Is there anything about a Guzzi that merits bragging?

[drburt]

I've only owned 2 motorcycles in my life.
Started with a 98 Yamaha XV1100 Virago in Sept of 2015.
It was my learner bike. I enjoyed it. Nothin' to brag about.
Bought a 2001 EV this last summer.
I enjoy it. I love it. I don't have a list of bikes I've ridden/owned that I can compare it to.
I am totally happy and honestly don't think I'll ever own another brand.
But, what do Guzzi's do better?

Thanks,
Brent

[bikeridertim]

They go FOREVER! (mine has 145,000 miles) and handle GREAT!!   

[fotoguzzi]

they bring you into an elevated group of riders who are superior to any BMW or HD club..

[ArizonaPaul]

Not a single one of my friends owns one, they are unique. The Guzzi, not the friends.

[twowings]

What makes us love someone above any other when objective thinking confirms there are others that are may be smarter, prettier, more financially secure, or more clever?

Because the heart wants what the heart wants...it sometimes takes a lifetime to learn that.

[rboe]

There is simply no bike out there that visually hits you quite like the Tenni green Griso SE.

It can be argued that there are better looking bikes, better designed bikes, but the Tenni SE has to be lumped with one of the best looking bikes; at least in the modern age.

Also; Guzzi's in general, with their jugs out in the wind, makes working on them a breeze (no pun intended). Only hydraulic self adjusting valve lash could be easier.

Being Italian just about negates other bragging rights. 

[John A]

They are not faster than a lot of bikes but they can be ridden faster , especially in adverse conditions .

[TodkaVonic]

I don't know. I usually apologize for my Ambo. I say, yeah, she's a looker, alright, and she usually starts too. And then we all have a laugh and of course she starts perfectly and I ride off.  I think that people know it's special and I don't really feel like talking about it unless someone brings it up and even then I try to talk about their bike more than mine.

[Kev m]

Once you own a Guzzi you realize you've reached a level where bragging is unnecessary and insincere, unless you're the level of asshole that is the likes of Kanye West...

[Guzzistajohn]

Who is that Conway west dude anyway?

Best thing about a Guzzi? Rarely ever stolen😯

[ohiorider]

There is simply no bike out there that visually hits you quite like the Tenni green Griso SE.

It can be argued that there are better looking bikes, better designed bikes, but the Tenni SE has to be lumped with one of the best looking bikes; at least in the modern age.

Also; Guzzi's in general, with their jugs out in the wind, makes working on them a breeze (no pun intended). Only hydraulic self adjusting valve lash could be easier.

Being Italian just about negates other bragging rights. 

Though I no longer own the 2012 Griso 8vSE in Tenni Green/tan saddle, I must agree that, to me, it was the perfect combination of color, shape, and performance.  Case in point .... I was gassing up a few miles from home before heading out for the afternoon.  A lovely black Mercedes Benz with Florida tags pulled into the pumps directly behind me.  A distinguished silver haired gentleman left the passenger seat and walked up to me.  He commented about how lovely the Griso was, asked if it'd be ok to take a couple of pics.  Sure!  Then I asked what he rode, and he said  "nothing .... I don't ride.  But I'm on my way to visit a lifelong friend who owns several bikes, and I wanted him to see a bike that really caught my attention."

Ahhhh ..... Griso in Tenni Green .... one of a kind!

[mcdammitt]

Second longest manufacturer, second to HD. I've owner both, they both can make noise, but the Guzzi runs down the road smooth.

[twowings]

Second longest manufacturer, second to HD. I've owner both, they both can make noise, but the Guzzi runs down the road smooth.

Nope...sorry!

"In 1969, American Machine and Foundry (AMF) bought the company, streamlined production, and slashed the workforce. This tactic resulted in a labor strike and lower-quality bikes.[6] The bikes were expensive and inferior in performance, handling, and quality to Japanese motorcycles. Sales and quality declined, and the company almost went bankrupt.[6] The "Harley-Davidson" name was mocked as "Hardly Ableson", "Hardly Driveable," and "Hogly Ferguson" - Source: Wikipedia

[Ncdan]

Second longest manufacturer, second to HD. I've owner both, they both can make noise, but the Guzzi runs down the road smooth.

MC, I stand to be corrected but I think MG is the longest continuous MC company in the world as HD has not been continueous. If my HD history is correct they shut down at least twice. I stand to be corrected however.

[Kev m]

Nope...sorry!

"In 1969, American Machine and Foundry (AMF) bought the company, streamlined production, and slashed the workforce. This tactic resulted in a labor strike and lower-quality bikes.[6] The bikes were expensive and inferior in performance, handling, and quality to Japanese motorcycles. Sales and quality declined, and the company almost went bankrupt.[6] The "Harley-Davidson" name was mocked as "Hardly Ableson", "Hardly Driveable," and "Hogly Ferguson" - Source: Wikipedia

Since when is the sale of a company that never ceased operations and even kept most employees and facilities not considered continuous?

Silly argument against the Moco.

[jas67]

My Guzzis certainly have started more conversations than any other modern-era bike that I've owned.

One time, I was waiting at a traffic light atop my 2009 V7 Classic, and elderly Italian gentleman walks up beside me smiling, and very excited.    I pulled over and listen to his stories for a short while.   He rode Moto Guzzi's when he was "a longer man, in the old country."   

You just don't get that with a BMW or a Honda (two other makes that I also own and enjoy).

[drburt]

Once you own a Guzzi you realize you've reached a level where bragging is unnecessary and insincere, unless you're the level of asshole that is the likes of Kanye West...

I'm not sure how to take this, but to set the record straight, I wasn't looking to be arrogant about Guzzi ownership. I was wondering what a Guzzi might do better than another brand.

I consider Kanye as an arrogant ass also. I hope you weren't insinuating that I am too...
Bragging was probably a bad choice of words.

[Mooney78865]

Once you own a Guzzi you realize you've reached a level where bragging is unnecessary and insincere, unless you're the level of asshole that is the likes of Kanye West...

+1

[kingoffleece]

You're good I'd wager.

This is a great bunch.  We are very fond of our Guzzis but you'll find most of us have or have had several brands of motorcycle and can appreciate all of them.

[Matteo]

MC, I stand to be corrected but I think MG is the longest continuous MC company in the world as HD has not been continueous. If my HD history is correct they shut down at least twice. I stand to be corrected however.

Guzzi is made in The oldest continuously  operating factory.

[Kev m]

I'm not sure how to take this, but to set the record straight, I wasn't looking to be arrogant about Guzzi ownership. I was wondering what a Guzzi might do better than another brand.

I consider Kanye as an arrogant ass also. I hope you weren't insinuating that I am too...
Bragging was probably a bad choice of words.

No offence meant my new friend.

Guess I'm trying to say that you've reached a level that requires excessive humbleness. [emoji6]

Or stated another way the thing about Guzzi is the uniqueness.

It's not the fastest.

It's not the most expensive.

It's not the lightest.

It's not even the best kept secret, though sometimes it feels close.

But it DOES MEAN you're not a sheeple.

You don't buy the cheapest, easiest, most popular, or best spec sheet bs.

It means you're looking for that something else, and you're smart enough to find it even if most will never know it exists.

You recognize life is too short to be dull and bored.

What's it "best" at? It's best at not being EVERYTHING ELSE....

... And to some that's EVERYTHING!


EDIT - thanks for pointing out the typo Foto

[fotoguzzi]

You recognize life is too short to be dull and bored..

What's it "best" at? It's best at not being EVERYTHING ELSE....

... And to some that's EVERYTHING!

well said!

[Adk.IBO]

This is a great bunch.  We are very fond of our Guzzis but you'll find most of us have or have had several brands of motorcycle and can appreciate all of them.

 :1:

[drburt]

No offence meant my new friend.
Guess I'm trying to say that you've reached a level that requires excessive humbleness. [emoji6]
Or stated another way the thing about Guzzi is the uniqueness.
It's not the fastest.
It's not the most expensive.
It's not the lightest.
It's not even the best kept secret, though sometimes it feels close.
But it DOES MEAN you're not a sheeple.
You don't buy the cheapest, easiest, most popular, or best spec sheet bs.
It means you're looking for that something else, and you're smart enough to find it even if most will never know it exists.
You recognize life is too short to be dull and board.
What's it "best" at? It's best at not being EVERYTHING ELSE....
... And to some that's EVERYTHING!

Thanks Kev.
Very well put.
An awesome answer that is the essence of why I believe a Guzzi will always be my ride.

I never wanted to ride, until I saw a Guzzi.
(hey, where's that Marketing Idea thread. This would make a great slogan!)

[fotoguzzi]

(hey, where's that Marketing Idea thread. This would make a great slogan!)

search is your friend..  "MG, our wheels turn heads"

[boatdetective]

chicks dig them

[fotoguzzi]

chicks dig them

[Matteo]

Ann Margret on a Guzzi with a goat. It doesn't get any better,

[Moto]

I think something I read way back when about Guzzi was true for a long time, and maybe is a good starting point.

Guzzi never really cared what Americans wanted, or seemingly what anyone besides their own designers thought was best. They were resolved to believe in their own vision and make as many motorcycles as the market could take, on their terms. Therefore the bikes seemed quirky and the management seemed at best ambivalent about wanting to sell them to us. You had to find out pretty much on your own that you were the kind of odd duck that likes a Guzzi. Nobody could explain it to you, and you can't explain it to anyone who asks you what their bragging points might be.

There aren't any bragging points. Guzzisti don't brag and they don't care what you think.

Moto

[bad Chad]

I think Guzzi is able to be more things to more riders than any other brand.

The manner and ways Guzzista choose to run their Guzzi amazes me.  Really, come up with a sub class of motorcycle, and there has been a Guzzi either made from the factory, or adapted to fill the niche.   Same goes for their operators, never a more eclectic group, who share a passion have I come across!

Guzzi seems to have a spark of life in its DNA that makes it stand alone from the packs.