What % of People Want MG?

[ozarquebus]

A question came to mind when looking at the V1000 G5 offered in MD.

How come nobody swooped in and snatched that in a flash?

Obviously many of us are too far away, or temporarily broke, or broke body, too many bikes, etc, but...

with the mega populations of the East coast metro, it is mind-boggling to think the nano numbers of Guzzi paisan overall must be thin as gold dust on the ground.

Like  1 Guzzisto in 3 million if my WAG is anywhere close. (did not look up)

Is that close?

[unclepete]

On the nearest to me Craigslist there are two Guzzis listed right now ; 2 out of 1248 listings .
For perspective , there are 70 BMW , 330 Harley , 223 Honda etc …
It is reasonable to assume that they were manufactured to a similar ratio .
Face it , most people want what everyone else wants .

[bad Chad]

Conventional wisdom is the US gets about 10% of total production each year, has been that way since Jesus was a kid.  Production has bounced around quite a bit over the last 40 years with highs over 10,000 and lows around 3000.   I'm just shooting from the hip, but I figure 6000 a year might be semi close to a 40 year average.  In that case we have unloaded off the boat 24,000 Guzzi in the last 40 years. 

As I look at that I think the number may be a bit low, my gut puts it plus 30,000, of which how many are still viable??

[Gliderjohn]

How many people even know anything about Moto Guzzi? Hell, how many riders have still never heard of the brand? How many people may have thought about it for an instant and then realized there are no  dealers to speak of and they are not mechanics and don't want to become one.
Without major advertising and much expanded dealership numbers, it is going to stay the niche bike it is and always has been.
GliderJohn

[kirby1923]

In the years that I have owned my CX most my riding  has been at least 2K to 4K a trip, that's a lot of motels and gas stops!

The only people that have approached me that actually knew the brand my CX was were those that either own one of have owned one and I can tell you that in all the years there have been damn few.
Most just look and think it must me some sort of HD clone gone bad!

Hell, I don't consider myself up to speed when it comes to ident of the different models of MG.

Like me very stealthy that Guzzi.

:-)

[Perazzimx14]

I have owned many Guzzi's and there was a time that I'd have had no issue buying the G5 Charlie posted. I traveled further for less. But what I also have learned is these bikes are money pits. Not that is bad as they are fun to revive but there is very little market for them once revived. Earlier the is year I bought a SP1000 for $1,500 that was in a lot better condition and came with new tires and a whole lot of other parts (about $1,000 worth). Had I had to buy tires and brake components and all the other stuff that was included I'd really have been upside down. As it was after reviving the bike I could not even get any interest at $2,500. Another friend of mine ended up brokering a deal where the SP and my 850T got to take a big boat ride down under.

After riding bikes with more modern and longer suspension travel I'd be hard pressed to go back to a 600lb bike with 3" of antiquated suspension travel. Like many other have chosen to do 'll do my Guzzi loving from a distance.
 

[bad Chad]

Right but just about any 30-40 year old bike that hasn’t been renovated by someone else is going to be a money pit.

[Guzzistajohn]

Even the people I know that LIKE odd, old bikes wouldn't own a Moto Guzzi     

 

[Bulldog9]

I often wonder why too.... Ultimately, IMO, it is a lack of a real dealer/advertizing presence further cobbled by brand reputation of unreliability, Italian exotic, and comparatively poor spec sheet comparisons for the 'unknowing'

There is a beautiful 1200 Sport that has been for sale in my area Craigslist for going on 2 years. 1100 miles, and pristine for $6000. The V7's move a bit faster, and are gaining some reputation, but in the end, people just dont now.

I remember when I looked at my Griso (a used 2007) talking with Dave Richardson at MI about my perception of modern (1990+) Guzzi's being low performing, unreliable bikes. He educated me a bit, but ultimately, even though I was smitten in the first mile, I bought it because his shop was local to me, and he seemed like a standup guy, as did his service techs.

People are always drawn to my Guzzi's but I've yet to make a convert. They go to the MC rags, cant find a dealer (and the ones they find dont engender confidence), and arent willing to take a risk. With the exception of the V7 which seem to be drawing in new riders, Guzzi seems to draw purists who want an authentic old school motorcycle.
 

[davevv]

Conventional wisdom is the US gets about 10% of total production each year, has been that way since Jesus was a kid.  Production has bounced around quite a bit over the last 40 years with highs over 10,000 and lows around 3000.   I'm just shooting from the hip, but I figure 6000 a year might be semi close to a 40 year average.  In that case we have unloaded off the boat 24,000 Guzzi in the last 40 years. 

As I look at that I think the number may be a bit low, my gut puts it plus 30,000, of which how many are still viable??

You need to check your math.  6,000 X 40 = 240,000.

[Gliderjohn]

Price check in sale 9. 10% of 6,000 is 600 ( the 10% shipped to the USA).
GliderJohn