MCN Show, Excel 2014 scooter roundup

[Globs]

I think I'd rather have a chain+sprockets than a shaft, shafts seem to be very prone to stranding people and the number of BMW crown wheel drives that need precision knowledge to fix them properly is sobering.

I do like the Guzzis though..

[Data]

My god. I have 8 years experience working in this industry both for dealers and manufacturer. So glad to be out of it.... the industry as a whole is incredibly mis-managed, always has been. Kawasaki and MotoGB seem to work hard with their networks, others who shall remain nameless decimate their loyal dealers and treat them like dog shit.

And on the other side of the coin I have to deal with a number of unreasonable, unbalanced customers who really take the piss. For instance if your going to buy a bike with an exposed chain, fucking learn how to adjust and lube it. Don't expect the dealer to do it for you, just because you can't be arsed. The UK is chock full of lazy fuckits and the 2 wheeled fraternity sadly is no different...

Fully agree Sarge! As a dealer it's quite easy to become disillusioned by some of the general public and the way they look after (or don't look after) their bikes and then blame the dealer or brand for the problems. I had it up to my ears many times years ago. It's the same in the car industry too.

Just picking up on the Piaggio side of things. My own multi franchise dealer gave up on Piaggio some 3 years or so ago due to the poor spares and dealer/customer support offered here in the UK. Piaggio only pays for 50% of the labour charges on warranty jobs so dealers are often not too keen to do the bigger jobs. And with customers waiting so long for many spares it was not hard for them to end a long relationship that didn't stack up to what the other major franchises offer. However, after digging around a bit more, I am very happy with not just the SYM brand, but with MotoGB too. They are making a big effort as far as I can see. There are many many happy Sym riders out there.

[Steve_D]

I think I'd rather have a chain+sprockets than a shaft, shafts seem to be very prone to stranding people and the number of BMW crown wheel drives that need precision knowledge to fix them properly is sobering. ..

Thats true about the BMW shafts - that's a well known weakness on them. Not heard much trouble with any Japanese shaft driven bikes though.

[michaelphillips]

well the new piaggio warehouse in Pontedera opened in late 2013 which is supposed to source the world.. hope the thing works out, not had any problems with parts touch wood, normally use suttons for the part number then nip up to welling to order and pick up in two days
things have the habbit to change though
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[MrGrumpy]

well the new piaggio warehouse in Pontedera opened in late 2013 which is supposed to source the world..

But wasn't that supposed to have opened sometime in 2012? Its not surprising that the supply of spares is slow if the spares warehouse is years behind schedule!

[Globs]

I think I'd rather have a chain+sprockets than a shaft, shafts seem to be very prone to stranding people and the number of BMW crown wheel drives that need precision knowledge to fix them properly is sobering. ..

Thats true about the BMW shafts - that's a well known weakness on them. Not heard much trouble with any Japanese shaft driven bikes though.

I still have a soft spot for the Suzuki C800C, shaft drive. The back of it looks so clean and no one knows what the engine looks like inside as none have ever gone wrong. I wouldn't not buy the Suzuki because of the drive, more because I fear I may not keep the required cleaning regime up!

well the new piaggio warehouse in Pontedera opened in late 2013 which is supposed to source the world..

But wasn't that supposed to have opened sometime in 2012? Its not surprising that the supply of spares is slow if the spares warehouse is years behind schedule!

Both good points. At least here I can see the reason for past hopelessness and a reason why it may improve, which for the X10 is good enough for me. Projects do run late as do italians - but I can hope it works out well for us customers. I think I will have to baby the connectors and electrics though - I doubt italians design for the amount salt spray that the UK councils generate at the slightest hint of frost.

[michaelphillips]

when ever you have any plastics off etc its best to grease back of terminals and wd40 connectors, a couple of years ago i had mine stripped down as repainted frame so i was lucky i could do it then, always best to wd40 the fuse boxes if you havent intentions of getting any plastics off

[Capt. R Swipe]

A very interesting, informed and valuable thread, especially for a potential purchaser of a brand that I have no experience of - and I suggest 'potential' in the lightest sense, at the moment. I can't and won't be able to usefully comment on MotoGb and SYMUk as an operation, as I have not dealt with them.

After having read this thread I reckon/think that I could/might/possibly be persuaded to part with my 'hard earned' for a SYM scoot - the Joymax 300i - and on the back of other owners' and testers' reviews of the Joymax; elsewhere, which is a positive.

However, I don't think that I am yet, convinced of the service and support from SYMUK to be able to buy that Joymax 300i. I certainly am not blessed with dealers in my area, either willing to invest in the larger SYM scoots or to maintain dealings with SYMUK, in order that I can sit on one - I know this because I have visited these dealers, asked questions and recieved unfavourable reponses that I did not want to hear.

So, what can I do? I could fall back on what I know and buy the Forza 300 and sleep at night or possibly the Xmax 250 and then shut up. Or, I could wait for some of you lot to bite the bullet and do the research for me, listen to you and think positively. I am waiting for those Maxsym 600s to turn up Spaceprobe! I could wait to see how and if, the market picks up and hope some dealers are willing to allow me to sit on that Joymax.

So, in the interest of a competitive market, variety, want, need etc. - take your pick - can I look forward to more choice and peace of mind in the near future? I certainly would like to test ride and consider a SYM. Because of this support/service dilemma, I am in two minds and it ought not to be like this; nevermind the consideration of the bike itself


Thank you for watching.

BTW, I sold my Burg 400 last year as I had stopped making regular trips to and from London fom here in Plymouth - now that was a fabulous scooter- as it was more than I needed.

[jamie]

i can only go off my own time owning a sym shark 125 since 2002 i found it bullet proof very well made not the quickest ... as for parts ive never had a problem always gave chas mann a ring i think hes in birmingham and anything i needed would be sent by post within 48 hrs

[Globs]

I have visited these dealers, asked questions and recieved unfavourable reponses that I did not want to hear.

Talking to the local dealers is IMO the best way to predict the future ownership experience of a make/model. If you live next to Bennetts then the Joymax 300 may be a good choice, SYM quality is pretty good and most of the time design-wise is ok or at least adjustable. On my GTS300 (the fore-runner) I had to change to Dr Pulley sliders, Isotta screen, proper mirrors, usable seat back and cut some of the acres of space robbing over-mouldings on the seat bottom before it was a good scooter - but it was doable within £200 extra.

However even if you ignore the SYM distribution issues the competition has well and truly caught up with 3 scooters now vying for position of best all round scooter:

1) Piaggio 350 X10ie
Super finish, executive luxury, engine and clutch to die for, huge touring space and massive rider comfort. 200kg.
I've ordered one of these in Midnight Blue, which I'll collect mid May when I have more space but available immediately.
This also has a 15.5litre tank (250 mile range), ABS, fuel computers etc.

2) Vespa GTS 250ie (new model out soon)
Cute looks with comfort and speed - only 150kg too, 2 bags of sand lighter than the X10 and Xciting!
Huge following, expandable for touring, most accessories available.
Almost flat floor - allows cabin bag to be carried by the rider. ABS on new model.

3) Kymco Xciting 400i (out soon)
Sports bike looks and Kymco service and reliability. 200kg. ABS. Digital speedo.
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These for me are the top three you should be sitting on, looking at, trying out. Bigger scooters give you less load space, more fuel, more tyre wear, higher tax. Smaller scooters are fun but not so useful on the motorway - but are cheaper to buy, run. insure, tax and have cheaper tyres.