Post by 90GTVert on Jul 4, 2009 16:16:32 GMT -5
I bought my first scooter from Island Cylces in Ocean City, MD a few years ago. Their whole business could be completely different by now, so keep that in mind. These are just my experiences with them within the last 2-3 years.
Buying Experience
Buying my scooter was a hassle-free experience. It was filled up with gas and started for me. The mechainc on duty explained all basic functions of the scooter and it's operation. I was given a new battery, though a slightly larger battery was specified by the manufacturer when I looked it up. I recieved the MCO on the spot, unlike many online dealers that often make you fill out a form and send it in to recieve your MCO later. The salesman even helped a friend and I pick the scooter up and put it in the back of my truck (before I owned a ramp) and tie it down securely. Everyone was friendly, and I was pleased with the experience.
I would suggest having a basic knowledge of the scooters you are interested in. The salesman on duty at the time made a few exaggerated claims, but nothing any worse than the information found form most online dealers. I think this may have been from inexperience or a lack of knowledge from that particular salesman. At the time, they sold a lot of 4 stroke 49cc scooters and mine was one of the only 2 stroke models (1 Wnto Triton and 1 Yamati Strada in stock at the time IIRC), so that may be a factor in my experience with this salesman.
[Service / Warranty Experience]
I don't beleive a very thorough PDI was completed on my scooter. I got it home and found 2 issues almost immediately. My headlight wouldn't work unless it was held on the passing position. I had to hold it with my thumb at all times to have any light (or zip tie around it as I did to get a ride in that day). The rear brake was pulsating pretty bad when I wasn't even touching the brake.
I called and then carried the scooter back in the truck (1hr30min from my home). The mechanic on duty fixed the headlight problem easily, by swapping around wiring in the control assembly that he told me is often reversed. Knowing that he was aware of the problem does make me wonder why they don't check the operation of the lights on all scooters when they are sold. I admit I never thought anything of it at the time of purchase. He just backed the rear brake adjuster nut off enough that the rear brake would barely engage and told me it was fine. When I got it home and tried it out I realised what he had done when I had basically no rear brake and it still pulsated when I applied it. I fixed the problem myself by removing the rear wheel and sanding both the brake shoes and drum with emory cloth. It would have been a 15-20 minute fix to do it right.
Other Experiences And Observations
I was present and have dealt with them to help friends with small motorcycles (midbikes) as well, also a couple of years ago. Two of my friends purchased 70cc midbikes that we later found to be equipped with 49cc engines. One friend never complained to them. I went with the other friend when he complained because I knew a bit about the engines in question.
When we arrived, my friend explained the situation to the sales employee on duty as well as the mechanic. They told him that any disputes of that nature would need to be taken up with the owner, who would be in later. Since they are an hour and a half away, we waited for him to arrive. When the owner arrived he greeted us (we had been in the shop multiple times buying the bikes and accessories or just checking out thier inventory) and my friend began explaining the problem to him. The owner did not believe the claims. He could not understand how we would know the difference between the engines that look nearly identical. I helped explain the differences and exactly why we know the engine's displacement was not as advertised. The owner then had me explain this all to the mechanic on duty, hoping he would understand exactly what I was telling them. The mechanic said he thought he understood, but he wasn't completely sure he knew what I was talking about. I was just trying to tell them how to measure bore and stroke.
After explaining to all their employees how to obtain the bore and stroke and calculate the engine's displacement as well as pointing out obvious differences in power output and speed, and discrepancies in engine model numbers the owner offered me a job as a mechanic lol. He then started believing that he had sold bikes with engine displacements other than advertised. He assured us that he never knew the difference, which I believe. He apologized and cut a check for $150 IIRC to help my friend buy the larger engien that he wanted in the first place. It was a bit of a hassle, but the owner was cool once he understood the situation completely.
Long Story Made Short
So would I deal with them again, or reccommend them? Yes, but only if you are an educated buyer. If you have no idea what you want and need from a scooter or you cannot work on your scooter yourself, you may want to consider another local dealer or at least speak with the current staff and see what you think of them.
Buying Experience
Buying my scooter was a hassle-free experience. It was filled up with gas and started for me. The mechainc on duty explained all basic functions of the scooter and it's operation. I was given a new battery, though a slightly larger battery was specified by the manufacturer when I looked it up. I recieved the MCO on the spot, unlike many online dealers that often make you fill out a form and send it in to recieve your MCO later. The salesman even helped a friend and I pick the scooter up and put it in the back of my truck (before I owned a ramp) and tie it down securely. Everyone was friendly, and I was pleased with the experience.
I would suggest having a basic knowledge of the scooters you are interested in. The salesman on duty at the time made a few exaggerated claims, but nothing any worse than the information found form most online dealers. I think this may have been from inexperience or a lack of knowledge from that particular salesman. At the time, they sold a lot of 4 stroke 49cc scooters and mine was one of the only 2 stroke models (1 Wnto Triton and 1 Yamati Strada in stock at the time IIRC), so that may be a factor in my experience with this salesman.
[Service / Warranty Experience]
I don't beleive a very thorough PDI was completed on my scooter. I got it home and found 2 issues almost immediately. My headlight wouldn't work unless it was held on the passing position. I had to hold it with my thumb at all times to have any light (or zip tie around it as I did to get a ride in that day). The rear brake was pulsating pretty bad when I wasn't even touching the brake.
I called and then carried the scooter back in the truck (1hr30min from my home). The mechanic on duty fixed the headlight problem easily, by swapping around wiring in the control assembly that he told me is often reversed. Knowing that he was aware of the problem does make me wonder why they don't check the operation of the lights on all scooters when they are sold. I admit I never thought anything of it at the time of purchase. He just backed the rear brake adjuster nut off enough that the rear brake would barely engage and told me it was fine. When I got it home and tried it out I realised what he had done when I had basically no rear brake and it still pulsated when I applied it. I fixed the problem myself by removing the rear wheel and sanding both the brake shoes and drum with emory cloth. It would have been a 15-20 minute fix to do it right.
Other Experiences And Observations
I was present and have dealt with them to help friends with small motorcycles (midbikes) as well, also a couple of years ago. Two of my friends purchased 70cc midbikes that we later found to be equipped with 49cc engines. One friend never complained to them. I went with the other friend when he complained because I knew a bit about the engines in question.
When we arrived, my friend explained the situation to the sales employee on duty as well as the mechanic. They told him that any disputes of that nature would need to be taken up with the owner, who would be in later. Since they are an hour and a half away, we waited for him to arrive. When the owner arrived he greeted us (we had been in the shop multiple times buying the bikes and accessories or just checking out thier inventory) and my friend began explaining the problem to him. The owner did not believe the claims. He could not understand how we would know the difference between the engines that look nearly identical. I helped explain the differences and exactly why we know the engine's displacement was not as advertised. The owner then had me explain this all to the mechanic on duty, hoping he would understand exactly what I was telling them. The mechanic said he thought he understood, but he wasn't completely sure he knew what I was talking about. I was just trying to tell them how to measure bore and stroke.
After explaining to all their employees how to obtain the bore and stroke and calculate the engine's displacement as well as pointing out obvious differences in power output and speed, and discrepancies in engine model numbers the owner offered me a job as a mechanic lol. He then started believing that he had sold bikes with engine displacements other than advertised. He assured us that he never knew the difference, which I believe. He apologized and cut a check for $150 IIRC to help my friend buy the larger engien that he wanted in the first place. It was a bit of a hassle, but the owner was cool once he understood the situation completely.
Long Story Made Short
So would I deal with them again, or reccommend them? Yes, but only if you are an educated buyer. If you have no idea what you want and need from a scooter or you cannot work on your scooter yourself, you may want to consider another local dealer or at least speak with the current staff and see what you think of them.
CAN YOU HELP ME OUT MAN,AS i LOST ME JOB DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THERE?ANY INF