I want to start a thread discussing where in Taiwan we can go for our mechanical service needs and/or purchase of related accessories. A place that not only has good service, but will also not rip you off. Please post up your recommendations, and tell us a little bit about your experience there and how long you have been going there.
There does exist one thread discussing recommended mechanics, but unfortunately it is really old: viewtopic.php?f=75&t=39265&hilit=recommended+shop#p430894
There also exists a thread discussing motorcycle helmets, but only discusses places to purchase on Page 5: viewtopic.php?f=75&t=3010&hilit=recommended+shop
I will start. I just got back to Taipei from abroad, and had previously been living in Yonghe/Zhonghe for four years… and am now back in Yonghe. So of course, I bought a new scooter, and new helmets for the wife and I.
To service our old scooters, and to buy our new scooter, we go to a place which we had been going to for service and smog checks: g.co/maps/amys
The place is called “Yu Xiang” KYMCO and is run by an old guy, along with his wife and eldest son. If you’re looking for it, be careful, as there is another Kymco shop south of it, on the same side of the street, which I have never been to. It is diagonally across the street from a fairly large 7-11 and a bunch of bus stops.
They don’t speak English, but will certainly be willing to help. They’re always friendly and courteous and will not try to sell you any services that you do not need. They are also quite professional, as they have a lot more machinery than some of those ghetto shops where the guy changes tires by smooshing it on the ground and using a pry-bar.
My wife and I have been using them for over 2.5 years, and I highly recommend them. And trust me, it took me almost getting ripped off by two other shops before I found that they were trustworthy… and a lot of females go there (trust me, female clientele is a good sign).
My other recommendation is a helmet shop near Jingan MRT Station (Google Maps is a bit outdated… one of those shops sells helmets only, and the other one sells all your supe-up parts): g.co/maps/shgv
We had previously bought our ZEUS helmets from some guy who basically did not know anything about helmets at all… did not even know how to fit them properly. That wasn’t a problem, though, because I can fit helmets properly. But, with the shop I am recommending now, he is super-knowledgeable about helmets and fitting, so can really help you out. I think he speaks a bit of English, too. Service was super-good and super-attentive.
Address is Zhonghe City, Jing’an Road, No. 104.