Scooter Review Piaggio MP3 250 After a long period of time spent with the MP3 400 its now time to share the love on the MP3 250.
Allen Drysdale
Summary
I feel I've been banging on about the MP3 family for an eternity. Talking up the merits of what its like to ride day to day on three wheels, and the benefits and advantages that come with it.
Most of my MP3 experience has taken place on the larger capacity MP3 400 unit but now its time to chill out and relax on the 250 cc version. Will the love affair continue?.... We find out.
Features
The main difference between the MP3 400 and MP3 250 is the kilos, the weight that is. And it's very noticeable as soon as you head out on the road for the very first time.
In terms of features the differences between the 250 and 400 are minor. More room under the seat for the 250, no 12 volt charger and less power is about the sum total.
The 250 of course has the same two wheels up front. That's why its an MP3 and the benefits of two front wheels is just mind-blowingly obvious. Better braking, more confidence, improved wet weather handling with a major dose of convenience thrown in for good measure. I could digress but just believe me on this, its better.
The MP3 250 shares the same multi-function dash with other Piaggio models including the X Evo. Two trip meters, two clock settings, external temperature and all the normal fuel and temp gauges. The mode switch on the handlebar toggles you through the trip and external temp functions. Speed and tacho is presented by analogue dials. Whilst at the bars you also have the all important switch that locks/unlocks the front wheels which is activated manually below 15km/h and under 2000 rpm.
On the MP3 250 the rear flip-opened boot is operated via the key whilst being turned in the ignition (remote on the 400). Turn the key in the opposite direction if you want to open the fuel filler, nice and simple the filler is located between your feet.
Storage is the key to the Piaggio MP3 range and once the boot is opened you will find a storage cavity that runs under the scooter thus allowing you to place longer items through, rather then "in". I don't think there would be a better all round scooter on the market when it comes to carrying just about anything. Add two helmet hooks at the front and all up this is storage heaven. An ever present bag hook is available just in case your carrying the mother load. Under the seat is a nice pull out seat cover that can be used for wet conditions to save the tush from getting wet.
Up back you will find dual shock absorbers that are fully adjustable, left standard they work fine. A rear disc brake also resides on the rear to compliment the two disc brakes you already have up front. The manually operated park brake allows you to park the MP3 on any kind of slope or angle.
12 inch wheels all round make sufficient contact with the surface, never do you feel that the wheel and tyre combination is too small. The 250 cc engine that resides in the MP3 is renowned as being one of the best engines in the world. Enough said.
On The Road
The MP3 250 presents itself as a scooter that can be used for every occasion. Dynamically around town its perfect. So those extra bumps, potholes and raised gutters that we find around our city streets just form no match for the MP3 250.
So I feel as though I've "talked up" the dynamics of the MP3 before, but please do yourself a favour.... You need a long test ride in the saddle to
really get the gist of what the MP3 is all about. Point, steer and
throttle, nothing else gets in the way. And if you do hit a
bump or pothole its most likely that only one wheel is dealing with the issue at hand
whilst the other is keeping the line that you have chosen. I love it.
The MP3 250 is far lighter then the 400 on the road meaning you can easily flip the scooter from side to side with slow speed manoeuvrability enhanced big time. Less weight means just a nicer feeling of control and the physical energy required to ride the scooter is always apparent.
Less power on the 250 over the 400 will only become evident if your city riding turns into national highway jaunts. Sure you can feel the MP3 taking a little extra time from standstill but once going she spins along with a smooth fluid nature that we've come to expect from the Piaggio Quasar engine. Motorway speeds of 100 km/h are easy to achieve and the MP3 will sit and stay at these speeds all day long. Only the bigger hills will have a slow down effect.
Thin enough to filter and light enough to feel comfortable doing it, that's the benefit again of having the smaller MP3 250 model over the 400. Brakes are another highlight of the MP3 250 as having two discs up front is always going to be better then one. Having two tyres on the road whilst braking hard is always going to be better then having just one. Two is better then one.
Conclusion
I really am hoping that a magic cloud forms over Australia and gets us all thinking "why an MP3 could be for me". It really could be the answer to a small car replacement and once hooked you never stop singing the praises.
If your stature is accepting of a larger maxi style scooter then you wont have any problems dealing with the size of the MP3. The riding position is comfortable and will accept hours in the saddle without fuss.
So all things considered, you guessed right, I'm a big fan. Ever since spending near on 6 months with the MP3 400, I just feel I'm back at home on the 250 version. If the MP3 250 lacks a little "oomph" , it more then makes up in the areas of convenience and manoeuvrability. And these are the two key areas of making your ride a pleasure around the city.
So any minuses? They would only come down to maybe a bland style and limited choice of colours.
Apart from this let it rain with the thoughts that one day you too can experience the love I share with the MP3 range. Now that's just weird!
published 11/03/2010 |