Well, this is a BUMMER for Portland...another Guzzi dealer closing!!

[JJ]

[JeffOlson]

Aprilia Moto Guzzi Portland just made the announcement on Facebook.

Bummer!

"STORE CLOSING NOTICE
"TO ALL OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS: AFTER 5 WONDERFUL YEARS WITH ALL OF YOU FOLKS, ANNE AND I HAVE DECIDED IT IS TIME FOR US TO RETIRE FROM THE MOTORCYCLE BUSINESS. THE STORE WILL BE OPEN ON A LIMITED BASIS UNTIL JULY 21, 2018. WE WILL TRY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO FINISH UP ANY AND ALL SHOP WORK POSSIBLE DURING THAT TIME. WE WILL ADVISE YOU ALL WHERE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR SERVICE WORK FOR THE FUTURE.
"THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT, YOU HAVE BEEN GREAT AND WE WILL MISS ALL OF THE FRIENDS WE HAVE MADE DURING THIS LAST 5 YEARS OF BUSINESS. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ALL."

[Dharma Bum]

Sad news indeed.  I've known Rick since he started working for me as a high school student in my Yamaha dealership back in Iowa.  Best of luck to ya, Rick and Annie!

[TimmyTheHog]

Ya, just saw this too...

too bad...:(

[Spokane2303]

Ya, total Bummer!

They were only 14 miles from my home. Now it's 177 miles to Moto International, Seattle, for any service I can't do myself.

I made a point of using them for parts and supplies to support a local business; and, to help keep them in business, even though it was aways cheaper and many times quicker to source things on the internet.

They will be missed!

[SemperVee]

 Yet another nail in the coffin.   I wish that MG would partner with one of the big Asian MC companies for support, etc.

[Matteo]

Or not pressure shops into becoming boutiques! They were just fine until they expanded.

[JeffOlson]

Or not pressure shops into becoming boutiques! They were just fine until they expanded.

Did the expansion do them in?

[JACoH]

That is too bad, I purchased my 2017 Special there last July, 100 miles away.  They have a huge inventory left over for not much notice given to close! They still have my old trade in, not sold yet. I wonder if Piaggio will take back their Aprilias and Moto Guzzis or if someone new will take them on.

[Rhodan]

My experience has been other dealers are given an opportunity to snag the bikes (or maybe they're encouraged to snag the bikes    not sure how Piaggio works that).  I bought a 2013 v7 special in 2014.  In talking to my dealer, it was a bike they'd gotten from a dealer that closed.

[Vagrant]

I got my 2015 V7 from them. Nice folks. There is no money in this business for dealers. the only reason the Japanese brands survive is 4 wheelers and jet skis and holdbacks.
Mfg's sell to the dealer on a floor plan so they get paid right away  after a small discount up front. the dealer then gets 30-180 days to sell with no interest depending on the deal the Mfg had with the dealer and credit co. If the dealer goes under the MFG has to take the stuff back and repay the floor plan co. So they go pick it up and pay out cash that they don't have either or they dump it at a discount to some outher sucker or auction it. don't forget there is also a freight issue to deal with.
Many states have a law that also forces MFG's to take back all parts too. The poor dealer will be stuck with the trades and most likely will be screwed on warranty claims.
Problem for Guzzi is they are running out of dealers to suck up the inventory. 

[Rainrider]

I'm sad that it wasn't working for them. I didn't have a ton of interactions with them, but they were nice and did good work both times I had them work on my bike.

Now I feel kind of guilty for buying a used V7ii instead of one from them.

[Green1000S]

sooo…… How many Guzzi dealers has closed in two years? 10?

How many has opened? One or two?


this really sucks, I lost my dealer in PA too.

[Spokane2303]

Stopped by to pickup a few extra service parts while they were still suppose to be open. 

Nope, Lights out and closed!  Going out of business notices taped to the front and side (service) doors.

I feel bad for those who purchased bikes from them within the last 2 yrs.

Warranties are difficult to use when the next closest dealer is 3+ hours away!

[Bulldog9]

I'm going to retire from the Army in 3 years I want to buy my local MG dealership in Arlington VA.... why? To keep the brand alive.....

[JeffOlson]

Another Facebook post:

"So I will go ahead with at least a couple things today, more informational than anything. Latus has poached my only tech, so it is up to me to try to get your bikes out of the shop. I apologize for any inconvenience, I have contacted a couple of other shops to refer you guys to, as soon as I have their agreement to take on the work, I will let you all know. In the meantime, I will do my best to get things done as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience and the many kind words of appreciation, it helps a lot. Cheers"

One of the commenters offered to help him this weekend.

[JJ]

sooo…… How many Guzzi dealers has closed in two years? 10?

How many has opened? One or two?


this really sucks, I lost my dealer in PA too.

Bummer indeed!!!   In the entire state of Arizona, there are now only two (2)...one in Prescott...and one in Tucson...NOTHING left in the greater Phoenix area!!!






Johannes Carl Andersen

[JeffOlson]

Another, interesting Facebook post:

"HEY EVERYBODY!!  Today was an awesome day! We had like 5 guys in the workshop, working on bikes, wrenching on customer stuff, and bullshite-ing around, it was the most fun we have had in shop in a loooong time. No sales b.s., just a bunch of blokes working on bikes and having a blast. The germ of an idea? Maybe."

[twowheeladdict]

The Guzzi dealer I have access to is 80 miles away, but they sell something like 13 different brands of motorsports.  I believe they may sell 5 Moto Guzzis a year if that.  I know they have had them since 2012.  Hope they continue.  You can buy a new '17 Stone for around $6500 dollars which makes them very competitive with the Japanese budget bikes..

[ohiorider]

There is no money in this business for dealers. the only reason the Japanese brands survive is 4 wheelers and jet skis and holdbacks.

Sign of the times, perhaps.  One of the largest multi-brand dealers in the area, including Aprilia, recently expanded.  Not their bike building, but a facility dedicated to recreational vehicles other than motorcycles.

[Kev m]

sooo…… How many Guzzi dealers has closed in two years? 10?

How many has opened? One or two?


this really sucks, I lost my dealer in PA too.

Well in PA we lost:

Eurpoa Mechanica (sp?)
Fast by Ferracci

But we still have

Coopersburg Eurosports

AND we gained a new one

Indian/Moto Guzzi West Chester

So the greater Philly area isn't exactly hurting for dealers.

[JACoH]

Only 28 states (not counting Oregon, now) are listed on the Moto Guzzi website in the dealer locator tab. Closest to me now is Seattle, 300 miles away.

[JeffOlson]

One more FB post:

"As my old buddy Wiley Bob says, Top of the Mornin' to ya'!
"Update for you all, we plan to stay open for service for the next several weeks, to fix your Guzzi and Aprilias, we are still the registered dealer here in Portland, so we have what you need to keep your bikes running. Beyond that, we are considering where we go from there, but we are leaning toward staying open as a repair shop, and possibly adding a small cafe, motorcycle museum and memorabilia display, and just a general hangout for all our motorcycle friends, new and old. I would like to do a community repair shop, with benches for rent, expert help for your projects, and expert training for those of you who are new to the sport, or just want to learn how your bikes work and why they work like they do.
"I also plan to be open the few weekends, to blow out stock we don't need, so as those details are worked out, I will relay them along to everyone. So stay tuned, as MM says, the dream is not dead, only waiting for the next episode. Cheers and have a great day!!"

[guzzi4me]

That really is a great idea! Have a place where you can work on your bike, while knowing that an experienced wrench will be there if needed. Would be nice if bike lifts and special tools were made available. Could stock just the most needed parts like oil and filters.

I would use that service!

Best of luck to them for the "next chapter"!!

Jeff

[Spokane2303]

I agree!

Having a place to work on my bike, access to special tools and a knowledgeable reference would be a place I would use. 

Maybe a membership fee, monthly dues and some type of special equipment use fee to help keep it a viable business.

[JJ]

One more FB post:

"As my old buddy Wiley Bob says, Top of the Mornin' to ya'!
"Update for you all, we plan to stay open for service for the next several weeks, to fix your Guzzi and Aprilias, we are still the registered dealer here in Portland, so we have what you need to keep your bikes running. Beyond that, we are considering where we go from there, but we are leaning toward staying open as a repair shop, and possibly adding a small cafe, motorcycle museum and memorabilia display, and just a general hangout for all our motorcycle friends, new and old. I would like to do a community repair shop, with benches for rent, expert help for your projects, and expert training for those of you who are new to the sport, or just want to learn how your bikes work and why they work like they do.
"I also plan to be open the few weekends, to blow out stock we don't need, so as those details are worked out, I will relay them along to everyone. So stay tuned, as MM says, the dream is not dead, only waiting for the next episode. Cheers and have a great day!!"

Well...now there is something POSITIVE...for a change!  Good for them!!

[groundhog105]

These closings are disturbing.   Having just completed the USA 4 corners tour on my California 1400 it was concerning when I started looking at the dealer network around the nation just in case I had a problem.   Fortunately I didn’t have any problems but come on Piaggio,  why can you not keep and support dealers.  The two guys I rode with were on Harley’s and there’s a Harley dealer in almost every town you go thru and their customer support is second to none.  Take a lesson from Harley-Davidson Piaggio

[blu guzz]

I liked the idea of pairing up with Indian dealers.  Not direct competitors.  Both boutiquey.  It would give the Indian dealers something less expensive to sell with the V7 line.  The Indian dealers I am aware of already have large facilities, so room for 10 more on the floor would not be an issue.

[JJ]

These closings are disturbing.   Having just completed the USA 4 corners tour on my California 1400 it was concerning when I started looking at the dealer network around the nation just in case I had a problem.   Fortunately I didn�t have any problems but come on Piaggio,  why can you not keep and support dealers.  The two guys I rode with were on Harley�s and there�s a Harley dealer in almost every town you go thru and their customer support is second to none.  Take a lesson from Harley-Davidson Piaggio

I always liked this about Harley's (having owned 4 Big Twins myself).  You are riding across Western Montana and your HD takes a BIG dump...there is help nearby, somewhere!

You are riding out there on your modern Guzzi, and it takes a MAJOR dump, other than this forum, you are HOSED, big time!!

[oilhed]

I wish that MG would partner with one of the big Asian MC companies for support, etc.

I always thought Guzzi shops should be Guzzi/Aprilia/Piaggio and cover all the bases.