Is your dealer still around if you bought a new one

[Tusayan]

I’ve bought more used than new, but have bought a couple of new ones.

I remember when GP talked Sonny Angel (who was inactive) into consenting to a second Guzzi dealer in the same area... that was their first franchise after MZ, I think about 25 years ago. Without knowing for sure I’d imagine that after that long period they must now be the highest volume US Guzzi dealer (?)

GP hates dealing with Piaggio as far as I understand it, to the extent that when Piaggio asked the dealer group what they thought the biggest problem with their business might be, the owner of GP stood up at a national dealer conference and said “you are, you are my biggest problem”. But it’s a business and at the end of the day they are apparently still making money dealing with Piaggio.

[jrt]

Donaldson's Cycles in St Louis sold Moto Guzzi for many years and then someone else opened up another dealership not far from Carl, (Vespa St, Louis) and then Carl decided to quit the line.

Vespa St Louis didn't stay in business very long.

We have another dealer - and I have purchased several Moto Guzzi from them, but their service department sucks so bad that I would warn against it.  Seriously.

That's too bad.  I bought a V85- probably from the dealer you don't name- and buying it was pretty smooth, even in the pandemic era.  I pretty much do all my own service anyhow...except ECU updates.  Don't know what I'm going to do about that.
J

[tazio]

Drum roll for the walk down memory lane Atlanta style. This is what I remember off the top of my head. I'm sure Wayne and the other Steve will add a few more.
I moved here in 1992 and there was Cycle specialities in Athens.
Then the greedy local Guzzi rep set up Blue Moon and a Kawasaki dealer not far away at the same basic time telling them they were exclusive. We all know that both told him to shove it soon after.
Then there was I believe factory Sponsered shop around Bells ferry area for a short time.
A Honda multi-line dealer near Roswell.
Atlanta Triumph.
The scooter store.
Riders Hill, the best ever.
Marietta sports car that has morphed into Marietta Vespa.
So at least 10 in 28 years or about 2.8 years each. About average I'd say

Zen Moto.
Was that the name of one of those locations you mentioned?

[mechanicsavant]

Yup , I bought my 16 V7II in 17 (my second Guzzi , 1st was used private seller) . I’ve purchased 3 Beemers there previously. He gave up the BMW franchise when they wanted him to “modernize “ . Since then he’s Guzzi only , Profits may be down a bit but so is his blood pressure . Hopefully I’ll be getting a V7/850 there in the spring (keeping my V7II & selling the Beemer ) . I told him he’s gotta out live me & keep me rolling . It’s better to be seen than viewed! Oh , who ? A-J’s in Gill Ma. Heaven forbid anything happens I’ll probably be Visiting Mr.Hamlin in Ct. an extra 70 Mi. From me

[Joliet Jim]

Zen Moto.
Was that the name of one of those locations you mentioned?

Years ago I had an extended work assignment down in Atlanta. Plus I have family down there. I think I've been to Zen, the one that was in Woodstock with Triumph, ATD, Riders Edge, and I think one more. They seemed serious about selling the brand. It seems there have been some excellent dealers over the years, so you can't blame them for the failure in the US market. (not implying anyone is)

[ken farr]

Bought my first Guzzi, an 02 Stone in Jan. 03, from Pro Italia in Glendale, Ca.  They quit Guzzi a few months later.  However, they are back with Guzzi, and have been for a few years now.
Bought my B-1100, from Moto International, closed, who picked it up from left over stock from Marsh Motorcycles, closed.
I bought parts from Sport Cycle Pacific, a small Guzzi dealer and general old style fix anything motorcycle shop in Santa Barbara, closed.  Miss that shop.
There was a shop in Thousand Oaks, he started off promising, and began to fade.  Went in with my 02 Stone once, his response was "they all do that", never went back. Closed.  I think he is still a big scooter dealer somewhere in the San Fernando Valley.
Another Guzzi dealership opened in Thousand Oaks, great dealer and shop. They fixed my leaking CARC correctly after Pro Italia used sealant and were jerks about it.
She ended up selling to a multi brand powersports outfit, Guzzi went away.


kjf

[Vagrant]

Zen Moto.
Was that the name of one of those locations you mentioned?

Nope, forgot about him. List modified.

[cloudbase]

I've bought both new and used from MPH.  Mike, like others, got tired of the corporate b.s. and is no longer a dealer.  They're still open for repairs, though.

[jrt]

I bought parts from Sport Cycle Pacific, a small Guzzi dealer and general old style fix anything motorcycle shop in Santa Barbara, closed.  Miss that shop.



kjf

I remember that shop- bought some parts for my V11 sport from them. They sold those cool GUZZI valve covers, if I recall.

[Vagrant]

1972 First new and first Guzzi, Larry in Lockport Illinois. Great guy but I moved to Presque Isle Wi. in 1973 and I believe he died.
1981 New G5 from Les and Kaye Caswell, Mora Mn. Great people and the dealership is still there but I have no idea who owns/runs it now. Kaye rode a convert. they loved Guzzi and that's the only type who sticks around through all the screwing.
1984 or 85 a new bike set up for touring and another just like it again in 1986 when a drunk totaled the first one. Both from Caswell.
1993 a new 1990 Mille GT (fast red) from a dealer in N/W Alabama who quit soon afterward.
1999 I got a new 98 EV from Cycle Specialities in Athens. long gone.
2016 new 2015 V7 from Portland (now gone) to leave in Az for the winters.
2017 new V7III from Maiertta sports car now Marietta Vespa so I guess they are still there.
2020 new V85TT from Euro in Charlotte and I hope they are still there.
So three dealers (I think) have stood the test of time out of the seven I bought new from.

There was a used 1974 850 in the mid 80's and I still have the 2001 EV I got used in 2007.

[Joliet Jim]

I remember that shop- bought some parts for my V11 sport from them. They sold those cool GUZZI valve covers, if I recall.

yes they did, I still love them

[Scott of the Sahara]

I bought my "new" 08 in 2010 From Moto International. They are gone but Dave still calls me every once in a while.

[Rons]

Bought my Griso used from Razee in RI.
They still have Guzzi, but don’t sell too many and don’t keep a lot of Guzzi bikes in stock, but he’s got some V7 night packs, racers, and V85s in stock. No complaints about their service dept- recently had the Griso in and they greased the splines in the rear and shock mounts. Minimal grease from the factory.

Guzzi and Aprilia have some great models for sale, I wish they were easier to do business with and had more dealers.

Triumph has a rep for being hard to deal with and they make some really cool models too.

I‘m told the Euro dealers are way more difficult to deal with than the Japanese brands.

[wrbix]

What is it about you guys that drives all these dealerships out of business? 

[DaddyRabbit]

Moto International- Gone-  Copper top Hydro Cali-Gone
Union Cycle, NC- Gone-  Cali Vintage- Gone

Matthews Fun Machines, NC- Gone-  Cali 1400 Touring-still rocking, love this motorcycle

[Denis]

I bought my '87 1000 SP II new from Midway Cycles in Lillington, NC. I still have it and also own a '91 California with a Lemans engine which a buddy bought new there.
Sadly Midway Cycles is long gone but they were great and their open houses were legendary!

[Joliet Jim]

What is it about you guys that drives all these dealerships out of business? 

We keep our California's forever

[bad Chad]

How true!    

And half the folks on this forum brag about how they :

A. Never bought a new Guzzi
B. have never been back/to a dealer because they do all their own work

Makes it hard to be a dealer when so many potential customers are so independent.

[Joliet Jim]

How true!    

And half the folks on this forum brag about how they :

A. Never bought a new Guzzi
B. have never been back/to a dealer because they do all their own work

Makes it hard to be a dealer when so many potential customers are so independent.

We'll part of the issue they don't need much work. Mine was at Rosefarm once for a repair. Otherwise it's been all me doing valves and oil and a local shop to mount tires that moved to Indiana. Now as I'm older and just not wanting to spend time wrenching I'd love a local dealer to do belts on the Centauro or a once over on the 20 year old Stone.

[Darren Williams]

No.

[Tom]

No longer in business.  I bought only one bike new.  '93 Daytona mono-post #2.  Tried to get #1.  The business got sold to a d@ckhead.  That's why it went out of business.

[larrys]

I bought my '83 SP new from Schusters Cycles in Meriden, CT. Phil Schuster and his guys were into partying more than wrenching. I told him I wanted the bike in the crate and that I would set it up. To my surprise, he agreed to. They're long gone.
Larry

[Indypikes]

Bought my 2016 leftover Eldorado 1400 from Windy City Cycle in St. Charles, IL. They no longer have the Guzzi brand listed. I believe the only Guzzi dealer in Chicagoland is Woodstock Powersports. Last I checked they had one V9 for sale that was two years old. Hope I'm wrong.

[screamday]

1998 V11......dealer long gone.

[bad Chad]

I don’t know how many MGs are in Piaggio’s  USA warehouse, but I get the feeling it’s not many.

I contacted Woodstock Powersports recently inquiring about  Guzzi inventory.   They confirmed all they had left is the one v9 Sport, until they are able to get new models in the spring.  They were quite sorry and were looking forward to getting more, as they had and sold many last year.

[jbhotchkiss]

1200 Sport and Cali1400 Custom, purchased from Dave Richardson of Moto International in Seattle.  Dave now retired and MI gone.

[Tom]

Same situation that happened in Mesa.  Thriving business bought by someone that has no clue about customer service.  Goes downhill and closes because of not taking care of their customers.

Same philosophy for the jerks running the dealership out here.  They're really a multi-brand operation adult toy store.  They sell cars & motorcycles but their service department sucks.  I have more parts than they do.  An older bike good luck.  They don't work on them; HD, Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Triumph or Piaggio scooters. 

[Joliet Jim]

Bought my 2016 leftover Eldorado 1400 from Windy City Cycle in St. Charles, IL. They no longer have the Guzzi brand listed. I believe the only Guzzi dealer in Chicagoland is Woodstock Powersports. Last I checked they had one V9 for sale that was two years old. Hope I'm wrong.

Not much faith when they spell Aprilia wrong on their website.

[bad Chad]

You might want to be a bit more forgiving, Joliet. 

Marty might have spelled it wrong too, back in the day.

[Motoark]

Got my 98 EV from Ellis at Geneva Cycle....same town Illinois. It was the last one he sold. Spring of 99. He still sells bicycles outta the same shop.