Moto Guzzi sales pretty sluggish?

[azccj]

Kissell seemed pretty disappointed in sales of the Stelvio. He thought at around $10K less than the new R1300GS it would sell well, but it hasn't. The basic design is good but IMO Guzzi needs to update the Stelvio. Get rid of the awful clunk going to first gear, it's an adventure bike so widen the gear ratios, give it a nice compliant suspension, fix the wobbly shield, offer some striking gloss paint colors and maybe charcoal or black drivetrain.

That awful clunk is there to stay unless MG is willing to totally redesign everything rear of the cylinders. Which I'm sure they're not going to do considering how few of the water-cooled engines they sell. They will just refer to that clunk as character and try and sell as many of them as they can, while they can.

[blu guzz]

Plenty of people admire my current bike, the public really seemed to admire my V85 when I had it (riders and non-riders alike).  The next question is "is there a dealer around here?"  I have ridden my 3 geese far and wide, but I either have an inflated opinion of my crisis-handling skills or I have been extremely lucky.  I ride in West Virginia every year and they have no dealer.  This was also true when I rode BMW's btw.  When I had my Harley and would travel, I did feel a certain comfort that there was never a dealer too far away.  Of course, these days, many of the HD dealers are closing up, so the lots of dealers rationale is less true today, but still there are multiple dealers in all states. 
If you have plastic, you can get out of most situations.

[Clifton]

That awful clunk is there to stay unless MG is willing to totally redesign everything rear of the cylinders. Which I'm sure they're not going to do considering how few of the water-cooled engines they sell. They will just refer to that clunk as character and try and sell as many of them as they can, while they can.

If they're not going to address the flaws they should not waste the money bringing new V100 models out such as a California. Just be content selling fewer Mandellos and Stelvios than they anticipated and concentrate on the V7 and V85 models.

[Huzo]

If you have plastic, you can get out of most situations.

Not in Southern Romania you can’t…

[twowings]

It's a shame that everyone who REALLY KNOWS how to run a motorcycle company is too busy posting to bike forums...

[Moparnut72]

No................. . Harley has already screwed up too many other smaller companies. Like Aermacchi, Benelli, Buell and probably others I can't think of. MG has been trying to go out of business for over 100 years now and has failed why quit now?
kk

[SIR REAL ED]

It's a shame that everyone who REALLY KNOWS how to run a motorcycle company is too busy posting to bike forums...

Exactly!

 

[Clifton]

I take it this is directed to me.

[Guffman]

That awful clunk is there to stay unless MG is willing to totally redesign everything rear of the cylinders. Which I'm sure they're not going to do considering how few of the water-cooled engines they sell. They will just refer to that clunk as character and try and sell as many of them as they can, while they can.

   I'm not knowledgeable about transmissions but always assumed the Guzzi clunk was part of being a non-unit construction with a dry clutch? Why does the V100 motor have a clunk?

[Clifton]

Transmissions with dry clutches don't clunk because they don't drag (unless improperly adjusted). Those with wet clutches typically drag and therefore a clunk when going from neutral to first, some worse than others. Harley Twin Cams are bad about it and the V100, for a couple reasons, really is. OTOH on many bikes with wet clutches it's barely noticeable.

[kingoffleece]

The clutch is a different design.

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/moto-guzzi-centenario-v100-mandello.1517279/page-312

[Moparnut72]

The Twincam Harley I had left skid marks all over my garage floor. Some were still there 4 years later. I tried several different oils to minimize the drag but Syn3 turned out to be the best, I guess Harley knew best. It was recommended for the trans as well but BelRay Vtwin trans fluid worked the smoothest. The drive line in that bike was crude, makes my V100 smooth by comparison.
kk

[Motormike]

Not that far fetched, they did own an Italian motorcycle company back in the day...Aermacchi!

[vintagehoarder]

From the MGNOC May newsletter Piaggio's veiw of the market. If your having trouble reading it, doiwnload the image and then blow it up.

[SIR REAL ED]

I take it this is directed to me.

That's the problem with the internet.  7+ billion people out there, and any one can assume something is directed at them......   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNir1anaVu4