Piaggio Rocks Mp3

PIAGGIO ROCKS MP3

A REVOLUTION IN TRANSportation or another far-out cult bike/trike? Piaggio hopes the former for the three-wheeled MP3. As you can see, the "3" in the name stands for the number of wheels, but what is unique is the fact that the wheels also tilt when the scooter is steered, so cornering is leanbased, just like on a twowheeler. Nonetheless, the 445-pound machine rides and handles like no other scooter or motorcycle. It all stems from the complex steering layout: Four cast-aluminum arms are arranged in pairs, centrally hinged to the steering head, one in front, one behind. At the ends of each pair of arms are ball-bearing hinges that solidly locate tubular stanchions.

The lower ends of these stanchions support the short arms, related shock absorbers and coil-over springs of a lead ing-link-type sus pension. All this linkage and such gives a double free dom of motion: The wheel assemblies pivot on their vertical axis thanks to the ball bear ings and swing front to-rear, yet always

remain perfectly parallel. The han dlebar is connect ed to the stan chions via cartype steering links. An optional lock ing system keeps the front wheels secured in a perpendicular position for eas ier low-speed maneuvering and releases automatically above 10-15 mph. The strength of the MP3 is that it is both newcomerfriendly (very friendly) and, with a max lean angle of 40 degrees, also fun and practical for expert riders. Steering response isin-stinctive, smooth

progressive. Straight-line stability is excellent, even topped out at 75 mph while riding with. . .no hands! Finally, while nearly all scooters have a clear tendency to understeer, the MP3 proved totally neutral and true to my plotted cornering line. Very appropriately, a parking brake is also provided. While Piaggio does intend to bring the 5500-euro (about $7000) MP3 to the U.S., it is unlikely to arrive until the middle of 2007. -Bruno dePrato