Another dealer on the verge of dropping Moto Guzzi

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I've been reading the posts here on the 2021 V7 850 and other 2021 models.  So I called up the webpage for the closest dealer to me here in California, Elk Grove Powersports.  Leftover 2020 models at a discount was all I could find.  Upon inquiry, I was told "were not sure what we're doing yet" and "not sure what they're doing yet" and "We have a little breakdown in communications with them".  I recall similar problems in years past.  I hope they can work out their business issues with Moto Guzzi/Piaggio.   

[Luap McKeever]

Sad trend.

[nbags]

piaggo does not seem very customer service oriented , to customers and dealers I really don't think dealer can make much selling MG it has to be a very tough situation specially when dealers try to take care of their customers and wind up eating some repair that should have been under warranty to start with .Come on Piaggo step up and take care of the dealers that represent your brand , having built a reputation and a following make something out of it and run with it ,
 a Guzzi owner want nothing but a Guzzi to be their next bike it is tough when the support from factory is not 100 % there , never know step up you may sell a bunch more bikes

[Moparnut72]

I looked at their inventory yesterday and wondered what was going on. They have a few Guzzis on the floor, only MY 20s. They were going to be my go to dealer considering my experiences with the Reno dealership. I do my own work but if MG comes out with a new model I can't live without I will definitely order it from back east, probably what I would do anyway.
kk

[kingoffleece]

if it helps, you can purchase a new Guzzi from Hamlin Cycles, have Jim run it in and do first service, and have it shipped out.

[Moparnut72]

Basically my plan or Cadre Cycle.
kk

[TN Mark]

Many forum members and Moto Guzzi owners are fairly loyal and/or highly devoted to the brand. Most dealers simply aren’t afforded that luxury. Business is business and what sells and covers the overhead is typically what stays on the sales floor.

The Moto Guzzi brand hasn’t supported their dealers above average for 3 consecutive years since, well ever. Certainly not since I became aware of the brand after buying my first Guzzi in 1978.

This isn’t ‘news’ to anyone in the industry nor to any owner past their first half year of ownership. The owners/importers simply don’t seem to care about the US market. And who could blame them? The US is an expensive and highly regulated market for them to sell into. And their sales have simply not returned much back to them for their effort.

It’s sad as some of the bike’s could have potential if they were supported anywhere near the consumer’s expectation level. The brand continues to be a bit player in a niche market so it’s unreasonable to expect an adequate dealer network. A few good to excellent dealers in the US is simply par for the course.

[JJ]

Sad trend.

"Going out of business since 1921...." 

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

My friend who owns the local KTM/BMW shop says he would LOVE to pick up Guzzi, but he carried Vespa for about 5-6 years before he dropped them (had no problem selling the scooters, he moved loads of them) and swears he will never get in bed with Piaggio again

[bettythebear]

I've never asked about it specifically, but I can't imagine AF1 has too hard of a time with them. Maybe it's because of the volume they do. It's not uncommon for them to have two dozen Aprilias sold by the time the truck even drops them off.

[Vagrant]

I bet AF1 has a under the table deal in place that makes it all worth while.
I've tolerated the pathetic support and going through dealers like diarrhea because I could do most work myself and it usually wasn't warranty. But now the V85 has had to be haulled to the dealer twice to get hooked up to "pads". It will take one more trip assuming they warranty the failing O2 sensor. I'm lucky as Marietta Vespa is only an hour away and has been very good to me and it's issues. If we are forced to deal with pads and Guzzi dia doesn't get us a fix for these new computers the long distance dealer purchases will end for 90% of us.

[sdcr]

I have a friend who was in the MC business in the late 70’s and 80’s. He worked for a dealer, who along with Kawasaki, had Moto Guzzi. He relates a story that the dealership had to accept two T 3’s, for every Le Mans. I think it was around 1977 or 78.

The Dealership dropped Guzzi a few years later, which left just 3 Guzzi dealers for the entire state of a Pennsylvania.

[Mike Craven]

.... If we are forced to deal with pads and Guzzi dia doesn't get us a fix for these new computers the long distance dealer purchases will end for 90% of us.

On a tangent there is a "right to repair" movement and legislation development in some states.  If interested see John Deere and Wall Street Journal in your web searches also.

[twowheeladdict]

I have a friend who was in the MC business in the late 70’s and 80’s. He worked for a dealer, who along with Kawasaki, had Moto Guzzi. He relates a story that the dealership had to accept two T 3’s, for every Le Mans. I think it was around 1977 or 78.

The Dealership dropped Guzzi a few years later, which left just 3 Guzzi dealers for the entire state of a Pennsylvania.

I've been told by several dealers that Kawasaki has the best warranty in the business, and if you have trouble getting warranty work, it is the dealer, not Kawasaki. I even had a repair done by a Honda only dealer while on the road and Kawasaki reimbursed me the full amount.

[guzzisteve]

I'll bet your booty that they have new model Vespa's & Aprillia's, just sell those. They will be back to a couple hundred bikes sold in US just like in the early 90's. Piss Poor outlook ahead.

[Moparnut72]

I just looked at their inventory, they have MY 21 Vespas and Aprilias on the floor. Not very many but a few. So how is this any different than stocking MGs, same parent company?
kk

[sdcr]

I only mentioned that the dealer also had Kawasaki. Nothing to do with Guzzi or any warranty work.

I've been told by several dealers that Kawasaki has the best warranty in the business, and if you have trouble getting warranty work, it is the dealer, not Kawasaki. I even had a repair done by a Honda only dealer while on the road and Kawasaki reimbursed me the full amount.

[Dave Swanson]

I live 100 miles due west of Chicago and the closest Guzzi dealer to me is 6 hours away.  It's pretty astounding that the huge metropolitan area of Chicago does not having a single dealer!     

I was checking the dealer list on Daniel Kalal's post and it appears that all of the Wisconsin dealers have opted out of MG over the past few years.   The local dealer in Woodstock, IL no longer carries Guzzi as of last year. 

I must also add that the sparse dealer network has never been the slightest negative factor for me, but it doesn't give me warm fuzzies for overall MG success in the USA in the future.

I have been mulling over buying one of the new V7-850s since I test rode one at the National.   The lone Illinois dealer in the southern part of the state does not have any glowing reviews, so it will be another 30 minute drive or thereabouts to Cadre, which is just fine with me. 

[Tusayan]

The basic issue is that the modern world is going away from the local dealer model while European manufacturers like Piaggio (and BMW) try desperately to force buyers to do ongoing business with dealers with service lights, proprietary tools etc.  BMW has been doing it for many years, way back to special wrenches...   Guzzi never did play that game in the distant past and if Piaggio were a little more forward thinking now they would realize that their product is actually pretty well aligned with the future: periodic service is very simple and can be done by anybody including owners and independent shops, and that legal challenges to their practice are mounting as per the FTC "Right to Repair" activity mentioned above.

[twowheeladdict]

I only mentioned that the dealer also had Kawasaki. Nothing to do with Guzzi or any warranty work.

Has to do with the dealer knowing it can be better.  Dealers that only carry European brands just think it is normal the way they are treated.  That is the point being made. 

[Vagrant]

I heard through a reliable source that when the new contract comes up Piss off E_O demands they buy a $10,000 parts kit to continue on. Note kit, not parts of your choice which would still be ludicrist!

[sdcr]

This is similar to making dealers order models that don’t sell as well, in order to get the more sellable units. That is what I heard about in the late 70’s. Dealer was required to order lesser T3’s, in order to get Le Mans models.

I heard through a reliable source that when the new contract comes up Piss off E_O demands they buy a $10,000 parts kit to continue on. Note kit, not parts of your choice which would still be ludicrist!

[bad Chad]

Has to do with the dealer knowing it can be better.  Dealers that only carry European brands just think it is normal the way they are treated.  That is the point being made.

That’s ridiculous. If you are able to figure that out don’t you think most business owners could too?

[DaSwami]

Just rode my Milano for an hour last night.  Full break-in service performed, traction control off, 900 miles, what a great ride, that will only get better.  Agostini exhaust in the garage waiting to be installed.

But I'm also moving back to Montana soon and the nearest dealer is 8 hours away. The nearest "good" dealer?  Don't know. Shrug

I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to keep the Milano and the Carbon Shine, I am going to have to learn to do my own service  / minor repairs.  If anything bad happens I am pretty much screwed. The ongoing trend in parts and support continues to be a slow downward spiral. It's so sad, as there is NOTHING that has that complete package of looks, character, handling, and fun like the V7 series for me.

I don't know what to do.

[rdtricks]

The only dealership I will trade with for Moto Guzzi in California is GP Motorcycles in San Diego.  Yeah, it is a real drive for me to purchase a new bike from them but all the dealerships I have talked with in northern California left me feeling cold and uninspired.  Paul Lima and his crew treated me well and really worked with me over pricing and accessories.  I do all my own servicing and small repairs - to date - with parts ordered through the various vendors online.  It is a brave new world for us older riders.  At least most of us know a thing or two about spanners and oil viscosity.  Ha!

[kingoffleece]

It's not that dire for regular maintenance.  Any independent shop can adjust the valves if you don't feel comfortable.  The rest is fluids-anyone can do that.  Forks and brake flush?  Again, almost any shop can handle that.  Gotta be some riders up there who can point you in the right direction.

[Moparnut72]

The tech in Reno is good. I haven't seen him since last summer, so I don't know if he is still with the company. I won't buy another bike from them but I would use the service department if I have to. I do most of my own work so I really don't have a need unless it's electronic.
kk

[twowheeladdict]

That’s ridiculous. If you are able to figure that out don’t you think most business owners could too?

A lot of businesses go out of business every day.  Go figure that out. 

[vf84pc]

I live in Buffalo NY last time I looked the nearest dealer was Hamlin Cycles in Connecticut 6+ hour drive. The last local guy Williamsville competition motorsports that sold many guzzi's (in relation to most dealers in the U.S) He complained that he had sold customers bike's but Piaggio did not deliver them or at least deliver them in a timely fashion. After he closed we had a small niche dealer handling Guzzi, Enfield and Ural they seemed to be a good operation everyone I met who bought bikes and had service done there said they were ok. However it seems that Piaggio was not happy with their numbers and moved the franchise to a big shop. Well the big shop pays it's bills by selling Yamaha and Honda and has Ducati for prestige, they certainly were not going to push Guzzi very hard. So now we have no dealer in upstate NY.
Th U.S. is the largest market in the world for Motorcycles (Large Road bikes) Europe and Asia are dominated with scooters and stepthru's (honda cub's)
Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki design and build motorcycles for the U.S. Market as does BMW and Triumph. Ducati is trying to gain Market share in the US
The European manufactures have lost touch with the US market. We have no BMW or Triumph dealers either, triumph had a dealer 1 mile from me and they sold allot of Triumphs and Victory's. Victory closed and Triumph came in and basically told him he would need to build a new facility dedicated to Triumph's and up his "Floor Plan" that being the $50.00 T-shirts and over priced Triumph merchandise that very few customers bought.
He told them to get lost and they went to the same big shop that Guzzi did and they dropped them also.
The Euro manufacture's are trying to emulate the HD lifestyle brand and make big $$ selling merch. but it took HD years to build that brand and the timing of they baby boomers was critical to their success. I don't think the younger generation see's the HD freedom of the road thing as something they want to aspire too. A young doctor at our pediatricians office had a V7 white with the allow wheels I think it was a 13 first year or so. He told me when he went to Bike nights with his fellow Dr. who had a Sportster the V7 drew the attention. But most people did not realize it was a new bike they thought Guzzi went the way of the dodo bird back in the 60's or 70's When he told them it was new with fuel injection they wanted to know where they could buy one! Needless to say they will quickly loose their enthusiasm when the found out the closest retailer was 6+ hours!
Back in the 1980's the dealers would work together to have a "Local Motorcycle show" attendee's paid to get in, the dealers had bikes there, there were vendors selling accessory's, there would be certain events to draw spectators and it was in January (Winter nothing else to do) The dealers sold some left over bikes and people became interested in the "New models" and it generated enthusiasm. No body reads bike mag's anymore they need to generate the enthusiasm and the following with events and bike tours and some bike shows, invite all brands but focus on your brand. All that will end up on social media and work with the dealers to build the following but "Rome was not built in one day" it will take time.

[krglorioso]

Just when I thought Piaggio had shed the moniker, "The gang that couldn't shoot straight".  I'm still sad that Speaker's and MPH in Houston dropped Guzzi, but my disappointment is not aimed at these upstanding former dealers.  Shame on Piaggio.

Ralph