how close is your scooter dealer?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Regarding my Liberty -
58 miles for me - to a motorcycle shop in central Columbus, OH, that sells Piaggios.

There is a Vespa dealer on the far side of Columbus from me.....62 miles.

8 years ago, I bought my new Piaggio Liberty S 150 at a Vespa dealer half an hour away. He was located out in the sticks - and while I was negotiating the purchase he was hit by a small tornado - and folded his tent shortly thereafter.

No worries - I purchased this Liberty after researching how reliable and easy home servicing would be.
Consumables, the few I've needed, are readily available from A1-Racing in TX.

After 8 yrs of flawless performance - (I still think of it as my new scooter!) I figure if it blew up tomorrow, I've gotten my $'s worth.
It's likely going to live its life never having seen a dealer.

My Kymco dealer is 20 mins away - and other than a warranty claim and some tire swaps - he doesn't see me much either! The LIKE is very easy DIY. And if it grenades - after 12 yrs I'll miss it - but it was worth every bit of the $5 a week!



Stig

[randyo]

7 miles or a phone call and they will pick up

[Neil955i]

7 miles or a phone call and they will pick up

Mine's 14 miles or a phone call for collection!

[klaviator]

There is a Honda dealer around 20 miles away but they suck.  If I needed some service on my Honda I would use an independent shop in town but I do most of my own service.  The Vespa dealer is 100 miles away but again I do almost all of my own servicing. 

[mrmike]

  I live in Syracuse, NY, and it definitely is not a Hot Spot for scooters. My closest dealer is 26 miles away. He carries several different brands but has no scooters in his current inventory. ATVs seem to be the biggest thing. Fortunately, I do my own maintenance on my People S 150i. I will go to him for my annual State inspection, and for the installation of some City Grip 2 tires this spring. I've had 4 new Kymco scooters so far. I have had one shipped from Cleveland, Ohio, and the other 3 I've commuted to pick up. Not a lot of interest or scooter owners in this area that I can see

[leomagnus]

about a 25 minute ride...no direct route to get there.

[randyo]

Mine's 14 miles or a phone call for collection!

I take advantage of pick up ad drop off almost all the time lately

[rjs987]

One of the criteria before any bike purchase is finding out where the dealer is located. I'm not so concerned about a dealer that is close or far but just finding out where they are. I do most maintenance myself. As long as I know where the dealer is and I can get my bike to them for warranty or some service that is beyond my abilities.

Most of my past bikes have been Honda and there WAS a dealer about 12 miles away from my home in town. I just looked them up and it seems that dealership shut down and the building is now a Nail Salon!!! Now there is a new Power Sports dealer that services multiple brands including Honda and they are 24 miles away on the other side of the metro.

I have also owned a Kawasaki and a few Suzuki Burgman 650 bikes. That dealer is going strong and is just over 15 miles from me. I've taken my AK 550 wheels there to get the tires replaced for a really good price the first few times I needed a tire change... I now do that myself... for now.

There are a few Kymco dealers around the state but the nearest one is 85 miles away, then 118 miles away. Those two dealer refused to work on my AK. The nearest one due to me not buying my AK from him. The other dealer won't look at anything in the maxi or super scooter class... like the AK 550. Both of those were reported to Kymco USA HQ since Kymco says any dealer with a contract to work on ANY Kymco MUST work on the full line without question. There is another dealer in the next major city to the east... in Iowa City. Same place as Iahawk goes to. They are a good dealer. Also a multi brand dealer. After I took my AK to them for a bit of minor warranty work they started carrying the AK in addition to the few other Kymco models they were already stocking. This dealer is 125 miles away from me. I can get parts from them but I usually go to TBSS to order any parts I need so far. I really don't mind that they are that far out from me. If there is anything I cannot do on the AK I can always rent a U-Haul mc trailer for just over $15 to get the bike there.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I have two of these Honda Powerhouse dealers withing 45 mins of me.
IF Honda sold a scooter that fit me - I would own one!
I've been to both dealerships and got great service!
NObody in my area but HONDA has this kind of product support!



Stig

[Iahawk]

just looked at Google Maps...my local full line dealer is 12.8 miles away. A little longer if I stay on in town roads and avoid the interstate. Good dealer (to echo RJS987). I've used them for tires installs, wheel bearings, a chain and sprocket and to remove and press in a new bearing in a swingarm. Other than those types of services I can't imagine bringing my bikes or scooters in there for regular maintenance type service.

[randyo]

I rely on my dealer nearly 100%, I lube chains, keep my eye on fluid levels, air pressure, adjust suspension, etc. everything else is dealer work for me, I prefer to spend my spare time chopping wood. I don't even like greasing my tractor, a necessary evil for me.