My wife purchased the MP3 on Friday, and we trailered it home in the dark. We programmed the keys and acquainted ourselves with the Scoot on Saturday morning and spent the rest of the day riding around town and out on the highway.
Some impressions: This is a maxiscooter. It's 7' long stem to stern. It has full instrumentation and controls. The hydraulic centering is not self-righting. It lurches a bit to whichever side you lean when starting out self-centered, but it's very easy to control. Plenty of storage under the seat -
3 bags full plus a grocery bag hook above the parking brake. Comfy seats front and rear. Good mirrors. Funky looks. Visibility is top notch but the windscreen doesn't offer much protection at highway speeds. Corners like a demon. This is a seriously entertaining scooter. The ride is very stable and smooth. The transmission doesn't allow engine braking, it freewheels. Brakes are outstanding and equally effective front to rear. (They are not linked.) Craftsmanship is good, but there were a few assembly nits I could pick at. Quick but not fast, nothing like the Gilera 800. Climbs the hills here at 4700' without straining. Quiet but you do get wind noise in the helmet and also hear the motor at highway speeds. The engine is a peach. It's peppy and responsive, more so than the transmission. People freak when they see it. We had cars following us and kids running out in the road to see the scoot better. People with a sense of technology are blown away by the design. It demands attention at many levels. I believe, once it's broken in (1K), it'll easily cruise at 65 mph. Top speed was quoted by the dealer as 77 mph. Mileage is supposed to be at 70 mpg. Although, I've read 60 is more realistic. Still, with 3.1 gallons under the floorboards, it'll go farther on a tank than either speedy. Spin on oil filter is the size of a shot glass. 1.3 L oil change every 2K using 5W-40 synthetic. Unlimited mileage warranty for 3 years was $550. Lights are barely OK. I think I'll swap the stock H1 candles for PIAA or SilverStars. I also want to get a Givi trunk. (Let the mods begin!)
My wife was cornering on this scooter faster and better than on the motorcycles we own. She has always been cautious, but she was flying through the high school parking lot doing figure eights. I was nervous watching her, but she declared she felt liberated and confident on three wheels. The scoot doesn't slide on gravel. It just sticks to the road. If anything, I think the back end would slide before the front, but I can't prove that yet.
I ordered an open face helmet and goggles for my wife. (She already has both a half and full face helmet, but thinks the 3/4 is a better solution.) I must confess I ordered a half helmet for me just for the look. I've always worn full face so this will be an interesting switch. Not many accessories on the market yet, I'll have to patient. I'd like to sneak a Leo Vince pipe on it when my wife isn't looking, but I know I'd catch he11 if it made much more noise than stock.
Overall, this is an inspiring machine. Scooters in Europe are all the rage. I understand why.
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