2012 Piaggio MP3 500

The MP3 was launched on the market in May 2006 in two versions of displacement, using the four-stroke engines already present on other models of the house, the Leader 125 cm3 and the Quasar 250 cm3, both with liquid cooling. Euro 3 homologated, these two engines respectively deliver 15 hp at 9,250 rpm the 125, 22.5 hp at 8,250 rpm the 250. In November 2006 the Master 400 cm3 version was officially presented capable of 34 HP and on sale since summer 2007. In Europe, the 500 cm3 version is marketed under the sporty Gilera brand, called the Gilera Fuoco 500ie. In the United States, the 125 cc is not available, and the Fuoco is marketed as the Piaggio MP3 500. In June 2009, the MP3 LT 400 was launched in the UK. This version has a slightly wider front track allowing it to be classified as a tricycle rather than as a motorcycle (as are the other versions). This allows the LT400 variant to be driven on a standard UK car licence rather than the motorcycle licence required for the original versions. Other changes were indicators on stalks higher up and a footbrake added to qualify as a trike. In February 2011 the more compact MP3 Yourban was introduced in the market.