After work I rode over to Kissell Motorsports to pick up the Piaggio MP3 with the sidecar. I remembered Jack Riepe’s comment about wanting to ride a Zeppelin, an erudite way of wagging an accusing finger at the eclectic connection of sidecar to MP3.
When I saw the actual Zeppelin in the parking lot the iPhone appeared and documented the occurrence. The Zeppelin, common name Victory, was very large, very shiny, and looking like something from Blade Runner. What I was about to ride looked like something more likely to appear in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure.
RichardM says
The MP3 alone is kind of interesting but the addition of a sidecar elevates it way past simply interesting. I think the Victory looks very nice but I have no interest in trying to handle something that heavy. My old RT is already on the “too heavy” side and it’s about half the weight. Have fun on the sidecar rig. Looking forward to your review.
Richard
SonjaM says
I find the Victory too much motorcycle. It looks more like a 2-bedroom condo on two wheels. Good luck and safe riding with the MP3 hack.
Jack Riepe says
Dear Steve:
I wanted to comment, but I am on my deathbed.
Sincerely,
Riepe
ToadMama says
My Hubby likes the looks of that Victory. I do not. We will get a big tourer one day. Hopefully, it’s not that one. Go PeeWee! I am looking forward tot the trip report, too.
Low Buck Rider says
“Oh the humanity.”
I love the looks of the Vision, it makes me think of the pictures of the future from my child hood. The only thing it needs to make it more Jetson like is the exhaust note of a K bike. Many mornings when I get to work I wind up fallowing one of my coworkers into the yard. the image of the scooter right behind a Tourglide has be described as that of a shark and remora.
Circle Blue says
I loved Sonja’s comment. I not thought of it before, but it does look like that.
I, too, am looking forward to the MP3 review. I can only wonder with it’s tendency to eat rear tires what the consequences of pushing a car would be. Alas, I suspect the test ride won’t be long enough to tell 🙂
Be safe on this odd beast.
~Keith
Steve Williams says
RichardM: I too was interested. My first sidecar experience and with an MP3 as the tug. Rode it today.
Interesting…
Steve Williams says
SonjaM: I try hard to be open to just about any motorcycle but there are a few that just seem too eccentric for my taste. The styling on the Victory line leaves me cold but I know others feel the same about the Vespa. Plenty of room on the road for all kinds of bikes.
Steve Williams says
Jack: all joking aside I hope you rise from bed soon and theill us again with your masterful prose.
Get better.
Steve Williams says
ToadMama: Show you’re husband the new BMW K1600 tourer—nice bike. Or the new Ducati Diavel or a Triumph Thunderbird–anything but a Victory…
I guess I don’t like the Victory too much. Sorry.
Steve Williams says
Low Buck Rider: you are exactly right about the Jetson look. A bubble machine would complete the look.
Shark and Remora–I’ll get my eyes open for that.
Steve Williams says
Circle Blue: I made it through the day without turning the rig over. Beginning to pull my thoughts together and finding a wide range of things turning in my head.
Charlie6 says
Steve,
The looks on the Victory don’t appeal to me….and it sure looks heavy. It’s looks are definitely love it or hate it with no in between.
Looking forward to your review of the Piaggio and sidecar rig.
dom
Redleg’s Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Conchscooter says
Hey- I’m under all sorts of presure at work during spring break and the blog is a pain in the ass. so what’s your excuse, mr unmotivated?
If riepe and I ride to the sticks this summer you will be in bad trouble. I am a dog whisperer and Junior will follow me home. Take pictures now while you can.
Call that a motivator.Capisci?
Steve Williams says
Charlie: Still working on that review. Slow but sure.
Conchscooter: Hmmm, excuse. Well, things have been hectic. Weather bad. Work intense. And the Governor of Pennsylvania proposed cutting our appropriation by 52 percent.
So my mind has been elsewhere of late…