A Runaway Hit on Their Hands & Rumor Tempering

[TN Mark]

Run away hit - I was at AF-1 today in Austin, TX. They seem to have about the same collection of V7 and V9 bikes they had nearly a year ago. But they did tell me they've already sold 7 (yes 7) V85's. I suggested that's an amazing success considering those customers haven't even been able to sit on one yet. So, it seems Moto Guzzi could finally have a run away hit on their hands. Congratulations to team Moto Guzzi. Obviously this is a single data point and hopefully other dealers are having similar success. They said they expect to see the V85's deliver in about 2 months.

Rumor tempering - I did ask if they have any new 1400's like the Eldorado. They have a used Cali Touring in black out front on consignment. They said they 'could get one' but at 2016 MSRP for a 3 year old bike. They said the killer deals like an MGX-21 at $14K has expired and so far their isn't anything to replace that offer from Piaggio. At this point it seems they have no interest in putting a new 1400 on their floor.

So I asked if it's true the 1400 line has either been canceled outright or that only the Audace and the Eldorado survived. I was told not to believe anything you can read online. Everything or nothing could be true. Even if they're told something directly from Piaggio management on the 1400 line, they won't believe it until they see it on their showroom floor. Sounds like a solid plan regarding Moto Guzzi.

[xackley]

Youtube review just say
I like, bla bla bal, I really really like it, babel balel, I just want to keep riding it, just fun to ride.
Over and over on and on
It would appear it is getting ok reviews so far.

[Devildog]

Seems logical to me, if MG has high demand for the V85, they are not going to be assembling other models for awhile. They know the V85 will be selling well at MSRP for months, not at discounted prices, so the 1400 production could be idle for quite a while.

[s1120]

Seems logical to me, if MG has high demand for the V85, they are not going to be assembling other models for awhile. They know the V85 will be selling well at MSRP for months, not at discounted prices, so the 1400 production could be idle for quite a while.

Seems to me there are a lot of them already in the pipeline..The best thing about this, is floor traffic...  some of these people going to look at the V85 just might fall for another model.. 

[TN Mark]

Seems to me there are a lot of them already in the pipeline..The best thing about this, is floor traffic...  some of these people going to look at the V85 just might fall for another model..

Only if those other models are on the showroom floor at the dealer. As it stands today, dealers like AF-1 have no incentive to order something like a 3 model year old Eldorado 1400 at there original pricing. When the V85’s start delivering, Piaggio will need to address the line of 1400’s left in their warehouse and their pipeline by offering more sweet deals. Otherwise known as steep discounts.

[bad Chad]

Why are we assuming Piaggio has a warehouse brimming with 1400s?  There are several on the floor at both the Chicagoland dealers, most if not all were discounted.   I suspect Piaggio does have some on hand but it may not be the number some expect.  As far as I’m aware Guzzi has never reported a number imported. 

[bad Chad]

WindyCity Triumph in St.Charles Ill, is having a “viewing party “  April 19-20.  They will have 3 v85TT for your pleasure.   They claim that they are one of the very few US dealers who can do this.

[jbell]

Saw my first V85 yesterday (yellow/white/red) and it is gorgeous.  I'm not an adventure style bike kind of guy but I sure liked it. The guy riding it was nice enough to stop and let me look at it for a few minutes.

[Cam3512]

Saw my first V85 yesterday (yellow/white/red) and it is gorgeous.  I'm not an adventure style bike kind of guy but I sure liked it. The guy riding it was nice enough to stop and let me look at it for a few minutes.

Where??

[Huzo]

Mine is the red/white one.
Has anyone seen one of them live ?

[PJPR01]

At Moto GP this weekend in Austin...very nice Moto Guzzi tent including a V85...quite comfortable to sit on I have to say!

[jbell]

Where??

COTA.  The surprising thing is that it was being ridden by one of the Aprilia team members during their testing, not on track, just in the paddock.

[Bulldog9]

I'm glad Guzzi has a hit but I wonder.... Are the buyers new to Guzzi? I was concerned they'd be late to the party, but it seems the size/price is a real gap filler, but if this isn't bringing new blood into the showrooms, it will be a flash in the pan and we will see them languish as we do other models. All the dealers near me have a few 2016 models kicking about, a bunch of 17's and tons of 18's. Here's hoping!

[lazlokovacs]

I saw one in the flesh last week in France

very nice looking relative to the other modern machines out there

[poppe]

Mine is the red/white one.
Has anyone seen one of them live ?

I saw one at the Long Beach Motorcycle Show but not running, they couldn't even start it at the time. It was stunning in person, and felt great to sit on. When I sat on it, I instantly felt like I had stepped into a well tailored suit - it just fit me right. The yellow red was gorgeous in person and had a real stand out look to it. I think the red white one will be the same too.

I'm glad Guzzi has a hit but I wonder.... Are the buyers new to Guzzi? I was concerned they'd be late to the party, but it seems the size/price is a real gap filler, but if this isn't bringing new blood into the showrooms, it will be a flash in the pan and we will see them languish as we do other models. All the dealers near me have a few 2016 models kicking about, a bunch of 17's and tons of 18's. Here's hoping!

I think it feels a great gap, especially the HP delivery and for it's weight. I was actually looking towards the BMW GS 800 before this was announced and while I liked the bike it felt very sterile, fun but sterile, closer to a video game. I feel like this bike while less powerful than the 800, it'll hit that guzzi characteristic of fun and mechanical while also providing a blast in the HP/TQ numbers, especially if the Italian magazine's dyno numbers are actually true.

With that said, new blood is going to be interesting to see if it works out. Very little dealership/mechanic networks and stories of long part delays might make quite a few new beginners hesitate - hopefully not though as it did not stop me from my v7 and isn't stopping me from eventually getting the v85tt.

[M0T0Geezer]

Just wondering if the under-arse exhaust might not be less-than-cool for the rider ??

I'm nor an Adventure rider, so how about a naked Breva-750-like body with low slung dual pipes?

[ScepticalScotty]

Exactly Geezer A Breva85 could definately shift me off my 2004 B750. Space considerations mean one bike only in the garage/shed, so the 750 would have to go and HB racks will have to go on any new bike. 

[kingoffleece]

My Tigerb1050 had the exhaust mounted the same way.  Didn't even know it was there except for sound.