I have read several poor reports about AJ Sutton - although i have never tried em myself...

Data wrote:I have experience of getting parts for Suzuki and Honda. Both companies are brilliant with most stuff available the next day if the dealer doesn't have it in stock and if it's urgently needed. But depends when you order it.

MOST of the time for Suzuki...there was a fuel pump recall that all got completely screwed up somewhere along the line and I waited months. When I complained to Suzuki directly, things suddenly happened very quickly (though they unconvincingly tried to blame the dealer for the delay!).

Well I spoke to fowlers today and they also have the same opinion of Piaggio.

Confirms what I was told by a.j Sutton.

So basically if not in stock in Italy and the first promise date is missed they won't give any further detail. Fowlers say 3-4 months is normal.

In light of this and considering my bike is getting into the higher mileage I might have to work out a plan for a new bike. How I don't know but I think it needs to be done.

Haven't had a jap bike since my majesty 250.

masterchop wrote:...Fowlers say 3-4 months is normal......

That's disgraceful. I hope nothing major happens to the Xevo then, I can't be without it for 3-4 days let alone months.

rtfm wrote:

masterchop wrote:...Fowlers say 3-4 months is normal......

That's disgraceful. I hope nothing major happens to the Xevo then, I can't be without it for 3-4 days let alone months.

That's worse scenario I think. Only if the item needs to be manufactured.

Ive never had this before with any other Piaggio group parts. But still their attitude sucks.

MrGrumpy wrote:

Data wrote:I have experience of getting parts for Suzuki and Honda. Both companies are brilliant with most stuff available the next day if the dealer doesn't have it in stock and if it's urgently needed. But depends when you order it.

MOST of the time for Suzuki...there was a fuel pump recall that all got completely screwed up somewhere along the line and I waited months. When I complained to Suzuki directly, things suddenly happened very quickly (though they unconvincingly tried to blame the dealer for the delay!).

Grumpy, someone definitely screwed up there! Clearly the part was available but not on order for you, by the sound of it. Never in 40 years have I ever had a screw up with Suzuki or Honda parts. Bold statement but true. When I was involved in the trade Suzuki in particular was the best for service I found. One of the reasons I bought yet another Suzi. Honda were a close second. This thing about Piaggio though is a worry for owners. Almost no non essential parts are kept by the importers now according to what my ex-Piaggio dealer has told me. That rings true with what I'm hearing on here and elsewhere. Must be counter productive surely, but a big cost saver for the importers. Considering they now make some superb bikes, that is going to be something potential owners will consider, and maybe go elsewhere for another make.

From what I have heard about part supply (or lack of) for Italian bikes and especially scooters all this does not surprise me. In 2006 I tried to trade in my Malaguti Madison 250 for a new Burgman at a dealer and they refused point blank to take it on the grounds that if the new owner had problems with it and needed parts they couldn't get them. Later I found another dealer who accepted the trade-in. Considering Italy invented the scooter I find this unforgivable. Maybe they take the attitude that as we buy so few scooters stuff us.

As to Suzuki the only problem I have had is waiting a month for a piston and con rod (after not replacing the oil filler plug properly, running out of oil and seizing the engine - whoops!). But this is maybe acceptable as people don't tend to need these sort of items every day. As to other makers, Japanese or otherwise, I can't comment as I have never needed parts.

Burgman1958 wrote:Considering Italy invented the scooter

No they didn't.
Scooters were in production for three decades before the first Italian scooter was built.

This sounds like a whole new topic!! Please provide some evidence that we can pick over and argue over what exactly a 'scooter' is!!

While it's true that scooters were around for decades before Piaggio/Vespa and Lambretta got in on the act these two makers popularised them and started the process that led to the scooters of today. Also they set the mould as regards the standard layout of engine and transmission attached to the rear wheel that has only recently been broken by the T Max etc. So in a way they did 'invent' them.