Italy - not one Guzzi

[harry h]

Was just in Italy for 2 weeks, mostly in Umbria.  Didn't spot a single Guzzi!  Lots of Harleys and Jap bikes but NO Guzzi's. 

[LowRyter]

I saw this one in Cinque Terre

[guzzi4me]

We were there for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2007 and only saw one Elderado in Rome.

Was expecting more......

Jeff

[harry h]

We were there for our 30th wedding anniversary in 2007 and only saw one Elderado in Rome.

Was expecting more......

Jeff

I expected to see some, at least more than I see here in LA

[Larry]

It's true, they're very rare. We just spent a month riding through Italy and probably saw only a dozen or so Guzzis.
But heaps of Italians hanging around and admiring ours.

[pete roper]

It's strange. Guzzi is an Italian icon, but few buy them. I have no idea why?

[Huzo]

Also when you are stopped and someone parks next to you on a Guzzi, there is virtually no acknowledgement that you are also on one.
It doesn’t bother me, it’s just not as I thought it would be.

[LowRyter]

Cities like Rome  and Florence have few motorcycles and thousands of scooters.  All these bikes are left outside in the weather.  When you see a motorcycle, it's either garaged and in pristine shape or an outside motorcycle with murdered paint. 

I understand why flat paint bikes are popular over there.

So the nice bikes are hidden garages and out of the cities.

[Ncdan]

They are possibly smarter than we are:(

[Toecutter]

Had an Italian rider explain it to me like this:

There's a respect for the brand as an Italian institution... but there isn't that "US Harley,  riding is patriotism" attitude. Many young riders would rather have... better bikes. Guzzi is seen as old tech, an  old guys bike.

now, that was one guy's opinion, but there it is.

[Groover]

There is some truth to that, but I think things are changing now. I lived in Italy between the late 70's and early 90's, and my small town had only a few big engine Moto Guzzi bikes. One was an LM1 (I know that now, didn't know what it was then), two were Eldorados (or Amabassadors) that the city police used and we as kids with our tricked out 50cc Vespa feared, one was a Convert that a Professor had. The rest of them were older models with the smaller engine sizes that are now prized bikes, but then those were the bike our parents or grandparents had and we'd basically wouldn't be caught dead riding one because they were just old and junky and the styles reflected that too much to disquise. Things are different now, we all love classic and historical stuff. As far as the touristy city goes, Italians still prefer practical, easy to just park on sidewalks, and cheap insurance. Insurance on motorcycles is expensive there, and is based on CC. So smaller, is better. The new V85 is probably a hit there now because, Enduros are a big thing there with the road types. Cruisers, not so much.. they just look great in photos, but practical over there, not even close. The big Harley thing... I have noticed that too, and when I go back to visit, and it's just a "thing". Trend to showoff that's all. One of my best friends there is a motorcycle mechanic, and his shop is always full of bikes, mostly Enduro, dirt bikes, and scooters (various brands). I basically lived in that shop more than I did at my parents house when I lived there and when I visit, I spend a lot of time there hanging out, and a few of the V7 bikes are now starting to show up in that area, but still the cheaper, faster, and smaller CC bikes rule... whatever gets you to the beach, and squeeze between tight parking spots, and is cheap to maintain.

[Trialsman]

Riding the Alps two years ago in a three week period we saw only one Guzzi on top of Stelvio Pass.  We saw lots of BMW GSs, Japanese bikes, and Harleys, even a few KTMs.  This past year we rode the Dolomites and results were a little better scattered in cities.  The highest concentration was in Mandello where mostly it was V7s.  I was thinking, at least there, it would be logical to expect a large amount of Guzzis.

[sign216]

I guess its just as surprising when Eurpoeans come to America and find we don't all dress like cowboys, carry sidearms and drink in saloons.

I do two out of three.

But you're right, not daily.  Maybe not even weekly.

Which is just as sad as not seeing Guzzis in Italy. 

[Idontwantapickle]

Was just in Italy for 2 weeks, mostly in Umbria.  Didn't spot a single Guzzi!  Lots of Harleys and Jap bikes but NO Guzzi's. 

We were there for 2 weeks and I saw 3, a V7 and 2 EVs. But not a single Guzzi spotted during our time around Lake Como! But I do see the point about cost and convenience. A big Guzzi would be a luxury given the tax/insurance $$.

Hunter

[Ncdan]

I do two out of three.

But you're right, not daily.  Maybe not even weekly.

Which is just as sad as not seeing Guzzis in Italy.

Just out of curiosity 216, which one is the NO GO?:)

[LongRanger]

Spent 10 days riding around Sicily and southern Italy four years ago. Same observation: no Guzzi's (and certainly no "biker" attitudes either). I'll be back there this coming August.

[sign216]

Just out of curiosity 216, which one is the NO GO?:)

Ncdan,

Of the three, I don't dress like a cowboy (I live in New England).  And although I visit bars, most of them don't look like saloons.

No player pianos, saloon girls, or cowboys, although there is poker occasionally. 

Perhaps I was stretching it. 

[Ncdan]

It's strange. Guzzi is an Italian icon, but few buy them. I have no idea why?

Maybe they are just wiser folks than we are😂

[Ncdan]

Ncdan,

Of the three, I don't dress like a cowboy (I live in New England).  And although I visit bars, most of them don't look like saloons.

No player pianos, saloon girls, or cowboys, although there is poker occasionally. 

Perhaps I was stretching it.

👍.  I love your part of the country. I’ve been up there a couple times and always look forward to coming back soon to visit a couple of my buddies here.

[sign216]

👍.  I love your part of the country. I’ve been up there a couple times and always look forward to coming back soon to visit a couple of my buddies here.

Ncdan,
The next time you're up, let me know.  We can visit a saloon.
Joe

[Murray]

It's simple really, the Italians like the majority of the motorcycling population are not silly enough to buy the stupid things either. :P

[elvisboy77]

Was just in Italy for 2 weeks, mostly in Umbria.  Didn't spot a single Guzzi!  Lots of Harleys and Jap bikes but NO Guzzi's. 

Seems to be a common misconception that there are lots of Guzzis in Italy.

There really aren't lots of Guzzis anywhere that I know of.

Probably somehow related to their small production numbers...

[Nick]

Not many Guzzi on the road, but plenty for sale ....

https://www.subito.it/annunci-italia/vendita/moto-e-scooter/?q=moto+guzzi

[Larry]

I know this is about Italy,  but I'm in NW France (Roscoff way) and have been traveling across France from Geneva to Royan then up the west coast to here. I'm seeing at least one Guzzi a day and not the V7 types, mostly big blocks.
Ran into this French guy today in a little place called Sizun and had a great chat - top bloke. I'm surprised how small the Centauro looks alongside the 1200 Sport.

[ssolitarioo]

Hello.
Unfortunately, the Guzzi like more outside Italy. In Italy only Guzzisti like them, and unfortunately in Italy the Guzzisti are few.
Roberto

[guzzi4me]

Hello.
Unfortunately, the Guzzi like more outside Italy. In Italy only Guzzisti like them, and unfortunately in Italy the Guzzisti are few.
Roberto

Welcome Roberto to the madness that is WildGuzzi!!

Enjoy the forum and post often. Maybe some pics of your beautiful Italy would be nice!

My wife Laurie and I spent 2 weeks there on vacation and LOVED it!! We are making plans to go back soon..

Jeff

[ssolitarioo]

Welcome Roberto to the madness that is WildGuzzi!!

Enjoy the forum and post often. Maybe some pics of your beautiful Italy would be nice!

My wife Laurie and I spent 2 weeks there on vacation and LOVED it!! We are making plans to go back soon..

Jeff

Ciao 🖐️



Pavia - Lombardia - Italy
Ticino river

[ozarquebus]

Very beautiful. It will be much greener soon.

[giusto]

Benvenuti Roberto!

Our daughter went to med school in Pavia and worked at the hospital....she's now working at the main hospital in Verona...and challenged. We hope you keep your spirits high! 

stay in touch

Giusto

Ciao 🖐️



Pavia - Lombardia - Italy
Ticino river

[ssolitarioo]

Sorry, I don't know the English language and I use google translator. Thanks to all of you on the forum. Thank you. I hope and wish you all is well.



The University of Pavia. Courtyard of the Magnolias.