Piaggio MP3 Scooter...not your father's Vespa
I'm loving this Piaggio MP3 scooter that has two wheels on the front. It uses a very trick suspension/steering set up to allow it to lean into angles just like a regular motorbike, though apparently it feels fairly different. The tripod stance also means it stands up by itself at slow speeds and stopped, negating the need for dragging feet for stability or a kick-stand.
The extra width also gives it a lot of presence which should be helpful on busy freeways. There is ample storage space under the front which makes it practical too.
Even though this is from Piaggio, the manufacturer of the original Vespa, the MP3 looks totally different from any other scooter out there, and not just because of the extra wheel. Especially in all-black it looks very menacing and not at all Roman Holiday cute. The front looks like Optimus Prime mated with a Stealth Fighter, and the back looks like a conventional scooter on steroids.
All that and it gets over 60mpg.
This is a great example of a storied company with iconic products in its past not being afraid to experiment and seek out new styles and new customers.
Adam Richardson is the director of product strategy at Frog Design, where he guides strategy engagements for Frog's international roster of clients, envisioning and creating new products, consumer electronics, and digital experiences. Adam combines a background in industrial design, interaction design, and sociology, and he spends most of his time on convergent designs that combine hardware, software, service, brand, and retail. He writes and speaks extensively on design, business, culture, and technology, and he runs his own Richardsona blog. Adam is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. 
- by ejevo March 13, 2008 7:50 PM PDT
- And if you're hetero, the you go with this...
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- by 1drum May 13, 2008 11:03 PM PDT
- I took a demo ride of the spyder and was disappointed by how different it handled compared to a two wheeler. The MP3 appears to be superior technology; no matter what your orientation.
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(4 Comments)http://spyder.brp.com/