I’ m looking to get a scooter for my daily 12 mile (each way) commute to work.I can’t keep using my 1200 BMW in heavy traffic…I recently took a Vespa GT 250 for a ride,thought it’s a bit slow.The Honda SH 300i felt quicker and handles and brakes a lot better,but it’s sooo ugly.I’m thinking of an MP3 400,since second hand ones start around £3000.Anyone has had one?Any reliability issues?And how do they cope in heavy London traffic?Any reply will be appreciated.
Cycle you lazy fecker!!! 
The Sh300 is extremely good and very powerful for the size (for a scooter), but the styling is def an acquired taste and it has minimal stowage. The MP3-400 is very heavy and slow for the size, but owners tend to enjoy the confidence they inspire in bad weather (but see my avatar of a pic showing a wet braking test between ABS and 3-wheels).But I would instead recommend the Peugeot Satelis 250. Get one in Exec spec and you’ll have decent speed, economy, very good comfort, more stowage than either of the above, and the best built-in security available on any 2 (or 3) wheeler. Stats are 85mpg ave & 85mph max. It also gets linked, power-assisted ABS brakes too. Reliability is good and as it uses the Piaggio Quasar engine, so it will run and run. I am on my second, having done 22000miles on the first.
Oh, and the remote control to open the boot is very cool (if pointless) 
I’ve had an MP3 400 for almost two years and have now done 10,000 miles
I commute in from near Cambridge to the City (50 miles each way) two days a week.
I get 65mpg, filtering is no problem.
Got a nice warm lap cover for the winter and have replaced one rear tyre, one battery and had the steering bearings replaced under guarantee - so these should be good for the next 10,000 miles !
Can vouch for the excellent stability in the wet, on diesel and on icy roads.
Having said all that I like a change and am also thing of a Honda SH300 !
Have you bought anything yet ?
I’ve been commuting on Gilera 180 and done 55k in 4 years! thinking changing to SH300 and guys who’ve been servicing it recommended the Hondo and Piaggio 300. He said SH300 brake calipers don’t like British winter and sieze but apart from that it’s very good. know what you mean re styling, not sexy, but got a mate at work who uses one on a 70 miles round trip to Canary Wharf and swears by it, heated grips, loads of room and good on dual carriage way/motorway.
Depends on what your 12 miles is, if in town you don’t need anything more than a 200cc. Consumables are cheap and you won’t need to clean your pride & joy every weekend!