Modern Vespa

Any opinions on this place for Vespa service? I get a bad vibe since they only carry Michelin tires.

Any Baltimore/ DC riders with experience with MotoStrada?[/i]

Never had any service work done there (I do almost all my own work), but I've never heard anything bad about them.

When I've been in there, Mark, the owner, has been the only one there, and he seems like a decent and knowledgeable sort. The vibe I get, though, is that they may be hanging on by a shoestring like so many other scooter shops these days.

I hope they are OK, as they have my deposit for a 4T Stella.

whats wrong with michelin tires?

I was thinking the same thing, what's wrong with Michelin tires, some of the best you can buy?

Mark is a pretty good guy.
Very knowledgeable but a little stubborn...
As for only one kind of tire..
He is a small shop and doesn't have much room for storage so he picked the brand he was most comfortable with and...
If he weren't so far away I would get my work done there.

Nothing's wrong with Michelin tires... but for a scooter shop I would have expected more than 1 brand (haven't been there, didn't realize it is very small).

The few scooter tire thread's I've read have all pointed to Heidenau's and Pirelli's as the better tires - I got the impression that in the scooter world Michelin was just a so-so tire.

the new michelin city grips are great. never had the hiens but have run the pirelli GTS 23 on fronts and the 24's on the rear, they were ok also had a diablo on the rear it was good also, So far I like the michelin City Grips the best.

What he said. I've purchased a bike from there, purchased parts for other bikes and have had some minor work done. Generally good peeps, sometimes a little disorganized.

And very, very few scooter shops will really have a selection of tires in stock for every size that comes on the scooters they sell. But with PartsUnlimited supplying them, its a non-issue.

I've known Mark personally since way back when, getting close to 20 years ago now, and he's a great stand-up guy who definitely believes in taking care of his customers and treating them fairly. In fact, he was the first one who ever worked on my P200 other than me since I've owned it, and he did a great job of giving it a minor engine rebuild (seals/gaskets). I haven't seen him for a while since I've been out on the west coast, but if you drop by the shop, tell him I said hi!

I may be heading up there tomorrow, as a matter of fact (to discuss substitute tires for the stinky Savas the Stella comes with), and I'll definitely say hello for you. I assume he knows you by Bagel?

He's probably aware that I'm known as "Bagel" now, though back in the day before I acquired that nickname I was known as "Heinkel Tom"...

I was up there this afternoon. The place was actually pretty busy (my other visits were on weekdays). Mark was manning the shop and a mechanic was busy in the service bay. Phone kept ringing too.

I did notice a few other tires on the rack besides Michelins, but they were mostly Shinkos and the like for vintage scooters and Stellas.

Got into a conversation with Mark about tire alternatives for the Stella 4T, and I mentioned that you said hi, Bagel. He looked a little puzzled at first, but there was immediate recognition when I said "Heinkel Tom". He asked about where you were, what you were doing, and whether you still had the Heinkel.

I guess I'm going to trust them, because I put a deposit on the Portofino Green LXV150ie I've been lusting after while I was there. Would much rather give my business to a small, knowledgeable shop than a big car or motorcycle dealership that sells Vespas as a sideline.

Now I know why you didn't want to go for a ride with me...


Are you going to turn the LXV into a 190 also?

Nah, I had my client here most of the morning. Didn't head up to MotoStrada until about 1:00. Knowing the hours you keep, you were probably back by then!

My grand plan -- once I've acquired this full stable of scoots -- is to use my current LX as my "hot rod" project bike (to satisfy my wrenching and modding jones!) and long-range tourer, and the 4T Stella and LXV as my around-town fun bikes and errand-runners. I'll probably leave the LXV stock for the time being, assuming it performs as well as I think it will (well... maybe some variator mods ).

are you talking about Moto Strada in Cockeysville or the new store that opened in Baltimore?

MotoStrada in Cockeysville. The new one is Vespa Baltimore, which I understand is a sideline of an existing car dealership,

Interesting. Hadn't heard about Vespa Baltimore. Looks like it is a sideline of Carbiz, a used car, CarMax type shop.

Anybody try them out yet?

MotoStrada will be my next stop if I need service; I would have bought from them initially, but they are so far away. I ended up going with the now defunct Vespa Columbia.

Hey, when did you buy your scoot, and from whom? I was at Vespa Columbia selling scooters (and BMW Motorcycles, of course) from November 2006- April 2007.....!
Did I sell you your scoot?
I was going to chime in that Mark always seemed like a stand up guy when I worked for the competition. But have been gone for a few years now.
I think you guys will be happy up there. I never understood the used car lot turned Vespa dealership.... but maybe that's just me.

~Robyn

I just missed you! I bought the bike at the beginning of May 2007 from Carter. I still go by Bob's occasionally for gear. If I'm ever in the market for a BWM, I'll definitely buy from them again.

MotoStrada is a good shop!!!!!

fried okra

I've got Michelin Pilot Sport tires on my scooter

They slip a little on wet roads,
but they're outstanding on sandy roads, which is my biggest problem here

Had a good experience with Moto Strada.

Had 3k mile service and had them put on a pair of City Grips.

The Michellins are GREAT. It's like riding on a whole new scooter.

There was something wrong with my old tires... cracks, rot, had been over-inflated for years by the previous owner.

If only they were closer... it's a hike to Cockeysville from Columbia... doubly so because I need to drag my wife up there for a ride back (and then pick-up, too).

Mark is a stand-up guy. I have bought vintage scoots from him in the past and he used to work on my bikes from time to time when I loved in Maryland. He did start riding a crotch rocket at one point, but I forgive him...

Just realized these posts are from a few years ago but wanted to share experience at Vespa Baltimore.

Purchased by LX150 there last year, sales staff was great. Had them do the service a few months later and the service department was clueless. Had no idea what was required for the scooter and once I explained it to them, they claimed they had already done it. Was clearly not the case, cables hadn't been adjusted, nothing had really been touched.

Wouldn't return.

I would suggest, as a new member and first time poster that you read the Posting Guidelines. - Airing of dealer or vendor grievances -- no matter how well intentioned -- is prohibited.

You are off to a rocky start, and this thread is locked.