Review: Piaggio MP3 Scooter

MP3. When you see that file extension acronym in E-Gear Magazine, 99 percent of the time it is going to be associated with a portable music player or device making it easier for you to listen to your tunes. But Piaggio, the Italian scooter manufacturer has something else in mind. The clever marketing department figured they would tie-in with the famous MP3 moniker to persuade a younger, hipper audience to launch a unique vehicle. Along with other bystanders at the New York Motorcycle Show, I did a double-take when I came across the MP3 by Piaggio. “What the heck is that?” Clearly, the MP3 is like no other motorcycle, scooter, or motorized vehicle on the road.

Piaggio 2007 Core Profit Up As It Grows In Asia

Italy’s Piaggio, maker of the Vespa scooter, reported a 10.8 percent rise in 2007 core profit on slightly higher sales, as it expanded in Asia where demand for two-wheelers is strong.

“(There was) growth in all lines of business over the year,” it said in a statement on Friday.
Piaggio & C SpA, controlled by holding company IMMSI, said its board had proposed a dividend of 0.06 euro a share, double the payout last year.
At 1524 GMT, Piaggio shares followed the market lower, trading down 3 percent at 1.66 euros in Milan, a record low.
Core profit — or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) — totalled 226.1 million euros ($348.4 million), leading to a margin of 13.4 percent against 12.7 percent in 2006.

The Aprilia Tuono 1000 R

The Tuono 1000 R is the bike that all other nakeds have to beat. It is a machine for the demanding motorcyclist, the rider who seeks maximum performance from a naked, on the road and on the track.

Ever since it first appeared on the motorcycling scene, the Tuono has embodied Aprilia’s genius and amazing technical know-how, accumulated through victory after victory in motorcycle racing. The Tuono has come to mean flair and technology more than any other road-going motorcycle.

Test centre trauma

Britain Motorcycle industry faces a huge uphill battle next year as EU laws are set to drastically cut the number of centres in the UK capable of conducting tests, making it harder than ever for riders to gain a full licence.

According to official government figures from September 29 only 66 of the current 233 centres in the UK will be able to pass students due to a new part of the test forced into effect by the EU, meaning riders will have to travel further than ever to complete their licences.

Clutchless Aprilia headed for SA

A version of the futuristic Aprilia Mana, which incorporates technology that negates the necessity for a clutch, is on its way to South Africa and could soon become a regular face on our roads.

Unlike earlier self-shifting motorcycles that faded into oblivion due to lack of interest caused by sluggish performance, the lively Mana offers riders the option of using any of three fully automatic modes (Sport, Touring and Rain), as well as two manual options. These are operated either through the usual lever near the left foot, or sequentially via using two buttons on the handle bars.

Piaggio Launches Premium Scooters

THE Piaggio Group in association with their local partners, the Alfardan Motorcycle Centre, launched a range of scooters in Qatar at a function on Thursday.

Products are being launched under the Piaggio, Vespa and Gilera brand names. The launch was held at the recently opened Alfardan Motorcycle Centre at Khalifa Town.

The products are the Vespa, Piaggio’s three wheeled 400cc MP3 and the Gilera 500cc “performance” scooter which promises to embarrass many motorcycles.

The MP3 is the first three-wheeled scooter, with two wheels in the front which provide “much greater grip and safety than conventional scooters and two-wheelers”.

Motorcycle Registrations Show Big Gains In 2007

Motorcycle, moped and scooter registrations were up 8.6 per cent last year to record the biggest increase in seven years. Registrations of all powered two wheelers (PTW) totalled 144,583 in 2007 – the highest figure since 2003and well ahead of the 133,076 registrations in 2006. Passenger car registrations last year increased by only 2.5 per cent.

Motorcycle registrations in 2007 increased by a hefty 9.7 per cent, while mopeds increased by 4 per cent and scooters by 9.1 per cent. The biggest-selling PTW of the year was the Yamaha YBR 125 with 2,272 registrations.