Modern Vespa

Howdy All,

This is for general info and/or advice if you've gone through something similar...

I just found out that the insurance company is totalling my 2006 GT200 after last week's crash. Last month I paid $5300 out the door with 10 miles on the odometer. I laid it down with 240 miles on the od. The insurance company values the scoot at $4400. Damage appears cosmetic - their first evaluation was that the scooter is safe and rideable and the repair relatively easy. However, because the body work requires replacement of the entire frame, the insurer is obligated under Hawaii State Law to designate it for salvage. They cannot have it fixed by a body work shop because its structual. So the same, tough mono-coque construction that saved the scooter in the crash has condemned it under HI law. Alas. The GT's title will carry the salvage designation until the scooter is completely rebuilt or the scooter is recycled as a soup can.

What passes for good news here is that the scooter can be re-registered to operate on the road as a rideable salvaged vehicle. My cost to do so is the $450 that a salvager was willing to pay the insurance company for the condemned scooter, plus $150 to have it recertified. After that and wrist surgery, I'll be back on the road.

The insurance company is issuing a check for $3,700 (estimated value minus $250 deductible minus $450 salvage). I'll pay a licensed salvage inspector $150 for the certification. If it doesn't pass, then I'll have a nearly brand new parts scooter.

Sorry I don't have pictures of the scoot at hand. I'll post some after I retrieve the scooter from the dealer. I might need advice on the repairs.

Until then, ride safely.

Hey man best of luck. Glad your ok as they say thats the main thing.

Thanks. I'm looking forward to that next ride.

You could use the funds to buy a new one, and repair the old one at your liesure.

Keep an eye on your wrist. What I thought was a bad sprain from my accident ended up being a fractured scaphoid.

I've been going about my business for 3 weeks (going to the gym, working, etc) thinking, 'dang, it's not getting better'. Cast goes on tomorrow.

If in doubt, get an X-Ray!

I've had the same wrist fracture. The cast they put on you sucks ass.
As for the bike, if you want to part it out, I'd consider the front brake caliper and hydraulic set up.

Sorry about your accident. Man, that sucks.

If you do decide to part it out, I just found out I'm in need of the front suspension cover with hardware.

Thanks

Life hands you Guava...time to make POG!

Great outlook man!

Sorry about the dump, equally as sorry about the HI Laws that make a virtually rideable scoot "non-rideable".

Using the numbers you gave you'll be paying out of pocket $600 more, is the bike going to be rideable after that? If not, I'd take the advice on buying a new bike and taking your time on this one.

HEY! I get the screws!!! I posted first!!

Egads! The vultures are already circling. You can have the screws they want to put in my wrist. Titanium. Top quality. I'll ring the dinner bell if the scooter is road kill. POG will be served.

It doesn't look too bad, scuffed front fender, scuffed chrome cowling edge, and a big. bare metal patch of road rash on the rear fender. The mirror and handle bar end cap are barely blemished. Strangely, the damage is to the left side of the scoot. All my damage is on the right.

I wonder what this does to the warranty...

I had a similar situation in my accident, scoot went down on the right side and I broke the left wrist. I think it was actually the force of the handlebar hitting the pavement that ended up breaking the wrist. At least that was the only explanation I could come up with . . .

Ooops!

I meant to say "assuming your price for the screws was out of lomunchi's price range..."

I never thought I'd end up selling screws on the internet.

I'll post an update after the salvage inspection - likely sometime next week.

That's one well-fed vulture.

Man. Just be careful next time.

Sorry to hear of your crash. I hope it works out for you. Front fender is plastic and not structural. The rear cowl should be repairable. Here in CA the insurance company tells you what they think the repairs will cost and what they think the scoot is worth. Usually they "total" it when repairs exceed 1/2 the value. I bought a "salvaged" Ducati that had a dent in the frame. Didn't effect the bike at all, but replacement would have cost too much. Good Luck.

We got our "salvaged" scoot home on Thursday. Its a good thing. Finally have pictures to share so you know what a totaled Vespa looks like.

We've jumped through all the hoops and the scoot is certified safe for the street. Can't erase the salvage designation on the registration, but that's nothing but a label. I was pleasantly surprised to feel the scoot fire up on the second press of the starter and settle into a solid putter. I did one lap around the patio. Sweet.

Meanwhile, my parts are healing well. I'm patiently waiting for the green light to ride. Until then I'll spend some recovery time on projects.

Next up:
Paint job
Fiamm horn

JimBo man what happened? Glad your all right. Wow your scoot looks worse than my LT150 that a 6000lb truck with a trailer hit me last aug I took the "hit" on that one. A month in queens with a C2,4ribs and tib-fib fxs. Even left some bone on kam hwy in pearl city for the pavement gods. I'd take the check and get a new one. In the end you really don't know if it will be certified. Altho i can't imagine that it wouldn't be. You can get a good deal buying one off island and having it flown here. I saved alot of money doing it that way for my LX. PM me if you want more details. At least the cops didn't lose your scooter They told me mine was left on the side of the road In the end they had to pay $1100 to get it out of the tow yard it was hiding in. Started right up I was back out riding the minute i got all the cervical collar etc off. I admire your get back on attitude. Awesome that you didn't get hurt worse. Let me know if you need anything. I'll be there.

salvage bikes are the best !
get well
and congrats !

My GT suffered damage almost identical to what you have and my insurance didn't call it totaled. was i just lucky? or could it have something to do with the overworked guy from the insurance company who only looked at the pictures i emailed him without checking out the scooter in person, and then sent me great big check.
still have a nice big dent in the side which honestly i'm kind of proud of

Boy, that looks pretty minor to me. You should've seen my GT after sliding into a guard rail in the rain last year. The blow it took pushed the steering column back about an inch.

Regardless, the main Vespa Center here has a body shop with a Piaggio factory jig that pulled the frame back to spec and no problems since for 35K+ kms.

I guess they don't have this equipment at most Vespa Centers.

Good luck with the salvage process.

Howzit Jimbo,

Sorry to hear about your wreck. If you like, I can recommend a really good Vespa bodywork & repair man. He's local and does all the work for CycleCity. If you go through CycleCity, they are going to upcharge you. If you deal direct, you'll get a much better price. CycleCity also S-U-C-K-S as a Vespa dealer. They keep NOTHING in stock. IF you need parts, it's pay $$$ upfront and wait for weeks for it to come from the Mainland. If you need parts, your best bet is Motorsport Scooters in San Diego. I live Hawaii and order from them for all my needs. Better prices and faster service & shipping.

Aloha,
Chris

Welcome ALOHACHRIS. I love seeing more vespa people from hawaii Thanks for the info. You never know when one will need it. If your ever out my way stop in. We have an aloha theme going on now I agree with motorsport scooters i get all my stuff from them. Have extra stuff if anyone needs something in a pinch.

Thanks for the encouraging words all. I'm stoked the scoot shall ride again, dented, scraped, imperfect, salvaged and blue.

Aloha Hawaii People! Time to update an old thread:

vespa happenings in hawaii

Thanks Chris, I'll take you up on the body work / paint contact. I'd like to find out the cost to pop and paint the scooter back to shape. For the time being, I'm content to let the ding ride. I'll hit it with some home-spun paint and let the cagers know I'm not worried about bumping body panels.

Brian and Judy, thanks for the PMs. Judy - I'll get the scoop from Sam about the Ring of Fire SC rally and spread the word - and share your contact info. I'll be sure to rattle our cage on our next trek north.

Benefits of MV membership - friendship and knowledge. Motorsport scooters is bookmarked. I plan to spend as little time as possible at Suckle City.

Scoot safely.