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 Hi all,

 I'm sooooooo frustrated with the poor customer service I'm experiencing with getting spare parts for my Aprilia Scarabeo 200 scooter! I've seen similiar comments in other, related threads, but feel that this should be publicised more and new customers should be warned!

For the second time in a year now I'm waiting for weeks, months! for spare parts. First time it was 4 weeks , which is what my dealer (Scooterlife, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane) said, so at least I knew what to expect. It was for a new rear light assembly, so at least I could still ride around while I waited. This time though, it'll be 9 weeks (if I'm lucky) for a new waterpump, so the scooter's sitting at the dealer while I'm enjoying the great public transport system of Brisbane (I'm being sarcastic!!!). So basically one quarter of this year's registration and insurance fee I might as well have spent at the casino, it''s down the drain.

It seems that the Australian Aprilia importer doesn't stock any spare parts in Australia and therefore all parts have to be ordered from Italy. I'm also frustrated because I feel my dealer (I bought my scooter there!)  is not doing what they can to get the parts as soon as possible, but they're the only Aprilia dealer in town and therefore have the monopoly, so I have no other option. Or do I? Do you know a better way to get spare parts for Italian scooters faster into the country or organise them within Australia?

What's your experience with other, mainly Japanese brands? Are the spare parts delivered in a reasonable time? I love my Scarabeo, but it's not the point of getting a scooter to beat the traffic, parking and public transport nightmare and then it sits at dealer for 3 months of the year!

Happy to hear your comments!

 Roli, Brisbane

What spare parts are you waiting for?

Can another dealer who handles Aprilia be of assistance?  There are some great dealers out there.  Maybe it's Aprilia, maybe it's your dealer!

I did have to wait a few weeks for a Aprilia Top Box, but that was no real concern.

EDIT:  Just saw you are waiting on a water pump!

The Jap brands run a system called VOR which stands for "vehice off road". If they dont have a part in stock the order can be placed VOR and it usually take 2 weeks max to get from Japan to the dealership via air freight.

Some of the smaller importers just dont have the money to keep one of every part in stock and this is how you end up with a scooter/bike off the road for long periods of time while parts get shipped in usually via ship along with their normal stock order of spare parts.

Have you tried the guys at GPS Imports in Melbourne? They are about your best bet for Aprilia parts in Australia out side of Aprillia. Another option might be to buy one from a dealer in the US or UK. I've done this in the past before and you usualy get your parts in about a week.

 le parti per i motocicli italiani prenderanno più lungamente di i giapponesi, italiani vanno dormire verso la metà del giorno.

Is it true that A1 motorcycle is the importer of Aprilia into Australia?  They are awful, and it is a reason why I wouldn't consider another Aprilia (was quite keen on one of their bikes).  It's a real shame.  Peter Stevens is so much better!

dozer.:

 le parti per i motocicli italiani prenderanno più lungamente di i giapponesi, italiani vanno dormire verso la metà del giorno.

Sometimes I think they're asleep all of the time....

WAY:

Is it true that A1 motorcycle is the importer of Aprilia into Australia?

 John Sample Group is the importer

 I am sure the dealer has ordered the part and due to the high level of demand on scooter servicing in Brisbane the last thing they would want is a scoot sitting around taking up room in the workshop. So it is an unfortunate circumstance this, I would just get a due date of the part from the dealer which I am sure you have already. If it is a while off then an email to the importer may help the dealer and yourself in getting this part.

Hi Roli,

 Ben here from John Sample Auto spares. Many apologees for the extended delay in getting the water pump, but it is now in stock in Italy and should arrive here in 7-10 days. We hold many parts for all our Aprilia's and Moto Guzzi's but as another post mentioned, can't always hold "everything".

When it was ordered on Italy before Christmas it was 'not' in stock at the factory and we have been waiting for them to receive it. In this case, I didn't really have an alternative option.

Again, I apologise for the inconvenience caused and expect you to be back on the road enjoying your scooter shortly.

Ben.

Thank you Ben,

for this information, which I didn't get from my dealer!

Regards,

Roli

 thanks for that reply JSA, Roli it doesnt fix your problem straight away but you know whats happening and it is being attended too.

Its just a one off thing ,  Aprilia Parts are now so much better then they were in the past. Ive always owned aprilia Bikes and Scooters and will continue to own them in the future. 

Being a Piaggio group part Aprilia are not the only source, same engine is in quite a few other scooters, as an example your tail light assembly choices were the normal Aprilia one or the clear one for a Rambla. With the internet parts not here could possibly be sourced OS then air frighten in. This has happened in the past we got the bit elsewhere  VOR time was slashed & warranty looked after.

dozer.:

 le parti per i motocicli italiani prenderanno più lungamente di i giapponesi, italiani vanno dormire verso la metà del giorno.

"I pezzi di ricambi per le moto italiane impiegano di piu tempo ad arrivare in confronti di quelle giapponesi . Gl'italiani dormono tutto il giorno."

RoliBrissi:

Thank you Ben,

for this information, which I didn't get from my dealer!

Regards,

Roli

Sorry to hear of your parts supply troubles RoliBrissi. Keep us updated. I have experienced the same in the past and it's not a one off thing. This is my experience from 2005. Seems like not much has changed. http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71177

Roli,

I sympathise with you my friend.I am up the road from you in Townsville and have had nothing but grief from the one and only dealer here..Other motor cycle wksps here are loathe to even look at an Aprilia because they cannot get parts if they need them. "Take it to the dealership",yeh right. On a good note. I obtained from this forum, the info about GPS Imports in Melbourne. They have a website with contact details therein.Tried them and they were absolutely brilliant.You might have to pay a bit of freight and express postage costs,but,you get want you want without hassles. I recommend them highly.Next time,give them a ring.They will help you out.