• Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )

Interesting MP3 first ride...

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
I did do a few miles on it yesterday..
First thing.. It IS a heavy bike
For any one thinking of trying one, make sure you have you feet planted before hitting the suspension unlock button
Three of us yesterday said the same thing.. it is just weird !
Width is obviously not a problem, in fact it is ever so slightly narrower than the BMW.
Feet position is at the moment uncomfortable .. I keep feeling my ankle against the centre tunnel.. Not a criticism more an observation, and I have no doubt I will get used to it

Talking of feet, something I really do not like is no matter HOW careful you are, the chances are you will leave feet marks on that centre tunnel, and it should have been made of a different material. I can see it getting fairly scratched up.. Again all three of us present found the same thing

Under the seat is big.. I doubt if you could get a couple of full face helmets under there but it takes two open face with ease.. still leaving room for some shopping

Up on the dash there is a speedo, a tacho, and in the middle an LCD display with all sorts of info inc tank range left
A vast array of idiot lights keep you informed should anything untoward occur

A nice touch is the supplied remote key fob. It has a seat release and a bike finder facility.. Hold the button and the hazzards flash for as long as said button is held. It performs other functions but as yet untried

Riding
I did not know what to expect,
A long time ago I tried one at a Piaggio open day.. It was only a small cc one and the event was on an airfield...
I rather expected to be made well aware of that third wheel
Not a bit of it.. I could not detect any difference at all in fact... It is twist and go and only about 40 bh, but is fairly nippy and held its own on the bypass dual carriageway with ease. Darrell took it out and really put it on its ear quite easily so confirmed my feeling it handles well and felt planted
I did think the brakes felt weak but new pads, new disks, with virtually zero miles on them I sort of expected that.. They should improve.
The screen is quite large but not adjustable.
At the moment it is JUST the wrong height for me and I did get some buffeting, but a modified riding position will proly sort that out

The seat is capacious to say the least, and over the short ride felt very comfy

Oh, there is a USB socket in the glove box atop the dash

All in all, so far, I award it an 8 out of ten.
One mark off for performance and the other for the easily scuffed centre tunnel
Lets just say I have had a lot worse for a lot more money !
 

Jaws

Corporal CockUp
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
Back box now fitted, Vista Cruise sorted and moded ( big thank you to @DEG5Y ! ) and heated grips fitted but not wired.. Hope to do that tomorrow

All things being equal the first real tester will be Sunday when a few of us are going to the Ace cafe
 

andyBeaker

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Club Sponsor
Back box now fitted, Vista Cruise sorted and moded ( big thank you to @DEG5Y ! ) and heated grips fitted but not wired.. Hope to do that tomorrow

All things being equal the first real tester will be Sunday when a few of us are going to the Ace cafe
You will probably see some great cars there(y)
 
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