Modern Buddy

Genuine's CEO, Philip McCaleb has a policy of not posting on MB (save for is much-anticipated annual message of thanks to the MB community that he posts around New Year's). But he really wanted to reach out and personally invite ModernBuddy members to come, meet him, ride, talk and hang out at the upcoming Genuine events. Those of us who've had a chance to attend the ones so far have really "felt the love" and gotten a good glimpse of what makes the company and Genuine owners so special.

The next event is in SF on May 27. Details here.

Here's Philip's message to all of us:

I am psyched to come and do a ride with all my Buddys, Blurs, Stellas, and Rattlers…in the magic kingdom of San Francisco. Barry Gwin and SF Scooter Centre and yours truly REALLY want to set our attendance record this coming Sunday. I’m coming out on Friday so I can hang with and meet customers at Barry’s on Saturday, and can’t wait to meet the MB faithful and hang with you all on Sunday..I probably won’t want to go home!!! I may even get to sell a scooter or two.

Also, if there are ANY of you on the fence considering a trip to beautiful Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on June 21st-24th….it promises to be a great time. They call it Amerivespa. But this year, Buddy, it’s in OUR backyard!!!! C’mon down, we’re gonna make it a hoot!

MB isn't the promotions arm of Genuine or anything like that, but I thought the personal message warranted its own thread. It's rare for the Big Guy at a company to be so eager to come out and meet owners and users, thank them personally, and just hang out and have a good time. It's also a great chance to meet other MBers and owners.

I'm also really excited about Amerivespa in Lake Geneva! Our ModernBuddy turnout should be huge. I know many have already made their arrangements, but it's not too late to register and attend. http://www.amerivespa.org

This will be my fourth year attending Amerivespa. It's a really great experience — summer camp for scooterists!

There's no parking to be found around the SF Scooter Centre other than about 50 feet right in front of the store. I have no idea how they'll handle that many people. I guess they could block the alley behind the store. But still, it's not much room. Especially if you have to trailer in your scooter because you live too far away.

To late for this year but maybe next year he could do the "Annual Route 66 Fun Run", I can see a mass of scooters crusing down the mother road. We would have done this years but had less than a month of riding before the run, next year for sure with the sidecar on.

we had a GREAT time when he came to Atlanta! super awesome - and that reminds me, i need to go pick up my swag bag!!!

azbrewer wrote:To late for this year but maybe next year he could do the "Annual Route 66 Fun Run", I can see a mass of scooters crusing down the mother road. We would have done this years but had less than a month of riding before the run, next year for sure with the sidecar on.

They've done one event in AZ and may have another by year's end.

Admittedly, I didn't read through all the Amerivespa link info.

Do you have any idea if Phillip McCaleb is going to attend?

And I guess I should add, I realize this isn't a Genuine event, but because of the potential of a large MB turnout and the proximity to Chicago/Scooterworks I thought it might be a possibility.

Rob

I'm getting a group together to ride down to Richmond for their event. Its a bit over 200 miles each way, but what an excuse for a ride ...So far I have 3 takers going along.

I will keep an eye out for another AZ date.

Well, if Phil ever decides to come to the Detroit area, I would be happy to see him and ride with him! I hope those who live near the other events get a chance to ride with and meet Phil. It would be a special time!

I'm-a-keep sayin', STL. Our little flyover market was #4 last year.

Rob wrote:Do you have any idea if Phillip McCaleb is going to attend?

I think he will for some Genuine event during the weekend and maybe for the vendors/sponsors booth. Not sure of their plans yet.

AFAIK, there will be at least one "Genuine only" ride at Amerivespa, complete with secret destinations and plenty of intrigue. Or something else, I guess it all depends on what happens. I do know that Philip and crew has already made a pre-planning trip to Lake Geneva to set things up. I also believe that it will be a very well attended event from the Genuine/Scooterworks side.

k1dude wrote:There's no parking to be found around the SF Scooter Centre other than about 50 feet right in front of the store. I have no idea how they'll handle that many people. I guess they could block the alley behind the store. But still, it's not much room. Especially if you have to trailer in your scooter because you live too far away.

We are pros in SF, We had hosted well over 100 Rallies some with 300 plus scooters in front of the shop. Ask anyone who has attended a Kings Classic or SF Classic event, even Scooter Rage. Parking is no worries. We also have a parking lot if any out of townee wanted to store a trailer for a few hours. On any Sunday south of Market in front of our shop is a ghost town.
Just RSVP on our face book page and show up for some genuine fun.

He'll be here in RVA June 10th

I'm really lucky he sent me a message the other day and then a t-shirt!!
I was sooo psyched!
He liked one of my topic posts! He said it "just made me grin" now I am grinning too!!

My man Phil!

I was riding my buddy up North near Wilmette a few weeks ago, and I think he waved at me. I hope to see him @ Amerivespa, so I can confirm this.

My 15 minutes of fame.

Hwarang wrote:I was riding my buddy up North near Wilmette a few weeks ago, and I think he waved at me.

He lives up that way somewhere, so it's possible!

Bryan

kimmiekarma wrote:I'm really lucky he sent me a message the other day and then a t-shirt!!
I was sooo psyched!
He liked one of my topic posts! He said it "just made me grin" now I am grinning too!!

My man Phil!

He PMed me to congratulate me on doing the cannonball, even sent me a Genuine/Scooterworks goody box. Nice guy that Phil! I'm sure he's probably browsing in the background, reading this thread. See ya in Richmond buddy.

Rippinyarn wrote:AFAIK, there will be at least one "Genuine only" ride at Amerivespa, complete with secret destinations and plenty of intrigue. Or something else, I guess it all depends on what happens. I do know that Philip and crew has already made a pre-planning trip to Lake Geneva to set things up. I also believe that it will be a very well attended event from the Genuine/Scooterworks side.

Hmm, I'll be at Amerivespa but I won't be riding our Buddy. It lives in Houston and I'll be riding from Colorado on a BV. I know others who are riding to Amerivespa on larger scoots but have Buddies or Stellas at home.

NEXT EVENT: Richmond, VA!
Details: topic22293.html

Ive had a few people inquire about this who are on non Genuine scooters. Are other riders showing up and being part of this event? I know it's written in plain English on all the boards, but I don't know how to respond, what was the turnout like for other cities? I hate to be the jerk that says "no, only Genuine".

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:Ive had a few people inquire about this who are on non Genuine scooters. Are other riders showing up and being part of this event? I know it's written in plain English on all the boards, but I don't know how to respond, what was the turnout like for other cities? I hate to be the jerk that says "no, only Genuine".

Well, isn't it "technically" a Vespa event? I think it's wide open, though.

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:Ive had a few people inquire about this who are on non Genuine scooters. Are other riders showing up and being part of this event? I know it's written in plain English on all the boards, but I don't know how to respond, what was the turnout like for other cities? I hate to be the jerk that says "no, only Genuine".

Somebody complained about that on Facebook, said it was 'a diss that only Genuine riders can go'

I responded with something along the lines of not really- the event is kind of a thank-you to Genuine's customers for their business and it ends with free food, doesn't it? Why should somebody expect Genuine to buy 'em dinner or play with them when they aren't a customer? Makes sense to me. I wouldn't whine about the Vespa CEO coming through town and only wanting to ride with other Vespas. Wah. Deal.

Amerivespa and the "worlds largest scooter ride" is one thing - and ALL are invited. The Genuine-sponsored rides at Amerivespa and their local rides (like in Richmond) are special events for Genuine owners. That said, the guys at Genuine are extremely laid back and if you happen to show up on a Vespa or something, as long as you don't go around acting like an ass, I doubt that you'll be given the bums rush. Just don't bogart the steak, lobster and shrimp buffet!

The Genuine rides in the various cities are Genuine-only because it's not a way to sell more scooters, but instead a way of thanking and reaching out to existing owners. It's a "customer appreciation" event.

As I said to people in LA who complained, when the CEO of Piaggio North America comes to town, sponsors a ride, and offers to buy everyone lunch, I will help get the word out and attend on my Vespa. I'm sure if that happened, they wouldn't be too sympathetic with the Honda, Genuine, SYM, etc. owners who would be excluded. And I'd do the same for other makes, though I'd be unable to attend.

It's understandable that owners of other makes have trouble with the concept of a company doing something to thank its customers. They probably don't get swag bags when they buy either.

There are 4 of us going down from Md. A friend who is looking at buying her first scooter ( from riding "cupcake") is coming along on her Kawasaki . The rest of us are all on Genuines. A Stella, a Psycho, and a pink buddy 125. We are going to stop a few Miles outside of town, and park her Kawy. And She is going to ride on the back of my Stella. Problem solved. She is looking at a 170i, but just hasn't bitten yet. I don't mind her coming along, and I told her she could ride in with me. Genuine only. She was okay with that.

Looking forward to a long ride with some scoot buddies. Not looking fwd to leaving at 6:00 AM, but I'll manage.

viney266 wrote: We are going to stop a few Miles outside of town, and park her Kawy.

I am sure that Scoot Richmond wouldn't have a problem with her riding her kawasaki in and parking it in their lot while we are out on the ride.

PeteH wrote:I'm-a-keep sayin', STL. Our little flyover market was #4 last year.

Yeah! What Pete said!

She can definitely park the Kawasaki at Scoot Richmond! :)

Jana wrote:

PeteH wrote:I'm-a-keep sayin', STL. Our little flyover market was #4 last year.

Yeah! What Pete said!

What Pete and Jana said