OP
@papa_smurf avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS250ie, ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1244
Location: cincinnati, ohio, usa
 
Molto Verboso
@papa_smurf avatar
GTS250ie, ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1244
Location: cincinnati, ohio, usa
UTC quote
My wifes 2006 BV250 has a problem with the headset bearings. Vespa dealer wants $490.00 in labor and $70.00 for the bearing kit. The bearing Kit is about what I expected but $490.00 for 5 hrs of labor sounds really high. Im in a crunch for time so Im letting them do it, but am I getting ripped off?
UTC

Hooked
08 s150, 79 P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 235
Location: San Diego
 
Hooked
08 s150, 79 P200E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 235
Location: San Diego
UTC quote
$100/hr seems more than a bit excessive to me, however, it may be in line with other motorsports dealers in the area. Your best bet is to call around to different motorcycle and scooter dealers and ask what their shop rate is. $70-$80 is more the norm around my area.
@benito avatar
UTC

Moderator
2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16295
Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
 
Moderator
@benito avatar
2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16295
Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
UTC quote
Our scooter dealers here in Toronto charge between $75 to $85 per hour for labour.
@dougl avatar
UTC

El Macho
KTM Super Duke 1290, Vespa GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9048
Location: Porto 4050-570
 
El Macho
@dougl avatar
KTM Super Duke 1290, Vespa GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 9048
Location: Porto 4050-570
UTC quote
Top bearings should be quick. Bottom bearings require dropping the fork. Probably only three hours on an ET4 max. And that's being generous. A BV is probably a very different animal....
@doorbuster avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2007 Piaggio BV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1870
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
 
Molto Verboso
@doorbuster avatar
2007 Piaggio BV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1870
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
UTC quote
Benito wrote:
Our scooter dealers here in Toronto charge between $75 to $85 per hour for labour.
Your high side is what I pay here in Baton Rouge for labor.
@greasy125 avatar
UTC

Sergeant at Arms
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
 
Sergeant at Arms
@greasy125 avatar
Weird 80's Vespas & Cool Vintage Lambrettas
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14995
Location: The state of insanity, SoCal
UTC quote
+1 on what doug said, the BV is a monster-- you practically have to disassemble the bike to do anything...

so, 400~500 doesn't sound too out of line; especially given what standard shop rates are set at.

best,
-greasy
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44221
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44221
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
I can do the head bearings on an X9 in under an hour - I can't see the BV having that much more plastic around the headstock. 5 hours is definitely taking the piss.
@dutch avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
LXV 150 GTV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2471
Location: Logan OH USA
 
Ossessionato
@dutch avatar
LXV 150 GTV 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2471
Location: Logan OH USA
UTC quote
If you've got the workshop manual you can see what Piaggio says it'll take for the repair in hours.

Nope I'm wrong must be thinking of the Vespa LX 150 manual. The Piaggio manual doesn't give the time.

They don't talk about removing any of the plastic bits to get the fork off but it could be like any of the manuals. "Replacing brake pads. Take the pin out of the pads" They don't tell you you have to take off the caliper with a star socket wrench that no one has in an area that no one can possibly get to.

Guess it doesn't make any difference if you have to have it done. The proverbial rock and a hard place.
@catskill avatar
UTC

Addicted
4 LD's in various states of repair, MP3 500, 1961 Lambro Fli 175, 1965 Topper, 07 GTS250, 81 P200, 79 P200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 558
Location: The Catskills, NY
 
Addicted
@catskill avatar
4 LD's in various states of repair, MP3 500, 1961 Lambro Fli 175, 1965 Topper, 07 GTS250, 81 P200, 79 P200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 558
Location: The Catskills, NY
UTC quote
Between $70 - $100 per hour is what it takes to keep a good shop running. Getting into the BV is a pain in the ass, I've watched my husband do it several times but I would say its a 2-3 hour job not 4-5 hour job.
@bvbob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'95 Yamaha Riva 125- '05 Piaggio BV200-'05 Honda Reflex-'08 Honda Metropolitan
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1860
Location: Ohio
 
Molto Verboso
@bvbob avatar
'95 Yamaha Riva 125- '05 Piaggio BV200-'05 Honda Reflex-'08 Honda Metropolitan
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1860
Location: Ohio
UTC quote
Re: Am I getting Ripped off by Dealer
Papa Smurf wrote:
My wifes 2006 BV250 has a problem with the headset bearings. Vespa dealer wants $490.00 in labor and $70.00 for the bearing kit. The bearing Kit is about what I expected but $490.00 for 5 hrs of labor sounds really high. Im in a crunch for time so Im letting them do it, but am I getting ripped off?
I'm wondering if you are using the same dealer that a guy over on the MP3 thread used to get his bearings changed. I think they charged him something in the neighborhood of $900.00!!! I know he is from somewhere in southern Ohio. Check out the thread there titled "notch in steering" or something to that effect. My guys charged 1.5 hours labor to do my bearings less than two months ago. Can't say enough good things about Vespa of Cleveland.

Bob
OP
@papa_smurf avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS250ie, ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1244
Location: cincinnati, ohio, usa
 
Molto Verboso
@papa_smurf avatar
GTS250ie, ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1244
Location: cincinnati, ohio, usa
UTC quote
As the saga goes, took the bike in yesterday and had the headset bearing replaced. Cost me $490.00 which included the headset bearings. Talked the fellow into changing the front tire and balancing it without increasing the price. A bit of give and take is always good. Bottom line is, the grease they put into the bearing pack from the factory is just a light coating. Lets moisture in and rusts the bearings. Fellow from the dealer said he see's it all the time. What are you going to do? Anyway the good news is her bike is running well and were headed for Putinbay this weekend. Its about 250 miles, so we will see how it goes 8)
@bvbob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'95 Yamaha Riva 125- '05 Piaggio BV200-'05 Honda Reflex-'08 Honda Metropolitan
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1860
Location: Ohio
 
Molto Verboso
@bvbob avatar
'95 Yamaha Riva 125- '05 Piaggio BV200-'05 Honda Reflex-'08 Honda Metropolitan
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1860
Location: Ohio
UTC quote
Glad to see you got the bearing taken care of. Enjoy the Islands! We make the trip (by car) every year. I hope the weather cooperates.

Bob
OP
@papa_smurf avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS250ie, ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1244
Location: cincinnati, ohio, usa
 
Molto Verboso
@papa_smurf avatar
GTS250ie, ET4
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1244
Location: cincinnati, ohio, usa
UTC quote
Bob its our first time there, do you recommend anything?
@jona avatar
UTC

Hooked
'06 GTS 250 ie, Black.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 111
Location: London, UK
 
Hooked
@jona avatar
'06 GTS 250 ie, Black.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 111
Location: London, UK
UTC quote
As further reference, my GTS is just back from its MOT - had new headset bearings, a new back tyre, and a new headlamp bulb. That was 2 hours' work according to the bill.
@bvbob avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'95 Yamaha Riva 125- '05 Piaggio BV200-'05 Honda Reflex-'08 Honda Metropolitan
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1860
Location: Ohio
 
Molto Verboso
@bvbob avatar
'95 Yamaha Riva 125- '05 Piaggio BV200-'05 Honda Reflex-'08 Honda Metropolitan
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1860
Location: Ohio
UTC quote
Papa Smurf wrote:
Bob its our first time there, do you recommend anything?
We take the Miller Ferry over from Catawba Point. They'll allow you, for a fee, to take the scooters over. We eat somewhere different everytime we go so I can't recommend anything specific there. We ALWAYS make a trip to the winery 8) . It's kinda relaxing. They have good beef sticks there, weird, I know, I look forward to them each year. There are tons of bars and restaurants and many shops. The roads are nice to just putt around on to see everything. The whole area around there on the mainland side is touristy. Just a nice get-away. I'll add more if I think of something else..

Bob
@mogeewogee avatar
UTC

Beer Fairy
GTS-"Cannonball Bettie" Member Iron Butt Association
Joined: UTC
Posts: 851
Location: Seacoast New Hampshire USA
 
Beer Fairy
@mogeewogee avatar
GTS-"Cannonball Bettie" Member Iron Butt Association
Joined: UTC
Posts: 851
Location: Seacoast New Hampshire USA
UTC quote
My shop charges 88 bucks/hr. but they mounted and balanced my tyres for 20 bucks each, which I see as reasonable. ( I took them on and off of the scoot)
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