Piaggio MP3 - Good idea?

[boyse7en]

I would say the Mp3 sounds ideal for your situation.

I used to have a 125cc regular scooter (Gilera Runner) which would do 70mph with the wind behind and chin on the (metaphorical) tank. Along the 15 miles of A road commute I had it was just a bit too slow, any hill (and we got a lot in Devon) would see it drop to 50-55mph which meant you were dicing with vans. It was also a bit susceptible to strong cross winds.

I took my test and moved onto a BMW F800S, which is ideal for me, but when it was in for servicing the garage loaned me an Mp3 250cc.

Fast enough not to get caught up in traffic on the A road (cruised at 65mph), plenty of storage space, very comfy, filtered well (especially as you don't have to worry about putting your feet down, and it never wobbles), good weather protection and on a wet twisty B-road blast it is fab as you learn not to worry about the front tyre washing out. Great for confidence!

For a daily commute I'd recommend an apron and bar muffs (Oxford Products and Tucano Urbano do them) to keep you warm and dry when needed.

All the new Mp3 brought in by Piaggio are technically trikes (so you can ride them on your car license), and with the older ones you need the 'LT' version (which are slightly wider-tracked to comply with the regs).

[kiethton]

Thanks for all the help guys, think it could be the way to go - liking the roof but think the above covers/grips would be the best compromise.

Would probably have to take the train for the first week (presentability) whilst I work out where I can leave suits etc.

Next is the insurance issue, I have 4 years car NCB on my 540i but I'm 24, parking it in the car park of my flat (when I'm in) BR5 so the NCB won't be transferable. Any insurer recommendations?

New or used I'm still undecided really, would likely be a dealer for aftercare and the ability to put it on a credit card (flat deposit has taken my capital) for a private sale situation.

[Tampon]

kiethton said:

Thanks for all the help guys, think it could be the way to go - liking the roof but think the above covers/grips would be the best compromise.

Would probably have to take the train for the first week (presentability) whilst I work out where I can leave suits etc.

Next is the insurance issue, I have 4 years car NCB on my 540i but I'm 24, parking it in the car park of my flat (when I'm in) BR5 so the NCB won't be transferable. Any insurer recommendations?

New or used I'm still undecided really, would likely be a dealer for aftercare and the ability to put it on a credit card (flat deposit has taken my capital) for a private sale situation.

I would think heated grips, a apron and a decent jacket and you will be fine, I am currently making a heated jacket for minus degree weather as I get a touch cold.

Insurance wise your NCB on a car is no good ( although trike being a car I might be wrong) but try compare the market and look at 3rd party insurance, I think you will be suprised compared to car insurance.

Also I would imagine you could probably get a suit or two in a carrier in the bike under the seat to be honest. Surprisingly big, have a look.

[kiethton]

Tampon said:

I would think heated grips, a apron and a decent jacket and you will be fine, I am currently making a heated jacket for minus degree weather as I get a touch cold.

Insurance wise your NCB on a car is no good ( although trike being a car I might be wrong) but try compare the market and look at 3rd party insurance, I think you will be suprised compared to car insurance.

Also I would imagine you could probably get a suit or two in a carrier in the bike under the seat to be honest. Surprisingly big, have a look.

Thanks for that again, think that's on my to do list one evening/weekend, need to have a proper scout out of one and go from there I think.

The 540i is £560 a year, hopefully this'll be a lot less, need 3rd party fire and theft really (the latter being London effect). I'm happy to remove the fully comp but as if I bin it its my own stupid fault.

I looked at the Peugeot/Yamaha options above and they look to be more expensive for no real benefit/cheaper and lower quality?

[Tampon]

kiethton said:

Thanks for that again, think that's on my to do list one evening/weekend, need to have a proper scout out of one and go from there I think.

The 540i is £560 a year, hopefully this'll be a lot less, need 3rd party fire and theft really (the latter being London effect). I'm happy to remove the fully comp but as if I bin it its my own stupid fault.

I looked at the Peugeot/Yamaha options above and they look to be more expensive for no real benefit/cheaper and lower quality?

I paid £360 when I was 22 for a CBR 600 third party, I now pay £75 for the majesty 400 with no NCB for a bike, an accident and 6 points on my license, so you should be fine.

If you fancy it bud, you are more than welcome to have a go on my scooters, I have a sit and beg 125 and a maxi 400 to see if you want to compare it to anything, or run any potential second hand purchases past a second pair of eyes ( had many part in the name of cheap motoring) I am in Egham near Heathrow so just message me if I can help.

I have had lots of help and stuff off this community at PH so it would be nice to pay it back.

Ben

[Simes205]

I commute into London on a 250 Vespa (got a termoscud and heated grips fitted) - It's more comfortable and manoeuvrable than the NC30, although the NC being so small fits through impossible gaps.
I get stuck behind Mp3's because they are too wide to get through the traffic.

The only advantage I can see of these trikes are more confidence in the rain and spinning up the rear wheel around wet roundabouts........ (runs and hides)

[Simes205]

Found this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiUgTxPzL6E

[kiethton]

Tampon said:

I paid £360 when I was 22 for a CBR 600 third party, I now pay £75 for the majesty 400 with no NCB for a bike, an accident and 6 points on my license, so you should be fine.

If you fancy it bud, you are more than welcome to have a go on my scooters, I have a sit and beg 125 and a maxi 400 to see if you want to compare it to anything, or run any potential second hand purchases past a second pair of eyes ( had many part in the name of cheap motoring) I am in Egham near Heathrow so just message me if I can help.

I have had lots of help and stuff off this community at PH so it would be nice to pay it back.

Ben

Thanks Ben, may take you up on that...parents have come around to the idea but not the GF (too dangerous) which was expected. Have had to agree to trying the train for a few weeks before making any plunge which is fair enough (and what I'd need to do anyway) to see if it is as unworkable as it is on paper, can then look at getting my exam in June out if the way and go from there with the CBT etc.

Thanks again all, will look at those other options too, on the filtering thing I'm not too bothered about being able to squeeze to the front/tightest gaps and unfortunately for me given the timings it's not as much of a problem anyway (I don't want to hold up others though)

Edited by kiethton on Tuesday 15th April 21:39

[anonymous-user]

edeath said:

Unfortunately, from my experience, these 3 wheeled scooters seem to be ridden by complete idiots who seem to have had no training at all.

...or "PCSO" for short.

[Toomeym]

Hi, I'm in the exact same position as you. I am 23, long work hours. I currently have an awkward 70/75 minute train, bus and cycle journey to work, live in BR3 (10 miles from my office) and it would only take me 30/35 mins by scooter. I am really interested to hear how your experience has been on the three wheeled scooter? Specifically below:

Insurance cost?
Petrol cost?
Do you get soaked when it's raining?
Is it easy to get around traffic? Can you use bus lanes on three wheeler?
Is it dangerous?

[kiethton]

Am now BR3 also

I ended up just getting a 125cc standard geared bike and had been on it for ~30 months, well until it was written off last month. Did consider the 3 wheeler but in the end couldn't justify the cost. Been more than financially viable whilst also removing any train problems from my cares (always felt wary leaving it on the road outside work for night piss-up's though).

Fuel cost me ~80p a day (CBR125R) and was paid out a good chunk more than I paid for it when written off.

Weather can be st but it doesn't rain that often in reality, but then decent kit gets you through!

With the bike now written off I've now got a CBR600F and am in the middle of my DAS (iced off yesterday). This biking thing is addictive it is.

Colleague has a MP3 though and commutes from Ealing - he's pleased enough with it but is a top engine/spec model.