the maintenance? where do you service your scooter actually?

[william_liu]

Excellent review bro two wheels

[two wheels]

Excellent review bro two wheels

 

Thanks bro. Just doing my bit to dispel the myth that the MP3 is a vehicle for the disabled. I've met some people who doesn't understand the patented parallelogram technology and yet make their own unsupported (read uneducated) conclusions about this amazing machine.

[two wheels]

thanks for your detailed reviews, as MP3 is one of my considered models for a class 2A, how about the maintenance? where do you service your scooter actually?

 

My MP3 is still new, so can't comment on this. What I can tell you is the bike comes with 1 year or 10,000km warranty, whichever comes first. First three servicings are free: 1k, 3k and 5k. Only the labour is free but you have to pay for materials like engine oil. I did the first servicing at the agent (Piaggio's at Genting Road).

 

I learned something during my first "free" servicing. The labour charge may be free but I felt like they sort of covered that by charging an arm and a leg for the fluids. I paid nearly $50 for just 2 litres of engine oil. And they're not special oils but something that costs just $9-$11 elsewhere. My advice is bring your own engine oil (you can buy them from shops like from Ah Boy along Kelantan Lane).

 

Only the engine oil is changed during the 1k servicing (in fact I was even told it is not necessary to change the oil as the engine has already been broken in even before it's installed on the bike). Nothing else is touched as this is more like a shakedown visit rather than a service.

[Seraph]

Thats what i called getting ripped off! :S

[Thailia]

My MP3 is still new, so can't comment on this. What I can tell you is the bike comes with 1 year or 10,000km warranty, whichever comes first. First three servicings are free: 1k, 3k and 5k. Only the labour is free but you have to pay for materials like engine oil. I did the first servicing at the agent (Piaggio's at Genting Road).

 

I learned something during my first "free" servicing. The labour charge may be free but I felt like they sort of covered that by charging an arm and a leg for the fluids. I paid nearly $50 for just 2 litres of engine oil. And they're not special oils but something that costs just $9-$11 elsewhere. My advice is bring your own engine oil (you can buy them from shops like from Ah Boy along Kelantan Lane).

 

Only the engine oil is changed during the 1k servicing (in fact I was even told it is not necessary to change the oil as the engine has already been broken in even before it's installed on the bike). Nothing else is touched as this is more like a shakedown visit rather than a service.

 

I see, i think its common practice, bring own EO would be a better choice. 2 EO for 400cc? thats good...

 

Hows your fuel consumption of your ride so far?

 

Does it comes with reverse gear? if not... 200+kg reversing using legs on slippery floor will be a strain for my thighs... haha

[Dafanshu]

My MP3 is still new, so can't comment on this. What I can tell you is the bike comes with 1 year or 10,000km warranty, whichever comes first. First three servicings are free: 1k, 3k and 5k. Only the labour is free but you have to pay for materials like engine oil. I did the first servicing at the agent (Piaggio's at Genting Road).

 

I learned something during my first "free" servicing. The labour charge may be free but I felt like they sort of covered that by charging an arm and a leg for the fluids. I paid nearly $50 for just 2 litres of engine oil. And they're not special oils but something that costs just $9-$11 elsewhere. My advice is bring your own engine oil (you can buy them from shops like from Ah Boy along Kelantan Lane).

 

Only the engine oil is changed during the 1k servicing (in fact I was even told it is not necessary to change the oil as the engine has already been broken in even before it's installed on the bike). Nothing else is touched as this is more like a shakedown visit rather than a service.

 

I have to strongly agree with the above. I brought my bike to private shop after my first visit.

[william_liu]

Will taking it to a private workshop affect the warranty?

[contrarian]

Does it comes with reverse gear? if not... 200+kg reversing using legs on slippery floor will be a strain for my thighs... haha

 

Get off and push. That makes it far easier.

[contrarian]

Will taking it to a private workshop affect the warranty?

 

When I was last at PSC, one customer was having a dispute with the staff, because he was claiming warranty but didn't bring his scooter for servicing. Thus they did not think he followed the warranty conditions.

[Dafanshu]

Will taking it to a private workshop affect the warranty?

 

I asked before. They told me that the warranty will be valid as long as no mod of internal engine.

[two wheels]

Hows your fuel consumption of your ride so far?

 

Been averaging 240 per tank recently, or about 20km/l. i think as my confidence with the bike grows, so does my average speed these days. FC also went up.

 

Does it comes with reverse gear? if not... 200+kg reversing using legs on slippery floor will be a strain for my thighs... haha

 

See? you can work those thighs without having to go to the gym...

 

No reverse gear unfortunately. Once the tilt lock is engaged you can get off and push it around. Easy.

[K.Sim]

not forgetting the opportunity to do this

http://thekneeslider.com/images/mp3roof.jpg

 

 

great bike...but any coolant problems? my x9 changed coolant pump 3 times in 2 yrs.

[two wheels]

I asked before. They told me that the warranty will be valid as long as no mod of internal engine.

 

Yup, same for me. I can service it at the shop where I bought my scooter from and they'd still honour the warranty, at least that's what the people at the shop told me.

[two wheels]

not forgetting the opportunity to do this

http://thekneeslider.com/images/mp3roof.jpg

 

 

great bike...but any coolant problems? my x9 changed coolant pump 3 times in 2 yrs.

 

I wouldn't put that roof on even if it was raining stones. Even with three wheels that thing can still seriously throw your bike off balance, especially from crosswinds and sidewash from big busses and lorries.

 

Btw, my bike's just hit 2k on the odometer so can't comment on that. and I've not heard of any pump failures from other forum users overseas (yet). the x9 has been around since 2001, I believe. the MP3 made its debut in 2006. so it's still early to tell. *fingers crossed*

[Kenix]

Wanna ask for a 1.55m lady, is it possible to handle the MP3 with ease? Interested to get since the launch here but due to height & weight of the machine, I'm afraid that I can't even tip-toe when stationary..