New Dealer visit and other ramblings.

[tonUPRacer]

I finally had a free hour to sneak over to our new Guzzi Dealership here in NE Wisconsin, Metro Motorcycles. I had ridden by the shop hundreds if not thousands of times because it is visible just off HWY 41 (our freeway). The building from the highway never impressed me, it always gave me the impression that they just sold used bikes and probably mostly scooters for that matter. So just never chose to check it out. Well now they are carrying Guzzi, so I have to pay them a visit.

I'm thinking it should be easy access, since its right on the frontage road, WRONG! There is no exit ramp that is easily accessed, you have to be about either 2 miles S or N to get to the frontage road, so that's a negative, but not huge, just inconvenient. So I finally find the right exit and frontage road and on my approach to the dealership about .5 miles away, there is a huge barricade, ROAD CLOSED. And trust me they weren't kidding, there was a gravel path, a very poor one so I thought no, let's try approaching from the other direction. Made big loop to approach from the South and this time the barricades were within site of the building so I ventured on.

I had never taken my Racer off-road, and trust me this qualified; huge ruts, loose sand, big rocks and a few puddles for good measure. OK, big negative, do you think anyone with a nice car or less nerve would ride in? I doubt it. I'd be really pissed at the county or city or whoever is doing the job, the access road is horrible. But I bounced along and safely parked in front of the brick building that was probably a low-class strip club in its former life. I realize I'm painting a negative picture here, but these were my impressions.

On entering the building I did find a whole slew of Guzzi's right up front as you walk in, well at least it was worth the effort, I thought. They had at least 6 V7s, including a Stornello, Scramblers, Stones, and Racer. They also an Audace, Roamer and Bobber lined up. A really nice selection. The first person to greet me was another customer, (there were only 2 of us visible in the store), he apparently thought I worked there. I was equally confused because I thought maybe he worked there. OK so we figured out that neither of us worked there, and about a minute later a young lady probably early twenties greeted us.

I excused myself since I really wasn't looking for a new bike and the young man sounded like he was. I went back to the Guzzi line-up and she guided him back to the Kaws, etc. This was my first time seeing the new V9 and the Scramber's as well as the Audace. I was favorably impressed by all of them. I thought the Roamer and Bobber were nicely done, but I just didn't care for their stance or more appropriately my riding position.  I like clip-ons. The bikes finishes looked to be high quality and the V9 engine really is impressive to see. I wish I could have demo'ed one, but with the road conditions it's obvious they weren't letting that happen.

Meantime, I was doing some eavesdropping of the new customer, he was a new rider, coming off a scooter. His friends rode crotch rockets so he didn't want a cruiser. The sales person (yeah she's a girl) appropriately pointed him to some 250/500cc entry level road bikes. He didn't seem to like what he was seeing. She then came to chat me up, I told her I already ride a Guzzi and she went to the door to check out my Racer. We chatted a bit about dealerships, their entry to Guzzi and the like. She said she didn't know much about the bikes and that the guy who did was not there. Not much help. I was running out of time, since I spent most of my free hour trying to GET to the dealer, so I had to leave after making a cursory loop around the the dimly lit store. They had a mix of Moto X stuff (they carry Beta and Ural too), and a pretty decent selection of tools, and parts like brake pads etc. Most of the stuff I saw looked to be low-mid range price point. Helmets were HJC, Speed/Strength, etc. I peeked into the shop area and it was well-lit, clean and large. I think a mechanic owns/runs the shop based on what I saw. Which isn't a bad thing, but product displays were not very well organized or attractive.

All in all, I will go back and buy something, anything, to help them out, and make it my first stop for parts/supplies. I really regretted not going back to the young man and telling him to check a V7 out, since the sales girl wasn't about to. Oh well, next time I'm there, I'll try to sell one if they don't.

Andy

[Kev m]

Interesting, hope they make it.

I wouldn't hold my breath for a place like that around here.

Heck a Honda shop closed just up the road this past year.

And, the closest MC dealer to me these days WAS a Kawasaki/Suzuki/Triumph dealer and I was hoping I'd eventually buy a Triumph from them. But sadly they dropped Triumph this year and added Yamaha.

All they would tell me about Triumph was they have already sold more Yamahas in a few months than they sold Triumphs in a few years. Obviously we're never going to see a Guzzi dealer anywhere nearby.

I still have 3 Harley dealers all under an hour from me, but none are really convenient.

And Guzzi, well, I gotta go to another state for that.

[jackthebiker]

I bought a used 2013 V7 from a guy in Stevens Point. He purchased it from Rose Farm by Chicago and had it serviced there twice. (700 and 1900 miles over a two year period) That was about a 195 mile hike for him. I also stopped by the Neenah dealer and have high hopes for them as it would only be about 95 miles for me instead of 220 miles to Rose Farm. The bike had 2100 miles on it when I bought it and now has 3300 miles. So I have a while to get to 6000 miles for the next service. So if anybody knows anything about their service  department speak up. I usually do my own oil/filter change and other fluids but have not messed with valves for years and do not want to. Also need to find out about a little surging going on at steady slow speeds. I talked to that girl too, she needs to be more assertive, but at least she is attractive. 

[mjptexas]

.....And Guzzi, well, I gotta go to another state for that.

Kev,

What's the big deal? Up north with all those little bitty states it takes what, 45 minutes to get to the next state? 

[oldbike54]

Kev,

What's the big deal? Up north with all those little bitty states it takes what, 45 minutes to get to the next state? 

 Heck Mike , a couple of those states only take 15 minutes to travel across 

 Dusty

[lucydad]

Yep:  someone needs to think about the customer.  Access to a shop is important--maybe communicate a bit?

Our mega dealer in Houston struggles with sales.  Saturday they are having a bikini Ducati girl wash gambit.  Free food likely.  Test rides of course.  Anything to get a crowd in the door with feels like temperatures way above 100F.   

Normally walk in their door:  no greeting, no can I help you, no nothing.  Miles of beautiful Kawasakis, Triumphs, Ducatis and Yamahas and huge selection of used iron. Nothing.  Hence why they are trying to hire sales staff?  Something is not clicking.

Anyway I would trade you.  Houston, with number 4 USA metro population:  no Moto Guzzi dealer.  Really?  Come on Mandello, get your act together.

Hacks me off I have to go to Austin to see a V9.  I am thankful MPH still does service.  If they did not:  I would likely end the brand relationship.

[leafman60]

Yes, Houston is a huge market.  Not having a Guzzi dealer there tells you something.

Bottom line is that Moto Guzzi bikes just do not sell.

[tonUPRacer]

I bought a used 2013 V7 from a guy in Stevens Point. He purchased it from Rose Farm by Chicago and had it serviced there twice. (700 and 1900 miles over a two year period) That was about a 195 mile hike for him. I also stopped by the Neenah dealer and have high hopes for them as it would only be about 95 miles for me instead of 220 miles to Rose Farm. The bike had 2100 miles on it when I bought it and now has 3300 miles. So I have a while to get to 6000 miles for the next service. So if anybody knows anything about their service  department speak up. I usually do my own oil/filter change and other fluids but have not messed with valves for years and do not want to. Also need to find out about a little surging going on at steady slow speeds. I talked to that girl too, she needs to be more assertive, but at least she is attractive.

I bought my bike from Rose Farm and that is where I have gone for my warranty work (final drive seal), break in service, and map updates. I also do my own fluids and have done the valves (never did valvles before) and thought is was pretty straight-forward. If I do need shop service I will talk to them first and basically interview them to see if I'll trust my bike in their shop, otherwise I'll hike to Rose Farm about 150 miles for me. Jim (Rose Farm) did say that the shop in Madison would be a good option. So if Metro doesn't make it, there's that option. I've not bee to the Madison shop. As I said in my post, I'm going to shop at our new place and hopefully get a chance to see a Guzzi dealer here for many years to come.

[Kev m]

Kev,

What's the big deal? Up north with all those little bitty states it takes what, 45 minutes to get to the next state? 

In theory, but you forget traffic. Sadly the dealers in PA are only 50 and 75 miles away, but that can mean HOURS with traffic.

[PJPR01]

Yes, Houston is a huge market.  Not having a Guzzi dealer there tells you something.

Bottom line is that Moto Guzzi bikes just do not sell.

Lamborghini's and Ferrari's sell like hot cakes here in Houston...it's a shame there aren't even a dozen more people a year to buy 1 Guzzi...

[leafman60]

Lamborghini's and Ferrari's sell like hot cakes here in Houston...it's a shame there aren't even a dozen more people a year to buy 1 Guzzi...

Those types are going to buy a Ducati or a gadget-laden BMW.

[Dilliw]

It's just a matter of time before direct manufacturer sales of motorcycle becomes a reality and Guzzi would be a perfect candidate for the approach given its small footprint.  They've already blootooth'd the new models so smart phone diagnostics from a common service center would be an easy next step.  Then they could arrange for service at a local dealer similar to how those national extended warranties work. 

http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/article/tesla-effect-future-motorcycle-sales?page=0,1

 

[swooshdave]

I don't think Guzzi has ever had a good dealer network. They seem to be willing to take anyone on as a dealer without regards to the location, service or support.

[twowings]

In the last three days, 5 people have approached me while stopped at the gas station, waiting in line for the pilot car, and at the Osage Tag Agency in Pawhuska with questions about the Norge...1 older gentleman did recognize the name Moto Guzzi but most were very complimentary about the look and sound of the bike and wondering 'Where do ya get them damn things?' (Okie-speak for 'Is there a dealer nearby?').

I directed them to Brookside MC here in Tulsa and also talked up Moto International 'cause 1 guy seemed to love the 'fly-n-ride' concept especially after I mentioned MI's airline ticket rebate program..

I think many of Guzzi's best bikes were built during the waning years of motorcycle enthusiasm and they got hit MUCH harder being a small manufacturer while Hardly, Hunduh, Yammerhammer, and Suzicycle could absorb the sales losses...

Here in the deep Midwest, exotic Italian machinery probably still carries the taint of 'European' and 'socialism' and 'they ain't like us', unfortunately...

[jackthebiker]

I bought my used 2013 V7 a couple of weeks ago as a "testing the waters". I have had 39 motorcycles and 11 different brands. The last several years have been big heavy cruisers and touring bikes. At 64 I know longer want to ride a big heavy bike. After over 1000 miles in the last two weeks I can't get off of the Guzzi. My Indian Chieftain has been sitting. I love the upright sitting position and if I sell the Chieftain a Norge may be in my future.

[lucian]

Kev,

What's the big deal? Up north with all those little bitty states it takes what, 45 minutes to get to the next state? 

 :1: I prefer my dealer be at least 2 hours away. What a great excuse to ride for four hours and hang out at a bike shop all day. Works for me.

[Cool Runnings]

In the last three days, 5 people have approached me while stopped at the gas station, waiting in line for the pilot car, and at the Osage Tag Agency in Pawhuska with questions about the Norge...1 older gentleman did recognize the name Moto Guzzi but most were very complimentary about the look and sound of the bike and wondering 'Where do ya get them damn things?' (Okie-speak for 'Is there a dealer nearby?').

I directed them to Brookside MC here in Tulsa and also talked up Moto International 'cause 1 guy seemed to love the 'fly-n-ride' concept especially after I mentioned MI's airline ticket rebate program..

I think many of Guzzi's best bikes were built during the waning years of motorcycle enthusiasm and they got hit MUCH harder being a small manufacturer while Hardly, Hunduh, Yammerhammer, and Suzicycle could absorb the sales losses...

Here in the deep Midwest, exotic Italian machinery probably still carries the taint of 'European' and 'socialism' and 'they ain't like us', unfortunately...

U 4got Kwacker. 

[Kev m]

:1: I prefer my dealer be at least 2 hours away. What a great excuse to ride for four hours and hang out at a bike shop all day. Works for me.

That sound all well and good if it's a pleasant, backroads 2 hours and not a traffic snarled two hours of highways.

Not to mention that completely makes it a huge pia on the rare occasion you might need to drop it off to have something done (say a warranty repair). I can think of so many better ways to spend 4 or 8 hours (drop off/pick up) with my wife away from the kids.