Modern Vespa

Recently, my 2020 Vespa Sprint 150's battery died outside of a grocery store. I called AAA for a tow, but was told that my Premium account didn't include an "RV" coverage. This separate coverage would cost me $40, but there is a 7-day grace period. So, I called my dealer's service department, and got a number for a guy who has a specialized tow truck which tows up to 2 motorcycles at a time, side-by-side. He couldn't get to me that day, so I had to push my Vespa home (one mile), which included going up and over one long incline and two shorter hills. I had a new battery installed, and all is well now; just wanted to inform others of this.

I wonder if AAA could have brought a new battery to you, or at least given you a jump start. Anyway, I'm glad you got home.

I understand you soo damn well ... my cars insurance company has been detrimental for my mental well being !

more robbery then ''insurance'' but meh thats my experience.

A reminder that AMA membership only costs $50 p.a. ($40 for first year) and gives you a 35 mile towing cover for all your vehicles.

https://americanmotorcyclist.com/members-community/members/roadside-assistance/

Checked out the site now thats actually a very nice deal given the American minumum wage per hour is 7.5 usd ... just pay it with few days of work

tho hopefully there is no greasy small print stuff

Vespa Club of America membership is $35 annually and comes with 25 miles road service.
https://www.vespaclubofamerica.com/membership

Excellent if you only have PTWs - but it doesn't cover all your vehicles, whether you're in them or not.

It's nice aswell but other one is more diverse , anways cool to see that America has alot of well priced and cool options


cool post !

I've been an AMA member for about 17 years, and have only needed towing for my automobiles. It was a great deal, in addition they will tow any of your antique scooters that many motorcycle towing coverages will omit.

They changed up some of the terms with my most recent renewal. You do have to "register" your motorcycle(s) in order to get up to three services per year. The coverage is included if you set your membership for auto-renew on a credit card if you are a new member. There now is an additional fee to cover your automobiles (unless you are a lifetime AMA member) https://americanmotorcyclist.com/members-community/members/roadside-assistance/

That said, I've had three different auto policies in the last few years, and they all have free (or nearly free) towing coverage. So the AMA changes are not that big of a loss IMO.

Far easier to keep a little lithium jumpstarter kit around than calling anybody for a dead battery.

I have the AAA Premium RV coverage, but I've been mostly disappointed with them when I needed them. The last time I called for a tow (a broken belt), I was left on the side on an interstate highway (I-71 north of Cincy near Kings Island) with lots of high speed traffic and a severe thunderstorm bearing down on me. After 2.5 hours and several follow-up calls to AAA, I pushed the scoot 1 mile down the interstate and UP a steep off-ramp to a gas station. I then called a friend to come get me at the gas station and retrieved the scoot the next day.

I'll likely drop it this year in favor of AMA and/or VCOA.

the day I discovered AAA doesn't cover my scooter....! (yeah, need the RV rider)

Such a horrible day.... difficulty remembering the $$!
Tow of 5 miles to the dealer was @$265, new rear tire + installation - was @$300.
Honda had not brought the stock tire size to the USA yet - so had to buy an oversize tire. It did "0" my odometer perfectly, though!

Paying $10 a year for recovery from my auto ins. now.

For a few moments on the day my battery died I wished that I had bought a Honda instead. Their dealership is in my city, while the tow to Escondido was 32 miles and cost me $200. Oh well, it's behind me now, I paid for the RV rider, and I'm glad again that I got a Vespa. I really like the flat seat on my Vespa for one thing.

Why couldn't you get a battery from the Honda dealer?

Or, for that matter, Batteries Plus or one of the other similar battery stores which carry most common motorcycle and scooter batteries.

Kraig Jones in the above post was probably right. You should have had them out to jump start your battery. Even if it will not keep a charge, it will usually start and you can ride it home. Obviously, other disablements would not work unless you had the RV AAA Motorclub Membership Level.

I like AAA because you can use it on any vehicle - even a friends. Further, the RV level allows tows for up to 200 miles.

I am an insurance agent (please throw no rocks). I do not recommend buying roadside on either your auto or two wheeled vehicle policy. Reason, the towing, tire change, jump start claim goes on your auto insurance record. Even though you are not immediately surchared for these (comprehensive claims), you get a larger percentage of futue premium rate increases and it is held againts you if you try to qualify for another companies policy.

If you use a third party roadside, nothing impacts your vehicle premiums.

So, Forest Gump, make your best decision.

Bob Copeland

My battery died in a supermarket parking lot and at that point I'd had AAA for less than a year. They told me they wouldn't tow me because I'd only been a member for 10 months or whatever. WTF? I paid for the annual membership and oddly? No one mentioned this bs when they were taking my money. I too had to push it home about a mile with steep incline under a railroad overpass. Least it wasn't a flat tire. I just pay extra on my insurance policy for roadside now. AAA will muddle thru without me somehow.

Why not keep a mini jumper cable under your seat? I have one and have used it 2 or 3 times already.

AAA is way better than AMA, but you have to buy the RV-motorcycle bundle as an add. The towing distance would have been only 7 miles, which would be okay for my cars but not my scooter. My closest dealer is 30 miles away. Also, my daughters are attending college in Idaho where the cities are 50 to 100 miles apart. So, I also upgraded to premium to get the longer tow.

The last time I called AMA, it was over five hours and multiple calls before someone finally came. AMA had to call AAA and send one of their drivers before I got helped. AMA does not have a national network like AAA has. You may have good luck in your area, but none of the locals tow companies wanted to give me a tow. With AAA they generally arrive in 30 minutes or if it's really busy may be an hour.