New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
Guzzi has always been a basically one-engine size company with maybe two slightly different body styles. They have never competed in multiple sizes like the major brands.In the 1970's it was the 750 that got enlarged to the 850 but just Ambassador, Eldorado, then the T. They grew to the almost 1000 CC's with again maybe two styles. Now we're back down to the small block 750/850 with, that's right two basic styles.
Here’s something strange to me at this point. Some of you guys say you’re seeing lots of younger guys on the MG, v7 etc. I guess the part of the country and countries you are in determine that as well as dealership availability. As most of you know I live in central NC and in the years Ive been a Guzzi fan and owner I’ve only seen a couple MG bikes in the wild. However I have seen several Ducati bikes ridden by older and younger riders. I think the reason for this is due to little to no exposure to the brand. The first MG I ever saw was an El Dorado, probably an early 80s. It had fishtails and sounded great. The rider was a younger guy who said it was his dads bike. I feel in love with it then and it took 20 years later to get my first on, an 04 California EV, black and chrome. Now here’s my point. The magic that I felt over that first encounter, I don’t believe will exist with this new market of the brand. And yes our opinions on this is simply that “opinions” and this is mine.
Our perspective in North America is unique from the rest of the planet. I think the small block was originally imported in 1984, just one year, it didn't sell well, and wasn't seen again over here for two decades.I read in one of the Guzzi history books, that it was the small block, such as the Nevada, that kept Guzzi from "actually" going out of business. They sold many many more SB across Europe and else where than they did BB.
Absolutely regional differences, especially in the lack of a dealership are going to make huge differences, especially in the amount of younger riders who will be less likely to try a brand if there isn't local exposure and support.A newer rider is much less likely to travel hundreds of miles for a bike. Absolutely.
Even I was shocked one time last year when heading for my in-laws when I noticed a V9 pull through the intersection.Then I realized we were about 5 miles south of a newer (past 5 years) Guzzi dealer.
Marketing and dealer 'presence' in the community is a big piece of the puzzle as well. My local 'Powersports' dealer that carries Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, Ducati, Can Am, Polaris, Slingshot with all the water and ATV things is all over the place for advertising, community events, print and radio.My first move to the DC area was 2005, and my local Guzzi dealer is 1 mile from my In laws, 8 miles to my house, and 2 miles from where I worked (Fort Myer). I drove/rode past the dealership for 2 years.....I was here 05-07, then back in 2010-2015, and NEVER knew there was a Moto Guzzi/Aprilia dealer. I knew of the shop, but thought all they had were Scooters, because that's all they put out front. I bought my first Guzzi from MI in Seattle, which I actually knew about even though I had never lived on the West Coast. When I moved back to DC in 2018, I did a search for local MG dealers and was shocked to find one .It is in a terrible location, but they are invisible to the local MC community, so unless you are 'looking' for a Moto Guzzi or Aprilia, you'd never know they were there. MG needs to up their AD game.
I think the prognostications on Guzzi's demise are well overstated. This is a niche company that makes niche products. They have never been a sales behemoth or had much of a footprint outside esoteric circles of enthusiasts (beside their short stint supplying bikes to CA highway patrol). Judging from their dealer network and support, it doesnt even seem like they want to move beyond that (in the US at least).There are plenty of companies who make their hay selling quirky/retro/niche products to those who want them, and dont really offer anything outside that to attract other buyers/demographics. For example, I have this espresso machine.. This company is now owned by Iily, but for a long time they were indy and made only retro espresso machines. They eventually got bought out by a big company and became just one part of their product mix (kinda like MG and piaggio)Is it the best espresso machine on the market? Hell no. Does it have the strongest pump, the best boiler, does it pull the most consistent shots? No. But it's passable/competitive if operated correctly, it is very basic to use, it has no worthless bells & whistles, no 'convenience features' no timers, no automatic frothing settings. Just an on/off switch and a brew switch and a toggle hi/low/ temp control. Plus is looks funky and retro and its unique.I think Guzzi fills a similar niche, they sell a few thousand bikes a year, and at least pre-- they were making the parent company money, and were trending in an ok direction. Not every motorcycle company can be Honda. That's just peachy for me.As for the big blocks going away, I dont really care. The current gen has very similar engine layout, the 850 in the V85 is almost a strong as my 1100 Breva, and the bike weighs 100# less.If people wanted more CARC bikes and 1400 cruisers, they probably would have sold instead of languishing on dealer floors. Moto Guzzi has a strong seller in the v7 that pays homage to the company history, and the v85 and v9 are good variants off that. I dont know what ya'll expect. They arent going to continue making bikes that dont sell.
New Moto GuzzE.
Almost everytime I stop either of my Guzzi's anywhere in NC: gas station, parkway overlook, restaurant, coffee shop, bike night... someone asks me about it. I will say the v65 (which has a modern V7 tank on it and looks pretty much like a cafe'd V7) gets more looks, nods, questions, and 'my uncle had one of those' than the Breva. So some sort of brand awareness is there. I don't think this extends to the cruiser guzzi bikes, because if you dont know bikes, they just look like a Harley or a Japanese 'Harley knock-off' from 20ft away.
I guess that's because...1) It looks like a motorcycle. In contrast to the Breva, Griso, modern 'insects' with two wheels...Like in: a stereotypical standard motorcycle that in ages past any average Joe could ride.I guess your Ambo triggers a similar reaction? And...2) It does NOT look like a Harley and by extension you are not the stereotypical evil criminal that 'usually rides those'... :)Cheers,D.
No one can accurately predict the future...However, I can GUARANTEE you that I will NOT be owning an "electric Moto Guzzi" in my lifetime...
Never can be a while JJ. There may come a day we can’t get gasoline 🤔😂👍
Well looks like the Chicago area lost it's last Guzzi dealer. Future is bleak if they can't keep dealers.
Whoops # 2: Last two events I had to take the bike and drop it off, come back and pick it up when ready. So actually 2 more round trips which would be 7 X 4 = 28 hours. Little tired after todays events and didn't proof read before posting. Sorry. But you get my point, a lot of time involved.