I have liked the Piaggio MP3 and its two-wheel front suspension from day 1, when we tested the 250cc version first imported to Canada in 2008. In our bumpy land, cutting the amplitude and violence of bumps in half has to be good. Adding front traction by doubling the contact patch greatly increases stability of the bike and rider confidence – it just makes sense.

The bike is obviously impressive in matt black and tasty red trim. For my taste, the design looks alittle too busy, almost overdone. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Moto123.com)

The largest MP3 model, the 500 Sport, came across as a great bike, not perfection but getting awful close. And you have a choice, as for the $10,495 MSRP you can choose the Tourer version, almost a dead ringer for the Sport save for an integrated backrest for the passenger and a nice tone of grey rather than mat black Sport we tested.

Is it a diesel? No, just a friendly brute!
The big single came across as a friendly engine that pulls evenly, all day, in the city as well as on the highway. The 493cc water-cooled, fuel-injected four-stroke, mated to an all-mechanical CVT, delivers the goods effectively, with a happy 40hp on tap just over 8000rpm, and most important, 32 lb-ft of torque at 5550 rpm.

The drive train in this nouveau-genre power-scooter is well adapted to urban use, delivering an enjoyable leap away from traffic lights as well as possessing the long legs needed for comfortable higher speed runs on the highway. You can cut the CVT’s slight engagement lag by cracking the throttle a bit just before the light turns green, and then manage the throttle, i.e. torque to stay legal or ahead of the four wheeled plebe.

Serious chassis and running gear
Everyone spots the twin front wheels right off the bat, as they draw attention away from the relatively compact size of the machine, naturally more than a 50 or 300cc one, but without tending towards obesity. Several other key mechanical features make up this brilliant machine: a nice and fat 140/70 14 rear tire to go with the twin 120/70 12s in front, larger and much more effective than the weenies on smaller scoots, in addition to splitting the work between them in front.

The rear suspension uses two coilover - damper combination, adjustable for preload only, andfully capable of supporting the 40hp and two people load. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Moto123.com)