New entry level Guzzi model?

[s1120]

That understanding is totally generational ...to the average 30 somethings they will look at this and just possibly think that it's a guzzi that they can afford or are willing to buy.Then if all goes well and they become hooked then their next bike might be a guzzi too ...only the hard core enthusiasts will look at that and rant.

And that makes a lot of sense for the bigger brands, and has worked well for them. With how few bikes Guzzi brings over, to how few dealers they have, I just dont see the foot traffic to bring the new motorcycle riders to the door with cash in hand. This is all looking at it from someone in the US though.. and over seas might be different. A new rider is odds are going to get whats local, or at least a brand that their buddys ride. Also I think they will only be mostly compeating with themselves. They sell a LOT of V7's to new riders.

[Frenchfrog]

Given that piaggio is such a big company worldwide I think they are clearly looking at expanding the Guzzi brand beyond it's current boundaries.They already achieved a good expansion over the last 10 or so years  updating and modernizing the existing platforms and if this model does go to market I think it's clearly aimed at another segment compared to the V7 range

[SIR REAL ED]

It will be a fascinating experiment. 

I think at least here in the US a lot of the "true blue brand loyalists" have jumped ship due to ever changing tech (either due to functional improvement),regulation, or knowing that most complicated products contain components that are made by other companies than the main OEM. 

I don't hear a lot of "Real Harleys/BMW's/Moto Guzzi's "are made of cast iron/Airheads/air cooled" much any more.  Could be a change in generational attitudes as much as anything.  Those who served in WWII were probably the most reluctant to buy anything made in Japan or Germany.  I think the computer age killed a lot of the old brand loyal mentality.

For a few years the old school Harley riders claimed the EVO engines made out of aluminum were not "real Harleys." 
Most buyers have made the transition to disc brakes without much regret.  Same with air cooling to water cooling.

I suspect environmental regulations will make air cooled engines amost extinct.

It will an individual decision made by aeach individual buyer.  The individual tinkerers might not buy into the new products, cause that is a preferred form of recreation.  "Better or worse?  Meh!  this is what I like!!" 

"Hard to predict, the future it is.  Always emotion." 

[Moparnut72]

This has been going on for a long time. A lot of manufacturers have purchased parts or sub-assemblies from other companies. It is not commonly known but Henry purchased the engine a parts of the drivetrain from the Dodge brothers for the Model T. John and Horace decided to build their own cars and trucks after seeing Henry getting rich on their expertise. Another little known fact, the Dodge Bros loaned Henry the money for his third attempt to start a car company. Maybe Ford should have been another division of Chrysler. 
kk

[Shiny Hat]

To me, you can put almost any MFG brand on that tank and no one would be the wiser. It’s no more a MG than a Kawasaki.
The engine is a brand identifier for me. BMW  boxer, HD V twin, MG longitudinal crank V twin, Triumph parallel twin or triple, Honda pick one.
This bike is no more an MG than it is a ……..
If it comes out as an MG I wouldn’t finish the article, it’s a meh for me.

[SIR REAL ED]

To me, you can put almost any MFG brand on that tank and no one would be the wiser. It’s no more a MG than a Kawasaki.
The engine is a brand identifier for me. BMW  boxer, HD V twin, MG longitudinal crank V twin, Triumph parallel twin or triple, Honda pick one.
This bike is no more an MG than it is a ……..
If it comes out as an MG I wouldn’t finish the article, it’s a meh for me.

Agreed.  Hard to get excited about the New BSA single.  It is only a tank badge.

Sales departments can generate some lengthy verbiage though.

Same with the new/old Triumphs/Kawasakis/etc.  Although I do think a lot of the new retro bikes look better than their contemporary counterparts.

[AJ Huff]

I couldn't care less about who makes what. I just have to like the bike.

-AJ

[Brand X]

Don’t forget that Guzzi bikes have shared a number of parts with Aprilia models for years now.

They never shared the good ones..Same years (2007) but dang the Aprilia got the nicer stuff.. Although the Guzzi was not chopped liver either..
I never thought i would like a 60 degree twin as much as a 90. but they sure grow on you..


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[Frenchfrog]

I couldn't care less about who makes what. I just have to like the bike.

-AJ

That's the voice of reason...well said AJ

[Tusayan]

Piaggio has been doing this nonsense for a long time, Gilera being the best example, starting in 1969:  the storied and once valuable marque was eventually reduced to a badge on cheaply made scooters, and is now now dead.  Piaggio has no basic ethos and no long term strategic vision.

[Vecchio Lupo]

Now all I need is a dealership within a 100 miles that can at least pretend to provide service and support. Im always jealous of you guys that live within striking distance of a competent dealer.

Can't tell you how many Pop Up dealerships have appeared and disappeared around me. IM still a loyalist, just alone in the wilderness.

[Vagrant]

I thought you had one there. Same guy that opened the shop in Douglasville Ga.

[Vecchio Lupo]

I thought you had one there. Same guy that opened the shop in Douglasville Ga.

Already Gone......it's just Ducati and KTM

[jrt]

Too bad about Guzzi dealerships being so few and far between.  Best I have experienced in person was Ned's Auto and Cycle in Riverside, IA.  Middle of nowhere, but Jim (of Ned's) is just the best fellow in the world.  The descriptions I read of Enzo sound like the same kind of solid person as Jim so I'm sure some good people are still out there.  Ned was about retired by the time I moved to Iowa (1997?), but that guy was a hoot.  Jim, his son, took on the business and did it proud.  I'm now 4 hours from Riverside, IA., but I would drive there in a heartbeat if Ned still sold/worked on Guzzi's.  I think- and hope- he is retired now.  He deserves some time for himself and family after all he has given for others.

[Huzo]

Now all I need is a dealership within a 100 miles that can at least pretend to provide service and support. Im always jealous of you guys that live within striking distance of a competent dealer.

Touche’
I have to be content with Pete Roper a short ride away…

[Vagrant]

Already Gone......it's just Ducati and KTM

Seriously! I thought he was a Piaggio super store.

[Moparnut72]

My local dealership, 85 miles away, just recently pissed me off in the biggest way. I will not even take my new Mandello in for it's first service, coerced, even though it is paid for. Looking in the manual not much more than an oil and filter change anyway. I intend to do a bit more than that, final drive etc.
kk

[Tusayan]

I have one relatively new Guzzi dealer 2.2 miles from my house and another longer established dealer 31 miles from my house.  I don’t trust either not to leave my bikes worse than they found them, because in my experience that’s what they do, and know that the longer established dealer will produce the most amazing bills you’ll ever see.  It annoys me that my V85TT has to go to them to get the service light turned off after I do the work, and I’m happy and relieved they manage to do that without breaking anything. 

[ridingron]

Touche’
I have to be content with Pete Roper a short ride away…

I thought Roper retired?

[MerleLowe]

Already Gone......it's just Ducati and KTM

Seriously! I thought he was a Piaggio super store.

The Douglasville store is the Piaggio MotoPlex.  The savannah store has CFMoto in addition to Piaggio brands.

Savannah is a long way from Charleston.

[blackcat]

The Douglasville store is the Piaggio MotoPlex.  The savannah store has CFMoto in addition to Piaggio brands.

And neither store is particularly interested in letting you test ride a bike. A friend tried to test ride a new Mandello in Georgia only to be told that it might rain so no ride available and another friend tried to test ride a new Mandello at CF Moto with a no way your going to test ride a bike response.  And both people were interested in buying a bike.

[SIR REAL ED]

And neither store is particularly interested in letting you test ride a bike. A friend tried to test ride a new Mandello in Georgia only to be told that it might rain so no ride available and another friend tried to test ride a new Mandello at CF Moto with a no way your going to test ride a bike response.  And both people were interested in buying a bike.

Some off the best anecdotal evidence of how much the world has changed, and how much people have changed since the 1970's.

I remember when motorcycle shops stocked brand demo models, and no one at the shop cared if you had a motorcycle license, or even if you were old enough to have a driver's  license.

How human behavior influences businesses and insurance companies.

 

[MMRanch]

Why so UGLY ?

It must be a joke ?

[rocker59]

Some off the best anecdotal evidence of how much the world has changed, and how much people have changed since the 1970's.

I remember when motorcycle shops stocked brand demo models, and no one at the shop cared if you had a motorcycle license, or even if you were old enough to have a driver's  license.

How human behavior influences businesses and insurance companies.

Liability and and the fact that people crash demos has pretty much ended demos at the dealerships unless a factory demo truck comes to town.

Don't blame it on the dealers.  Blame it on insurance and the average idiot who comes in to test motorcycles.

When I was in the business 25 years ago, the incentive from Triumph was only $600 for a demo.  That's right, The dealer was only provided a $600 discount on the bikes designated as demos.   We had Triumph and Ducati demos crashed and tipped over.  Overall, providing demos was a hassle, and that was 25 years ago.

So, if you want to demo bikes, seek out the factory demo trucks at the rallies and events. 

[Shiny Hat]

Different areas different rules I guess.
I never had an issue with a test ride at my local BMW/Triumph dealership, in fact they encouraged test rides.
Proof of license and insurance was all that was required. They would even provide gear if needed. Pillions were also allowed.