Piaggio Mp3 Lt 300ie Business, with a trip-proof kit in Courmayeur [ROAD TEST]

Piaggio Mp3 Lt 300ie Business – It's not completely new, we had in fact already tried it in the past (here is the link to our article), ma in 2017 the first three-wheeler ever made gains some refinements, while confirms itself with a range with two displacements, medium with the 300 and large with the 500, both Euro 4. If the changes may seem marginal, they have led to redesign the frame, with the dual objective of guaranteeing superior qualities of stability and precision in driving and increasing the usability of the vehicle. Improves ergonomics and optimizes the use of space of load in the underseat compartment. A restyling that focuses on the position of the legs and comfort, even before aesthetic taste, setting the goal of finding the perfect handlebar-saddle-footpeg triangulation. The opening of the saddle, now also operable from the remote control with Bike Finder (with remote turning on of the direction indicators), it is, as usual, electric and assisted by a comfortable shock absorber.

In addition to the news of MY2017, this sample of Mp3 that we are about to test is "winter proof". Even though spring has now begun, we were able to enjoy the last cold weather in the heat. Yes, because the accessory kit that can be combined with the Piaggio three-wheeler can take you anywhere without fear of freezing. They are not part of a package and can therefore be purchased individually, or freely combined according to your needs and preferences.

A complete package, which however can be configured freely
It starts from high windshield, made of high quality anti-splinter material, which offers the dual advantage of greater protection from the air and of having finishes and support rods in line with other details of the vehicle. The price is 274 €.

The strong pieces, however, are the heated accessories, starting from the knobs, which offer 4 temperature levels, adjustable from a button thanks to the presence of the optional control unit to which they must be combined. All (control unit excluded) for 82 €, perhaps the best expense to effectively combat the cold, as we will see.

They must be combined, it hardly even needs to be said, with the windproof mittens, in order to exploit the "warmth" generated by the knobs, without wasting it. Price 45 €.

Il leg cover it cannot be missing, both for protection from water and cold. Equipped with a Velcro strap to keep it locked and stops even at motorway speeds, it has a internal eco-fur lining and offers other interesting accessories, such as the cable with which to attach it to the torso, facilitating the flow of water in case of rain, or a practical zip pocket and cloth to cover the saddle when leaving the scooter parked out in the elements, in order to keep the saddle perfectly dry. Cost 135 euro.

With another 71 euros the blanket becomes heatable, always in combination with the appropriate control unit to manage this accessory, on 4 levels of temperature.

The control unit to manage the two heating systems, for knobs and cover, includes the two buttons and has a cost of 158 €.

Calculator in hand the winter "package", if we include everything, comes to a total cost of over 750 euros, just under 500 if we exclude the windshield.

Our test

We're off to a bad start. The day of collection of the "frost-proof" MP3 is in fact one of the first with spring weather. We would like to leave to go and look for the cold in the mountains, with a half provocation, the kit of accessories for the winter is so complete as to make this Mp3 perfect for a trip to Courmayeur, even if in practice the aim of a configuration of this type is very different. Leaving from home, perhaps several kilometers away from the office, without having to worry about the cold, rain and slippery asphalt, this is what the Piaggio Mp3 aims to achieve with the accessories mounted on this specimen. The first "warm" days in his company are a confirmation of the qualities already known, including the fact that the LT can also be driven with a “B” license, thanks to the presence of the third pedal control for the brakes, but it is curious to note how, compared to the old models, the indicators are also different, no longer integrated into the hull and more protruding, as required by the law for this category of vehicles. The accessories, once the heating is turned off, do not create major inconveniences even when the thermometer rises. The cover can possibly be removed for the summer, although it remains a great convenience in case of rain. The mittens instead they are very comfortable all year round, since gloves can be dispensed with, since they also protect against city smog, allowing the mittens to stay clean, as well as warm in winter. A semi-rigid internal part maintains its shape so as to always leave the right space and not hinder the movements of the hands. The windshield offers good protection, clearly superior to the standard one, even if the shape of the MP3 causes it to be rather distant from the driver. This characteristic ends up producing some vortex formation and less than perfect protection from the air.

Luckily the cold returns and the bad weather arrives

We admit it, we had really thought about an out-of-town trip, both to put all the accessories to the test, but also to enjoy ourselves. the "bends" that can be tackled without fear thanks to the presence of the third wheel. The patented front suspension ensures safety the Mp3, that is stable in all conditions. We can afford, for example, to take a bend with the front bent on the slippery pedestrian crossing, without any thought. Since its debut, those who have tried it have very often been so impressed that they have become buyers, converting to three wheels, perhaps coming from two, perhaps from four. However, what makes the MP3 truly unique is its ability to convey tranquility in the most difficult conditions. Here then the rain becomes the opportunity to bring our test into its most important phase. This is why the disturbance that hit Milan, accompanied by a drastic reduction in temperatures, was one of the best received ever for us. The warmth of the cover, turned on when we leave home early in the morning, takes us to the bar for coffee almost warmer than if we had taken the car.

We don't even have to worry about finding a covered car park to avoid having a wet saddle on our return, just cover it with the appropriate accessory to keep it perfectly dry. The hands can then find the knobs with a perfect grip, without those large gloves, otherwise necessary to protect us from the cold. You can use lighter ones, or even do without them, since mittens alone are a sufficient accessory to combat low temperatures. With heating they work the perfect MP3 also for tackling the unimaginable, motorcycling speaking.

You could easily tackle a long route at any temperature, with your legs and hands are warm thanks to the heating, while your head and torso are well protected from the wind and a good jacket and a closed helmet (modular or full-face) are enough to really not fear anything. Even the rain becomes less hostile, it arrives in small quantities and mainly when you stop at traffic lights, concentrated in the upper part of the body. We did not feel the need to use a cape, thanks to which we would have arrived perfectly dry at our destination, but even in this case a waterproof jacket is enough, given that the rest of the body is protected by the accessories, with the great convenience of not having to wear a foot on the ground at traffic lights, thanks to the suspension locking mechanism, which keeps the MP3 upright and balanced.

In addition to the third wheel, the ABS / ASR package provides complete safety

As the Piaggio Group has become accustomed to us by now, too the Mp3 Lt 300ie Business we tested is equipped as standard with the proven ABS / ASR package. The first acts on the three brake discs, one per wheel, preventing locking and allowing aggressive braking even when the vehicle is folded. The traction control, even if the approximately 23 horsepower of the 4cc single-cylinder 278-valve engine would not make it strictly necessary, ensures that you never have to find yourself in difficulty, not even on surfaces with very low grip.

For those who want to dare, to try to understand how high the third wheel is able to move the limit, or to have a bit of fun, the ASR can be deactivated with a button.

At this point even the most knowledgeable motorcyclist will appreciate the MP3, because finding yourself crossing the wet cobblestones in complete tranquility has its reasons. In all other cases, for those who have never driven an MP3, the double front wheel makes driving a little more "nubby" than a normal scooter, but it's just a question of habit, after a few kilometers in the saddle you hardly notice it anymore. A small price in terms of less handling, which is more than balanced by the advantages in terms of safety and stability when cornering. Even getting off a curb becomes easier and safe, thanks to the third wheel.

A fairly important consideration is the right price for safety and warmth for the winter

The price of price list of the Piaggio Mp3 Lt 300ie Business is 7.890 euros. That's 100 more than the Sport, from which it differs in some more elegant aesthetic finishes, including those of the saddle. Specifically, we find glossy gray finishes on the wheel rims and passenger handles, as well as dedicated colours, from Iceberg White on this example to Universe Black, as well as a new metallic Red and an equally new metallic Blue. With the "winter package" the total price of this example reaches approximately 8.650 euros, an undoubtedly important figure, but with a result that is proof against everything, winter and long journeys included, as well as a comfort that becomes, in fact, a middle ground between that of a "conventional" scooter and a car, maintaining the practical advantages of a two-wheeler remain unchanged in terms of speed when moving through traffic and more.

The only significant flaw that we would like to note is related to consumption. THE 12 liter tank they guarantee an interesting autonomy, which can go well beyond 200 km, as long as you don't always use all the power available. Se instead you use a very sporty driving style, you can reach 15-16 km/l, perhaps due to the tonnage exceeding 200 kg (206 to be precise), but also the high windshield does not help to contain consumption when the speeds increase.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Versatile like a scooter, but with car-like road holding. Thanks to the winter accessories it is perfect for any climate
We do not like it:
Consumption not too low, price with "important" accessories

Piaggio Mp3 Lt 300ie Business: the Motorionline Report Card

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Test clothing:
Helmet Scorpion Exo City Wind. New for 2017, it is a helmet with a shell made of advanced polycarbonate components, light and resistant. Equipped with a ventilation system with adjustable air intakes and front spoiler which reduces the risk of lifting. It has an automatic, micrometric chin strap for quick release and precise adjustment. The KwickWick2 internal lining is extremely effective, hypoallergenic, removable and machine washable, as well as being soft and pleasant to the touch, it offers maximum breathability and comfort to the face and head by gently caressing you. The Exo-City is available in 5 sizes from XS to XL based on two shell sizes, 10 colors and graphics, at an indicative price of 150 euros.

Tucano Urbano Trip jacket

Photoshoot: ENGINEER