If you ran Moto Guzzi, what changes would you make?

[roadventure]

If you were in put in charge at Moto Guzzi, what changes would you make to improve the brand and operations?

1. develop a legitimate dealer network in the U.S.

2. provide real, meaningful support to those dealers.

[Guzzistaracing]

Im still flogging this dead horse: Start making a new liquid cooled engine! With the stricter emissions regulations I realy dont see why they havent done this. The coming 100th celebrations it would be a golden opportunity. I would start with a 1000cc twin and an 1100cc tripple. Put the latter in a new bike with the styling of the MGS 01 and the first in a new Le mans. I would allso keep the V7 and V85 as is.
 

[mr_pacman]

Like mine eh! its been tubeless since the first tire change

How did you manage that? Did you put rim tape on it like the bicyclists do with their tubeless tires?

[not-fishing]

Bring back a 500cc bacon slicer with updated upside down forks, single disc brake front and rear, spoked wheels, 18" aluminum rims, keep the underslung rear suspension but upgrade to modern shock with adjustable damping throw on the scissor dampers for looks, single sprung seat, a big single instrument and a bigger LED headlight, chromed steel tank and paint everything else red.

Yes!!!!  Butt add Green paint as an option

[Phil/TX]

Hire test riders with longer legs and shorter torsos.

[Hymes Inc.]

No clue. Have all kinds of ideas pertaining to specific bike I'd like.  But obviously not everyone likes the same kind of bike. Wouldn't know where to start with cruisers. Are we still trying to keep MG profitable, if it even is currently?

[Huzo]

Honestly..
Who would suggest something like that..?

[egschade]

Hire test riders with longer legs and shorter torsos.

And who weigh over 150 lbs!

[MMRanch]

I've seen some confusing comments in this thread ???

It seems like some of you fellers want Guzzi to Start selling made-over Honda's as Guzzi's ??? 

What I'm getting at is the fact that : 

The Guzzi V-7 ain't never going to compete on the track with a Suzuki GSX-R 750  in line 4.
We all know where to get a GSX-R ... if that is what ya want !

But I bought a Guzzi --- because its a Guzzi --- not a Suzuki .

So , Yeaaaa !  for Guzzi for keeping their heartiage PURE ,
But
Guzzi - can ya step-up the Quality Control a couple notches ???

[Joliet Jim]

I'd like to see all the V11s brought back with updated parts and tech. a modern Nero Corsa and a hydro Cali. The main reason I still have my Centauro and Cali Stone are because since the V11 Lemans there's been nothing that made me go wow and we'll all be dead before our Cali 1100s wear out

[redhawk47]

Better dealer relationships, which would increase the number of dealerships.
Lenient warranty decisions and free overnight delivery of warranty parts.
No minimum order requirements for parts.
Allow dealers decide which makes, models, and quantities they want to stock. 
Better control over production to match sales; so they are not dumping last year's models at low prices which cuts into this year's sales and dealer margins.
More advertising: moto mags, sports and outdoor mags, television, dealer test ride days, moto rallies, etc.

Things to NOT change:
Encourage Mom & Pop shops to become dealers
Do not insist on, or even encourage "boutique" dealerships.
Do not hire managers from Harley, BWM and other major manufacturers.   

Bottom line:
Treat the dealers better.
Encourage more dealers.
Educated motorcyclists and the general public about Moto Guzzi.

[Huzo]

The Guzzi V-7 ain't never going to compete on the track with a Suzuki GSX-R 750  in line 4.
We all know where to get a GSX-R ... if that is what ya want !

Nup, that won’t fly..
We buy the Guzzi that closest fits our needs, because that’s what they currently make, so we’ve no other choice.
That sporty looking thing would sell like V85’s because it’s a Guzzi and it looks good. We all know that a GSXR will hose it on a track, but we are not on a track. An Aprilia RSV1000 will thrash a Griso to death anywhere, but blokes still by Griso’s.
You buy a bike because you damn well want it and to hell with the reasoning, if that was not true why would anyone buy a V85 over the comparable BMW which is demonstrably superior ?
Also I’d wager that there’ll be blokes who could hand that GSXR owner his own arse on a mountain road equipped with that V85 Sports jigger, they could probably do it on a V85..
There will always be those blokes.
If we all wanted the “best’ bike out there, we’d all be on the same bike.
I could have a new BMW GS for what I have in my V85, but I choose to say no thanks.
I want something outside the square.

[SIR REAL ED]

Sell kit bikes.

1. pick your chassis
2. pick your suspension package
3. pick your wheels
4. pick your seat, gas tank, instruments, misc stuff
5. pick your cans of spray paint
6. give us your shipping address

[Dave Swanson]

I'd like to see all the V11s brought back with updated parts and tech. a modern Nero Corsa and a hydro Cali. The main reason I still have my Centauro and Cali Stone are because since the V11 Lemans there's been nothing that made me go wow and we'll all be dead before our Cali 1100s wear out

Agree!  A well sorted Hydro motor is a beautiful thing!  Just when it was perfected MG killed it.   

And a modern variant of the V11 makes my heart beat a bit faster. 

[keener]

1. develop a legitimate dealer network in the U.S.

2. provide real, meaningful support to those dealers.

              the only solution ....then build carc bikes again with big blocks

[Perazzimx14]

You want to know how Guzzi could make 10 million dollars?? Invest 100 million into trying to establish reliable plentiful dealer network!



 

[ampm7]

All good suggestions, as we all love Guzzi in our own perverted ways! I just went in to the dealership that does my tire re-dos-I don't bring the bike in just the tires-and they had very little in the way of street bikes. I asked the salesman what was going on. Yamaha is not making a bunch of bikes, they dropped Triumph several years ago because the CEO was an idiot requiring more floor space dedicated to their bikes, off road bikes are selling and 4 wheelers so they have changed their inventory to reflect sales as I am sure some Guzzi dealers have done. What Guzzi needs to do is come up with a water-cooled design which they have had on the books for years! Just do it! Keep the small bikes as they are but have some higher horsepower bikes that have some MGS-01 pedigree in them. (The MGS-01 was one of the best looking bikes after I saw one in person). That 1400 motor on the Eldo and Cali is a peach and the numbers do not speak about any of the real performance of that motor. And back up your dealers for sake! Make parts easy available, pay your dealers promptly and get the Guzzi name out there in the media. Guzzi has a fabulous history with a lot of ups and downs which could be capitalized on plus the location of the factory which is in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

[Bulldog9]

Im still flogging this dead horse: Start making a new liquid cooled engine! With the stricter emissions regulations I realy dont see why they havent done this. The coming 100th celebrations it would be a golden opportunity. I would start with a 1000cc twin and an 1100cc tripple. Put the latter in a new bike with the styling of the MGS 01 and the first in a new Le mans. I would allso keep the V7 and V85 as is.
 

A Guzzi Triple?!?  I can see a water cooled twin (with fins) but not a triple.

[Huzo]

A Guzzi Triple?!?  I can see a water cooled twin (with fins) but not a triple.

Milyard probably has one in the garden shed.

[AH Fan]

I've seen some confusing comments in this thread ???

It seems like some of you fellers want Guzzi to Start selling made-over Honda's as Guzzi's ??? 

What I'm getting at is the fact that : 

The Guzzi V-7 ain't never going to compete on the track with a Suzuki GSX-R 750  in line 4.
We all know where to get a GSX-R ... if that is what ya want !

But I bought a Guzzi --- because its a Guzzi --- not a Suzuki .

So , Yeaaaa !  for Guzzi for keeping their heartiage PURE ,
But
Guzzi - can ya step-up the Quality Control a couple notches ???

Yup.......... Agreed.

Ciao

[blackcat]

Buy or develop a Motus type engine, 180hp with 123 ft.pounds of torque. Then build a foundation that can be adapted for a sport, cruise or adventure bike for an economic production.

http://americanv4.com/

 

[mobiker]

Buy or develop a Motus type engine, 180hp with 123 ft.pounds of torque. Then build a foundation that can be adapted for a sport, cruise or adventure bike for an economic production.

http://americanv4.com/

I can't see Guzzi doing it, but it would be nice to see somebody use that Motus engine in a bike.

[MMRanch]

Huzo
  If we all wanted the “best’ bike out there, we’d all be on the same bike. 
................... ...........

No ,   we all wouldn't all have the same bike.   Me for one has had so much pain from multi  carb-ed bikes that I never want another four carb-ed machine.     

[Huzo]

Huzo
  If we all wanted the “best’ bike out there, we’d all be on the same bike. 
................... ...........

No ,   we all wouldn't all have the same bike.   Me for one has had so much pain from multi  carb-ed bikes that I never want another four carb-ed machine.     

There is only one “best” bike if you apply a common template.
The great thing is, we all have a different template. Now all that any manufacturer has to do, is determine which template we ALL want to use.

[Joliet Jim]

Huzo
  If we all wanted the “best’ bike out there, we’d all be on the same bike. 
................... ...........

No ,   we all wouldn't all have the same bike.   Me for one has had so much pain from multi  carb-ed bikes that I never want another four carb-ed machine.     

kind of the way I feel about old Triumph Triples, one more of everything to break down compared to the twins

[Huzo]

kind of the way I feel about old Triumph Triples, one more of everything to break down compared to the twins

Ahh yes..!
But with a triple, you can stagger home as a twin, not a single.
BTW..
I did 75,000 on my Sprint ST 1050 and it never played up ONCE...!

[Green1000S]

If you don't want to invest and support a proper dealer network, parts, warranty claims and your customers in reasonable way.... Pull the plug off the wall.

[bacongrease]

 Customer support.   

[Huzo]

If you don't want to invest and support a proper dealer network, parts, warranty claims and your customers in reasonable way.... Pull the plug off the wall.

And stop buying parts, tyres etc... Off the damn internet to save a couple of lousy bucks.
These guys who buy their tyres and stuff online, have them delivered to their door then expect the shop to still be open on a Saturday morning when they are in need of something..NOW...!
Don’t starve the poor buggers, then complain ‘cos they have “gone under..”
Another thing that shits me to tears, are guys who say..”I’m not gunna’ buy a brand new bike and suffer the depreciation immediately, better to buy a low k’s used one..”
That’s a good way to keep your beloved brand viable..
(The preceding comments are observational only and not offered as a commentary to Green1000S’ post...Sounds like an infomercial..)

[Shorty]

From my wrinkled old view, smaller bikes are heating up. Old guys trading down. Budget entry bikes. Honda making monkey bikes again, and those CT125s. Groms. BMW G310. How hard would it be for Guzzi to sell some small, traditional looking  bikes to get some sales in that bracket? They could partner with another quality company and rebadge if needed. Give young people a reason to enter a dealership.  Get some girls (preferably without mustaches   ) to appear in the adverts that were created by people in/from the targeted market region. Don't think that American customers will understand or be moved by something written by an Italian ad writer who once spent a weekend in the Bay Area, and thinks he understands us.