My Aprilia Falco broke down on 28 Nov 2002. I had it towed to my local dealer (John Miller, Chippenham). After about a week he rang me to say it was too complicated for him, he didn’t have the equipment, and did I want him to send it to Downend Scooters in Bristol. I did. I January I started to call and see what was happening with the bike. Simon at Downend told me that the warranty was not activated. I called Aprilia customer services (in Italy) and talked to Nick and after that to Laura at Motogo and I got the warranty activated.

After a few more weeks I called Nick again a few times because I didn’t have the bike back and the dealer (Downend) was blaming Aprilia for the delay. He gave me the number for Aprilia UK customer services, Mr Neil Lee, and I called him after that.

I started calling Mr Lee in mid April to try and get the bike fixed. Eventually after taking legal advice I gave Aprilia a deadline to fix the bike and give me compensation.

Aprilia UK picked up the bike on 1 April 2003, eventually fixed it, and delivered it back to me 28 April 2003. FIVE MONTHS after it broke down.

When it came back to me it had the damage as follows:
1. Snapped brake lever.
2. Scratched Bar End (right hand side).
3. Several scratches on the tank.
4. Snapped pin off the side stand.
5. Dents on the left hand side exhaust.
6. Paint scrapes (white) and scratches on the left hand exhaust.

There was also a lock missing.

I have assurances from John Miller that the bike left him in excellent condition (I should have it in writing tomorrow). I took it to him in excellent condition. Simon at Downend has told me on the phone that the bike arrived in excellent condition. Mr Lee says that it arrived at Aprilia UK in terrible condition.

I have been making at least two calls a day for months to try and sort this out. I am significantly out of pocket. Mr Lee has lied to me on a number of occasions.

Aprilia UK are blaming Downend. Downend is blaming Aprilia. I am left with a damaged and devalued bike.

Mr Lee has recently tried to say that I am responsible for the damage and has suggested that I have damaged the bike since I got it back to get the parts. This is obviously ridiculous as it was in very good nick when it broke down.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Fecking hell, that's crap service. I hope there's somebody on here who can offer some advice.

That's no way to treat a customer. It sounds as if its been lying in a corner getting neglected, instead of being stored properly.

That is a pitiful tale mate.  What a shower of arrisholes.

My first thought was that you sell the bike and use the money to have them killled but that would mean buying another bike so toomuch aggro.

I reckon you should get in touch with RiDE magazines legal department and see what they think.  See if your local paper is interested in a local biker gets turned over type story - you never know.  Post the tale on as many bike forums as you can and maybe someone more rebellious or cleverer than me will help.  Best of luck mate and let us know how it turns out. ( i may be VERY interested in this )