Comments on: A Piaggio MP3 with a Sidecar

By: David Sherjan

David Sherjan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:40:57 +0000

Awesome, love it!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:05:34 +0000

I have an MP3 and have been thinking about a sidecar, so I am looking forward to your review. I would also be interested in how it affects your speed.
Scooternana

By: Low Buck Rider

Low Buck Rider — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:23:53 +0000

Don’t pay attention to Dom he traded a perfectly good RT for a Ural. So we must discount his judgment. Though with every one of his Examiner post it makes me want one all the more. If one is to put a sidecar on a MP3 it should be a leaner, like a Flexit http://improvelife.info/links/v65/special/bikes/flexit.htm or a Equlean http://www.wingnutcycles.com/id3.html. have fun, I’m looking forward to the write up.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:49:22 +0000

Charlie6:(dom) Morbid curiosity. That sounds about right. I'm curious too and a bit worried now that I will ride on to disaster.

Thanks for sending the sidecar manual. Great intro to technique. Hopefully I will learn how to turn into the sidecar.

Mr. Riepe: There is a Victory dealer just down the road, a half mile beyond the Harley dealer. I'll ask them both if they offer test rides of their Zeppelin lines.

By: Jack Riepe

Jack Riepe — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:31:46 +0000

Dear Steve:

The top of the line Victory is damned close to a zeppelin.

Fondest regards,
Riepe

By: Charlie6

Charlie6 — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:19:32 +0000

Steve

I too look forward to your review of this rig, if only from morbid curiosity. I've no idea re the handling on an MP3, but adding a sidecar to it will surely add "interesting" variables.

My guess is the sidecar caveats fully apply in spite of your tug having three wheels. Be careful on sharp right hand turns at speed, centrifugal forces will "fly your chair" and if you're not ready and know how to deal with it, it's not good news, and its dangerous.

Here's a link to the sidecar operator manual, strongly advise you read it.

The way neophyte sidecar riders get hurt is not reading the above or not getting training....hate to see you get hurt.

All these dire warnings aside, if you take it easy and get used to it in a safe area, you should have a blast.

dom

Redleg's Rides

Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:53:06 +0000

bikerted: I should probably get a harness for him to ride in the truck. Definitely if I was going to ride him in the sidecar beyond a slow jaunt across the street.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:52:11 +0000

Dear Mr. Riepe,

My initial reactions to the MP3 placed it squarely in the octogenarian pigeonhole but I've since come to realize that was just my pin-headed, narrow-minded, wrong-headed, frightened, and embarrassed reaction to something that was different. Unlike yourself who has real reasons to fear the chariot.

Junior is probably more openminded so who knows what he'll think. I will find out over the weekend what he has to say.

I would be thrilled to ride in a Zeppelin. If you can arrange it please reserve a first class berth for me on the first possible trans-atlantic voyage. And my preference is for a non-hydrogen ship.

If I took an adult like yourself along to the dealership I would just end up on some big, tired old bike and miss most of the magic in the world. So I'll have to keep going on my own, wide-eyed and innocent as usual.

I hope you find my report satisfying. Perhaps each reference will be reflected against a K-Bike. Or a zeppelin. The more I think about it the more I like the idea of a road zeppelin.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:26:31 +0000

Mike: I'm with you about Junior. I am almost ready to say it would be completely irresponsible for me to take him for a ride. My plan is to just see if he will get in and maybe ride slowly in the school parking lot across the street.

As I picture riding with him I see him leaping away...

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 01:25:06 +0000

Conchscooter: I thought much like you until I started piling miles up on an MP3. The big advantage I see for them is amazing stability in turns and a major reduction in the potential for the front wheels slipping out on gravel or other slippery inducing road surfaces. For year round riders not living in a fru fru climate it could be a welcome means of managing some of the road risks.

But adding a sidecar.... Man, I am open to some magic but can't imagine what it is.

BTW-- your green eyed envy of rubber band powered machines is evident. The Triumph just can't sufficiently medicate that void... *grin*