New XEvo 400ie

[Kev]

Yes - It may have to come to that - I might do the rounds of a few dealers just to see if anyone can better the offer, just for my own piece of mind.

[Dave Milnes]

Belts are now a money spinner for Piaggio dealers. The price of the belt has dropped but the frequency they change them gone up by 50%.
The original lifespan was 8,000 miles, or every other service when services used to be 4,000 miles. A lot of owners easily got 8,000 out of a belt, a few found it marginal so when services were raised to 6,000 miles, a lot of dealers took to changing the belt at every service. This is a waste of money and is better treated outside of the fluids services, like brake pads, and just changed when needed.
If you are a smooth rider and not a throttle jockey, just reset the warning lamp and leave it until it lights again. You can give the belt a check up by looking up the vent hole under the clutch with a torch.
If you aren't all that attached to it, and especially the dealer, I'd chop it in for a http://www.omnimoto.it/magazine/3737/sym-maxsym-400

[Kev]

Thanks Dave - What are the Sym's like?? Has anyone had any experience with them yet - Are these available in the UK yet?

[loonymoon]

I think generally the feedback on Sym's is very good, they seem reliable and well built. So far not too many dealers about. I remember ages ago I was thinking of getting a Sym joyride 180 and there was a dealer in Borehamwood somewhere. I don't know if they are still there though - but google would tell you.

[Kev]

Jjust had a look on the website - does not look like the maxsym is available yet in the UK - Perhaps it is a 2011 model ??

[Dave Milnes]

Due in the UK next year. There's a 600cc version too.
They will be at the NEC show next week so you could always ask.
http://www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/manufacturers/sym/
They seem to be well made, similar to Kymco.

[Kev]

I like the look of it and provided there is a dealer not too far away, i think i might just get meself one ! - Thanks for the info Dave - Much appreciated.

[Dave Milnes]

Jim's dealer CBS Whitton is one of several in London and also one who would give you a decent trade on your Piaggio. (Don't let on about it's history though!)

[Kev]

Thanks Dave - I have had a look at the website, seems like they will know what they are doing and it is not a million miles away from me.
Might go home that way tonight and drop in to have a look around.
Thanks again Dave 

[Kev]

Have just had an e-mail back from Sym UK - Aparently the Maxsym 400 will not be available until August 2011 and the 600 won't be here until Feb 2012 - Not sure i can wait that long 

[barryG]

What a sad ending to a horrible tale For comparison, my whole 6k service was less than your belt change alone so walk away, they are right idiots by the sound of it. I would say contact Piaggio cusomer service but they are pretty awful. Maybe a letter to the CEO of Piaggio sent recorded, that will get some attention.

As for your part ex valuation, thats pathetic. I was offered £2500 for mine in the summer, about 15 months old with near 9000 miles on it... and they said they may be able to add a little more

TBH, another scoot may not be your answer, just find a proper dealer thats all you need. Goerge White has a very good offer on the Majesty 400 at the moment, if you fancy one of those. Id keep the Xevo though.

[Kev]

Well what a surprise - By belt change cost me less than the £185 quoted - £141 instead - The reason - They had quoted me the price to change the belt on an X9 instead of my X8 and apparently you have to take panels off to get to the drive belt which takes more labour - Is this true ??? Does it take that long to get a side panel off? having never taken one off i would not know. 

[loonymoon]

After your other experiences I seriously doubt it... but not having had an X9 I'm not sure as I beleive the oil checking is more difficult on the X9 as the panels do protrude further down the bodywork. However the drive cases look very similar to me. Dave M would know for sure though!!

[Dave Milnes]

Yes there are many panels to come off on the X9. Seat, tunnel top, battery cover, lower and upper side panels and footboard plus the belly pan has to be flexed out to get a small cooling air deflector plate off that covers the front of the casing. Takes longer than actually swapping the belt.
The older 500 SL can just be done without this as the cover is different and the Nexus needs nothing body wise at all removing.

[loonymoon]

Gosh that much to do, seat and battery cover etc!! What a PITA! Much better having the battery where it is on the X8/Evo much easier to access.