Modern Vespa

(see my previous post about why I needed to call Piaggio Roadside Assistance)...

I had just gotten my Piaggio Roadside Assistance card in the mail the night before, and little did I know I'd be calling that number the very next day.

The dispatchers were really nice, but have no clue what an MP3 is. I had to describe it in detail, warning them that it weighs about 400 lbs, has 3 wheels etc.

Since my scooter was parked in a building garage, the dispatcher also needed to know what the building's clearance was. I told them it was 7 feet, but if the towing service brought a pickup truck (or a van), with a motorcycle ramp, he would have no problems entering the garage.

So, while waiting for the towing service to come, my husband and I managed to get the locked front wheel down, and to make things easier for the tower, we decided to ride the scooter down to the street.

What came to pick up the scooter? A big-ass flatbed truck that could have fit 50 scooters on. The tower explained that the dispatcher told him the scooter had 3 wheels, so he immediately thought - one of those trikes, which is why he brought the truck instead of a pickup (so much so for being OC with the dispatcher in describing the scooter to him).

I would say though that if one needed to have the MP3 towed, and if the wheels are locked and stable, loading it on a truck is a piece of cake. The tower simply brought down the bed of the truck, and we pushed the bike up, put the parking brake on, and he slowly raised the bed, and repositioned the bike and strapped it down. It took less than 15 minutes to get the bike set up on the truck.

The tower was the nicest guy - he made sure everything was strapped down tight for the trip to Queens, NY (imagine riding the truck across Manhattan, over some really huge potholes and negotiating traffic).

The scooter's safely at Vespa Queens, but the tow cost me. Piaggio Roadside Assistance covers only the first $100 of any towing service. Anything after that is out of my pocket.

I had a great experiance too with the roadside assistance. It took about 2hrs to arrive, but it was worth the time. Like you I was awarded the $100.oo. My driver had loaded many bikes ,but never any thing like an Mp3.
He figured it out though. Strapped it down and never moved .
I unfortunately had to travel a great distance to get to a service center. Lets just say BIG BUCKS! Bike has been sweet now for many weeks. My problem was with the antenna on the ignition that reads the keys proper programing at start up.

Best Regards, Dave

Given that the cause of the problem was identified and the scoot was still under warranty, Piaggio should reimburse you for the extra cost of the tow.

When I called the roadside assistance to Vespa, they told me he is the only person in the shop and will not offer any help!! That was yesterday.

Do some research for towing of bikes specificaly in your area. I did and have the #'s handy just in case. I was pleased with the last time using Piaggios Roadside assistance. But I might reach for these next time.


Austin, Tx.


1) Drews - Service ( 512 ) 293-8380

2) (512) 917-4042 & 973-8687 (Bikes only)

This is why I have AAA. They cover you by mileage, not cost. the RV/Motorcycle covers 100 miles of towing. Very much worth it the 1st time you have to use it.

I too had a very nice experience with Piaggio Roadside Service here recently. You can even tell the dispatcher that you want the same towing company if you really liked their service.

Did you call the Piaggio Road Side Assistance 800 number or your dealer? Piaggio Road Side Assistance will call a local towing company not the dealer.

Wayne B

Be sure to UNLOCK the suspension while being towed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why?

Think of the stress you put on the system by having it lock...
Going over pot holes, bumps and etc.....

So, I take it that it's perfectly OK to park the MP3 on center-stand overnight (or for days) with the front suspension locked (since there won't be bumps..., etc. to stress it out.

I used to get it on the stand, then take off the suspension lock. But in the morning, I would forget and as the scooter comes off the stand it begins to lean, and I get a 1/2 heart-attack before grabbing hold of it.

More specifically, in the owners manual:
IN THE CASE OF ENGINE PROBLEMS (DEAD BATTERY) AVOID TOWING THE SCOOTER WITHTHE LOCK ENGAGED.

I had a similar issue after being stuck on the side of the road 80 miles from the office. $189 out of pocket later my MP3 was back home. Issue?? Faulty valve stem caused 2 tires in one day to overheat and shred. Ironic thing is... I rescue motorcycle's all the time and we never rob people the way I was robbed!

You know how much the tow truck that towed you cost??? Most likely $65,000 - $80,000 and a few thousand a year for insurance and it gets about 10-12 mpg, and uses diesel that is about $3.25 a gal right now. Did the MP3 that you use to tow, cost even close to a 1/4 of that?

You got towed 80 miles? That's $160 just in mileage and only $29.00 to put it on the truck. Price around here is $65-$75 just to show up and pick a vehicle up, then $2.00 a mile.
Hell, I paid my friend $100 to tow my truck 25 miles.

What's your point? My rig cost $13k not including insurance but it's made for motorcycles not cars. Don't use a sledge hammer to kill an ant!