PIAGGIO MP3 400 (2008 - on) Review

Year: 2016

Annual servicing cost: £700

This motorcycle is a brilliant commuter and introduction to someone who would not buy a 2 wheeler normally. I first tried one when I was sick of traffic queues in Madrid. In Spain (& many EU countries) there is no such thing as a CBT, you either do MOD 1 & 2 tests before they let you ride on the road, OR if you have a B license for 3 years and are over 21 you can ride upto a 125cc on your B license without taking a test(UK govt take note). I needed a car replacement and a 125cc is not fast enough for a European motorway whereas a 3 wheeler like the MP3, particularly the 500cc one, will do about 95mph which is more than enough to compete on a motorway with reserve, something that a 125 cannot. Also even at the mid to higher range the MP3 is as fast or faster than the cars so it is safe enough to ride. It also has much more road presence. In the UK scenario doing a CBT gets you a 125 and an L plate. You cannot ride on a motorway. No car driver is going to swap their car for that if they need a Gen purpose machine and their commute is around the M25 or the M42 or M60 If you consider this as a bike & use blinkers then you will be disappointed but if you consider what it can do that a bike cant then you will be amazed. Try for instance driving on ice, greasy roads or snow and suddenly the stability you have for an all round commuter is amazing and inspiring. Try throwing it around on a mountain road and enjoy the fact that if you hit gravel or manure you dont end up in the ditch or on your back end It is not as fast accelerating as a regular bike, but as a commuter it has much more than the car and once you adapt to the transmission you find the delay goes away because you adapt your driving style. I admit it takes a bit of getting used to the fuel filler and I spent a frustrating time first time riding it but it comes easier with time. I would recommend this motorcycle to anyone, it is a lot of fun and very safe and confidence inspiring and it is a great introduction to an already experience driver who does not want to go back to school to learn to ride a motorcycle.You can drive it on your car license and abuse it without paying a high price for doing so. On a commuter run if you have a lapse of attention it does not pay you back when you stamp on the brakes or are clumsy with the throttle, like a 2 wheeler might. I made the conversion and now have a KTM 790. Without a halfway house like teh MP3 I would never have gone to a CBT or a motorcycle training school ever, nor made teh transition to bikes. So critics swallow your prejudice & bile and accept this is a very capable all season machine despite the fact it has ...... gulp an extra wheel..... PS I still have mine for going to work......Think on.

Buying experience: Er actually I didnt buy the MP3. I rented it for 4 days to see if I could live with a motorcycle before buying one. I did not buy it, not because i didnt want to but my wife was very scared of motorbikes, and I saw the Quadro 4, which MCN have not reviewed, which was even cooler in Ferrari red. It has Leaning Multiwheel technology and has 4 wheels so I persuaded my wife it was a stable as a car. It draws looks wherever I go and will stand upright at a traffic lights without having to put your feet down ever (great if it is raining) if you press the brake pedal or use the combined left brake lever. It is absolutely fabulous but if it had not been available I would have bought the 500cc Piaggio MP3 or Gilera Fuoco as they are a bit faster than the 400.

Year: 2009

Comfortable bike

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £150

Great commuter or light tourer. Suspension not exactly 'cushioning' but VERY stable.

Buying experience: Fine. Purchased used in 2018 for $2k