Stella 4T rear shock

[Old Chuck]

Two things make me believe my weight, 173 lbs., is over the limit for this scooter.
1. When I sit down it bottoms out. When riding over bumps it is bone jarring.
2. I hear the muffler vibrating on the frame when going up hill, thats a lot where I live, under heavy torque. These hills require downshifting to 2nd.
The dealer shop called Genuine and Genuine had no suggestions.
I have emailed Genuine and received no response.

Would an aftermarket heavy duty shock solve these problems?
regards, chuck

[Silver Streak]

Two things make me believe my weight, 173 lbs., is over the limit for this scooter.
1. When I sit down it bottoms out. When riding over bumps it is bone jarring.
2. I hear the muffler vibrating on the frame when going up hill, thats a lot where I live, under heavy torque. These hills require downshifting to 2nd.
The dealer shop called Genuine and Genuine had no suggestions.
I have emailed Genuine and received no response.

Would an aftermarket heavy duty shock solve these problems?
regards, chuck

That's really curious, as I outweigh you by 52 lbs., and I have no such problems. Mine has never bottomed out.

Having to downshift into 2nd has more to do with how steep the hill is and is nothing unusual. It also has nothing to do with the weight capacity of the suspension.

[desmolicious]

Two things make me believe my weight, 173 lbs., is over the limit for this scooter.
1. When I sit down it bottoms out. When riding over bumps it is bone jarring.
2. I hear the muffler vibrating on the frame when going up hill, thats a lot where I live, under heavy torque. These hills require downshifting to 2nd.
The dealer shop called Genuine and Genuine had no suggestions.
I have emailed Genuine and received no response.

Would an aftermarket heavy duty shock solve these problems?
regards, chuck

I think your shock is defective and should be a warranty item.
I've ridden 2 up on my Stella 4T with a total rider/passenger weight of 270lbs. No issues with bottoming.

Sit on another Stella 4T at your dealership and see if that shock bottoms out.

[Mulliganal]

I think your shock is defective and should be a warranty item.
I've ridden 2 up on my Stella 4T with a total rider/passenger weight of 270lbs. No issues with bottoming.

I also ride 2 up with my wife on my 4T at about 290lbs total rider/passenge and have never had a problem.

[Skootz Kabootz]

Two things make me believe my weight, 173 lbs., is over the limit for this scooter.
1. When I sit down it bottoms out. When riding over bumps it is bone jarring.
2. I hear the muffler vibrating on the frame when going up hill, thats a lot where I live, under heavy torque. These hills require downshifting to 2nd.
The dealer shop called Genuine and Genuine had no suggestions.
I have emailed Genuine and received no response.

Would an aftermarket heavy duty shock solve these problems?
regards, chuck

Interesting first post Chuck. Im sorry, but I am skeptical (this is in part due to certain fraudulent negative posts that have been appearing on MB recently).

That both Genuine and your dealer (Thousand Oaks Powersports I assume, given that is where your profile says you live, a very reputable dealer) would simply say they had no idea and leave it at that is most bizarre given that what you describe is so far outside the bounds of what is proven as normal operation. And not just proven normal for Genuine Stellas, but proven for the tens of thousands of the same LML scooters sold all around the world.

It also makes no sense knowing both Genuine's superb customer care practices as well as those of Thousand Oaks Powersports, that this would be their response.

If there is something wrong with your particular Stella's suspension (and I am not saying that in your particular case there isn't) it is VERY unusual. People up to 300lbs have ridden these scooters for years without issue. People with passengers with a cumulative weight well over 350lbs have ridden these scooters for years without issue.

If you are experiencing trouble then that is what Genuine's industry leading 2 year warrantee and roadside assistance is for. Something I'm sure you considered in your purchase.

I know the area where your profile says you live. I have ridden the steepest, twistiest, and most demanding canyon hills there with a friend on a Stella without issue. In fact with a great deal of ear to ear grins. The Stella tears them up.

If you have an issue I suggest calling the Genuine number provided on your warrantee card rather than using email. Email is not the best method of communication and can sometimes disappear.. Genuine has a long proven track record of above and beyond, superior customer service. I'm sure once you contact them you will experience the same.

[Old Chuck]

Skootz, thanks for your thoughts. I will give them a phone call. I admit to being negative as the experience has not gone well from very early in my ownership. Over four thousand miles now and have to decided to get it resolved, one way or another.
regards, chuck.

[Skootz Kabootz]

Skootz, thanks for your thoughts. I will give them a phone call. I admit to being negative as the experience has not gone well from very early in my ownership. Over four thousand miles now and have to decided to get it resolved, one way or another.
regards, chuck.

Sorry you are going through it Chuck. It sucks to have anything not perfect with your scooter! Yours does sound like quite an unusual situation. If Thousand Oaks PS can't get it straightened out, you might consider taking it to NoHo Scooters. They are really excellent there. Regardless, I hope Genuine can get it all sorted out for you ASAP and soon you can become just another happy Stella owner Keep us posted.

[desmolicious]

Sorry you are going through it Chuck. It sucks to have anything not perfect with your scooter! Yours does sound like quite an unusual situation. If Thousand Oaks PS can't get it straightened out, you might consider taking it to NoHo Scooters. They are really excellent there. Regardless, I hope Genuine can get it all sorted out for you ASAP and soon you can become just another happy Stella owner Keep us posted.

The dealer really makes a difference.

I had an oil leak on my Stella 4T which my local dealer first denied was happening, then claimed to have done something and tried to bill me for it instead of warranty, then claimed they all do that.

Took it to NoHo - fixed it, no issues, no trying to foot the bill on me.
Highly recommend them.

[Lambrettaman]

+1 on Take it to NoHo Scooters. Mike Frankovich is by far the best scooter dealer in the LA area. He has cool cars, too.

[desmolicious]

2. I hear the muffler vibrating on the frame when going up hill, thats a lot where I live, under heavy torque

p.s. w/ re to this, it sounds like your bike was not prepped properly and you have some bolts loose.
Mine never did this.

[gtsteve]

Hi Chuck.

Check the engine side cowl near the electric starter motor. We've seen a few instances where a bolt on the starter motor hits the inside on the cowl. We fixed by re-mounting the starter motor 180 degrees, bolt away from cowl.

It may be worth a look.

[desmolicious]

Hi Chuck.

Check the engine side cowl near the electric starter motor. We've seen a few instances where a bolt on the starter motor hits the inside on the cowl. We fixed by re-mounting the starter motor 180 degrees, bolt away from cowl.

It may be worth a look.

So you're saying the factory accidentally mounted the starter motors incorrectly on some of these bikes?