Piaggio problems

Steve Young · 06-06-2009, 05:41 AM

I bought my X9 in March 2009. At time of writing almsot exactly 3 months later, I have done over 4000 km. I went to wash it this morning, and there was fork oil all over the brake calipers, discs and wheel, not to mention a thick layer on the fork stanchions. Looks like blown seals, both sides. I am NOT HAPPY!! I took it back to the shop immediately, who made sympathetic noises but said they would have to contact the importers on Monday. I hope (for their sake) that they honour the warranty.

rexmitchell · 06-08-2009, 07:51 PM

Thats too bad to hear.....

iamgumby · 06-08-2009, 11:54 PM

Keep us posted.

Steve Young · 06-09-2009, 04:42 AM

So of course the importer makes not-very-sympathetic noises and tries to infer that someone has sabotaged my scoot. So the shop takes the dust seals off and pumps out a whole lotta fork oil, cleans up the whole shooting match, replaces the seals (that's the DUST seals, not the actual shock absorber seals on the rod, which is down deeper inside the tube and hence harder to get to) and tells me to ride it around for a few days. So I ride it to work today (66-mile round trip) and lo and behold, everything seems to be okay. Not only that, but the suspension seems to be working better than before. Now, that reminds me of the first time I ever tried to change the fork oil in a motorcycle - over 30 years ago now! I stuffed it up completely, and the forks were, like, rigid. No spring in them at all.

Which would suggest to me that someone in the factory doesn't know how to assemble forks. I hope that all that extra fork oil didn't actually blow the seals. (The real seals, I mean). Time will tell. Of course, the shop didn't charge me.

atcdanner · 07-31-2009, 06:31 PM

So, how do you like the X9 (if it didnt have problems)?

Steve Young · 08-01-2009, 12:24 AM

Actually, I do like it, but it's very different to a "real" motorcycle. The handling doesn't seem to be as good as a "real" bike, but that may just be down to a much lower centre of gravity which means that it responds to handlebar inputs more quickly i.e. it feels jittery. 14" wheels probably find bumps harder to handle than bigger wheels, too, and they have a smaller choice of rubber available, which means that I'll probably have to put up with the Michelin Goldlines, even though they feel to me like they don't have much grip.

On the other hand, weather protection is great (I ride in all weathers), comfort is armchair, and the underseat storage convenience is a must-have in my situation.

The Gilera GP800 has bigger wheels.........must try one!!

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...era_gp_800.htm

06-06-2009, 05:41 AM	#1
Steve Young Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 130	Piaggio problems I bought my X9 in March 2009. At time of writing almsot exactly 3 months later, I have done over 4000 km. I went to wash it this morning, and there was fork oil all over the brake calipers, discs and wheel, not to mention a thick layer on the fork stanchions. Looks like blown seals, both sides. I am NOT HAPPY!! I took it back to the shop immediately, who made sympathetic noises but said they would have to contact the importers on Monday. I hope (for their sake) that they honour the warranty.

06-08-2009, 07:51 PM	#2
rexmitchell Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: THE ATX Posts: 14,690	Thats too bad to hear..... __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas. - Davy Crockett

06-08-2009, 11:54 PM	#3
iamgumby Fallen Riders Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 3,950	Keep us posted. __________________ 03 Suzuki GSF1200S Bandit, HIR headlights, GIVI shield, SWMoto guards, Hayabusa shock, lowered 2", H/S backrest & tailrack, Avon Storms, VStrom Hand Guards, IBA SS 1k

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06-09-2009, 04:42 AM	#4
Steve Young Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 130	So of course the importer makes not-very-sympathetic noises and tries to infer that someone has sabotaged my scoot. So the shop takes the dust seals off and pumps out a whole lotta fork oil, cleans up the whole shooting match, replaces the seals (that's the DUST seals, not the actual shock absorber seals on the rod, which is down deeper inside the tube and hence harder to get to) and tells me to ride it around for a few days. So I ride it to work today (66-mile round trip) and lo and behold, everything seems to be okay. Not only that, but the suspension seems to be working better than before. Now, that reminds me of the first time I ever tried to change the fork oil in a motorcycle - over 30 years ago now! I stuffed it up completely, and the forks were, like, rigid. No spring in them at all. Which would suggest to me that someone in the factory doesn't know how to assemble forks. I hope that all that extra fork oil didn't actually blow the seals. (The real seals, I mean). Time will tell. Of course, the shop didn't charge me.

07-31-2009, 06:31 PM	#5
atcdanner Motorcyclist Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 9	So, how do you like the X9 (if it didnt have problems)?

08-01-2009, 12:24 AM	#6
Steve Young Master At Arms Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 130	Actually, I do like it, but it's very different to a "real" motorcycle. The handling doesn't seem to be as good as a "real" bike, but that may just be down to a much lower centre of gravity which means that it responds to handlebar inputs more quickly i.e. it feels jittery. 14" wheels probably find bumps harder to handle than bigger wheels, too, and they have a smaller choice of rubber available, which means that I'll probably have to put up with the Michelin Goldlines, even though they feel to me like they don't have much grip. On the other hand, weather protection is great (I ride in all weathers), comfort is armchair, and the underseat storage convenience is a must-have in my situation. The Gilera GP800 has bigger wheels.........must try one!! http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...era_gp_800.htm