The Motorcycle Shop

More like a Scooter Shop!
This isn't so much a motorcycle place. Yea, you can get motorcycle stuff, but for the most part these are gas powered scooters, like Vespas. I don't think this is a place I'd go for an Indian Motorcycle, or a Harley Davidson.
They do repairs, I got to go through their garage. They have a lot of tools back here, and lots of people who have their bikes getting worked on. They seem to be an authorized dealer, and can get the official parts.
These guys also sell accessories- things that you can install on your Vespa, bags to put on the front, they have the helmets.
The store is jam packed with scooters they're selling, ones they're working on, and ones that they just kinda keep around because they're cool. I just like cruising through their inventory of different Vespas!
They have all the connections for the other work that's not mechanical that they don't do- like leather works, or paint jobs.
It's a shame that they don't offer scooter school classes on how to get Class M Certified Drivers Licenses.

Jason and family at The Motorcycle Shop are friendly, helpful, and fair. I've bought 3 vehicles from them and traded in 2. I always feel like I'm getting a fair sale from an honest seller.

They helped me choose my very first scooter (there are LOTS of options here!) and helped me upgrade a few years later.

Bottom line: if The Motorcycle Shop has the vehicle I'm looking for, I have no reason to look anywhere else.

The Motorcycle Shop is an unassuming garage at the north end of Austin Highway. You would expect a business called The Motorcycle Shop to cater to motorcycle riders, but it's more of a Vespa and scooter shop from the looks of the outside. Indeed, from other reviews, it appears their focus is on scooters.

However, one desperate weekend, I was changing brake pads on my bike only to release I had the wrong part for my rear brake. This was, as is my modus operandi, a realization I had only after disassembling the caliper.

Now, I've known of the The Motorcycle Shop from my daily commute but never been inside it. In a moment of desperation, I called them up and asked if they had the correct brakepad in stock. They, in fact, did. I asked them to hold the part for me and raced over there.

Looks can be deceiving. The shop is larger inside than it looks from the outside and they sell various new and used motorcycles as well as scooters. I don't buy new so I can't speak on their pricing for bikes.

There was a substantial wait at the parts counter. Lots of jib jabbing of the salesman variety. In all honestly, if I hadn't needed the part, I would have walked out and found one elsewhere. Eventually, a salesman noticed I was milling about and interrupted the man at the parts counter so I could pick up what I came for. They sell a fair amount of bolt on accessories, helmets, jackets, and the like. Nothing to write home about. They have mechanics on site, but I did not deal with them.

If you're into scooters, this is probably your spot. If you are looking for a shop or to buy a motorcycle, well maybe. There are other motorcycle garages nearby with better reputations. The store was decent and the staff was friendly based on my interactions.

Wow what an amazing store! Jason (owner) and his team are amazing both in knowledge and service. Jason comes from a family history of Vespa, and is third generation to own a motorcycle store! Great family memorabilia and the Vespa and motorcycle miniature collection cabinet collection is amazing! Highly recommend you stop by if your in San Antonio Texas! They have great accessories too including side cars....bought an awesome retro helmet here...Very happy

Just needed an inspection, but Jason (the owner) was super friendly and got me out of there very quickly.

If only I could give 1,000 stars, this would be the place!

So here's the deal. We are on a 27 state, 2 month trip in a motorhome with our Vespa on the back. While in Florida, I made a bone-head move and over-tightened a mirror and snapped it off. In such a way that we would need to tap out a screw to get a new one in, so more than just installing a new mirror. So I looked for Vespa shops on our route, and this one was going to be the easiest to get to in the "sooner rather than later" category.

I called them up, and they were beyond helpful. They had the part, and told me they would set up their schedule so when I arrived in San Antonio I could drop the bike off Tuesday evening and pick it up first thing in the morning Wednesday. AWESOME!!

We get there Tuesday evening, and first of all, everyone here is just so cool! I mean above and beyond cool. But they didn't have me wait. They did it on the spot, we chatted for a while, and I was on my way. Does the story end here? HELL NO!

Later on I noticed that during transport, my steering column lock broke and the bike would not lock. Bummer, I'll just get it into a shop when we get to L.A., where we will be for a good amount of time, But then I find myself riding round San Antonio, and suddenly passing this place again. Hmmmm, let me stop and see if maybe this is something really easy and stupid. Or maybe I am being a bonehead and not doing something right?

So I pull in and show them what is going on. Without a word, they bring my bike into the shop, and start taking it apart on the spot. About a half hour later, it is fixed. Not only did they do it on the spot for me, but there was just this overall attitude by EVERYONE in the shop of total coolness. Oh, and when I tried to pay, they wouldn't take a penny from me.

In a nutshell, I cannot speak highly enough of these guys! So much that my Vespa now proudly sports a Vespa of San Antonio sticker!

In late December I took my Vespa in for an oil change and maintenance as it was terrible at starting (I'd already had several visits to Mr. Trott's shop and liked him). Unfortunately, not riding it much along as well as just age had led to damage to the fuel system and I needed multiple parts replaced. He told me the holiday would mean it would be a couple of weeks before he could get to it which I said was fine. I didn't get any other updates for 6 weeks (even though I had called to ask on multiple occasions). When I finally did hear back, I found out about the damage and approved the repairs at over $700. He had to order parts and didn't know when they would come in. Another month went by (when I called twice and was told at least once by him that he was still waiting and would update me and he never did). I finally got a call almost 3 months to the day that parts had come in and everything was fixed. I don't blame him for the wait though he could have updated me at least one time but whatever. I picked up the scooter last week (they had broken the windshield but replaced at no charge). We then talked about my seat which was in rough shape - he gave me the card of an upholstery guy he used and I thanked him for it. I was happy when I left.

On my way home, I noticed that the seatback was torn open at the top. I emailed Mr. Trott that night via his website and got no response. The next morning I found the gas tank empty - I filled up and noticed the gas gauge was broken as it was still flatlined on E.

I called about the issues but was told I would have to drive across town and bring the scooter back. Yesterday I went back in and met Mr. Trott right away. I told him about the tank gauge and he explained that they hadn't even gotten into the tank and it was nothing they could have done. He said replacement was costly and it wasn't his fault - it was just crappy gas and time. That was fair, I admit but it would have been nice if they had pointed it out when I picked up. I then pointed out the back of the seat. He said it was not like that when it was here last week. I told him, it certainly was as I noticed it driving home and had emailed him that fact that night.

This is when it got weird because almost immediately, he started raising his voice. Saying its not his fault and its clearly old and rotted and I'm blaming him for something that he didn't do. I told him that I wasn't blaming him, I just wanted to talk about it as it was not like that for the 2 years I've had it, I leave it for 3 months and get it back like this. Then he started almost yelling at me. I repeatedly asked him to calm down. He just kept yelling that it wasn't high fault and it was just an old scooter and 'do you see the seams are rotted, do you see the seams are rotted' he shouted without letting me speak. I said you don't even know what I'm asking for because you haven't let me talk, you're just yelling and please just calm down for a minute. He then started yelling 'what do you want, what do you want' like a child in my face. I told him that first I just wanted to be able to talk. I asked why he was so angry and not even able to have a discussion. I asked him if he left the scooter outside and he said of course he had to move them in and out. But it wasn't his fault and the stitches were just rotted. He got a camera to take pictures - I attached the pictures but he's free to share his own. I told him I agree that the seat has damage (we even talked about that before), my only point was that I had new damage to the back and gauge that wasn't there when I left it in his care and I don't leave my scooter outside and it never gets wet. He kept yelling about how it wasn't his fault and he refused to do anything for me. I was able to finally say that all I was going to ask for was a credit on my next oil change as I thought he would want to keep my business. He said there was no way he was going to do that and it wasn't his fault and he took no responsibility and he didn't want to talk any more.

Honestly, it was never about the money. In fact, I'm not even that mad. I don't believe 'the customer is always right'. But I do believe that you shouldn't yell at a customer especially when they just wanted to talk to you and even come back to you. A seat back is what, $50-60? So he gives me $30 credit toward an oil change and I'm happy. Instead he lost his temper. Lets be honest - my scooter is older - in good shape - but older and he left it out in the rain, cold and heat of the last 3 Texas months which accelerated the breakdown of the fabric/stitches as anyone who has been outside the last 3 months in Texas knows. It also could have contributed to the gas gauge problem. Instead of acknowledging that, he instead chose to yell and be rude and loud and embarrass himself. I honestly thought he was a good guy. I just expected more from an adult - he's not some 19 yo manager at McDonald's. It was sad.

Disappointing experience. Sketchy mechanics, messed up work. Very sloppy. Several hundred dollars later and months in the shop, scooter still doesn't start. Work is sloppy. Despite all the good reviews of this place, I still think this place is a MUST TO AVOID!

Talk about above and beyond customer service! I decided to get my son a scooter for college and did some research, but still had no idea about the various scooters. From reviews I found this establishment. Not only were they insightful, they were truly passionate about their business.

I wish they were in a better location, but the service makes up for that. They did not try to up sell us and actually I paid less then what I had budgeted because they were honest as to what would suit my son's needs. All of the gentlemen there were great. They even delivered the scooter all the way to Helotes for me. I wish I could give 10 stars.

If I could give them zero stars I would. Not only did I bring my Vespa in for the same problem several times but Colin was so rude and hostile I will never be back. Every time I called and told them I was having the same problem, Colin would repeatedly blame me for something I supposedly was doing. No worries, Greg from mobile motorcycle repair found the problem in, and I'm not exaggerating here, 15 seconds. The entire engine was moving around Bc the Vespa was missing one of two main bolts that kept it in place and kept the compartment sealed. Either Colin is incompetent or they just wanted to take my money. Neither is good. Additionally, all of the bs that Colin was saying that caused my issues that were on me was just that bs. Do not take your bike here.