Photo by your ‘umble chronicler.
If you ever pass by 174 Spadina Avenue in Accordion City, the building that is home to the b5media office, you’re likely to see people taking a closer look at the vehicle shown above parked nearby.
Photo by your ‘umble chronicler.
It’s a Piaggio MP3 500, a three-wheeled scooter manufactured by the Italian company Piaggio. It belongs to b5’s CEO, Jeremy Wright. He got it as a replacement when his last scooter was written off (a cabbie cut him off, causing him to spill — and then fled the scene). I like to call it his “Big Wheel”, a reference to the children’s toy tricycle.
Photo by your ‘umble chronicler.
Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about the riding experience provided by a Piaggio MP3:
The unique feature about this three wheel vehicle is that it has all the riding traits and handling characteristics of a motorcycle with the added advantage of a third “footprint” that dramatically enhances stability and stopping distance. It is different than a standard three wheel “trike,” which is only similar to a motorcycle in terms of looks and mechanics. With a trike the geometry of the steering and the consequential inability to lean considerably alters the steering technique and the cornering ability. Conversely, the Piaggio MP3 advertises a 40 degree lean angle; greater than most bikes on the street today. Countersteering techniques used in normal motorcycle riding must be employed to fully utilize and control the MP3.
Potholes, road debris, pavement cracks and even road edge “traps” are substantially reduced threats because the third wheel enhances safety through stability. Even problems with inappropriate braking techniques, normally relegated to two wheel motorcycles, are forgiven because of the weight distribution, low center of gravity and extra balance derived from a third wheel. Having a third wheel which adds the third disc brake gives the rider 50% more tire on the road for traction and 50% more braking.
Photo by your ‘umble chronicler.
The scooter is one of those things that straddles the fine line between “cool” and “dorky”. There’s only one other scooter or motorbike that could out-cool and out-dork this one, and that’s Batman’s cycle from The Dark Knight, shown below:
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I saw one of these about a week ago in St. Louis, and was wondering what the frell that thing was. Thanks!
Just to chime, here in Paris (France), it is common to see such scooter being used all day long - mostly by business boys, sure, but it's not an incommon sight. Just as is the BMW C1, to take another "wow, that's different" scooter :)
How surprised I was to see an MP3 in my feed reader today! I ride an MP3 250, which looks rather less insectoid, and consequently either more or less dorky, depending upon whom you ask. I hope Jeremy enjoys his as much as I enjoy mine--dorky or not, they're a blast to ride.
This is like the kid version of the Bombardier Spyder (http://spyder.brp.com/).
-adam
I have Dutch cousins who are members of a motorcycle club called "The Rogues" and I recently found this bizarre entry on YouTube
And here are pictures of the one-wheeled contraption
Adam: Kind of. You're right insofar as the Spyder has a lot more power. The real difference, though, is that the MP3 leans around curves like a motorcycle, whereas the Spyder handles essentially like a car.
Hey Jordan, the 500 is a whole other bike, happy to let you take it for a spin sometime if you're in the city!
Either way, yeah, the bike is totally equal parts dorky and cool, but it's still a hella lot of fun. Throwing it into turns is like nothing on 2 wheels becuase you have total confidence that the bike'll save you. Not that you're reckless, just that you're confident in your bike's abilities (which as a relatively new rider, I appreciate).
I've let a few hardcore bikers take spins on it, and they always come away with big smiles on their faces.
To me, a bike should be fun, fast and safe in equal measures, and the MP3 really is.
I'm happy. Even if I am dorky ;-)