ScootRS - Vietnam Scooters

ScootRS – HCMC

Editor Note; May 2008 - I popped in on Randall at ScootRS on a recent trip since it has been a year since we reviewed him. I looked at several Lambretta he was building for his clients. I was happy to see the quality is still there. He was building up and fitting body parts on the scooters before paint. I have seen the other shops fit the body parts once the scooter was painted which can be disasterous. His shop was also dialing in a customer's new bike with the upgraded AF RB25 kit on it. It sounded AWESOME!

One of the many things I like about ScootRS is that they have the parts to build the scooters right and into something special vs. other shops that do not have the parts and they end up making their own, (Coke can shims), or buy seconds to try to compete but the parts look like hell.

Customer Review

Price Paid - $3200.00 not including shipping

Owned and Written By: Tom Hunter, Milwaukee, WI

Review

1966 Vespa 150 Super restored by ScootRS, delivered Aug 2006. These photos were taken after the first 400Km.

Here's some feedback on the scooter shop that started all this "should I buy from Vietnam?" controversy, ScootRS. If not for ScootRS, we could just all agree NOT to import on our own, right? I researched (winter-websurfed) for months before deciding to purchase a Vespa Super from ScootRS for these reasons:

Trolling on ScooterBBS.com told me about what's out there, what to look for, what to avoid, etc. I also saw the passion(?) in some of these folks, who at times seemed to come out of the woodwork to slam Vietnamese scoots and ScootRS in particular. Then at some point, Randall from ScootRS would reply with an honest, concise response that told me that ScootRS was an up-front operation. For every Viet-hater that Randall's BBS visits riled up, two or more BBS'ers would defend ScootRS with their first-hand experiences.

ScootRS' website is on par with Amazon.com, et al, for an on-line store. Constant updates, photo documentation on dozens of restorations, frequent additions to parts inventory. etc., tells me there is a successful business on the other side of that server.

Another factor was I wanted a vintage scooter; not a totally correct, 100-point all-italian original, but a 'daily driver' and something nicer than I could do myself. So the "all-new-parts" rebuild was the choice for me. My Vespa has a 66 Super engine but is the equivalent of a new LML or Vespa PX motor. Engine cases are original '66 but modded to accept a 5-port topend. All internal parts are new: Crankshaft, bearings, seals, gearset, mainshaft, piston, rings, cylinder, head, CDI ignition, flywheel, stator, etc. I've got the classic look I wanted, but with modern dependability. I can find no signs of a "bodged' part anywhere (nor could my local Vespa dealer who's gave it a clean bill of health after a thorough inspection).

Finally, I can't afford the $5-7K a similar scoot would cost me here in the U.S. Yeah, the BBS guys will say they have this or that for less but would they actually part with one of their vintage Vespas for the $3200 I paid? Nope.

1) How was the scooter when you got it? Excellent! Better than I expected. Only 1 minor scratch in transit. From the U.S. Customs Contraband Enforcement Team taking it out of the crate twice for "inspection" and X-rays, no doubt (I'm not making this up). ScootRS included a bottle of touch-up paint so all is good. Got it home, gassed it up, kicked it twice to suck some gas into the carb, turned the key, kicked it ONCE and it fired up. Ran perfectly out of the box!

2) How were the details of the restore? Again excellent! Very nice paint. Excellent chrome-work, old-school quality plating, thick, hand polished, stainless trim is precisely fitted, no rattles etc. Nice badge repros. All original components painted or polished nicely (engine shrouds, airbox, hubs, etc.) Clean engine rebuild, case numbers match, new hardware, rubbers, and cables, almost everything. It's broken-in nicely with no problems. 100 Kph Max (so far :o ) ~ 150 Km per gallon.

3) Warranty issues?

How they were resolved? No complaints so far, @ 1350 Km. Randall has eMailed me a couple times to see how it's doing. How's that for after-sale service?

ScootRS Warranty Policy;

4) Overall responsiveness?

I always got an eMail response from Randall or John at ScootRS within hours. Always got the answer I needed.

5) Shipping details?

Shipping was more than their website estimate, but what I expected from experience. Customs hassles and DMV issues SUCKED, and cost me another $300. But ScootRS only knows what customer feedback tells them, so the guy who says Import fees were only $8 was a lucky man. My advice? Have Customs handled by the shipper's Customs Broker service, at the Port of Entry. Avoid local Customs clowns!

6) Would you buy again.

Yes, I know where to avoid extra costs I incurred with Customs so it would be easier the second time.

7) Would you recommend to others?

Sure. ScootRS delivers what they promise at a reasonable price.

Feel free to inquire in depth - askarat@scooterrats.com

From ScooterX - Nice Scoot! - I spoke to Randall at ScootRS about his warranty. He imformed me that their warranty is 60 days on new parts. He also told me that generally ScootRS handles warranty issues with a conversation, or maybe a photo just to clarify the issue. Normally, ScootRS wouldn't need an item mailed back to Vietnam. If they do need it to be returned, they would pay for the shipping. Same as they do if a wrong part is sent by ScootRS on a parts order. - NICE!

I look forward to reviewing their shop the next time I am in Saigon.