Modern Vespa

Hi Folks

Firstly apologies if this looks like my first post, I was registered before but can't remember my details so here I am again with a fresh ID.

Just wondered what people's opinions would be on the downsides of buying a scooter that's been sitting around in a dealership for a couple of years. Obviously it would be discounted from the new price.

Whilst it's effectively "brand new" and would be on a new registration, the fact is it's been sat around doing nothing for over two years.

- I'm thinking that a new battery would probably be a good idea. No real drain but also that means no charging, cells prefer a life of charging/draining in my experience.
- I expect the tyres would be fine as it's been moved about the showroom so won't have been stood still.
- I'm not one of those that thinks oil "goes off" but with a couple of years with it just sitting around in the sump? Unsure on that...

Anything else that springs to mind? I should find out if the engine has been started regularly, or at all in fact - one thing I should've asked...

Thanks for reading.

I would ride it until the 600 miles service and make a list. Assuming the battery
is up now.

I wouldn't worry at all about it. If it's "brand new", never registered, the warranty should still be in effect. Actually, I would question it if it was "started regularly". There should be no need for that on a new scooter, actually starting and running for only a few minutes does more harm than good. Was it used for demo rides? Most of the scooters sitting in showrooms don't have batteries in them until they're demo'd or sold. If there's any question about the battery, I'd think the dealer would put in a new one for you. Ask them about that.

I don't see any down side. Go for it!

As it's not yet registered I can't see it being used for demo rides, it's in the UK and whilst I've seen cars on "dealer plates" I don't think I've ever seen it on a bike. A quick check on the mileage then, should be close to zero.

Good point on the warranty, obvious but I hadn't actually considered that. For some reason I thought it would be on the dealer's warranty rather than Piaggio's. One more detail to check on - thank you.

+1

If you decide to buy it I would change the coolant straight away or get the dealer to do it. There is often many months between the scooter being assembled and reaching the dealer, so the coolant could possibly be nearer 3 years old and will be starting to turn corrosive.

Tell the dealer you want the coolant changed and a fresh battery as part of the deal. They often won't leave batteries in scoots (except demos) that sit on the showroom floor anyhow.

It may be air-cooled.

Modern Primaveras are air cooled.

I bought my Lx150 as a new 2year left over. Came with a new battery, full warranty, and saved significant money. Its now six years later with no problems and 40,000+ miles. I would do this again.

Bill

I said may because he didn't really specify which bike he was considering for sure. He only hinted at it in his avatar.

So what he should do is demand they change the coolant, and if they agree they're clearly full of shit and are not to be trusted! 8)

I'm with the "go for it" crowd. Maybe a few slight concerns, but then you should be saving significant $$. Rubber bits should be good for the foreseeable future, I think the battery isn't a huge issue either way....possible it didn't have one yet, or if it did, you could ask if it was kept charged or ignored....if it was flat for extended time, I'd guess all bets are off, otherwise two years isn't the end of most battery's lives....

Theoretically brake fluid is only good for two years, but that's not a big expense either....maybe one of those things you could negotiate on?

Good luck-and don't forget pictures!

I've bought brand new two year leftovers twice in my life. Good bargains. Air cooled. Never had an issue. They did not have batteries installed on the dealership floor.

Very common in motorcycle/scooter dealerships. One of our Dealers here
in Minnesota (Leo's South) regularly buys excess inventory (1-2 model years old) at a discount and passes it on to the buyer.

I remember, they bought several new 4 year old Piaggo Atlantic 500s.
I think the model name is correct. They purchased them out of a Piaggo
Warehouse out East.

Go for it.

Bob Copeland

That's where I picked up my MP3 500.

2 years should be just fine as others have stated.

Around here you'd probably be able to get a basic maintenance (oil, liquids) job thrown in with little extra cost, as a bike taking valuable floor space & hanging around at the wrong side of the accounting balance sheet over two years is getting to be a nuicance.... but your's may be a different market.

If you said they had fluids in it, I missed that. I they do have fluids in it, have them all changed. Don't forget the brake fluid if that model uses hydraulic brakes. If it doesn't have fluid, you are golden. Go for it. Sounds like a great deal.

Best
Miguel

No need to worry about the fluids since it's been in a climate controlled showroom and not outside in someone's shed year-round.

These two-year 'leftover' bikes are much more common than you think.

Sounds like you can make a good buy on it. The only "downside" I can see is you'll have to get on it to get some miles built up... otherwise, you will have the embarrassment of someone asking "What year is your Vespa?" followed by "How many miles do you have on it?"

OK, that's not really a downside. I'd go for it.

Some dealers don't accept prep a bike until it is sold. If that is the case there might not have been any fluids or battery in it for the last few years. Might be worth asking. Either way I done at a problem. I've bought 3 NOS scooters without any issues on two of them and the issue with the third were covered under warranty.

The bikes are delivered from Italy with fluids, and a tiny amount of fuel as they have all been road-tested for a km or two. The battery used during road-testing is removed, and a new battery (without its acid added) is included in the shipped scooter.

Dealers normally do a minimal PDI when the scoot arrives (install mirrors etc) and a final one when the scoot is sold or used as a demo. The dealer will add a new battery at this time (not necessarily the one that came with the scoot, they are all pooled) and hand over the keys once the paperwork's been done.

A two-year old scoot is fine.

I believe Philly Scooters still has a few brand new 2009 Stella 2-strokes. They had one on the floor a few months ago.

I know I've mentioned it before, but we all know about those 2008-2009 MP-3s that sat in the warehouse for what, 5 or 6 years then had their price slashed and were released by Piaggio?

Many thanks for the input, yes it's a Primavera 125, the 70th Anniversary Edition (wonder if I can get the badge remade as 72 ) so air-cooled.

I'll go and check it out again next week, armed with my questions, have a proper look and chat about the price.

I ride every day so should uncover any nasty surprises pretty quickly.

Thanks again

I bought my 2016 GTS 300 SS at the end of the 2017 season. Had about $1300 slashed from the price which I thought was significant enough. Batteries are not installed on showroom/warehouse models unless they are indeed test drive demos. In my case Piaggio Canada actually did not bring in any 2017 models due to a large surplus of 2016 and there wasn't any significant changes to the 2018 for me to want to buy the newest model. No issues so far and I have put on about 4000 km since new. I would definitely do it again.

A year ago next week my wife bought me my brand new 2016 Primavera. No problems whatsoever.

If it has brake fluid, replace that, unless the dealer has and it takes Dot 4 here in the USA. Brake Fluid every 2 years, and more if you live in a really moist climate.

I disagree. No need to. It wasn't parked outside or out in someone's shed for two years, it was in the dealership building which of course, is climate controlled. The brake fluid is put in at the factory. MANY scooters and motorcycles are sold a year or more after the date they were manufactured. Does anyone count that first year that it sat as part of a service interval? No.

I agree with Vintage.

No need to replace it especially if it looks clear in the window and it works of course.

Once again Maggie doesn't seem to know very much.

Bill x

That's a bit harsh isn't it?

Besides, effectively what you're saying is that the owners' manual doesn't know much either; at least my GTS manual states to change the brake fluid every two years.

Not that I do it, mind you. I'm more of a 5-6 years guy myself.

Out of all the new bikes I've owned I've never had the brake fluid changed and the brakes have always worked just fine.

My Kymco brakes were anchors and the fluid was 5 years old.

This change it every 2 years thing years I'm pretty certain is bullshit from the manufacturers to get more money out of us at the service interval.

It hasn't been a thing until recently.

Any dealers want to pipe up at this point ?

Maggie, my " brand new" Royal Enfield was manufactured in 2017 so does that mean that I should change the brake fluid ?

Bill x

Break fluid change interval must be among top10 topics globally in car/motorcycle tech discussion forums.

It's a bit like.... not a box of chocolate, but like my lawn mover.

I have a small one that you'll push around the garden. It has a 175cc 4-stroke engine.

It's now 8 years old. I've never changed engine oil, added probably twice during these years.

So yes, it works. And no, I would not necessarily recommend this maintenance approach to all. Heck, my neighbours similar (different brand) lawn mover seized after 3 years. He did not change the oil either (I blame him, I just told how I do this, not that he should do the same )

As I work in a company where many guys play around with different kind of engines, I'll take this as a scientific experiment - and a way to see their horrified faces when I report the situstion.

About break fluids - well, it's a bit like my lawn mover...

I'm not sure that I understood any of that.

Bill x

I'm fairly certain I've never done the every two years brake fluid change and never had a brake failure or even 'mushy' brakes.
I too, believe this had been a more recent belief.
How many people here change their brake fluid in their cars?

I'm certainly not recommending this, but a couple years ago I had this conversation with my sister. She has a small farm and has more than one car and truck available.

(A 1989 Buick)

Her- I'm thinking I should change the oil in the Buick.
Me- How long since you changed it?
Her- I don't think I ever changed it.
Me- How many miles on the car?
Her- 150 thousand something.
Me- Don't touch it.

I agree with JimC if the scooter is 0 miles and the PDI is done properly without short cuts you should be okay

And there speaks the voice of reason.

Well done Max.

We love you.

Bill x

I believe he is suggesting that maybe you change the fluid - maybe you don't. Maybe the brakes fail - maybe they don't. Maybe the two events are not connected.

Personally, I think it is more like the Clint Eastwood line in Magnum Force - "Do you feel lucky?"

This from the MV Wiki: The MV workshop quote was from Rolphe who was a Porsche mechanic for 50 years and was hired out of retirement by Piaggio to train the army of Vespa mechanics when they came back into the US market.

Personally, I find changing the brake fluid the easiest and fastest of all the Vespa maintenance tasks.

Best
Miguel

Hmmm... now why would a guy employed by Piaggio who trains Piaggio mechanics recommend such a short service timetable....give me a minute it'll come to me....

It's on the tip of my tongue.......

Bill x