GIVI Magazine - November de 2010 - EN

23 As the first photo shows, for the Piaggio MP3, GIVI can supply a rather interesting accessory kit. The photo to the right illustrates the Silver T472 soft bag. It can be placed in the tunnel of the vehicle, has an internal capacity of 18 litres. It has a waterproof zipper and a handy shoulder strap. To the right the GIVI TB106 backrest. An accessory in polyurethane foam which adds greater riding comfort for the pillion passenger who thus has a lumbar region support. Seriously consider this purchase if you own a 2006- 2008 MP3 (on current models it’s already standard). The GIVI SR134 kit is ideal for mounting one of its Monokey or Monolock top cases as it allows access to the rear trunk compartment of the MP3. In fact, the SR134 is foldable: a mechanism with side hinges means it is easily lifted up. A valid alternative to the standard windscreen is called Airflow AF504, which in a matter of seconds can be adjusted to the height of the rider or the weather conditions, by means of a vertical slider (which extends up to 12 cm). When the first MP3s were launched, these quirky three-whe- eled vehicles attracted a great amount of curiosity. Now, this new type of vehicle has rapidly invaded the roads and is routi- nely found queuing at the traffic lights, especially in Paris. The explanation is simple. With two front wheels, the MP3 ma- kes motorists feel safer than on a traditional scooter. With no more balancing problems, less fear of cornering, success was guaranteed and in France, almost 10,000 vehicles were sold. But a vehicle, slightly on the heavy side for a relatively small 125 cc engine, didn’t seduce all potential buyers … and ano- ther loophole in the legislation of the French Highway Code will aid the rise to fame of the MP3! What a difference .... 4 cm makes! The possibility to drive a 400cc without being obliged to chan- ge driving license is the cornerstone of the great success of the MP3 in the LT version and it will derive from an article of the Highway Code! In fact, by widening the axel distance between the front wheels by a couple of centimetres, the MP3 LT is now classified in another category of vehicles: it is no longer a sco- oter but becomes a three-wheeled vehicle, called a motorized trike!!! So, with a full car driving license, there is no longer a limit to the power; the 250, then the 400, and now the 300 cc versions can all be driven by full car license holders! So since the launch of the product, there are currently more than 22,000 circulating in France, of which approximate- ly13,000 are MP3 400 LT. In Paris, and in all the major French cities, many businessmen purchase the LT to resolve traffic jam problems and to be able to drive in total freedom without having to take another driving test. «The benefits of the 400 are enormous, first I had purchased the MP3 125, but I was afraid to use the motorway to get to my office - declares Gérard, who works in the Défense district, in the heart of Paris - with the 400, the greater power and the top speeds make me feel more secure. I can travel farther, easily use the motorway. It retains the safety features of the three- wheeled system and I don’t need to obtain a motorcyclist’s license and still have a car license, and in any case, if I had been forced to take another driving test, I wouldn’t have had the time. In this case the MP3 gives me more freedom and safety without legislative limitations». In this manner, he can commute to a meeting at the Eiffel Tower, in his business suit, without wasting time. Therefore, this new commuter customer arises from a dual in- terpretation of the French Highway Code: the equivalence of a full car driving license to a motorcyclist’s license to ride a 125 cc, then the change of category of the vehicle! By means of this faculty, new purchasers are attracted by this vehicular concept to resolve traffic issues which are progressively wor- sening. For this type of consumer, for example, the trolley type top case is perfectly suited to their daily use. However, this customer modification risks being stopped in its tracks, because the French government, worried by the num- ber of vehicles in circulation, wants to make a 7 hour training course obligatory for all new purchasers. But before this occurs, the saga of the MP3 has seen the birth of a new type of vehicle and user!! OUR ACCESSORIES