V7II ownership in New York - observations

[Chuck-D]

Just put the bike into temporary storage right before the blizzard, and decided to take some time to reflect.
I've had my bike since May, and I love it. It's just a joy to ride, great touring and in the city.  After a thousand miles, it has required almost no maintenance other than the initial service. The gasket on the brake fluid reservoir needed to be replaced, minor seepage, not anything catastrophic.
 Now, being a bike owner in New York City is a different story. The bike has been knocked over at least twice that I know of.  I do park on the street, but in pretty clear spots.  I'm not squeezing the bike where it doesn't belong.  The first time it was knocked over, whoever dropped it picked it up. When I walked up to it, I didn't realize it had been dropped, until I squeezed the clutch. The bulb at the end of the clutch handle had been broken off.  I found it on the ground. Then I looked closely at the end of the left grip, and sure enough, the bike had been dropped.  A a few months later, when checking on my parked bike, I found it on its side. As far as I can tell, there's no real damage. Down side of apartment living: no where to park, no where to work on it.
 I've put it away in a winter storage garage for a couple months, fingers crossed. They are well reviewed, but I'm nervous giving up the bike for that long.

[oldbike54]

 Just curious , is it pedestrians or cars that are knocking the bike over ? Having been in NYC a couple of times , the people were friendly enough to this Okie , but the pace at which everything moved was amazing .

 Dusty

[Lcarlson]

Having lived in Manhattan for over 25 years, I can tell you there's a reason why most bike owners there ride beaters. Unless you're willing to spring for a garage, the cars, which must constantly be moved to comply with the alternate side parking rules, will inevitably knock your bike down with some regularity. Just an unfortunate part of Big City life.....

[Dean Rose]

Having lived in Manhattan for over 25 years, I can tell you there's a reason why most bike owners there ride beaters. Unless you're willing to spring for a garage, the cars, which must constantly be moved to comply with the alternate side parking rules, will inevitably knock your bike down with some regularity. Just an unfortunate part of Big City life.....

Probably one of the many reasons much of us live out in the country. That and it's quite out here.


Dean

[blackcat]

I kept four bikes in a motorcycle only garage in Manhattan as I got tired of having my bikes knocked over.

[JeffOlson]

It is horrible to hear about this. I would go nuts.

If it is any consolation, Vespa theft in London seems to be much worse than motorcycles being knocked over in New York...

[blackcat]

Some NY'ers use the braille method of parking so motorcycles are easy victims of this practice. Especially small bikes like the V7.

[lucydad]

My daughters live in Brooklyn and work in Lower Manhattan.  So, we get to the City a few times of year.  I always look for bikes.  All I can say is NYC street riding combat exceeds anything in Houston.  Parking has to be a challenge.  Keep on riding, and remember the dings will polish out and add character. 

[kirkemon]

Happy to hear you didn't have any serious damage.
I take it that it was on the side stand?
Curious if you have crash bars or frame sliders?

[blackcat]

All I can say is NYC street riding combat exceeds anything in Houston. 

Personally, I find it less stressful than taking the subway and less expensive even with the high gas prices in the city.

[rob-mg]

Down side of apartment living: no where to park, no where to work on it.

If you park a motorcycle on the street in New York, you run a significant risk of theft and random vandalism, and the certainty that your bike will be knocked over from time to time by drivers of cars, vans and trucks.

Despite gagging at the cost, I've decided to rent garage space for my new V7 II (delivery March). This will cost $125 per month plus tax unless I'm able to snag a space at one of the few local co-ops that have underground parking. The peace of mind is worth it, as is the fact that it will protect the bike from the sun, wind, rain and snow, insect droppings from trees, etc.

I'm in the process of trying to identify a place with a lift where I could rent time do basic maintenance. I figure that in a city this size, there must be places where it's possible.

Who are you using as a dealer? With Gold Coast out of the picture, that leaves Brooklyn Vespa and the new Piaggio flagship store in SoHo.

[guzziownr]

I used to do my maintenance curbside in Manhattan which is where I learned that an Eldorado will start and idle with the carb slides in backwards but will not run well.

I parked on the same Chelsea block for years and never got knocked over.  Back in the '90s an overly efficient NYC flatfoot decided that my '72 Eldorado needed a right-hand mirror to compliment the one on the left.  He gave me tickets on three consecutive days.  NY State DMV only required a left hand mirror so I xeroxed the applicable statute and left a polite note at the stationhouse for my pen pal.

My sources on the street told me that a day later an unmarked car with three cops in suits examined my bike, checking the engine number against the build plate as well as looking at the license, registration sticker and inspection.  Sensitive to criticism much?

I contested the tickets en bloc and won.  The judge did not accept my xerox as proof and sent away for the actual statute which was in a staggeringly heavy binder brought in by one of his sour-faced minions.  That court officer suggested that to save everyone time in the future I should run two mirrors.  I followed his advice.

[NCAmother]

A nice motorcycle cover will do wonders in cities/outside parking.  I have friends in Manhattan and Brooklyn that are lucky enough to have freight elevators so they can store inside.

[malik]

The authorities in NSW are looking at the pros & cons of allowing motorcycles to park on footpath, as they do in Victoria. It's worked well in Melbourne for decades. It will be interesting to see if it comes about.

[guzziownr]

A nice motorcycle cover will do wonders in cities/outside parking.  I have friends in Manhattan and Brooklyn that are lucky enough to have freight elevators so they can store inside.

Motorcycle covers are prized by NYC's homeless population.  Good as a portable tent and a perfect size to cover a shopping cart.  For a while crackheads were snapping off sparkplugs to use as crackpipes...

[Xlratr]

Motorcycle covers are prized by NYC's homeless population.  Good as a portable tent and a perfect size to cover a shopping cart.  For a while crackheads were snapping off sparkplugs to use as crackpipes...

Bet that wouldn't happen in Kim, CO :-)
John

[blackcat]

.  For a while crackheads were snapping off sparkplugs to use as crackpipes...

Broken spark plugs were also being used for smashing car windows.

[rob-mg]

Despite gagging at the cost, I've decided to rent garage space for my new V7 II (delivery March). This will cost $125 per month plus tax...

I made a small input error. The garage space I'll be using isn't $125/month, it's $225 plus 10.375% tax.

[malik]

I made a small input error. The garage space I'll be using isn't $125/month, it's $225 plus 10.375% tax.

Still cheap enough for the convenience. (and cheaper than my part of Sydney). Much better to have a roof & walls. If power is on, better still.

[Kev m]

Still cheap enough for the convenience. (and cheaper than my part of Sydney). Much better to have a roof & walls. If power is on, better still.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=us+to+australian+dollar

$225 US today is $318 Australian.

Still cheaper than Sydney?

[malik]

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=us+to+australian+dollar

$225 US today is $318 Australian.

Still cheaper than Sydney?

This part of Sydney - sure. Just over the bridge (Bridge) from the city, where the housing was designed without allowance for vehicles. In those days people walked more. More expensive in the city centre.

I've ended up sharing an industrial unit 40 minutes out with 6 other guzzisti, and a running bike on the parking space out back.

[blackcat]

I made a small input error. The garage space I'll be using isn't $125/month, it's $225 plus 10.375% tax.

Are you in Manhattan? Try my friend Peter's garage @ 330 E 8th St.
Phone:(917) 678-0008.  It is between B&C and it is a motorcycle only space and you can work on your bike though it is cramped but I did replace the rear main seal on the CX, so almost anything can be done if your organized.  I don't know what he is currently charging for new entry's but I don't think it is $248 bucks.

 

I took apart my CX in that space.

[Lcarlson]

The Rising Wolf Motorcycle Garage on east 9th street is motorcycle exclusive and has amenities. I don't know their rates, but they've been around a while.

[Lcarlson]

risingwolfgarage.com

[BMWDavid]

Wow...I really feel bad for you guys that have to live in an urban area. No way would I put up with all the hassle. Gotta love my rural living. No traffic, 5 minute drive to work. House on 25 acres and a 1500 sq. foot garage (heated and a/c).

[rob-mg]

Thanks blackcat and Lcarison,

I'm in Queens, but your suggestions are worth following up for winter storage.

As you know, it's illegal to park a motorcycle on a sidewalk, but restaurants with delivery motorbikes are given an informal pass. I'm helping a friend open a restaurant this spring, and when I'm there I figure I'm going to have the only V7II in the world sporting a restaurant delivery sign :)

[Chuck-D]

Happy to hear you didn't have any serious damage.
I take it that it was on the side stand?
Curious if you have crash bars or frame sliders?

Yeah, on the side stand. No bars or sliders. When I'm ready to get it out of storage, gonna think long and hard abt it.

[Chuck-D]

I'm in the process of trying to identify a place with a lift where I could rent time do basic maintenance. I figure that in a city this size, there must be places where it's possible.

Who are you using as a dealer? With Gold Coast out of the picture, that leaves Brooklyn Vespa and the new Piaggio flagship store in SoHo.

I bought my bike at Brooklyn Vespa, and got the initial maintenance there. They've been good so far.

I'm in storage at RydersAlly, they have three locations and lifts. Demian (owner) seems a good sort.

I'm moving in a few months, so I don't know where I'll be yet, but I'd want a garage walking distance to my place. I really don't want to have to take the subway to get to my bike.