X9 Owners & Riders Club

Just 'cos I can't trust local dealerships in Nottingham to undertake work on my evo 500 I took it to St Albans to Thompsons. (Where I bought it ).  I have a catalogue of failures here in Nottingham re. local so called "MasterDealers" which I wont go into unless pressed, but I will if I have to. Anyway, I went down there,a 2 hour ride due to lorry crashes etc, I can only say that I was impresed when I arrived, I was able to watch Dave and John do their business, can't see my local dealers being that thorough. The showroom was a disapointment, but then I wasn't there to buy! All in all, more money than I would like to spend, £299, but a proper job, and peace of mind.  For those who wonder about services, and Thompsons since JT's departure, I say if you were happy before then be happy now!
Chris. :x9:

Dave and Jonno certainly do a proper job.

The prices have gone up - but to be fair the work done is extremely thorough.  More thorough than I or some others need, but absolutely spot on for those who don't have the inclination to do a lot of their own work.

Not had a Piaggio for a while until a few weeks ago,when i got a Vespa 300,so i have decided to let Thompsons take care of it,either though i did'nt buy it from them,i like the way they work........And yes Chris i have to agree with you about the showroom.

Steve

Dave is one of the best mechanics i know.

Nice to know as I'm coming up to my 18,000 mile service on the X8. I'm a bit worried what it's going to cost though. I got a little bit stung as for the 12,000 service I opted for Thompson's fixed price service which meant that I paid a little more - thinking that the 18,000 mile service would then end up cheaper on the scheme  :-/ Didn't know that JT was going to sell up at that point.  :headbang:

My options are limited around where I live, my nearest dealer is GLR, and I'm not keen!

Hi, Carmen is it?, I don't know where you hail from, but I had a 110 mile ride down the M1 to Thompsons, I allowed myself 2 hours, in case of....  As it turned out it took 2 hours 'cos of a lorry crash. If you like long rides it's worth the trip, but it is definitely is definitely spelled definitely a personal choice ,not everyone likes motorways, or long rides. Is Cheeky Thomas any nearer to you? Have you posted on the site for recommended "shops" in your area? Lots of help available on here as I'm sure you know.
Regards and luck,
Chris. :x9:

Thompson's is the nearest to me other than GLR (which has a bad reputation). So it's quite convenient, not sure where they are now I think it's moved since I last went there, but St Albans is only about 30mins ride so not problem at all. It's just nice to know that they still have the same mechanics and reputation - even if the cost has gone up.

I am intending to try out Thomsons (I am from Watford area) as Collins and Judd closed down. I only really go for an oil/plug change now (except when brake pads or tyres needed) which is always a low cost operation naturally  and I ask them to advise if anything else appears in need of work. Would I be missing anything in this approach as I dont wish to over spend and it seems to have worked out so far since about 15k miles with little trouble. New drive belt is needed soon mind you  as near to 30k miles.  
Stephen

The mechanics at Thompson's are still the best, even if the set-up is different.

Were I still in the UK with a Piaggio I'd have complete faith in what they advise and do.

 :ph34r:

I've just been looking at the Scooterpower website and adter discussion with Dave it seems that Piaggio have changed the intervals from what I was told.

I was told it was every 6000 miles, however on the website and according to Dave, the MAIN services (Costing £299.98 at Thompsons) are every 10,000km (about 6000miles) but in between there's an INSPECTION service (costing £35) every 5000km. I wasn't aware of this inspection service at all.

Can't believe a service on a scooter is £300.  :(#

I suppose £50 an hour - plus parts but Piaggio belts etc are quite cheap!

What do you guys pay for a service on your burgmans/silverwings etc?

I'm certain I heard someone say at the Kent ride out the other week that they are charging £98 per hour and finally making a profit on servicing.....  or did I imagine it?

£98 an hour!! WOW! Mind you I think JT did tell me that they used to make a loss on the servicing - I guess they had the loan bikes etc. He said that he used to make it up in sales revenue. Perhaps Scooterpower aren't so good on the sales.....::lol::

There has always been an oil check halfway between Piaggio services on four strokes - but there is no need for a dealer stamp for it.

Yes apparently that is the case (though my service book has never been correct anyway) but now they're advertising it as an inspection service and charging £35 for it, I don't think they did that before??

Anyway, I guess I will end up taking it to Thompsons as it IS convenient for me if very expensive, unless I can face a 2 1/2 hour ride up to Lowestoft to go to CheekyThomas's place! I don't trust anyone else enough.

Where do you all get your servicing done? Does it cost a similar amount?

Scootercafe (http://www.thescootercafe.co.uk/), Maidenhead - nowhere near as expensive.

Small, but perfectly formed.  :D

Thanks for the suggestion Colin, that place is a mere hours ride away - much more feasible than Lowestoft. Is that where you go (or went)?

Bought from, went to and still (until I sell the X9) go.

It's a Master Dealer, owned and run by Mike Atkinson (who used to do much of the servicing). Most work now done by Nick - a thorough technician.

Not impressive on the outside (the premises I mean) and quite compact inside, but never failed me yet.

Our experiences with Walton Road Garage (near Hampton Court) seem good. Their hourly rate works out a little over £50 an hour.

Thanks guys, I emailed the shop Colin suggested and to my surprise got a fast reply (my experience with email to these sorts of places is that they rarely get answered!).

Unfortunately he misunderstood my request, thinking that my scoot was on 1800miles not 18,000 miles, but hopefully a clarification email will sort that.

Good first impression though  :thumbup:

X8 is now booked in at Scootercafe in Maidenhead for Oct 12 - not sure what I'm going to do while I'm hanging around there - anyone fancy a Mini-meet!! :lol:

Possibly, but won't be certain 'till nearer the end of next week. What time are you being serviced?  :blink:

That last sentence really needs to be read as part of a script for "Carry On Scootering". :thumbup:

:lol:.

I said I'd be there about 9am but it depends how long it takes at that time in the morning as I've not been that way before.

A chap from MM might meet me there too - he bought his MP3 from there a few months ago.

Service time at Maidenhead Scootercafe tomorrow. Anyone around or should I take a book! :lol:

I'd hoped to meet you there but I now have to wait at home.  :(  The gas man cometh at about 9:30.

On a Monday morning, too! :D

 :ph34r:

Just be careful of your skirting boards...

I shall be doing just that later on!!!    :huhlol:

Well I'm sitting in a cafe in Maidenhead. Eventually I got here after a catalogue of disasters.
Firstly a completely dead scooter. I'd left the boot open since Sat! Then I found the optimate but it refused to charge the battery! Then I remembered there were some jump leads in Jason's car so I got them and jump started  the scooter. Then I found that the headphones I was going to use for the sat nav were broken! Lastly i shut the front door leaving my purse in the house. Not wanting to turn the scooter off I had to try to undo the keyring to get the door key off.
Must admit while I was riding through the traffic in the M25 roadworks I was wondering if I should have gone to Thompsons after all! However, Scootercafe is a delightful little shop. Crammed with gorgeous Vespas but larger scooters too, including a rather tasty Nexus 500. It's a tiny shop from the outside, but bigger than you'd expect inside. Obviously run with enthusiasm which is nice to see.

Despite the frustrating start I hope the day gets better and things go smoothly now, I bet the ride back will be a breeze and the weather's even looking up.   :D

I'm back home now.

Yes The weather cheered up, though still chilly.

In the end it was lucky I decided to get the scoot serviced a bit early (27000km instead of 30000km) as the HT lead was knackered and apparently was only hanging on for dear life!! I'd thought the scoot had been running a bit lumpy but it had been for sometime. I put it down to belt and rollers. I was lucky as it could have gone at any time and probably on the motorway.

 I didn't get either belt or rollers changed. Mike showed me the belt which looked almost new, no cracks, stretching or any signs of wear. He said it was up to me if I wanted to change it - it would be £38 ish +VAT .

I didn't see the point as it really hardly looked worn - I compared it to a new one just to make sure. Also the rollers weren't worn either - no flat spots. He and the mechanic said the 400's and 500's don't seem to wear the rollers very much - he said it depended how you rode though but in general they have this dilemma each time they do a 6000 mile service as the belts really aren't that worn at all, but if they don't change them and they break then it looks bad for them. In this case it was my decision, but I don't have too many qualms about it.

Total including replacement HT lead was £178.93, including £105 labour. I'm not sure how long he was working on it but it was probably about 2.5 hours at least.

Afterwards it felt lovely and smooth again. I took a wrong turning at the M4 roundabout but was glad I did as I ended up on a jaunt through Windsor and Runnymede which was lovely. I did get stopped though as they were doing a road census they wanted to know where I'd come from and where I was going!

Nice day in the end.

I knew you'd be well looked after.   ;)

It's just a shame I could get there to effect an introduction. The gas man did indeed cometh as expected and wenteth once the job was doneth.  :wacko:

One wonders what you'd have been charged for the same work now at ScooterPower and whether you'd have been given the choice on the belt/rollers?

Possibly not, the HT lead added about £8 to the bill which, without that, would have been spot on the estimate he gave me. Even if I'd got the belt changed it would have still been a lot (£60ish) cheaper than scooterpower's price of £299.

I just wish Mike would service my Burgman. I did ask, but he said he'd be concerned about the lack of any specialist tools and knowledge.  Fair enough.

Personally, I'm not sure we'd get the 650 through the door!!   :huhlol:

:lol:, Have to say I did wonder how they manage with the GP800, but I guess it's not as wide as the Burger. Tiny little space for the workshop -strictly one bike at a time in there!

I did think about buying the Nexus... but I asked the trade in price on mine...only £1k!! Ahem, maybe not then as the Nexus was a lovely Mk1  2006 with 10,000 miles but I didn't think it was worth another £1850 over my X8, which I have grown to love. It may not be as sexy, but it's almost as good to ride and a bit more practical!

Oh yes it is!! The ride would be vastly superior too, almost as good as a Tmax. The X8 may have more storage space but how many times do you fill it?

Quite often actually! :lol:.

I know a lot of people don't rate the X8/Evo very highly but I do like it very much. I have ridden a Nexus for about an hour and I did like that very much too. The X8 doesn't handle as well but it does handle quite well, certainly a lot better than I thought it would before I rode it. The ride is a little choppy fron the front end, and does jar a little over bumps but that's the only thing I'd really change about the way it handles (other than the scary worn MGS tyre thing but hopefully I've fixed that).

The nexus is FAR better looking but I do often use the storage in the X8. Everyday I use the underseat for my handbag, work clothes, shoes, sometimes lunchbox, and sometimes other bits and bobs, which all fits in the front section. When I'm at work I leave my helmet, gloves, neck scarf and hi-vis waistcoat in there.  In the rear compartment I carry a scooterbag with essentials like waterproof trousers, tool kit, spare gloves etc. It's nice to do all that without needing a top box.

I've heard on the grapevine that Dave, the excellent mechanic at Scooterpower formerly Thompsons is leaving and possibly going back to working on cars. Big shame!

I heard this aswell, aparrently no new buisness is coming in and he is fed up of sorting electrical problems out.

Why, has Solo been going there? :)

:lol:.

Not surprised they're not getting new business, I haven't even been there since it was Thompsons. I looked at their website when I was considering buying the XEvo but it put me right off buying from them I'm afraid. If it was still Thompsons I'd have bought it from there without a shadow of a doubt.

Crumbs - just as I am getting around to have a service at place that I thought was called Thomsons! Are they worth using still as no one else around Watford area... Thanks S

In a word - NO.

Options are:

First Line (Arnos Grove) not Piaggio official but well recommended here.

Palmers (Hemel H) newly Piaggio and bit of an unknown for servicing

CBS (Whitton) very well recommended but little way for you

Scootercafe (Maidenhead) well recommended and good value, but also quite a ways to go.

Anywhere else people??

I just had my first service at Palmers, it was £104.38, which is perhaps a bit pricey but included £36.04 for the oil and £60+VAT for labour, they also included a full health check tick sheet. The price was probably partly my fault as i didn't negotiate the first service into the purchase deal. A normal service is about £180 there (as opposed to £299 at the garage formerly known as Thompsons).

Palmer's master technician, Carl seems a nice bloke and looks experienced and professional (i.e. he's not a spotty oik greasemonkey).

Walton Road Garage (Hampton Court) have been good to us. We have also had good experiences at CBS but they are another 20 minutes or more away.

I would avoid Ewell Scooters now as I have had problems with them getting parts etc.

Appreciate the tip off to Palmers. Going to try them out next week as website looks good and had good personal contact on email and phone so far. First impressions commendable. Plus they are nearest. Will report back as and when.
Stephen

OK. It passed its MoT at Palmers but in doing the service they busted the thread on the sump plug. And they dont have a replacement to hand. So I had a lift home and we wait to see how fast they can get a new one that will fit. They considered taking off a new Evo but not sure if that will fit my Honda sump...anyone know?
And how best for them to get a replacement that will fit - where to best source?
Thanks for any tips I can pass back to Carl. He was most helpful and these things happen I guess. I can live without bike til next week.
Stephen

Was the sump plug done up too tight at the previous service?

When I took my X8 to Maidenhead scooter cafe, they said the sump plug was done up way too tight and they nearly busted it trying to undo it I saw them and they nearly pulled the bike over they had to apply so much force to it.. The previous place to tighten the sump plug was.... ahem... Thompsons.

Same thing happened to Julians' old 250SL.
There is no need to heave on them as they have a copper washer. Just nip them up and check them after a while for signs of weeping. If they are dry leave well alone. They are the sort of thing that always seems tighter when trying to remove them they are when you fit them.

Yes, done up too tight last time out.
So where best to get a new one and would an Evo fit the foresight? If it does then I can have bik eback very quickly if I tell them this as carl is not sure and does not wish to drain a new forecourt bike and use its plug just on off chance. But would do it if thought would fit.
S