Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Joliet Jim on January 08, 2021, 08:14:01 PM
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If you bought a new Guzzi and still have it, is the dealer that sold it to you still around and selling Guzzi? Mine's gone and I think all of BadChads are gone. Hopefully if you bought one in the last couple of years they're still around.
2002 Stone from South Suburban Triumph BMW Guzzi in South Chicago Heights
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Mine has gone -- died a couple years ago, but he was 93 years old, and had opened his dealership in that same location in 1953.
PhilB
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Still around... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Please don't take this too negative as in my case it was mostly bad timing as I did buy from a good dealer at the time and have no complaints. Things just went south for them not long after my purchase.
GliderJohn
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Nope, retired.
my local dealer sold out to BMW and dropped Moto Guzzi soon after. Was selling the scooters and Aprilla's, but no Moto Guzzi's. Haven't been there in a couple of years, but the Moto Guzzi logo's have been removed from his building.
Old Head
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Bought mine used from a BMW Triumph dealer. They closed a few weeks later, shutting the doors without even telling the employees.
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3rd generation running the dealership where I got mine. They aren’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean they will continue their relationship with Italy in the future.
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Bought my latest new Guzzi a year and a half ago from Cadre Cycle in Cincinnati and I am pretty sure they are still there. :thumb:
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I have never bought a new one in 32 years of Guzzis. No particular reason, just never have. Bought a new Triumph from a guy that is deceased. RIP Randy Lusk!
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Purchased my Griso new in 2016. The dealer is still around, but they no longer sell the Guzzi brand.
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Actually my most recent Guzzi was purchased new in December 2019 from Cadre Cycle. They are still at it, and apparently doing quite well.
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Bought mine new n 2013 at Newport Italian. No longer exist.
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Purchased my V7 III from Wide World Motorsports a.k.a. Wayne Indian and MG. They moved to West Chester, PA and are now Motoplex so technically they're still around but no longer in NJ. Been told the owner has a 'habit' of closing and re-opening in different locations. My deal went smoothly and I got a good price.
There's a new MG dealer in NJ - Indian and MG of Monmouth. We'll see if they stick around. Most NJ folks have given up on the local come-and-go dealers and work with Hamlin's in CT who as many know, is a top-notch dealer and person.
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Purchased two from Hamlin Cycles-if there is ever a third I'll buy there again.
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I bought my V7 and Norge from Moto International. GONE
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Donaldson's Cycles in St Louis sold Moto Guzzi for many years and then someone else opened up another dealership not far from Carl, (Vespa St, Louis) and then Carl decided to quit the line.
Vespa St Louis didn't stay in business very long.
We have another dealer - and I have purchased several Moto Guzzi from them, but their service department sucks so bad that I would warn against it. Seriously.
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I bought my 2020 Coast Guard V85 from Aprilia Moto Guzzi Portland (Oregon) in August 2019. They closed up shop not too long after.
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I sure hope he's still around, he's storing my bike for the winter!
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2 from Cadre so far. It is a very hard needle to thread running a successful motorcycle business with small brands. I am grateful for the ones that manage to do so. Below is a story about a dealership that went out.
We lost our BMW dealer in Cincinnati in 2005 right after BMW restyled (debatable looks) and repriced (20% higher) the RT model. The then dealer confided in me that their entire region of 13 dealers sold 12 bikes total that fall quarter. That dealer had moved to that location in the late 90s from a successful small shop at the "encouragement" of BMW corporate as they wanted to follow the Harley model of huge stores with many bikes and accessories. The rent was $7,000 a month for that huge place. Cincinnati gets cold in the winter, so the utilities must have been a large expense as well. Of course, BMW "strongly encouraged" dealers to be exclusive. So, no wave runners, wildly popular "quads" at the time or snow mobiles to sell and service in the off months.
BMW at the time sold about 1/10th the number of Harleys so the inevitable happened. Too much expense, not enough revenue. As a hardcore BMW rider at that time, I was not happy. The next nearest BMW dealers were each 100 miles away, take your pick. Cincinnati is famous for a large German heritage with lots of descendants of immigrants from the early 20th century, so there was built in love for the machines and still gone. I put the blame on BMW corporate for this blunder.
Think well of your MG dealer and try to support him or her.
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Yes.
Marietta Sportscar and Cycle. Marietta, Georgia.
Bought new a 2015 GRiSO in Feb of 2016.
Guzzi Steve did setup and first service, probably why at 31,000 miles I've had such a wonderful experience with this bike.
Update: Guzzi Steve still around, though not at this dealer. Dealer's loss..
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Drum roll for the walk down memory lane Atlanta style. This is what I remember off the top of my head. I'm sure Wayne and the other Steve will add a few more.
I moved here in 1992 and there was Cycle specialities in Athens.
Then the greedy local Guzzi rep set up Blue Moon and a Kawasaki dealer not far away at the same basic time telling them they were exclusive. We all know that both told him to shove it soon after.
Then there was I believe factory Sponsered shop around Bells ferry area for a short time.
A Honda multi-line dealer near Roswell.
Atlanta Triumph.
The scooter store.
Riders Hill, the best ever.
Marietta sports car that has morphed into Marietta Vespa.
And stick Zen Moto in the center or so. I had forgotten about him.
So at least 11 in 28 years or about 2.5 years each. About average I'd say
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The only one in NC claims to still be a Guzzi dealer. However a few months ago I attempted to get some basic maintenance done on my 02 Stone and the service manager told me himself that at the time he had no certified MG mechanic and didn’t know when or if the business was going to send another one to get certified. He recommended that I try and get my Stone worked on elsewhere else. In jest I posted NC no longer had a dealer and a couple guys here called their sales person there and of course was advised the dealership was still in full swing.
BS was and still my response, not after what the service manager told me. And not no but Hell no I wouldn’t buy a new MG from them.
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Haven't bought a new bike since 94, I have what I like to ride. The dealers are all gone. Who says you have to buy a new bike, all social bullsh*t.
I would still be working for dealer but for the drive. After 9 more years here driving to the dealers I had enough traffic. 70mi one way for 2 of them and 50mi for the last. And I lost a Commanche(crash) in the drive, always 2hrs ea way cause of the traffic.
Brad, MG Tech Rep asked me if I would go to Athens if dealer opened, Yes, be right there, no traffic & 25mi.
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The Triumph street triple I bought in 2012 was from a dealer that no longer sells Triumph.
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I bought a new leftover 2007 in 2011 and a 2012 in 2012 from two separate dealers. Neither are open nor have been for years.
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Yes, Still open...I bought a 2020 TT Travel from Gateway Cycles in Mount Sterling Kentucky...relative ly new to Guzzi's and I've had an outstanding experience with them so far. I would recommend Carl and his team to anyone. Too far for my dealer warrantee service so I'll be gong to Fox Motors in Grand Rapids. They have been around and selling Guzzi's for a long time, huge shop with many breeds/quads/snow machines to keep them diverse and hopefully continually stable.
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Bought a 2010 Classic and a 2013 V7 Stone from Downers Grove Vespa and they quit. Was going to buy a new one from Windy City this year but they gone too.
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Local dealer is long gone! First to go was Triumph, then Guzzi. Finally RE. All of the distributers were pushing for palatial showrooms and huge inventories. A 'Mom & Pop' business couldn't make it on just ATV parts and repair.
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Dunn’s Imports in Madison still working on bikes but not a dealer any more.Great shop and people but Nobody can make a living selling Guzzis.Dave Richardson explained how difficult it was before he quit in his book.
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If you bought a new Guzzi and still have it, is the dealer that sold it to you still around and selling Guzzi?
LOL!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, you make me laugh.
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Bought my GRiSO from Moto international, now gone.
Bought my Storenello from extreme Powersports in accident Maryland, they are still open.
All my other Guzzi purchases were Private sales.
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I’ve bought more used than new, but have bought a couple of new ones.
I remember when GP talked Sonny Angel (who was inactive) into consenting to a second Guzzi dealer in the same area... that was their first franchise after MZ, I think about 25 years ago. Without knowing for sure I’d imagine that after that long period they must now be the highest volume US Guzzi dealer (?)
GP hates dealing with Piaggio as far as I understand it, to the extent that when Piaggio asked the dealer group what they thought the biggest problem with their business might be, the owner of GP stood up at a national dealer conference and said “you are, you are my biggest problem”. But it’s a business and at the end of the day they are apparently still making money dealing with Piaggio.
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Donaldson's Cycles in St Louis sold Moto Guzzi for many years and then someone else opened up another dealership not far from Carl, (Vespa St, Louis) and then Carl decided to quit the line.
Vespa St Louis didn't stay in business very long.
We have another dealer - and I have purchased several Moto Guzzi from them, but their service department sucks so bad that I would warn against it. Seriously.
That's too bad. I bought a V85- probably from the dealer you don't name- and buying it was pretty smooth, even in the pandemic era. I pretty much do all my own service anyhow...except ECU updates. Don't know what I'm going to do about that.
J
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Drum roll for the walk down memory lane Atlanta style. This is what I remember off the top of my head. I'm sure Wayne and the other Steve will add a few more.
I moved here in 1992 and there was Cycle specialities in Athens.
Then the greedy local Guzzi rep set up Blue Moon and a Kawasaki dealer not far away at the same basic time telling them they were exclusive. We all know that both told him to shove it soon after.
Then there was I believe factory Sponsered shop around Bells ferry area for a short time.
A Honda multi-line dealer near Roswell.
Atlanta Triumph.
The scooter store.
Riders Hill, the best ever.
Marietta sports car that has morphed into Marietta Vespa.
So at least 10 in 28 years or about 2.8 years each. About average I'd say
Zen Moto.
Was that the name of one of those locations you mentioned?
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Yup , I bought my 16 V7II in 17 (my second Guzzi , 1st was used private seller) . I’ve purchased 3 Beemers there previously. He gave up the BMW franchise when they wanted him to “modernize “ . Since then he’s Guzzi only , Profits may be down a bit but so is his blood pressure . Hopefully I’ll be getting a V7/850 there in the spring (keeping my V7II & selling the Beemer ) . I told him he’s gotta out live me & keep me rolling . It’s better to be seen than viewed! Oh , who ? A-J’s in Gill Ma. Heaven forbid anything happens I’ll probably be Visiting Mr.Hamlin in Ct. an extra 70 Mi. From me
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Zen Moto.
Was that the name of one of those locations you mentioned?
Years ago I had an extended work assignment down in Atlanta. Plus I have family down there. I think I've been to Zen, the one that was in Woodstock with Triumph, ATD, Riders Edge, and I think one more. They seemed serious about selling the brand. It seems there have been some excellent dealers over the years, so you can't blame them for the failure in the US market. (not implying anyone is)
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Bought my first Guzzi, an 02 Stone in Jan. 03, from Pro Italia in Glendale, Ca. They quit Guzzi a few months later. However, they are back with Guzzi, and have been for a few years now.
Bought my B-1100, from Moto International, closed, who picked it up from left over stock from Marsh Motorcycles, closed.
I bought parts from Sport Cycle Pacific, a small Guzzi dealer and general old style fix anything motorcycle shop in Santa Barbara, closed. Miss that shop.
There was a shop in Thousand Oaks, he started off promising, and began to fade. Went in with my 02 Stone once, his response was "they all do that", never went back. Closed. I think he is still a big scooter dealer somewhere in the San Fernando Valley.
Another Guzzi dealership opened in Thousand Oaks, great dealer and shop. They fixed my leaking CARC correctly after Pro Italia used sealant and were jerks about it.
She ended up selling to a multi brand powersports outfit, Guzzi went away.
kjf
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Zen Moto.
Was that the name of one of those locations you mentioned?
Nope, forgot about him. List modified.
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I've bought both new and used from MPH. Mike, like others, got tired of the corporate b.s. and is no longer a dealer. They're still open for repairs, though.
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I bought parts from Sport Cycle Pacific, a small Guzzi dealer and general old style fix anything motorcycle shop in Santa Barbara, closed. Miss that shop.
kjf
I remember that shop- bought some parts for my V11 sport from them. They sold those cool GUZZI valve covers, if I recall.
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1972 First new and first Guzzi, Larry in Lockport Illinois. Great guy but I moved to Presque Isle Wi. in 1973 and I believe he died.
1981 New G5 from Les and Kaye Caswell, Mora Mn. Great people and the dealership is still there but I have no idea who owns/runs it now. Kaye rode a convert. they loved Guzzi and that's the only type who sticks around through all the screwing.
1984 or 85 a new bike set up for touring and another just like it again in 1986 when a drunk totaled the first one. Both from Caswell.
1993 a new 1990 Mille GT (fast red) from a dealer in N/W Alabama who quit soon afterward.
1999 I got a new 98 EV from Cycle Specialities in Athens. long gone.
2016 new 2015 V7 from Portland (now gone) to leave in Az for the winters.
2017 new V7III from Maiertta sports car now Marietta Vespa so I guess they are still there.
2020 new V85TT from Euro in Charlotte and I hope they are still there.
So three dealers (I think) have stood the test of time out of the seven I bought new from.
There was a used 1974 850 in the mid 80's and I still have the 2001 EV I got used in 2007.
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I remember that shop- bought some parts for my V11 sport from them. They sold those cool GUZZI valve covers, if I recall.
yes they did, I still love them
(https://i.ibb.co/Jvc698H/stone.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Jvc698H)
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I bought my "new" 08 in 2010 From Moto International. They are gone but Dave still calls me every once in a while.
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Bought my Griso used from Razee in RI.
They still have Guzzi, but don’t sell too many and don’t keep a lot of Guzzi bikes in stock, but he’s got some V7 night packs, racers, and V85s in stock. No complaints about their service dept- recently had the Griso in and they greased the splines in the rear and shock mounts. Minimal grease from the factory.
Guzzi and Aprilia have some great models for sale, I wish they were easier to do business with and had more dealers.
Triumph has a rep for being hard to deal with and they make some really cool models too.
I‘m told the Euro dealers are way more difficult to deal with than the Japanese brands.
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What is it about you guys that drives all these dealerships out of business? :evil:
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Moto International- Gone- Copper top Hydro Cali-Gone
Union Cycle, NC- Gone- Cali Vintage- Gone
Matthews Fun Machines, NC- Gone- Cali 1400 Touring-still rocking, love this motorcycle
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I bought my '87 1000 SP II new from Midway Cycles in Lillington, NC. I still have it and also own a '91 California with a Lemans engine which a buddy bought new there.
Sadly Midway Cycles is long gone but they were great and their open houses were legendary!
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What is it about you guys that drives all these dealerships out of business? :evil:
We keep our California's forever
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How true! :grin:
And half the folks on this forum brag about how they :
A. Never bought a new Guzzi
B. have never been back/to a dealer because they do all their own work
Makes it hard to be a dealer when so many potential customers are so independent.
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How true! :grin:
And half the folks on this forum brag about how they :
A. Never bought a new Guzzi
B. have never been back/to a dealer because they do all their own work
Makes it hard to be a dealer when so many potential customers are so independent.
We'll part of the issue they don't need much work. Mine was at Rosefarm once for a repair. Otherwise it's been all me doing valves and oil and a local shop to mount tires that moved to Indiana. Now as I'm older and just not wanting to spend time wrenching I'd love a local dealer to do belts on the Centauro or a once over on the 20 year old Stone.
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No.
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No longer in business. I bought only one bike new. '93 Daytona mono-post #2. Tried to get #1. The business got sold to a d@ckhead. That's why it went out of business.
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I bought my '83 SP new from Schusters Cycles in Meriden, CT. Phil Schuster and his guys were into partying more than wrenching. I told him I wanted the bike in the crate and that I would set it up. To my surprise, he agreed to. They're long gone.
Larry
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Bought my 2016 leftover Eldorado 1400 from Windy City Cycle in St. Charles, IL. They no longer have the Guzzi brand listed. I believe the only Guzzi dealer in Chicagoland is Woodstock Powersports. Last I checked they had one V9 for sale that was two years old. Hope I'm wrong.
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1998 V11......dealer long gone.
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I don’t know how many MGs are in Piaggio’s USA warehouse, but I get the feeling it’s not many.
I contacted Woodstock Powersports recently inquiring about Guzzi inventory. They confirmed all they had left is the one v9 Sport, until they are able to get new models in the spring. They were quite sorry and were looking forward to getting more, as they had and sold many last year.
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1200 Sport and Cali1400 Custom, purchased from Dave Richardson of Moto International in Seattle. Dave now retired and MI gone.
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Same situation that happened in Mesa. Thriving business bought by someone that has no clue about customer service. Goes downhill and closes because of not taking care of their customers.
Same philosophy for the jerks running the dealership out here. They're really a multi-brand operation adult toy store. They sell cars & motorcycles but their service department sucks. I have more parts than they do. An older bike good luck. They don't work on them; HD, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Triumph or Piaggio scooters.
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Bought my 2016 leftover Eldorado 1400 from Windy City Cycle in St. Charles, IL. They no longer have the Guzzi brand listed. I believe the only Guzzi dealer in Chicagoland is Woodstock Powersports. Last I checked they had one V9 for sale that was two years old. Hope I'm wrong.
Not much faith when they spell Aprilia wrong on their website.
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You might want to be a bit more forgiving, Joliet.
Marty might have spelled it wrong too, back in the day.
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Got my 98 EV from Ellis at Geneva Cycle....same town Illinois. It was the last one he sold. Spring of 99. He still sells bicycles outta the same shop.
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You might want to be a bit more forgiving, Joliet.
Marty might have spelled it wrong too, back in the day.
I really miss taking afternoon rides to SS to listen to Marty's wisdom. I liked Jimmy and Scott too. No bike shops other than HD and Indian out this way now.
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Got my 98 EV from Ellis at Geneva Cycle....same town Illinois. It was the last one he sold. Spring of 99. He still sells bicycles outta the same shop.
They must have quit selling right before I bought mine. I think I was limited to either Cyclewerks in Barrington, South Suburban, or Lake Cycle in Indiana
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Old time bike shops are a treasure I fear the next generation will only experience in story from.
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Purchased two from Hamlin Cycles-if there is ever a third I'll buy there again.
Same here. Hamlin's the best.
Gerry
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Got my new 2003 california in 2006 from Dave Richardson long distance. Warranty inspection by Union in Indian town, NC, older couple owned and selling scooters also. Then Matthews fun machines took on Guzzi when the couple retired. Now another has it nw Charlotte area. Had a service and some repairs done by a family shop in Charleston.. excellent shop locally known for custom harleys. They had all the current models....lasted about a couple of years and now have triumph. The Honda/BMW/Ducati dealer in Charleston sold Aprilia for a while.Owner said they would have been better to take on Guzzi. Bottom line....lot of changes or we are old.
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We're on our third dealer here in Tulsa area. Atlas was a long time all European brand dealer. Brookside Motorcycles came next, and ran for a few years until the owner became ill. Now we have Mother Road Motorsports. https://www.motherroadmotorsports.com/
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Purchased two from Hamlin Cycles-if there is ever a third I'll buy there again.
same here. still have my beloved 2015 Stone and Jim is still there.
Gerry
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Gene’s Moto Guzzi. ElDorado, AK. Long gone. Bought a new, 1998 EV which I still have.
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If I'm looking at Guzzi USA's new revised website correctly it appears there is one dealer in Hawai and about 15 for the whole US. Pathetic. Got a better chance of finding a Citroen dealer.
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You're not. Appears to be about 58 current US dealers.
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I'll look again. I think that was scooter dealers not necessarily Guzzi ones. I'll also look for the one that was kept up here by Daniel. He shows about 65 as of 11/20. I wonder how many keep an average of 5 bikes in stock?
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Three new bikes for me.
2009 Calvin from Speakers in OH - GONE
2014 V7 Special from Eurosports in PA - GONE
2020 V85 from Hamlin’s in CT. Still going strong. And I will do my small part to make sure that continues. Jim will always service the V85 despite the fact that his shop is 160 miles away, and I’ve always done my own work on the previous bikes. Small price to pay. That, and he’s a good friend. I ENJOY going to his spotless clean shop.
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My first (and so far only) new motorcycle was purchased in 1996 from Franz at the Spare Parts Company in Philadelphia. They quit selling new bikes long ago but I believe the shop is still open as a repair business, now owned by then mechanic Roland.