Why do we buy a guzzi?

[DougG]

Hi all,

I have a theory, not a law, natural or otherwise…that’s different, just a theory.   Here’s how it goes:

You start off as a mere mortal…logical, inquiring mind, relatively healthy body, clear soul.  Then you see your first Guzzi ride by.  The mind says, “What the heck is that?”  The body says, “I wonder how that feels?” The soul is still clear and unmoved. 

Then, you actually see one up close and personal (in a parking lot, dealership, friend’s house).  The mind begins to dull, the body says, “I want to know how that feels”, the soul is still clear - no interest.
   
Then you sit on one.  The mind is now completely out of the loop, the body says, “Yes!” and the soul is now awakened.

Then you ride one… (I refer to this as stage four, or terminal Guzzieism).  The mind has long since left the building, the body is fully engaged, and the soul is captured…the look, feel, sensation.
That night and several thereafter, there are subliminal dreams, long forgotten endorphins begin flowing and the next thing you know you’re looking at your bank account, investments, space in the garage, how it will be explained to your significant other…the kid’s inheritance.   
OK, we all know what happens next.

So here’s my theory;  it’s not mind control, not body control…it’s soul control!  Sure, they have engineers who design the bikes, assemblers who make them, test riders who do their thing, but the real money making division at Guzzi is the “Division of Soul Controllers.” 

Long may they live!

They have us…we are powerless to resist.
Be well,
DougG
P.S.  They got mine, for sure.

[LowRyter]

I just wanted a cheap bike to go two up.  The Cal EV was a good deal, a local mechanic said they were reliable and sporty.  I bought it, not expecting much and I really liked it.  Then I went to the rallies, got to know some of the folks here and it's been a good fit.  Then I got the V11 Sport and it's been more fun.

I suppose we're a group of left brain thinkers, unconventional excentrics, creative tightwads, and hardcore riders.

[coast range rider]

I needed a new, easy maintenance bike because I was tired of wrenching on my Multistrada.
Decades ago I enjoyed my old Honda GL500, and thought Stelvio with FI, ABS, and more than twice the HP would be nice.
Never saw a Moto Guzzi until I walked into the dealership where I decided to buy one.

As @LowRyter mentions, I'm in the group of the "left brain thinker, unconventional excentrics, creative tightwads, and hardcore riders."

6 months and 8,000 miles later, I'm happy with my choice. Happy enough to pry open my wallet for upgraded fog lights, cast wheels, exhaust, seat, windshield, turn signals, heated grips, and suspension. Also considering new tires, lol.

[Beowulf]

I went shopping with a friend for a motorcycle for him.
I walked in the moto guzzi dealer. I read about them before. Never seen one. The salesman showed us the models. He started the v7ii. I was hooked. Never seen or felt anything like it.

Couldnt get it out of my head. I came back within several days and bought it. Almost 3 years and 33000 miles later with a new set of valve covers, charcoal cannister that"fell off," Beetlemap , continental road attack 3 tires and aftermarket exhaust I simply just love the thing.

Plan on running the wheels off. 

[Ncdan]

Doug I didn’t have you figured as a man of  Philosophy or deep thinking but you have also forced me into deep thoughtfulness here, lol. On a more serious note, I think for me it was more of a thing where I had owned most every major brand out there and had become bored with all of them. I figured I do something  unique and different in the last chapter of my riding career. So Moto Guzzi was the  last of the Mohicans 👍

[Green1000S]

Sound.

[fotoguzzi]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6DjBw7sO5h8

[Ncdan]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6DjBw7sO5h8

LMAO, I don’t care how dry a Persons sense of humor  is... thats funny😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[tommy2cyl]

The V 85 came along at the exactly right time in my life.  If that bike wasn't built I wouldn't have a different bike now. I had owned an Italian beauty before, a  1991 Ducati 900 SS.  It's a special feeling having another Italian moto in the garage after a long absence. 

[flip]

I was thinking of buying a 650 V Strom. I somehow stumbled across adds for leftover Breva 1100's that were cheaper than the Wee Stroms, had a little more power, are Italian and are rare so I got one.

[Huzo]

Because we can..
Because I/we like to defend the indefensible decision..
They foster owner engagement...
If you maintain and operate a good reliable one, you must have reached a certain status in your motorcycling life..
They have an esoteric aspect to them..
An indication that some things are more than the sum of their parts..
For the same reason that people go to a shelter to pick out a good dog and come home with a basket case..
In my case I consider that my Norge isn’t “mine”, it’s “me”...
Finally..
You don’t own a Guzzi, it owns you..

[bobrebos]

I have no idea why!   

[Huzo]

Cascado might be wondering that..
Honda Africa twins always look good when your Euro bike CARCS itself..!

[kirb]

Here is how most Guzzi owners who might buy new:

'Cool bike, I'll wait until they are 50% of MSRP because no one else will buy it and they will be closing them out'

6 months later...

'Where are all the dealers?'

[DougG]

All great responses...now you guys got me thinking!

DougG

[Murray]

cause wev not vry smrt

[Gliderjohn]

Because we are weird. At least that is what I have been told.
GliderJohn

[chuck peterson]

In my case, some vague notion they were great bikes because of a roadracing poster w Mike Baldwin on it.....

And the intersection of an Craiglist ad about needing to get rid of an old Moto Guzzi for $1000. Best $6000 I've ever spent...

Then it was all downhill after the Convert, with V700, Cal 3FF, another Vert, Nevada...hooked, swallowed whole, line and sinker..

It's the heartbeat of the 90 degree motor for me, with a delicate handling to go with.

[wolfeguitars]

Here is how most Guzzi owners who might buy new:

'Cool bike, I'll wait until they are 50% of MSRP because no one else will buy it and they will be closing them out'

6 months later...

'Where are all the dealers?'

*****************

So true!

[kingoffleece]

I had Triumphs for years-loved them.  When my guy (Hamlin) opened his own shop and got Guzzi (he had them at the old shop he managed) I switched as I think he runs the best shop I've ever seen.  I've become quite attached to the bikes in the 5 years I've owned them.  Went from the first to now owning three in short succession.

[Sheepdog]

My '16 BMW is the best bike I've ever owned, but it's not my favorite. That would be my '07 California Vintage. I'd swear that it has a beating heart...

[SmithSwede]

The V 85 came along at the exactly right time in my life.  If that bike wasn't built I wouldn't have a different bike now. I had owned an Italian beauty before, a  1991 Ducati 900 SS.  It's a special feeling having another Italian moto in the garage after a long absence.

Do you still have the Ducati?  How would you say the V85 compares to the Ducati?

[bmp72]

Fell in love with the character of the bike, which in my case is proportional to flywheel weight... am not tempted by current day Guzzis unfortunately. They should bring a heavy flywheel option.

[lorazepam]

I missed my airheads, and BMW pretty much killed the simplicity of their bikes.
Saw a V7 at the dealer, rode it, and fell in love.
It is as close as you can get to a modern airhead. Sounds good too.
Bought a calvin from a friend, and rode it back from Oregon to Ohio.
I am now hooked. If guzzi puts out a standard with the V85 motor, I will be on it like a fat kid on cake.

[jcctx]

Most of us would never pay for a Ferrarri, but most years a Guzzi is about as  rare; and, it is Italian, and sounds better than a Harley!! What's not to like?? Now, if they just had a dealer within a days drive???

[DougG]

Hi all,                                                                                                                                                                         9-3-19

All right...OK...

For me the reasons are two fold: one logical and the other, illogical.

Logical - I have a 29" inseam ( I know that I'm bragging now) and I already had a Harley.

Illogical - I saw one, a month later I touched one, a month later I rode one... and now, as Huzo says...it owns me.

Be well,
Doug

[Lannis]

In my case, I was looking for a good highway bike, showed up at Jack Arnold's invitation to the 2000 Guzzi National Rally on my BSA, was highly impressed by the bikes but even more highly impressed by the people that were riding them.

I wanted to be a part of that group if I could, so I've  been riding Guzzis for 20 years now and have never regretted the quality and performance of the bikes or the quality of the riders that I meet.

Lannis

[DougG]

Dave, it's hard to top that reasoning.

Be well,
DougG

[Siamese]

I'm not the loyal to the brand (or any brand). 

I ended up with my 2018 V7MkIII because:

-  I had just visited the Barber Motorsports Museum in Alabama (a must do visit, ya'll), and got a hankering to have a retro style bike.

-  I wanted simplicity.  Like, air cooled

-  I wanted retro styling, with an absence of all the plastic fairing bits that adorn modern bikes

-  I like twins and singles

-  I wanted a conventional seating position

-  I wanted moderate power

-  reasonably good handling

-  simple maintenance...parti cularly like easy valve adjustments

-  very importantly, I wanted a bike that was pleasant to ride at lower speeds, but still capable of going down the expressway when required

-  a bike that would be most at home on two lane rural Michigan roads

-  light weight

The bike has proven to be pretty much what I had in mind.  I've had no problems with it with about 4,200 miles on it in it's first season.  It does all I wanted it to do.  If I had a gripe, it would be that the suspension can be a tad harsh.  Handling is just fine for my conservative riding style.  The Triumph Bonnie was on my list, but felt more top heavy, and is water cooled.  Guzzi edged it out.  The Kawasaki W800 had my attention, but they only have it in the U.S. in cafe style...no thanks.  In terms of delivering the 1960's to early 70's classic bike experience, nothing IMO delivers it like the V7MkIII.

[Penderic]

Their looking for "love"!