Damnit. I like george. That's his second shop that has bailed. Wonder where he'll pop up next.
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Corsa Meccanica no longer a Piaggio (Aprilia/Moto Guzzi/Vespa) dealer (?)
- Thread starter Chaos
- Start date
EX500R2001
Well-known member
He said he's gonna open in King city - Keele & 15th sideroad
Priller
Well-known member
You and me both. He usually had some oddball used bikes available. It wasn't good news when he lost his dealership status last year, though I suspect that was more symptom than cause.
Really hoping he comes back better than ever. It's a tough business for small specialty shops, as volume is key to keeping cashflow steady, I think.
Please, anyone who is paying attention, post up any new details of a new shop here so the rest of us know where to go...
burg226
Well-known member
Does anyone have George's cell # or contact information for his new shop?
I had Corsa do the valves on my RSV4 in the fall before storage. Paid $1200+.
I take the bike out of storage and on the first ride it's leaking tons of oil out of the valve cover. Not impressed to say the least. He had the bike for a month and I told him to take his time and replace all of the gaskets and seals... and now this.
Any help would be appreciated. PM me with his cell or if George is on this site please PM me.
George Ruffolo is on LinkedIn. Not sure if he responds to messages there.
Keele and 15th is residential/monastery/private school. Not sure when, if or where commercial is going there.
dieselxx
Well-known member
No way! I just picked up a battery off of him two weeks ago after calling his cell and he ordered for me.
This is sad news, he was very accommodating for everything.
I've never been in but from the outside that one always confused me. I was surprised that Aprilia/MG wanted to be associated with them.
StudioCycle near the Junction also do Aprilla and Moto Guzzi. I agree with you @Katatonic the brands are as good as the ones that represent them... talked to a lady at StudioCycle.. and despite the fact that I was a noob, she really really took the time in telling me what to look for.. and insights with the bikes... Even though I didn't end up with an Aprilla... you bet if I ever get into a 2nd bike.. I will visit StudioCycle first...... Talked SnowCity and GP Bikes.. and the sales guys I dealt with there was just a terrible experience.. they talk almost as if belittling you.. don't give you the time of day.. and just hurries to have you open your wallet... terrible.
-Maverick-
Well-known member
This is an astute observation. Its a Polaris ATV and snowmobile dealer. I asked a rep from Piaggio why a premium Italian brand would be associated with this redneck dealership. They didn't even have a paved driveway at the time. Not surprised the relationship didn't work out.
The guy formerly known as Mladin.
That kind of dooms the brands in Ontario I would have been interested in but not going near them without any dealerships. Almost like MV piagio must be terrible to deal with as no real dealer is interested in them at all.
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Between his old dealer and CM George worked for the mothership. That's why I was so surprised when he was no longer a dealer. He should have had a stronger personal connection to head office than anyone else in Ontario. Makes me sad. I like different bikes and an absence of dealers puts them in a local death spiral.
Priller
Well-known member
FWIW, there's also VOS is Vaughan. They don't have a great rep, but are there for warranty work if needed.
The biggest gap that I see is no dealer in eastern Ontario. Kingston, Ottawa, Cornwall, somewhere in there.
Piaggio doesn't have the best history in North America, but there has been a move to improve the dealer support. Losing J&R I suspect is more about it just not being a good fit for either party.
I've talked about this before, but Aprilia's problem is the natural places to sell them are in dealerships that already do Ducati and BMW, but those two behemoths won't let that happen. The number of dealerships left that can provide premium service are very limited. Studio Cycle has been a success story (and where I'll be going in the absence of CM), hopefully they can find more boutique shops for the brands.
You need capital to be a dealer, and I think CM was struggling in that department. Personal connections help a lot, but when you are sent stock by the manufacturer, you need to be able to pay for it. I was hoping CM could make a go as an independent shop (whom I would trust with my Aprilia as much as anyone, even as a non-dealer), but evidently the math didn't work out. Really hoping for a resurrection somewhere along the line, as George isn't perfect, but he's far better than most...
I agree re: Studiocycle. I was looking to get an Aprilia. They were a very inviting shop.
I have to admit I am increasingly uncomfortable with Aprilia's lack of stable dealer network though, which is the primary reason I have not pulled the trigger.
On the plus side, their dealer network hasn't been all that great for decades and they are still here.
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-Maverick-
Well-known member
Bought an Aprilia from Wheelsport out towards Ottawa. I'm not sure if they are still doing Piaggio. Might be worth investigating...
The guy formerly known as Mladin.
Priller
Well-known member
Living near the GTA, it's only really a concern for me for touring. I was very tempted by a Tuareg 660 as a tourer for some remote backroads with some light off-roading as an option, but the thought of being hundreds of miles from the closest dealer if I need a part isn't reassuring. Lead times for parts from Piaggio have improved a lot, though, and I know of some who've made it work by having AF1 in Austin courier the needed parts to the closest independent shop. Having the right ODB port and GuzziDiag helps get around the need for Piaggio diagnostics gear.
Locally, though, I have three shops within an hour of home in Hamilton, so I'm well cared for. As @GreyGhost says, some have come and some have gone, and it's all balanced out. Adding Studio Cycles seems to have replaced CM and possibly J&R, for example.
Also, there's an active thread on GTAM right now with Ducati owners north of Toronto struggling to find nearby service, so it's not just a Piaggio problem...
Looks like they're only KTM, Suzuki and CFMoto now. Interesting to see CFMoto appearing in more and more shops, wonder when the likes of Suzuki will get upset about it...
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