Launch: Piaggio MP3 300ie

For the unenlightened, the Piaggio MP3 is the scooter equivalent of Frodo Baggins, a hairy-toed oddity that rarely loses its footing, with more courage than its diminutive stature would suggest.

Okay, perhaps that is drawing a long bow, and readers who have never seen or read The Lord of the Rings will be cursing in disgust, but the MP3 has always been, and still is a great piece of kit.

The three-wheeled MP3 maxi scooter used to be available in 250 and 400cc guises, along with the Fuoco 500 for those who wanted uber power, but PS Importers, the Australian distributor for Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera scooters, has condensed the range to just one MP3 model, the 300ie.

The new Piaggio model brings with it a host of changes, including a subtle new look, while keeping the unique articulated quadrilateral front suspension and twin front wheels that make it a joy to ride, but also improve its grip and safety levels.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
Priced from $9990 plus on-road costs, the new Piaggio MP3 300 comes with a fair bit of new kit, including a redesigned grille that does away with the horizontal bars, a larger front screen (a low screen is optional), rear pillion passenger backrest, plus newly positioned electronic seat and rear storage release buttons on the yoke.

The new design is subtle but gives the MP3 a much-needed refresh, it's restyled grille, blue-tinted screen, new headlights and brake light improving its appeal.

PS Importers is confident the new 300cc MP3 will make a strong impression on maxi scooter buyers, particularly with its new price point -- the same as the 250 model and $1000 less than the superseded 400 version.

A larger rear 14-inch rear wheel and lower profile tyre replace the 12-inch hoop of previous models, and the 300 ie also benefits from new front and rear suspension and of course the new 278cc engine.

The liquid-cooled single-cylinder 'Quasar' engine outputs 22.4hp (16.4kW) at 7500rpm and 23.2Nm at 6500rpm, which compares favourably to the 20Nm of the 250cc version. The new MP3 300's torque also hits the skids at slightly lower engine speeds -- improving rideability -- via a twist-and-go CVT (continuously variable transmission).

The four-valve SOHC engine is based on the unit also found in the Piaggio 300 GTS but its fuel injection system is new, borrowed from the high-tech flagship MP3 hybrid model.

Made by Italian company Eldor, the new class-leading fuel injection system and engine control unit feature a ride-by-wire electronic throttle, all of which combine to deliver what Piaggio claims is a smoother but more efficient power delivery.

On the topic of the hybrid version of the MP3, the Bikesales Network asked the brand manager for Piaggio, Simon Gloyne, about the likelihood of the machine coming to Australia. He explained that Piaggio HQ in Italy was keen to export the model to Australia, but that the list price was deemed to be too high to make a solid business case, potentially costing almost twice as much as the new MP3 300.

There are a few accessories too, including the short screen ($346), a taller 'Style' screen ($553) and the big daddy of them all, the 'Comfort' mega screen that covers the rider's head ($1210).

A full scooter cover ($231) will keep the dust and rain off the MP3 and a colour-matched top box ($1039) increases cargo capacity and also features a padded backrest. The hot cover lap rug ($260) is designed to keep legs warm but is probably more apt in colder European climes.

Some of the scooter's vital statistics include a length of 2130mm and width of 745mm, which is roughly the same as your average maxi scooter. Pirelli tyres are fitted as standard, 120/70 on a 12-inch rim at the front and a 140/60 on the 14-inch rear wheel.

The front suspension system is an articulated quadrilateral system and makes use of four aluminium arms sustaining two steering tubes to deliver a traditional 'lean'. It works tremendously well, but we'll go into more detail below.

The front wheels have 85mm of vertical travel, while the rear wheel has 110mm of travel thanks to its twin dual action hydraulic shock absorbers. Twin 240mm front discs are joined by a single 240mm rear disc, and the fuel tank has a 12 litre capacity.

ON THE ROAD
Making mincemeat out of shoddy roads, one of the MP3's claims to fame has always been its stability on uneven surfaces, and the new 300ie with its updated suspension continues in this vein.

The launch ride took us across some severely neglected roads in and around Melbourne, and even when cranked over at decent lean angles, the MP3 didn't miss a beat.

With two contact patches instead of one at the front end, it maintains a huge degree of stability and traction, while at same time soaking up a lot of unevenness in the road surface thanks to its independently sprung front wheels.

Feedback through the handlebars is pretty good, though when you're really pegging it through corners at higher speeds the feedback does become more profound and can be a little disconcerting. Initially there's a sense that the front end is understeering slightly, like it's pushing a bit wide of where you want to be, but once you learn to trust the front end's intriguing geometry that sensation seems to fade away.

While the front end rarely misses a beat -- even in the wet -- the same can't be said of the rear wheel, which every so often breaks free on damp roads. But even when the tail does skip out, the MP3 never really feels flustered as the front end bites into the bitumen like hungry vampire bat on a dozy bovine's rump.

There were a couple of times when I could feel the MP3's front end start to edge wide and slide slightly (though only when it was pushed beyond its limit) but even then it still maintained traction. If the front end starts to go on a standard scooter or motorcycle, things usually go pear-shaped pretty rapidly, but this plucky scoot just takes it in its stride.

The Piaggio MP3 is also a huge amount of fun to pilot, rewarding the rider whenever he or she tips it into corners. It is steered the same as any other scooter or motorcycle; counter steering all the way. But it's the smooth and subtle fashion in which the trike tilts -- up to lean angles of 40 degrees -- that makes it such a rich experience in mundane situations.

The way it transitions from left to right is so smooth and creamy, you could also spread it on your toast. The articulated quadrilateral front suspension setup looks complex but in operation is seamless. Though the sensation of cornering is slightly different to an inline wheel layout, more progressive in a way, it's undeniably addictive.

Of course the major change for the updated MP3 model is the new engine, and from the get-go it feels like a much sharper motor than the 250 and not too far off where the 400 was, particularly due to its 47kg weight reduction over the 400.

With a wider spread of torque than the 250, the MP3 300 has more punch off the line and also at speed, but don't expect to be doing wheelstands on this chubby scoot. Weighing more than 200kg, the peculiar three-wheeler has a top speed of around 130km/h if you peg it down a slight decline. Wipe off around 10km/h if you have a headwind, too.

Several highway excursions confirmed that triple digit speeds are possible, and relatively easily we should add, and the new 278cc engine has much better poke from 80km/h, with the roll on acceleration meatier than what was offered with the 250cc model. The 12-litre fuel tank also provides a decent cruising range, so riders won't be limited to the urban sprawl.

The tall screen, which is now standard on all models, provides good protection from the elements, but even the optional shorter screen (which gives the MP3 a more street cred) offers good wind protection. The shorter screen is also good for shorter people, as they won't have to look through the top edge of the screen to see the road ahead.

Throwing a leg over the new MP3 300 ie won't be a problem for too many riders, its 780mm seat height easily accessible from road or the floor boards, and there's impressive storage (65 litres) through the tailgate or under the seat via push-button operated electronic locks.

The instrument layout is clean and easy to read at a glance, with a large analogue speedo and tach which flank a digital display with ambient air temperature and two trip meters.

Controls for the indicators are where you'd expect on the left handlebar and like most scooters the automatic CVT negates the need for a manual gearbox -- just twist and go.

On the left side of the bars is the control toggle for the MP3's electro-hydraulic hold system, which locks the front end into position. This is used when parking the scooter so it doesn't topple over, and can able to be used at red lights or other times when you come to halt.

It's a great little feature and with a bit of practice you won't ever have to put your feet down on the road; cracking the throttle from standstill automatically unlocks the front end.

With 240mm disc brakes at each wheel, the stoppers deliver strong, confident braking, and the front end has enough damping to ensure the nose won't dive too much under full braking force.

Delivering a smooth, complaint ride the MP3 makes for a great commuter and has a fairly upright riding position. It also works well two-up over shorter distances. We gave the MP3 300ie a short burl in the pillion position and through engine performance suffers with the extra weight, the pillion passenger seat is comfortable and the small back rest -- now a standard feature -- is a tip-top addition and will make medium and longer journeys more relaxed for pillions.

The only problem for passengers are the tiny pillion footrests and knees can get tired as the limited fore/aft room of the rear seat means knees have to splayed wide, particularly if the pilot is a chunky monkey.

The Piaggio MP3 300 ie combines the best aspects of both the 250 and 400 versions, agile handling and low weight from one, improved engine response and real world performance from the other. It's the kind of contraption everyone should ride at least once in their life.

The new MP3 300 is an absolute joy to ride, whether in the 'burbs or out on the open road, and though it was referred to as an 'urban assault vehicle' by PS Importers at one point, we like to think it's more of a mechanical Hobbit; implacable footing and a jovial demeanour adding hugely to its allure.

Gear used:
Jacket: Spidi
Pants: