Scooters have always been about practicality and utility. It doesn’t really matter what kind of scooter you ride, either. Whether it’s a barebones, no-frills Honda PCX or a flashy Italian beauty like a Vespa, there’s always a practical and functional side to your ride.
Today, scooters come in all shapes and sizes, but not all of them are created equal. On one end of the spectrum, you have tiny, barebones machines like the Kymco Agility City 125. On the other, high-end, performance-oriented scooters like the Yamaha TMAX Tech Max inject some sporty fun into the mix.
But then there are scooters like the Piaggio MP3—if you can even call it a scooter.
If you’re unfamiliar, the Piaggio MP3 is a rather peculiar three-wheeled scooter that debuted in 2006. By now, you’d think people would have realized the drawbacks of a tilting three-wheeled scooter, and that the MP3 would have faded into obscurity. Yet here we are, and the 2025 Piaggio MP3 310 is making a bold claim to be better than ever.
Before diving into the specs and details of the new MP3 310, let’s first address the question: why would anyone want a tilting three-wheeled scooter?
For starters, the MP3’s three wheels make it a bit easier to balance compared to two-wheeled counterparts. However, that doesn’t eliminate the need for balance entirely. Unlike a trike like the Can-Am Ryker, which handles more like a car, the MP3 still tilts to turn. So yes, you still need to engage in the balancing act.
There’s also the added advantage of a larger contact patch up front. With two tires and a wider track, the scooter offers greater cornering stability. That said, its lean angle is limited—not just by the scooter’s body but also by the front suspension’s range of motion. This setup provides extra safety and stability, especially on wet or slippery roads.
While there are benefits to the MP3 310’s three-wheeled design, there are undeniable drawbacks, and these might explain why it remains such a niche product. For one, having three wheels instead of two means you’ll spend 50% more on tires during replacements. The more complex front-end setup also increases repair costs, whether from crashes or regular wear and tear.
Perhaps the biggest drawback is its bulky design. The MP3 is significantly wider than any two-wheeled scooter, making it harder to navigate through traffic and tight spaces—one of the primary reasons people opt for scooters in the first place.
Still, Piaggio continues to cater to this niche market. For 2025, the MP3 310 gets a slew of updates. It now features a 310cc HPE (High Performance Engine), promising a smoother, more linear powerband. This larger displacement, up from the previous model’s 278cc, was achieved by increasing the stroke while maintaining the same bore. The result? A slightly lower rev ceiling but better overall power delivery.
The new MP3 310 is available in two trims: Standard and Sport. The Standard is a no-frills version, while the Sport comes with added perks like a TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, and the Piaggio MIA system.
On the comfort and practicality front, Piaggio has redesigned the seat for better ergonomics and introduced a variety of in-house accessories to enhance its utility, whether for city commutes or longer trips.
However, all these updates come at a price. The base MP3 310 starts at $9,594 USD, while the Sport version costs $9,908 USD. Whether the price tag is worth it is entirely subjective. Personally, I think I’ll stick with my small, nimble two-wheeler—at least for now.
