Modern Buddy

Does anyone know of any classes on scooter repair or modding in their area? Or would you just take a motorcycle repair course?




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Um... neither? The engines and transmissions on these scoots are quite a bit different than on motorcycles, though I think a lot of people work on and repair both. There's actually been discussion of ModernVespa-organized maintenance and repair workshops on the East and West coasts in the spring.

For the Buddy other PGOs, it may be a bit harder to learn because to my knowledge there's not a workshop/repair manual like the Haynes ones made for other scoots. But the general principles are probably the same.

So the best way to learn might be to join a local scooter club, find out who has & works on automatics and ask if you can hang out, watch, learn from them, whatever.

Overall, scoots are pretty easy when it comes to basic repairs and maintenance. I have very little mechanical ability and no training and have been able to pick up a lot over the past year or so.

thanks for the info and suggestions. (so it's not like the car industry with "certified mechanics"?) I definitely want to start learning more about the technical side of scooters

Corsair wrote:thanks for the info and suggestions. (so it's not like the car industry with "certified mechanics"?) I definitely want to start learning more about the technical side of scooters

As far as I know Piaggio/Vespa is the only company that certifies technicians. With the Buddy, I'm sure it's more a matter of dealers needing to have sold and provided service for other scoots or being able to demonstrate they can provide adequate service.

We have a member of our scooter club (the Scarabs) who is currently attending MMI (Motorcycle Mechanic Institute) in Phoenix with an eye towards a career in scooter mechanics. The mechanic at my dealer (Scoot Over in Tucson) also attended MMI and has proven to be a VERY competant scooter mechanic. So much is the same...for the most part, the only main difference between a motorcycle and motorscooter these days is the CVT. The mechanical make-up of the engines, carburetors, etc. is the same. You might look into a similar program where you live.

--Keys

Ditto what Keys said. There's another one in Florida called AMI.