Modern Vespa

[url=http://2strokebuzz.com/2009/07/piaggio-recalls-x9500-bv500/comment-page-1#comment-7130]2strokebuzz[/url] wrote on July 1st (am I the last to know?!) that Piaggio is recalling 2,428 units of its 2005-2008 X9 500 and BV 500 scooters due to a fuel hose problem... So when are we (if ever) going to be notified by Piaggio as to whether or not the MP3 500 would be covered by this recall, and any plan of action?

This is the story, first published by Motorcycle.com in June (last to know, again?!):

Here's another version on Dealernews (dated: June 8th).

Has anyone received a letter, an e-mail, or a phone call from Piaggio? Somebody please let us know, already?

that issue was flagged and a fix suggested about a year ago here
https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic29055?highlight=fuel+hose+issue

No reason it should affect the MP3 .... chill

The problem as explained to me is that the number of hose clamps for each bike on the assembly line was the same whether for the US market (evap system installed) or rest-of-the-world. Order of bike assembly meant by the time the fuel-pump was installed on US bikes there were no clamps left.

I've no idea if it's a potential issue for MP3s, but I would have thought any US fuel-injected bike made on the same production line could have suffered - if the above is true.

So, Coley, it took Piaggio an entire year (since the DIY fix) to come clean. A whole year. How in the world am I supposed to "chill"?

Piaggio needs to be more "transparent", more honest with its customers. The Vespa [url=http://2strokebuzz.com/2007/02/gts-exhaust-gasket-technical-bulletin-no-1806]GTS exhaust leak[/url] issue that got Piaggio so hush-hush in 2006 before they finally "addressed" the issue in 2007 (who remembers)?! After that, it was hushed up again. That mentality of "we never screw up" just doesn't help anyone, especially the customers. Honda has a recall page on its website; while Piaggio continues to h-i-d-e.

Ya know, I'm so use to being lied to by various....Ut hummm....authorities, it hard for me to work up a good righteous indignation anymore...it's kinda like .... if a day goes by that I notice someone or organization has NOT lied to me, I'm surprised...

I read your pain, but I suppose I'm Liar's Shell Shocked by now...No post trauma, anymore....

I don't expect any company or ... ut hmmm....authority to come clean on anything....

Cheers.....Mushroom..

I remember the whole GTS exhaust thing... I had one at the time... had no problems with my exhaust or gasket, but let them replace it anyway when the recall notice arrived.

I go with the "mentality" that I'm riding a decent product, that I've had no problems with, that has 2+ years left on its warranty, and that has a solid & friendly dealer standing behind it.

Unless you've got real reason to worry about it, why be a worry wart? Do the BV and X9 use an identical fuel tank and/or pump? Were they on the exact same production line at the same time as the MP3?

I suppose if you want to worry about it, I won't try to stop you. But just because some bikes have been recalled doesn't mean that ALL other owners (especially of other models) should worry themselves.

edit: also I don't know what year your bike is, and only assume you've got a 500 because of the post. My own is a 2009 model year, which is outside the range of the BV/X9 recall. By their own notice - it's affected just 2428 bikes spanning 4 production years.

I get your logic, Coley, and am concerned simply because I own an '08. But remember we are dealing with Piaggio who has a "patterned track record" of denial.

Just trying to clarify something here, so would appreciate if anyone else has good info to add.

The recall issue isn't a show-stopper - it just causes lack of performance in some circumstances.

If it was an issue for MP3 500s (which are a different engine anyway) then I'm sure we'd have heard about it by now.

I do agree however that Piaggio treats their customers and dealers like shit - Piaggio can't be bothered to do things right second-time round, let alone first. They are in this just to make money. They've forgotten they need to make friends, too. They've lost sight of 'brand-loyalty'.

So true, jimc. I guess, we will just wait and see.

It's a common Piaggio group problem for some years, now.

It is still happening to Moto Guzzi motorcycles, but generally only older year model stock, some of which still remains to be sold.

Good dealers know about it and do the fix before the bike goes out. Others let it go until the bike stops, sometimes in the middle of nowhere, sometimes in the middle of the freeway in rush hour. It's possible that some bikes never see the problem.

There are also suggestions that ethanol in fuel helps to hasten the problem, and that where ethanol is not mandatory, the problem is much less common.

Either way, if it has not yet been found on MP3s then they probably do not have an issue at all.

Cheers and all the best

Trevor G