Modern Vespa

So for all the newbies out there, and those not-so-newbies....
what would you like to see in a dealer? I'm selling lots of bikes to first timers and I'd like to put together a little FAQ sheet for folks, maybe some links and such.
Is there any info you wish you'd gotten when you got your Vespa? Guidance, suggestions, tips or tricks? Even in terms of service...anything you would have wanted to see from sales staff?

I have it figured out now, but when I bought my first bike, it was puzzling trying to decipher Piaggio's recommended service intervals.

Wanted to see from sales staff.
MORE LEG!

a bigger selection of parts and accessories, please! I had my 4K service a couple of weeks ago and I needed a new tire, and there was only one type of tire available!

I have only been to a couple of dealers, so my comments may not apply to all.

Vespa doesn't have that many accessories in their catalog. It would be great if popular sellers could be kept in dealer stock.

I just picked up my floor mat after ordering it in mid-June from my selling dealer. The Vespa Flyscreen never came it, but I did pick up a Cuppini that was ordered as backup.

Windshields, flyscreens, chrome kits for all models would be nice to have readily available. A dealer could easily rack up a grand or more with point of sale accessories delivered with the scooter. Top cases in stock would be a plus except I realize the color issue could make them inventory prohibitive if a dealer had to have every color for every model on the shelf.

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What Nightwing said.

Club info or websites, gear recommendations, insurance agents who ride.

What IrishTim said.

Links to ModernVespa, Vespa Club of America, state motorcycle regulations, Motorcycle Safety classes (locations, times, cost)--maybe even photos and feedback from people who've taken the course (I think it should be mandatory, it's that good!), suggestions for gear for hot, warm, cool, cold, or wet weather. Address for Scoot magazine.

You know--I want to know everything 8)[/i]

Hahaha! ( i wonder why? )

Same day service for simple things like oil and tire changes!
Parts in stock!

Much like the above. Info on local scooting communities. Available accessories (is there a Vespa catalog?) or sources to get them. Maybe a means of signing noobies up for MSF when they buy their bike (I know it's probably not that easy...) If I get to dream a bit, offer an annual bike maintenance day and invite all new owners to find out how to do the basics, sure it might take away a couple of bucks from your service department but I'm sure you could sell them something while they're in the shop to make up for it... plus the loyalty thing would be extreme!

and oh yeah, if it's you, the leg thing... if it's my dealers. No thanks.


BTW, this kind of research is why your shop is the best in the business. Keep it up.

#1 is the people
Sales people that actually ride.
Sales people that are passionate about the scoots/bikes/gear they sell
Sales people that are actually informed of what they sell (as well as what the competition sells)

The dealer I bought my scoot from really doesn't know much about scooters at all. They're also not willing to help me find the things I want for my bike. A dealer whose willing to go that extra for a customer is the best kind of dealer/sales person out there.

It's really hard to stock all this stuff. You could just put a link to our site on there. 8)

Definately have parts and accessories IN STOCK!

That's a good point, too. I bought my scooter used off of CraigsList.org, but my boyfriend bought his (a Buddy) from a local dealer (ScootervilleMN). They are fantastic! They know everything about scooters. Very helpful, dedicated sales staff. And the owner is very active in the scooting community (I just saw him on a ride this past Sunday).

The best news is, they recently took over the Vespa franchise for the Twin Cities, and they're moving (and, I hope, expanding) in October.

Yay for great dealers. 8)

I agree with much of what has been said about having local training, ride and organization information available to the new purchaser. Information sessions on what needs to be done for winterizing (an issue up here), and regular maintenance. I can understand why some dealers would be against helping riders learn who to change their own oil, but new owners should be shown how to check the oil and other fluids, and tire pressure, and told how often to do so.

Information about rider training is very helpful. I know of one local Honda dealer that arranges their own training sessions, with qualified instructors, for new purchasers. I don't expect Vespa dealers to compete at that level, but having a list of rider training programs, and contact information, available would be helpful. Information about helpful sites, such as Modern Vespa, would also be helpful.

I don't fret about parts not being available immediately. I have the same problem with my Toyota shop. As long as I know when the part should come in, then I am fine. Not being given a date, and having to call again, and again, and again to see if it has arrived or not is frustrating!

How to ride safely is probably the number one thing new riders need to know. But I don't see how a dealer can be responsible for that. Good for those that are.

I want to see sales staff that actually ride scooters, have a motorcycle license and know how much everything costs. I figure I can get everything else from places like Motorsport Scooters.
Oh, and reliable service techs.

yes...actually stock accessories....retail must give consumers an experience they can't get off of the web.

SALES STAFF have been excellent, it's the service guys that I have issues with.

You misunderstand. I wouldn't expect the dealer to be responsible for rider training. However, it would be helpful to the purchaser if the dealer had a sheet of the various training courses and contact information that he/she could give them. Those interested in pursuing it will, and others won't. Nonetheless, the dealer is helping by making that information available in a easy to distribute handout, like a sheet of paper.

Sorry to be snarky with my response. Though my experience thus far that statement above is true.

I agree with the 1 or 2 times a year, service shop opens the doors and runs a basic scooter maintenance course (Or sponsors one for local club/rally).

Many other suggestions are valid.
Got one;
"before you turn on your scoot here is the list of things to check prior to riding":
Tire Presure
Oil
Shocks
Lights
Signals
Horn
etc...

Maybe on a small lamenated card, on the back side is the Store service dept numb or the Piaggio roadside service number and spaces for I.C.E contacts and what not.

service tutorial - the basics, oil change, air filter cleaning, fluids check. Even just an orientation of where to go on the bike to perform them. A tour of the mechanics.

It's cool, man. I wasn't arguing with you or anything. I think the Honda dealer is doing a good thing, but like you said in your original post, it's too much to ask most dealerships. Total agreement.

I totally agree that basic service workshops would be great. I don't think you'd lose much business on the service end, plus you could probably charge reasonable rates then sell tons of parts at the workshops to people who probably never end up using them in the long run because they'l just come in to have a professional do it anyway.

I mean, I don't know how common it is. But I know that that some motorcycle shops offer this sort of thing for a nominal fee. A bicycle shop here offers a three or four night class on how to basically do anything you would ever need to do to a bicycle.

we do actually have an instructor who will teach you the basiscs, but he's not with MSF or anything like that.
Accessories...we try to carry at least one of everything on windscreens and topcase colors. if we don't have it, we order from motorsport.
I do like the idea of putting together a "handbook" though.
Keep it coming! I love it.

Historic footnote: Vespa San Francisco was the first site on the entire internet to link to Modern Vespa. The link was in place within an hour or two of the moment we went live, when there was literally only one person (me) in the memberlist.

Was in my "office", the place I do my best thinking about this subject.

If you are creating a handbook, maybe have slight variations per model such as:

LX models have a tendency to have battery issues. Please discuss with dealer and or we sell a lovely jr 12 volt battery tender.

You might not want to ever use your kickstart.

GTS models have had a recall on their exhaust. We have/haven't dealt with it on these bikes. Vin numbers affected are here. Yours does/doesn't qualify.

I stand by the lamented checklist card idea with important phone numbers on the back

Ok the card with the Piaggio roadside service number I have although it did take a few months to get it from the dealer.

That may work for Tanya but have you seen my legs??

Many have been mentioned already:

*Service intervals! Owner's Manual VS Warranty Booklet
*Difference between LXV, GTV, GT, GTS, etc
*Sales people who ride!
*Rallies, group rides, clubs, the whole 'culture' of scooters
*Gear suggestions
*MSF info
*Internet resources/websites
*Insurance

Tanya, you're awesome for being so conscientious and considerate when it comes to your customers!

Great question! Gotta agree with scootnjuber! Parts, parts, parts, consumables (motor oil, gear oil, filters, etc.) Someone that works to be a Vespa dealer, not just a dealer that thinks it might be "neat" to have scooters in their already vast offering. If you can't do a scheduled service in a day, you've lost all cred...

Oh yeah, an alibi to my last post, someone who knows at least as much about the product as I do! Know what the hell you're talking about! BTW Tanya, like Stan said, more leg

Wanted to see from prospective customer - sexist comments left out the door!

Sorry if you found my comment sexist,
I meant no offense.
I thought I might get a comment from
my Vespa guy (Floyd) about seeing his
leg.
But sorry if I offended.

Oh I only jumped at the comment as I recently started working part-time at my local dealer (nothing better for a scooter addict!) and you made me wonder if I'd have to rethink my wardrobe

Well I was told by a guy on the East Coast that your the number one dealer on the West Coast. I was looking at the Scooters that were in your repair shop and the wrecked scooters had really low mileage on them like between 300 and 500 miles. So you might consider some kind of warning. Maybe point them towards a riding course.

Humm guess you would have to do this after the sale so you don't chase them off.

I just found out that our Local Vespa Dealership dosent spiff the sales people on assessories. So guess what they don't have many Vespa assessories to offer. Imagine what the most sucessfull Vespa Dealership on the west coast could sell in accessories. My guess an extra 5K to 10K a month to start with. Have on display the best selling Fly Screens. Tire patching kits, Blinky tail light things, Racks and stuff that you could have installed at the shop before it go's out the door.

Anyway just trying to help and yea I guess thats not really normal for me...

Lucky~

+1 on pointing new riders to the MSF. Even better if the MSF class has scooters to learn on. My wife and her sister both took a class in Santa Rosa on scooters and it really helped reduce the anxiety level to not have to futz with shifting. (Maybe dealers should donate beater scooters too?)