My dealer no longer sells Kymcos and other brands of scooters

[TroutBum]

My dealer decided to stop selling several brands of scooters one of which is Kymco. I think this is due to declining sales recently of 2 wheeled vehicles. I was a bit concerned as the nearest dealer is about 50 miles away in San Francisco. They assured me they will continue to service their scooter customers. Parts will no longer come directly from Kymco, but through other channels. With gas prices in decline I guess people aren't looking for alternative gas saving vehicles at the moment. Any of you experience having your dealer end its Kymco affiliation?

[blue]

Here in Michigan.WE had 3 dif. dealers we could go to for parts and service.Now we only have one but its a Honda dealer saleing kymco scoots. and to get any kind of warrenty work done you have to wait for a kymco rep to ok it frist. the other dealers I have talked to says they don't like working on theam because of the ac and dc wireing they have on theam.they have to pay the right service guy to work on theam...







here in Michigan

[CROSSBOLT]

That ac/dc thing sounds like the nature of gripes some had in the '60s about Hondas being built like watches, therefore they did not like working on them. Musta been the Chevrolet mentality: I work only on crude stuff!

I wondered if these low gas prices might slow down the scooter business. I expect the scoots will again be in huge demand when the fuel goes through the roof.

Karl

[Stig / Major Tom]

That ac/dc thing sounds like the nature of gripes some had in the '60s about Hondas being built like watches, therefore they did not like working on them. Musta been the Chevrolet mentality: I work only on crude stuff!

I wondered if these low gas prices might slow down the scooter business. I expect the scoots will again be in huge demand when the fuel goes through the roof.

Karl

Heard on NPR the other day that gas prices are expected to stay below $2 for the year.
Fortunately for me I have a multi brand dealer 5 miles away - a fellow who has weathered many ups and downs of the two wheeling business. He buys scoots from mid west failed bike/scooter dealers and resells.....though not recently. I suspect this is because the 2008 crash is too far back there....shaky businesses have long since gone under.
Gas was $1.34 here the other day - with my $1 off card from grocer's I filled my wife's xB and got change from a 5 spot!
Around here I do not think $6 a gal. would move very many towards a scooter!....they might opt for diesel rather than gas in their F-250s but they ain't gonna show up at Whitey's Tavern on a red plastic scooter with French windscreen and flashy Eye-talian top box!

Scooter vs Scooter wrecks will remain pretty rare around here....while combine vs tractor wrecks will continue steady at 4 per month.
Geez , TroutB - sorry about losing your great Kymco dealer - glad he will continue servicing you, though.
Stig

[blue]

[I wondered if these low gas prices might slow down the scooter business. I expect the scoots will again be in huge demand when the fuel goes through the roof.

Karl
[/quote]  A lot of scoots are around now. So im thinking some people might buy scoots for the fun of having theam.

[boo]

their own product.

Personally, I think scooters can stand on their own merit because of the love and enjoyment of them by the public, re guardless of gas prices.
No reputable dealership means no sales and no service. How can manufacturers expect to maintain a market share without dealerships?.
Why build a product if there is no distribution network.
This has been a big problem with scooters and some auto companies.
In my area, the only Piaggio dealership closed about two years ago. Where does this leave customers?. How do they expect to sell, grow, and promote their product line.
It appears all manufacturers are out for big quick profits with no re guard for customers.
I love motor scooters and hate to see them falter because of poor marketing and support.

[AMAC1680]

In the market I live in scoot sales are only mildly driven by fuel cost.
The bigger picture is transportation. I see at least 30 scoots a day and they are being used as primary transportation. Its a hell of a lot cheaper than a car regardless of gas prices.

Yep we use them like cars here.

AMAC

[big blue]

Here in Oregon's capitol we have the Japanese big four sales outlets so those scoots are represented well. The dealer from which I bought my Like folded last year due to low sales and health issues. Since I do a lot of my own service it has not been a problem. I can get parts from Columbia Scooters in Portland which is very scooter friendly. I have an independent m/c service shop which does work on scoots if I need a tire replaced or major work. Oregon is very much a Harley or Harley clone state with many dealers for both. I purchased my scoot because I wanted a cheap and reliable ride to use in retirement and the Kymco has provided lots of fun and inexpensive transportation.

[souzamoto]

Troutbum,
Curious, is your dealer San Jose BMW?
According to the Kymco website, they have a new dealer in Scotts Valley
cjs

[TroutBum]

Troutbum,
Curious, is your dealer San Jose BMW?
According to the Kymco website, they have a new dealer in Scotts Valley
cjs

My dealer is SJ BMW (MC). I just looked at the dealer in Scoots Valley. Appears to be a new company specializing on MC repairs and custom work.

That would be a fun backcountry ride, but as long as SJ BMW will service my Like I'll stick with them. I do a lot of my own wrenching, but somethings I find best to let them do.