Piaggio and its US operation...

[olie]

It came to my attention that Piaggio operation in the USA is not any better than Aprilia's. Both use the same slow boat with the spares and new products from Italy.

It looks it will be too much for Piaggio to handle what they coudn't do by themselves in the past.

[olie]

Am I suprised with what's going with Piaggio and the Aprilia dealers? NO !!! Piaggio is a scooter company, just se the POS of the automatic MC they are trying to develop for years!!!
Piaggio knows scooters!!!! And that is it !!!!

BTW, did you see the new Scarabeo 500 shown at milan? It looks like a rebaged Piaggio Beverly 500. The unique Scarabeo 500 design is GONE.

I am just waiting to hear that Piaggio has burnt the bridges with Rotax and ...I will be out!!! Enjoy the Aprilia you have, because next one can be a ...Piaggio!!!...unless you want to buy a...scooter!!!

[Bill in OKC]

I prefer to think of their Aircraft operations and Ferrari and Maserati connections

[Ricky J]

Do you remember our fellow AF1 member who worked with Piaggio's aircraft people? According to him, the product was very good, cutting edge even, but lackadaisical customer support shot down any hope of success in America.

Man, we are SO stuck on what happens after purchase aren't we?

[Bill in OKC]

AF1 probably has their hands full with the new dealership... So the airplanes will just have find their own GREAT CREW OF FOLKS

[zvez]

Aprilia is/was first/foremost a scooter company too. They only started producing sportbikes for the street ca. 99. Prior to that I think the 250 two stroke was biggest street bike for them.

Italian have always had a different mindset about things, with the possible exception of Ferrari in the last 20 years or so. Ducati's customer service has gotten better since the TPG buyout in 99, still not approaching the Japanese bike standards. Aprilia's never had good customer service in my experience (starting in 2000 for me), hope perhaps Piaggio can make an improvement. Nothing's changed either on that front, sidestand switches were impossible to get then and still are now?

Chris

[mybug]

BTW, did you see the new Scarabeo 500 shown at milan? It looks like a rebadged Piaggio Beverly 500. The unique Scarabeo 500 design is GONE.

Not true, the new Scarabeo 500 while a morph or rebadge of the Beverly - the Scarabeo you know is not gone.

The new scoot is a Euro model only.

Scarabeo 50, 250 and 500+ ABS all remain. We've got owners in Europe who were at the show and others who translated the press release beyond what Google can do. Basically it said the new Scarabeo 500 replaces the sport/city bike and the Scarabeo family now has an additional model replacing the sport/city.

I really think a lot of this is FUD. No doubt that there is much to fix in the US but as has been reported, it may well work out two years from now for the better.

About all we know for sure is that Atlanta, GA is gone, they're leveraging resources in NY and CA and some models are gone such as the Futura. It has been stated the intention is to see growth in three years and a statement was heard by one dealer that Piaggio recognizes the sizable effort needed to raise MG and Aprilia parts and service to a satisfactory level.

I'm even thinking of buying a MG California Tourer, - call me nuts but I am. They've dropped models for 06' also but the one I want can still be had as a new model this year. :-)

[olie]

Not true, the new Scarabeo 500 while a morph or rebadge of the Beverly - the Scarabeo you know is not gone.

The new scoot is a Euro model only.

Scarabeo 50, 250 and 500+ ABS all remain. We've got owners in Europe who were at the show and others who translated the press release beyond what Google can do. Basically it said the new Scarabeo 500 replaces the sport/city bike and the Scarabeo family now has an additional model replacing the sport/city.
.....

Hmm, it sounds familiar!!! Just look what was said with the new Pegaso and the Atlantic Sprint. Both new additions. Right?? WRONG, the old ones are gone.

[hank]

I might drop by Piaggio USA next week just to check things out....

[olie]

[QUOTE=hank]I might drop by Piaggio USA next week just to check things out....[/QUOTE
My current job is in the City, close enough to them, just across from Grand Central. to make noise.

[hank]

My current job is in the City, close enough to them, just across from Grand Central. to make noise.

So pick a day and let's go...

[evandewan]

If you guys are in the city and headed over to Piaggio, be sure to bring Guido and Knuckles with you so they HAVE to listen!LOL

[ZeroTwoRSV]

I don't work in the city, but live close enough. I could probably meet you there close to 4:30 - 5PM someday. Do I hear an impromptu Aprilia gathering???

[GeoR]

Fantastic idea, brings signs and make lots of noise!!






hu, ask them for my calendar while you're there?

[rod2625]

http://www.piaggiogroup.com/document...tember2005.pdf

They state that as of 30 Sept Aprilia Scooters and Moto made money while Aprilia Bikes lost money among other things. Interesting reading.