New 20 ounce tumblers available now! Forum donation credit with purchase. https://www.wildguzzi.com/Products/products.htm#Tumbler
I have little interest in new Guzzis, but not because of parts sourcing. As Charlie said, the older Guzzis were made pretty much from all Italian parts. Like those snuff box switches that tended to melt.Just one thing-most US debt is held domestically. China had been the top nation holding US debt for a few years but Japan just got the top spot back.
And the Akront rims on the 1000S were made in Spain. The 91 1000S big block rims were known to split down the center of the rim which required a free change out at the dealer. :o
Sometimes it's nice to buy American Products that are made in The USA. Sometimes it's nice to buy Italian Products that are made in Italy. Etc., Etc.Heck, I don't even mind buying Japanese Products that are made in Japan!But I do get tired of going shopping for things like Justin Boots and seeing a "made in China" tag instead of "made in Texas USA" tag.One of the great things about Moto Guzzi has been that its in-country content was virtually 100% up until very recently. Sometimes when you buy something from someplace, you'd like it to be made in that place.
That´s a funny thread. I´m following it on my rugged, solid, nice and fast Dell Latitude laptop. It has a mark at it´s underside. It reads: Made in China.
I am keenly watching Moto Guzzi for their next line of bikes. My hopes are for an updated small block, with about 65 hp, ABS brakes, and keep the great looks and air cooled simple engine.
Oh, and there has been a problem in the Italian garment business for some time regarding the label Made in Italy. Evidently, Chinese labor has been imported to the country at slave labor wages to produce garments in Italy with the above label driving out other local businesses with Italian labor.
Funny stuff here. American riders of Italian motorcycles unhappy because of Chinese suppliers. :popPaul
People come in and say they want something good, premium, USA made, etc. I quote that, they then ask "Why does it cost so much?" We discuss features, attributes, benefits, etc. Then it almost always ends with "give me the cheap one."
I work in the auto parts world and when it comes to Chinese made parts there are a couple kinds. There is Chinese made that are made in American (or whatever other country) controlled factories. Those parts tend to be of good quality but cheaper in price because of the labor and cost of manufacture savings. The cheap junk is the stuff that is made and quality controlled in China, but depending on your sensibilities the low, low cost could make that a good option for you.Here is kind of a ranty section. I work in auto parts and I have this same conversation many times a day. People come in and say they want something good, premium, USA made, etc. I quote that, they then ask "Why does it cost so much?" We discuss features, attributes, benefits, etc. Then it almost always ends with "give me the cheap one." I think over time the word Value has changed. These days you see that work on cheap stuff. Value now means cheap. To me value is still a good product at a good price. Many people don't see that. so many of the business around us sell on price, price is being forced as the number one reason for buying and it shows in consumer behavior. So I guess I ask that anyone that buys stuff should know what is important to them. If you want the cheapest thing always. that's fine, but don't strut around acting like you want American made and high quality, you don't, you get what you pay for. If value is important, what do you value? Quality, buying convenience, professionals that can help you when you need it, good sales people, selection, these things all cost money, and are non conducive to a business model that runs cheap. When I go call on my customers I get professional shops that will tell me, You guys have the fastest service in town, and have professional parts people on the phone, That's Awesome!!! but xxx competitor is cheaper, their phone service is crap and they deliver slowly, if at all and are not professional. Why cant you be cheapest too.? Being the best is not a cheap operations plan. It costs money. I could get rid of my professionals, cut drivers and save some expense and use that to counter some cheaper parts cost. If I did that, where would we be?? What if everyone in the industry did that?? Everyone would be fighting for the bottom and leaving the Value customers out in the cold. At a managers meeting we had a speaker that talked about how in business you have two options. You can be the cheapest, or you can be the best. There is no room for the middle. I believe that whole heartedly. Would you shop at a place that had okay prices, lame sales people, and a mediocre selection?? There would be no benefit to someplace like this. Anyway. Sorry for all that, but it is something I live with at work and I think about a lot. Hopefully there was something reasonable in there.
Yours may be the best insights in this thread. Thanx.Personally, I prefer a bike with fewer whiz bang electronics. That's one reason I don't own a newer BMW or Ducati. I don't like having to take my Stelvio to the Dealer to get the TPS reset, but it shouldn't be necessary very often. My friends ride newer BMWs and their bikes are frequently in the shop for Problems with the overly complicated suspension or driving mode systems--No, thanks.
CRAP. I actually think that tuning and maintaining, at a basic level, a modern Guzzi, is both cheaper and easier than an old one.Others opinions may vary.Pete
Yes. I took the CX out for a long ride yesterday and when I got back home realized that one of the carbs needs to be a bit richer based on my guesstimation. When I owned my first fuel injected bike I found the technology to be intimidating and now I find working on carbs to be the same thing with the newer bikes being the easier of the two.
Guzzi's were built by people making decent wages, using parts made in Europe by folks making decent wages. Now they want premium money for non premium stuff. And they still cannot get it right out the door. Understand now Paul?