[ [URL]http://www.mp3.piaggio.com/[/URL] ] nice tricycle
Looks cool. But what's the advantage over a 2-wheel motorcycle? This piaggio creation surely uses more gas/petrol, considering the increased rolling resistance. It looks like you can lean it pretty hard, but you can do that with any sport bike, also. I don't get it. -Dave
Are you sure about that? Larger contact patch will only increase friction with road surface if there is a corresponding increase in weight to provide more downward force. Otherwise, you get the toboggan effect, making the (trike?) more likely to hydroplane or skid on snow, etc. This is one reason that FWD cars are good on snow. Weight directly over (usually) skinny drive wheels, which makes the contact patches have more traction. But put the engine in the middle of the car and you'd be screwed. Double the front tires? Doubly screwed. Just by looking at the pictures, it looks like the contact patch area is doubled (bad, in rain or snow), with a slight increase in weight... but not enough to compensate for the increased contact patch. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to ride one. But I'd slow way the heck down in rain, specifically, as I would expect it to hydroplane like heck. -Dave
In the UK ( for driving licence purposes) the Piaggio MP3 is classed as a B1 category tricycle!!....which means it can be driven on a motorcycle licence or a full car licence....no need for car drivers to take a motorcycle driving test!!!!..... Regards.... Lee.....
I saw one of these on the way up Hwy 9 on Saturday morning. Looked like he was having fun! -- Heaven is where the police are British, the chefs Italian, the mechanics German, the lovers French and it is all organized by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the chefs British, the mechanics French, the lovers Swiss and it is all organized by Italians. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/paul1cart/albums/
The test riders of many and varied motorcycle publications are. To a man, they've tried their damndest to turn one onto its side and failed miserably. (Or joyously, if falling off isn't your thing) Larger contact patch will only increase friction Practice once again kicks theory squarely in the nuts. The Piaggio doen't slip, slide or fall over, it just looks fucking ugly. I think you SHOULD ride one in the rain, if only to lay a few theories to rest. -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
Yes, it`s a three wheeled vehicle....class `B1`......driven on a motorcycle licence ......or a full car licence held before 2001.....UK..... Lee.... Honda Dylan.... Piaggio Zip.... Reliant Robin.....
I know it's a three wheeled vehicl, but I believe the distance between the wheels makes a difference to licensing requirements, There's a bike called the Tomahawk which has 4 wheels, but it's not a car, it's still a motorcycle. I'm totally unconvinced. Even more so after reading this: "Even more amazing, the MP3 is as easy to ride as a traditional scooter. Inevitably dubious, a regular two-wheel rider is soon convinced of the advantages of the formula. The front axle is only 420 mm wide, which means that the MP3 can be homologated as a two-wheeler." Taken from here http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/mag5/art20060701/htm/route-piaggio-MP3.htm -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
Very interesting Beav, but anyone who can count, sees three wheels....unless the government is moving the goal posts again it is a three wheeler....B1 Classification!!!...... There will be a lot of controversy on that score....especially on the road fund taxation.....£65 yearly for a trike..... In the `60s there was a messerschmit three wheeler bubble car (micro, for our US readers) that introduced a model that had twin rear wheels instead of one for better traction.... it was classifieded as a four wheeler for road tax purposes and motorcyclists could only drive it with a provisional licence!!..... and learner plates!!!..bit of an outcry about that...... Interested to see how it develops as i saw an original ad as a three wheeler `B1` in the UK.....cant find the ad at the moment, unfortunately..... Regards.... Lee.....
Read the article. The distance between the wheels is the diciding factor on classification, not purewly the number. The Messerschmidt had two back wheels AND two front wheels, as did the BMW. The back wheels were seperated only by the motor/gearbox/final drive assy, so using your logic, it WAS a car, but it wasn't treated as JUST a car because non car drivers could drive/ride either the Beemer of the Messerschmidt. Probably because it actually had 4 wheels. and Not exactly. They could ride it if they only HAD a provisional and "L" plates, they didn't have to have ONLY a provisional license and "L" plates. There's a huge difference there. bit of an outcry about that...... Actually, there wasn't. They were too few and far between for an "outcry". Maybe some people weren't impresssed that it was taxed as a car, but those who could climb aboard with just a provisional and a set of "L" plates countered those. At one time (and when I began riding) a learner rider on "L" plates could ride ANY size of motorbike PROVIDING it had a third wheel (a sidecar) and the Messerschmidt fewll into the "combination" category. If anything, the Piaggio will do the same although the rules on who can ride a combo have changed. Lee, post your opinion on what the Piaggio "is" on ukrm will you? -- Beav VN 750 Zed 1000 OMF# 19
Yeah, those damn Italians don't know anything about handling...or...traction...or motor vehicles in general.
Years & years ago I saw an article about a guy who had developed kit to convert BMW airheads for two front wheels. The wheels were regular BMW front wheels (I think), each with its own fender. They were about 3 ft apart. The bike still had handlebars and both wheels turned the same, like two sets of forks linked together. There were pics of the bike negotiating a course with tight curves, and it even leaned like a conventional motorcycle. He said he invented this because he had a medical problem. I forget now whether it was a middle-ear balance problem or a problem with his legs trying to hold up a bike. And he figured there must be more people out there with this same problem. They showed pics of the bike negotiating a course with tight curves, and it even leaned like a conventional motorcycle. I thought it was a cool idea, but though I don't remember how much it cost I do remember it was very expensive, almost as much as a good used airhead in those days. If there was ever a time for an idea like this it's now, with more older people on bikes, and the price of gas going up. I actually saw a Piaggio MP3 up at Alices once, so apparently they're selling at least a few of them.
