Piaggio MP3 500 and Easylifter Hydra-Trail advice please for prospective MHer! (1 Viewer)

[TheTwoOfUs]

I would think that no bike frame /forks has ever been designed with the idea of being pulled in mind. They are designed to take the force of normal riding and, imporntly compressive loads when braking ie the front wheel trying to PUSH itself back into the frame, not PULLED away from it.

 

[PeteH]

I would think that no bike frame /forks has ever been designed with the idea of being pulled in mind. They are designed to take the force of normal riding and, imporntly compressive loads when braking ie the front wheel trying to PUSH itself back into the frame, not PULLED away from it.

Which I think is met where the Tow device Was actually attached to the frame NOT the forks?. (the device I remember, Was being used on Track Bike, which are (where then) designed extremely Robustly.) But as you say not necessarily by the device being sold on E-bay.

Pete

 

[GaryBDawson]

Hi David,
I have an Piaggio MP3 but mine is 300 cc and it is fabulous, believe me you do not need a 500 particularly for what you want to do I have had it for two years. Before that I have used a scooter for twenty years however I never passed a motorcycle test, I have also had an easy lifter hydra trail for five years I had it converted to take the MP3 , it copes very well I usually drive around 60 or a little faster than the wagons. The thing is I can reverse ,I have seen others with scooters etc on trailers trying to revers in or out of spacers on sites and Aires it is impossible, I am a little older than you

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[davidcrossland]

Hi David,
I have an Piaggio MP3 but mine is 300 cc and it is fabulous, believe me you do not need a 500 particularly for what you want to do I have had it for two years. Before that I have used a scooter for twenty years however I never passed a motorcycle test, I have also had an easy lifter hydra trail for five years I had it converted to take the MP3 , it copes very well I usually drive around 60 or a little faster than the wagons. The thing is I can reverse ,I have seen others with scooters etc on trailers trying to revers in or out of spacers on sites and Aires it is impossible, I am a little older than you

Thanks for the advice Gary. I'm really pleased to read that you love the Piaggio.

As to whether I need the 500 you're probably right. However,...

I like the idea of ABS and ASR. Having seen the video demoing the 500 going round a very wet bend with and without the ASR switched on I'm sold.

I also like the idea of more storage under the, now bigger, seat and therefore more space for my partner and I.

Thanks for the info on the Hydratrail. It does look great although there's been a bit of negativity from some previous buyers. In your opinion, do you think it could still do the job with the 500? (I think there's an extra 50kg ish!)

Kind regards,

David

 

[GaryBDawson]

Hi David,
It's not just the weight of the 500 the actual bulk is much larger, we have a top box which acts as a back rest fits two helmets (which are colour coordinated with the bike pearl and blue) and we have not had any problem with storage. Have you been to a dealer and seen both I got mine in Huddersfield and even the salesman advised me on the 300 for what I wanted to do with it.
As far as the hydra rail I would speak to Anthony at easy lifter a nice guy he is a biker himself and will advise on weights .
Although I have never taken a bike test I have been riding a scooter for 20 years and I have done a CBT , I don't know where you are I am in Yorkshire give me a call
Gary

 

[Charlie]

I think it's also down to the size and weight of the rider and to some degree the passenger . I'm 6.4 and having spent all my life in the gym and doing my chosen sport of martial arts am big built. I stand at 18 stones.
So for me it would have to be the bigger machine or my wife on the back is not going to be sat comfortably.
ABS and Traction are well worth having as well especially for the inexperienced operator but not having those would not bother me too much as for us it's a method of transport and we will be going at a leisurely pace !

I haven't seen the smaller and larger machine side by side though and for anyone seriously considering an MP3 it would be worth doing. If that is you can find a dealer that has both in stock. These things are quite rare !

I'm still struggling to decide between a wee car on a frame or an MP on a trailer .......

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[GaryBDawson]

Hi Charlie,
You are right there we manage ok on the smaller one like you I would recommend seeing both together crazy scooters in Huddersfield usually have both.
I went down the route of a bike as I usually ride abroad parking and traffic jams are a problem, the scooter solves that and I am still not sure about a car on an a frame in Spain I still come across people who have been fined big amounts. You still cannot reverse an a frame.
Gary

 

[MikeD]

Good advice but the problem is is finding a place that has an MP3 .... The Mp3 is quite unlike riding a conventional scooter. I have been into bikes from big road bikes to racing on track and riding an MP3 requires far less balance and ............ Well skill..

Cornering is quite different . The stability on the MP is awe inspiring and providing the rider is sensible it would be quite unusual to loose control mid bend. 90% of M/cycle accidents are from riders loosing control in the bend.

It is of course a benefit having motor cycling experience. Bikers develop a 6th sense and an acute awareness as to what is in front of them and what is going on around them. We bikers ride with senses heightened whether we realise it or not.

IMHO taking a lesson on a conventional scooter would confuse the issue. It would relate little to riding an MP. All training is good but in this case it may not entirely relate .

My local bike dealer in Harpenden has a MP3 300cc for sale with 218 miles on the clock.



Thats not to far from Croydon

 

[Charlie]

My local bike dealer in Harpenden has a MP3 300cc for sale with 218 miles on the clock.


Thats not to far from Croydon

Thanks but for the reasons above I would only go for the bigger 500 cc one .

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[davidcrossland]

My local bike dealer in Harpenden has a MP3 300cc for sale with 218 miles on the clock.



Thats not to far from Croydon

Thanks for that Mike.

I have seen both side by side and the 500 looked amazing. It was love at first sight.

However, that was a year ago and it's time I had another look and a test ride. So, when the weather improves I'll make my move.

I'm lucky because there are 2 Piaggio dealers here in Croydon.

At the moment my heart says the 500 although I might have to be sensible like Gary and go with my head - 300!

I think the test ride will help me decide.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

The bigger seat + more leg room swung it for me plus my "proper" bike is 1800 so didn't fancy dropping to a 300.

 

[Encantador]

This afternoon, in John Lewis I spotted, in their sale, a Garmin Zumo 350LM - satnav for motor bikes and scooters.

And it was only £119! F

Looks like a great deal.

Would like one on mine but they are normally over £300, too much for something I wouldn't use that often. Also, on mine there is no obvious easy place to fit it.

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[davidcrossland]

Update: For all the kind folks who gave me advice and encouragement I thought you may wish to know I have finally got my Piaggio MP3 500 ABS/ASR Business.

I bought it off a very nice guy on the Piaggio MP3 Facebook group. It was only 10 months old with 2400 miles on the clock.

So far, I've done 300 miles on it. Still in training as I'm not yet ready to take my partner on the back. Maybe by the time I've done 500 miles in total.

I didn't do the CBT as advised by some but am taking things steady and am not yet ready to weave down between lines of traffic.

 

[Baldeagle7470]

Looks great and you look happy,enjoy!!