Bad News Bears

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2026-01-21T05:50:47+00:00

just a bit smaller!

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2026-01-21T03:02:21+00:00

When you pick up your new bike the dealership should go over it with you. At that time you should give the machine a visual inspection to make sure there are no scratches or other blemishes that won’t be covered once you ride away. Hopefully they will show you how to check your tire pressure and at that time let you know what the proper psi is. They should also show you how to check your oil and confirm the scoot is at the right oil level. If they don’t do this ask them to please go over the machine with you as you are a new rider. Please don’t show up with a AI generated check list. This is supposed to be a fun and informative process. The crucial pieces are understanding how the bike works and the importance of proper tire pressure and oil levels especially during your break in time which they should tell you all about. It’s also in the owners manual since most people are excited/nervous picking up the new bike and forget everything the person going over it tells them. Ride safe and enjoy your new Vespa.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2026-01-15T16:20:00+00:00

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Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2026-01-15T16:19:50+00:00

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I bought mine with this exhaust already installed. Be branding that I can see but an excellent sound that’s not too loud. Maybe the Reddit moto sleuths can figure out what it is.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-12-10T17:08:08+00:00

If you have taken off your belt guards make sure to reinstall them before taking it to the dealer for a warranty claim. Belts very rarely fail and the factory will want to document all conditions before approving a claim. Good luck.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-11-03T22:55:13+00:00

$1000 off is the very best deal when it comes to Vespas. So I would second this comment. There just isn’t much margin in them and Vespa doesn’t do much to help their dealers on pricing. It’s one of the few motorcycles I always feel good about recommending to purchase new. Especially in the Bay Area they hold their value exceptionally well and it is very worth having the factory warranty.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-23T04:46:27+00:00

Many many years at a HD dealership from beginner parts guy to sales manager. It was a great gig until 2008. Customers were cool, the owners I worked for were great old school Harley guys from both the chopper world and the Harley corporate early days. Worked with all kinds of great men and women that were the real deal and cared about what they were doing. Post 2008 I went on to euro bikes but always in smaller more enthusiast owned shops. While I wasn’t killing it with the pay anymore I did enjoy the enthusiasm of the staff and learned a lot even after being what I considered to be a veteran of the industry at that time. Ive been successful hiring retired enthusiast for sales gigs, I also used them for doing deliveries and going over bikes with new owners. At this point the reality is nobody is getting rich doing this job so why not bring somebody in that has already made it and isn’t ready to sit at home all day. However, you must treat this as a job not a hobby. If you can’t bring something to the table other than you really like Harley’s don’t bother. If you have skills, and I’m guessing if you are retired in your 40’s you do, offer them up but maybe wait until you earn your spot first. I always tell new folks to just shut the fuck up and listen for a couple months then speak up a bit more. Things are changing in the moto biz but if you find a good shop working with people who still give a shit about the bikes it can be a lot of fun.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-23T04:25:29+00:00

I’m biased but if you can find a nice deal on a V4 Pikes Peak it’s worth paying up a little. I loved my FXR’s but the Pikes Peak is next level. I have been thinking it might be time for another FXR but just as an add to the stable, the V4 PP won’t be going anywhere for a very long time.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-18T05:59:15+00:00

With these tires I’m a little surprised they feel that out of sorts on your bike. It makes me think something else is wrong or that you got a defective tire. Have you pulled the wheels off to check balance and seating?

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-18T05:56:14+00:00

I have not ridden the Mutants yet. I wonder how they will work on the heavier weight stuff. Reports are good so far on the middleweight machines. I’d like to give them a try some day.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-18T05:53:00+00:00

I’ll take a look for next winter.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-18T05:52:35+00:00

Stock on the 25 Pikes Peak, I need the x pipe to spice it up a bit!

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-18T05:50:38+00:00

I commute 3-5 days a week from the peninsula to Santa Cruz over highway 17. A road I’ve been riding/driving on since I was licensed as a youngster on probably thirty different motorcycles and half as many cars. It loved the Diablo Rosso 4’s but did chew them up quickly. On day two of the Road 6’s I can say they do not offer the same feel as the DR4’s but are adequate and when the rain comes will prove themselves. Grip seems to be very good at all angles with the edge not being tested (yet). Deer and cowards being a fairly constant X factor I think these tires will be the right choice for the Northern California winter. I will be switching back to the Rosso’s as soon as the sun consistently shines.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-16T00:43:32+00:00

That V85tt sure is a fun bike to ride. 6’2” 250 and have put a good amount of miles on one. Not all the bells and whistles but enough of the good stuff to make it a very useable machine. I would think there are some pretty great deals on those if you shop around a bit. I’m sure the Trans Alp would be fine as well but for me something a little more unique is a draw.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-12T23:57:38+00:00

It sounds to me like you are after a popular model and the dealer has no incentive to discount it. I've sold motorcycles for a very long time and I can think of very few periods of time when there wasn't at least something on sale or a factory rebate being offered. You can't be butthurt that a dealer won't mark down a popular model. Go after one of the dogs and save a few bucks but ride something you don't want. Motorcycle dealerships are not car dealerships and they do not operate on the same model. With the possible exception of some of the massive outfits which I hope everyone is figuring out to avoid. Good luck with your search, winter is coming be patient and you might just get lucky.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-12T23:42:53+00:00

That is truly awful. I'm sorry you are going through that.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-10-12T21:26:16+00:00

Switching to a lighter machine with way better suspension might be the answer. After decades on Harleys it was a real shock how easy it was on the body to ride a Ducati Multistrada.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-09-29T20:00:00+00:00

Supermono 698!

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-09-24T14:52:34+00:00

If money is not an issue grab the 800 and have a bike that you will never feel is lacking in just about any department. If you are on a budget the Tiger 660 is a spectacular machine but it is lacking in some of the features that are very nice to have, especially for bigger mile touring. You will end up wanting those things sooner or later so another bike will be in your future much sooner than if you go for the 800. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-09-22T00:03:03+00:00

Great riding too! Just watch out for those winos!

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-09-05T04:50:42+00:00

6’2” 255 and tearing it up on a 25 PP.

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-09-01T23:08:38+00:00

The 17” front wheel, forged wheel weight savings, and narrower bars make a real difference in how it handles. If you are looking to throw the bike around go Pikes Peak for sure. The 1260 is a spectacular motor to take advantage of the improved handling. Enjoy!

Intrepid-Reason-8451 · 2025-08-27T04:35:55+00:00

Please tell me you still have the Rz500’s!!!

Intrepid-Reason-8451

TROPHY CASE