2003 Honda Silverwing 600 FSC A vs 2009 Piaggio MP3 500

Well, first of all, I wouldn't get rid of either of them. They are absolutely two different scooters. I'll take the SWing on the longer trips for the comfort and that smooth ride, but the MP3 is a kick on two lane curvy roads. No ABS on the MP3, but I haven't felt that I needed it. The Honda is red and the Piaggio is black. The electronic immobilizer (kickstand) and two front wheels on the MP3 is a real attention getter; but then, I remember when the sight of the 2003 Honda was a real attention getter. That just goes to show there are more scooters around now. My best comment on the MP3 was in McAllen, Texas, on a quiet Sunday morning when a guy in a pickup hollered out the window, "What the f.... is that?" and surely didn't realize he was talking to a retired teacher. My best comment on the Silverwing in 2003 was pretty much the same, but the sight of the underseat storage usually hushed even the biggest cruiser riders.

Can you really have too many scooters?

Diane

Diane,

How does the power compare between the two? We have a member in our riding group that had the 250cc and loved it. He is over 6' tall and he was somewhat cramped but rode it alot. How does it feel to have 2 front wheels too? Congrats on the new bike and why don't you put some pics of your bikes and you in the Album.

Wow how great to have both!!! I looked at the Piaggio about two years ago. I had researched it on the Internet and it was just so unique. But when I went to test drive it was just way to tall for me. But I really do like the look of them.

Jeff
Thank you for asking. I'm not very "technical"; I'm more "girly". Specs on both bikes would be more specific. However, since you asked.....

The Honda, at 600 cc fuel injected, takes off like a bullet. It will cruise all day long at 70 mph on the interstate with no damage to the motor. I have heard that some of the smaller Hondas, like the Reflex, are freeway legal, but aren't made to withstand high speeds for long periods of time. The Honda can beat most street cruisers and a 1000 and 650 Vstrom at takeoff, but of course the larger engines will win in the end. I usually keep my takeoffs slow so as to not damage any strangers' egos. Being whipped by a scooter-driving Grandma might be too much for some people to take. The Honda is a smooth ride and is very comfortable with no vibration. My husband has had my Silverwing up to 100 mph and then he felt vibration so he slowed down. He has been riding motorcycles since he was 14 and raced motocross; I would not recommend that speed test for most people, including myself.

The Honda is very versatile; I take it in the mountains and with the ABS don't have much trouble but must concentrate on the downhills. It is fairly high-geared, so offers little slow-down power going down steep grades; I have to brake before the corners and sometimes engage the gearing around the corners rather than coasting. It doesn't corner like a regular bike due to the long rear end. Counter steering doesn't work quite as well on it as on a regular bike.

I am not sure of the difference in engines in the Honda and the MP3; I'd have to look at the specs. However, I know how they feel. The MP3 500 is a little slower at takeoff, but pulls me down the highway just fine. It has plenty of passing power. It has a big rear wheel, and when it catches its speed it almost feels like it needs those two front wheels to hold it down. I was down in South Texas last fall and was told by the MX guys that people would covet this scooter for its engine. It got big smiles from all riders. I had big locks for it. It's speedometer goes to 90 mph--I had it on the interstate once and wasn't concerned with not having enough power at all. The engine on the MP3 500 is different than that of the 250 and 400, but again, that would be something for the engine experts to discuss. I was told that the 500 can go down the highway all day and was developed for people that wanted a scooter more like a motorcycle. Look up the Gilera Fuoco website for very detailed information on this bike, because that is how it is marketed in Europe.

I've been riding the MP3 on the two-lane roads near Santa Rosa while visiting my son. They are bumpy and rough. The roads in Texas, where I was last fall, were full of pot holes, so I got in some swerving practice. I've been practicing due to the those two-wheels up front, because I wasn't sure of them at first. They work independently of each other up and down. Counter steering works well on this scooter. It's ride is a little rougher than that of the Silverwing.

The MP3 is a very tall bike and has more weight up front and higher than the Silverwing. It is balanced more like a motorcycle. It slows down on the downhill grades a little more on its own than the Silvewing; I assume it is geared lower. It brakes well when bicycles cut in front of it. I'll get it out on the highway in Nevada where it isn't as crowded to test the power and how I like it on long trips. The Piaggio BV has the same engine as the MP3, but has one front wheel. It is also ess expensive than the MP3.

If you've never ridden a motorcycle before and are contemplating getting a larger scooter for longer rides, consider taking a motorcycle safety course. You're dealing with the same problems that motorcycles do. Once a teacher, always a teacher.

I love both of the scooters.

Diane

Diane,

Thanks for the write up. As a matter of fact we had one rider yesterday with a MP-3 500 on our ride. We rode around Napa and Rio Vista and had a good time. The roads are really nice. He rode his cross country, on a 32 day ride, and I think he might have had Piaggio sponsor his long ride.

It's too bad you couldn't have joined us yesterday. It was a long ride but really nice roads. I have been riding mini-bikes and motorcycles, and now these big scoots for about 30 years and I have also taken the MSF course out here. I'm glad you were able to ride the roads out here and hope you enjoyed them. Take care.

Great write up Diane. Sounds like you are really enjoying them both. I think a person can enjoy riding any size or brand out there, if your on a small scooter or moped then you just have to realize what you are on and enjoy....While working in Greece I borrowed a Honda 50 and really enjoyed the day.