To MGNOC, or not to MGNOC, the threadfest

[sib]

I do occasionally look at the MGNOC web site.  In the Articles section, none of the articles have dates (which I think they should), but from the few that reveal their approximate dates, they seem outdated and stale.  If the site had, for example, some technical articles on the upcoming V7 II series, or on troubleshooting recent MG models, I would consider joining.

[bad Chad]

I love going to rallies and camp outs, but as most know those that show up are getting more gray each year, and not enough young folks are showing up to  keep the numbers up.  If this doesn't change, I don't think their will be many conventional Guzzi rallies left in the US.

I think we need to ask ourselves, why don't more young people show up?  

My take is that young folks have far more options today, as far as how to spend their leisure time, then we did at their age.   Ridding to a semi far away destination to camp in the woods with a bunch of fat, gray haired dudes on weird old bikes and sit around a camp fire and drink beer, may only appeal to a relatively small group of the young.   Most rallies don't have live music, and if they do it's usually, country or blue grass, and its over by 9:30.

Walk out of your tent at midnight Friday at any Guzzi rally, what will you hear?  Crickets, and sounds of snoring!   There may be a couple fires with a few folks still up having too much fun to go to bed ( Im almost always in one of them)  but 90% of the rally is asleep!  

I love rallies and campouts, but if the format doesn't change a bit, or young people have some sort of epiphany that they do like to hang out in the woods, the future for conventional rallies looks bleak.

[Arizona Wayne]

Those here that find fault with the MGNOC don't realize that if it wasn't for this Guzzi club Moto Guzzi probably wouldn't still be in business here.  Before the internet all Guzzistis would be loners with no one to communicate with about their bike.  There would have never been Guzzi state or National rallies to mingle with like riders and share information.  MGNOC has been in business since 1970.

[Dean Rose]

If by "Group", you mean "Moto Guzzi National Owners Club", or "MGNOC", then you will need to speak with Frank Wedge.

MGNOC is a company owned by Frank.  There is no board and no officers.  It's his private deal.  Any changes there would need to be addressed to Frank.

Wild Guzzi is not associated with MGNOC other than some of the leadership here are also "members" of MGNOC.  And some of the members here also happen to be "members" of MGNOC.

Wild Guzzi continues to grow and we are glad to see new members signing up here every day.  The information, stories, and reports freely shared by all are invaluable to the Moto Guzzi community.  We are glad and thankful that this is the most active Moto Guzzi community on the web.

We hope it continues to be such.

 :+1


Dean

[rocker59]

I love going to rallies and camp outs, but as most know those that show up are getting more gray each year, and not enough young folks are showing up to  keep the numbers up.  If this doesn't change, I don't think their will be many conventional Guzzi rallies left in the US.

I think we need to ask ourselves, why don't more young people show up?  

My take is that young folks have far more options today, as far as how to spend their leisure time, then we did at their age.   Ridding to a semi far away destination to camp in the woods with a bunch of fat, gray haired dudes on weird old bikes and sit around a camp fire and drink beer, may only appeal to a relatively small group of the young.   Most rallies don't have live music, and if they do it's usually, country or blue grass, and its over by 9:30.

Walk out of your tent at midnight Friday at any Guzzi rally, what will you hear?  Crickets, and sounds of snoring!   There may be a couple fires with a few folks still up having too much fun to go to bed ( Im almost always in one of them)  but 90% of the rally is asleep!  

I love rallies and campouts, but if the format doesn't change a bit, or young people have some sort of epiphany that they do like to hang out in the woods, the future for conventional rallies looks bleak.

I think you need to attend MO-KAN.   (not an MGNOC event).

http://www.mo-kanguzziclub.com/

[Orange Guzzi]

I live in Indiana, yet life close to Kentucky.  The Kentucky rep lives a few miles from me, the Indiana rep over 100 miles.  Here in my area, a group meets each Wednesday, rain or shine, that has nothing to do with the brand.  The Group, Louisville Vintage Motor Group.  A unorganized group of motorcycle riders of all types and brands.  Since its inception a few years ago, I was the only one riding a Moto Guzzi.  Since that time, the brand has become more prevalent.  Their are old and new Moto Guzzi bikes. I encourage all Moto Guzzi owners to join MGNOC.  Curt and his wife have a new V7 and a recently purchased older touring rig.  We had the Kentucky Kickdown in August with a dealer from Illinois bringing in some bikes.  Nobody from MGNOC showed up.  I would suggest that with each new bike sold, a free 1 year membership to MGNOC.  The VJMC was at the Kickdown bike show and many other events I have attended this past year.  MGNOC can do the same.  If I attend an event, I make an effort to ride my Moto Guzzi and wear my shirt, over my other Buell or two vintage Kawasaki's I currently own.  I am a proud owner of a Moto Guzzi.  I know there are many other web sites that discuss Moto Guzzi bikes and have seen some of the same posters here on WildGuzzi post on them.  I have seen Posters on other sites that do not post here.  WildGuzzi seems to be the main site, thanks Laup, but not the only site.  I do not see combining the two as a solution to MGNOC growth.  Preaching to the choir will not grow the group.  The VJMC have the right plan of action and the numbers to prove it.  A public presents at as many events as possible.  Without having a big ego about it, I believe I have had a big influence on the brand here in the Louisville area.  Because of my presents at many events.  

[dilligaf]

I'm not sure I understand what the poster means by active.  Some years back we attempted to get a rally going here is South Carolina.  Organizing the rally was the easy part.  Finding a date that didn't interfere with other MGNOC Rallies was the hard part.  I settled on the first weekend in November. A date during the normal riding season, what ever that is, was impossible.  I gave up after the second rally.  :(

I agree with the age thing and being 75 I sure as hell don't have any answers. I enjoy the campground being quit by midnight.  ;-T But many years ago, a long-long time ago the red suspenders crowd found my friends and me a little loud and maybe we were just a little to drunk to care.  ::(

Some of the f%%king freeloaders are people like me, who try to offer good technical advice and commentary, so we contribute in a non-monetary way.

 ::) We all know the value of free advice.  ;D  Just look at Fox News or MSNBC.  :wife:

 :BEER:
Matt

[azguzzirep]

if it wasn't for this Guzzi club Moto Guzzi probably wouldn't still be in business here.  Before the internet all Guzzistis would be loners with no one to communicate with about their bike.  

Yup, that is why there are so many Guzzi barn finds and not HD barn finds.

I was a Guzzi club rep for 10(?) years. hence the azguzzirep name. It helped me with my first Guzzi immensely, putting me in contact with other Guzzi owners and also the monthly Guzzi breakfast.

But this forum is also very good, as it is much wider in scope and deeper in depth than mgnoc. I hope this site and the people here remain for a good long time.

Tom

[bad Chad]

Those here that find fault with the MGNOC don't realize that if it wasn't for this Guzzi club Moto Guzzi probably wouldn't still be in business here.  Before the internet all Guzzistis would be loners with no one to communicate with about their bike.  There would have never been Guzzi state or National rallies to mingle with like riders and share information.  MGNOC has been in business since 1970.

You may very well be right Wayne.   What I am trying to say is that MGNOC has not changed much at all since 1970!  What worked great in the first 30 years of MGNOC, are not necessarily relevant to the state of things today.    Its darn near a 50 year old business model that I think would benefit from some major updating.

Sounds like a need to get to a MO-Kan!

[rodekyll]

Ah, the annual MGNOC assault on WG.  It must be winter.   **C   Those of you suggesting non MGNOC members are not welcome on WG might have it backwards.  You boys have a website already.  If you don't like the sense of community on YOUR club forum, maybe that's where you need to start changing things.  Maybe bring it up at your next meeting or start a topic over there.   ;)

My main motivation for participating in WG is to pass on what I know about the bikes before I can't anymore.  I think I give more than I take.  If none of my contributions count and I'm branded a "FREELOADER" on Wild Guzzi unless I also pay into Frank Wedge's personal retirement account I'm outta here.  

My main motivation for not participating in the MGNOC is that Frank's private enterprise is his business -- literally.  His MGNOC is a club in the same way a strip joint is a "gentleman's club," except that the gentleman's club is more accessible and has more attractions.  I object to the way the 'club' is run, and I disagree with the personality cult that says "Without Frank there would be no Guzzi's in the USA."  I began my relationship with the marquee in the early '70s.  I never heard of Frank Wedge or the MGNOC until I was a half-dozen Guzzis into it.  I doubt that either Frank or I have suffered for it, and I doubt anyone else would, either.

I've got no problem with Frank's choir preaching his gospel to his faithful at his events.  You folks feel free to sing out at your club meetings.  WG is not part of that.  Please leave your jihad at the door.  Perhaps try a takeover of the BMWMOA -- you've got the same relevance there.



 . . .   and yes, if a person thinks Guzzi rallys/events are old, stale, and boring, MOKAN will wake you up.  Except for the professional live band playing nightly, the skookum bbq trailer loaded with a few pigs and a half-dozen turkeys cooking, and the semi trailer-sized booze wagon, it's very much like an old-school biker get together.  I recommend it.   ;-T

[Guzzistajohn]

You may very well be right Wayne.   What I am trying to say is that MGNOC has not changed much at all since 1970!  What worked great in the first 30 years of MGNOC, are not necessarily relevant to the state of things today.    Its darn near a 50 year old business model that I think would benefit from some major updating.

Sounds like a need to get to a MO-Kan!

Although Mo-Kan is a pretty dull area to ride in, if you're into rock and roll bands and howling at the moon, it's the rally to go to. Those St. Joe boys know how to P-A-R-T-Y! For 3 or 4 years I was regular at the St. Joe Ace Cafe (Ace Mallot that is) those boys know how to have some fun.

Personally, I like a rally where the local area is fun to ride in. Like David and Colleen's rally near Hot Springs. The 300 some odd miles to get there for me was an EXCELLENT ride. I don't need another excuse to get hammered, I can do that on my own.

Different strokes 'ya know!

JS

[fotoguzzi]

I don't go to MoKAN much because it's a 700 mile road straight as an arrow to get there.. by the time I get back my back tire is always squared off.

Join us at the MN rally, new date/new place, God's country- camp on the shore of Lake Superior! bring warm clothes..

MGNOC has not adapted to the new millenium..

[Matteo]

Portland Moto Guzzi threw a customer appreciation party last night and the breakdown in new owners was a 2/3rds majority of thirty something's. With 3/4s buying new V7's, 1 Griso and one Stelvio were represented. A few older customers were also on hand (someone had to tell stories). Gerri, the head of the Oregon Owners club also came and welcomed everyone into the fold. The Northwest regional rep for Piaggio even attended so we got to grill him with questions, nice fella Josh. And thanks to Rick and Anne for hosting. A good time was had by all. Good community here with lots of combined support from the Washington group.

[dilligaf]

Could be David-could be.  I was a Moto Guzzi dealer back in the eighties and didn't know the MGNOC existed. I had no trouble selling Guzzies. When I purchased back my LeMans, 2002 or maybe it was 2003, there was a MGNOC sticker under the seat. Hmmmm what's this? Found the webpage and been a member every since.
Regarding you comment "MGNOC is that Frank's private enterprise is his business -- literally". Do you think these guys, who ever they may be, are running this web site for free?
I pay the dues to MGNOC and I contribute to Wild Guzzi and I receive value from both.
To repeat, MGNOC is the glue that hold us all together.    :BEER:
Matt

[oldbike54]

Actually Matt , the Admins and Mods here are doing this for free .

  Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

Join us at the MN rally, new date/new place, God's country- camp on the shore of Lake Superior! bring warm clothes..

That's what I liked about David Welch's rally, my chicken strips were skinny skinny  ;D ;-T

MGNOC has not adapted to the new millenium..

[Lannis]

I love going to rallies and camp outs, but as most know those that show up are getting more gray each year, and not enough young folks are showing up to  keep the numbers up.  If this doesn't change, I don't think their will be many conventional Guzzi rallies left in the US.

I think we need to ask ourselves, why don't more young people show up?  

My take is that young folks have far more options today, as far as how to spend their leisure time, then we did at their age.   Ridding to a semi far away destination to camp in the woods with a bunch of fat, gray haired dudes on weird old bikes and sit around a camp fire and drink beer, may only appeal to a relatively small group of the young.   Most rallies don't have live music, and if they do it's usually, country or blue grass, and its over by 9:30.

Walk out of your tent at midnight Friday at any Guzzi rally, what will you hear?  Crickets, and sounds of snoring!   There may be a couple fires with a few folks still up having too much fun to go to bed ( Im almost always in one of them)  but 90% of the rally is asleep!  

I love rallies and campouts, but if the format doesn't change a bit, or young people have some sort of epiphany that they do like to hang out in the woods, the future for conventional rallies looks bleak.

So what would you suggest that the rally organizers add to the rally in order to attract more Young People?    Right now, we have places to camp or lodge, we have campfires, food, places to hang out, guided or unguided rides during the day, door prizes, and awards, or some subset thereof.

What needs to be added by the organizers to make sure that the rally isn't just old farts snoring away by midnight?   

Lannis

[Dean Rose]

What needs to be added by the organizers to make sure that the rally isn't just old farts snoring away by midnight?   

Lannis

Maybe lap dancing?

Dean

[oldbike54]

Maybe lap dancing?

Dean

Gonna take some long legged limber dancers to accomplish that  ;D

  Dusty

[Orange Guzzi]

Maybe lap dancing?

Dean

Maybe a new club called, Young Midnight Guzzi Riders since there are some here that thing that being in bed before midnight is for sissy's.  YMGRC

[not-fishing]

You want to bring younger riders into Moto Guzzi.

Simple but you'll have to do what I do with another club (rifles, shotguns, handguns) and teach the young, supply the equipment and take the younger riders for safe afternoon rides.

I did it with my children, nieces, nephews and and their friends with firearms.

So if you want younger riders start buying V7's or 750 Breva's and help them learn to ride properly.

That's how you'll bring the next generation in.  

I hope to build a little V7 Scrambler "trainer"

[rodekyll]

Matt, I really don't care what Frank is doing as long as it's not forced on me.  I stay out of these discussions until 1) I'm told that I owe him (I don't), or 2) it's suggested that I am required to pay Frank in order to participate in an independent group (I won't).  If Frank has any interest in WG he'd be an active member here.  If the glue was working, there would be folks waiting in line to step up when a state rep retires/quits.  As it is, there are a number of states with no reps and reps poised to retire soon that don't see a successor in sight.  At least in the PNW, the Piaggio rep is more active than Frank is.  If folks were really interested in expanding the Guzzi community they wouldn't be restricting access to it by requiring payments to an unrelated business and branding its members as freeloaders if they don't.  They'd be embracing new riders and encouraging their free participation.

All strictly my opinion, of course.   :)

[Lannis]

Maybe lap dancing?

Dean

You volunteering?   You can give someone else my turn .....   :o

[Guzzistajohn]

Gonna take some long legged limber dancers to accomplish that  ;D

  Dusty

Maybe lap dancing?

Dean

You know,motorcycling IS mostly a daytime sport.

Adding a little "night time" sport might just liven things up a little.

I wonder if we can find some lap dancers for Oh.......$10.00 to $20.00 a night? You know us old pharts are cheap old pharts.Maybe hire some gals from the closest nursing home............... ......Brown chicken brown cow ;D

[ChuckH]

Join us at the MN rally, new date/new place, God's country- camp on the shore of Lake Superior! bring warm clothes....

I'm interested.  What is the new date and the new location?  Thanks.

[Lannis]

  If the glue was working, there would be folks waiting in line to step up when a state rep retires/quits.  As it is, there are a number of states with no reps and reps poised to retire soon that don't see a successor in sight.  

Why would anyone sign up to be a state rep?   So they can be accused of being part of a private moneymaking scheme, getting beat up because they're running a rally that conflicts with another rally 1500 miles away, and being told it's just for old farts anyway because there's no titty shows, burnout pits, or chugging contests?

Bugger that.  Thank God that some people step up and do it.   And I appreciate it enough to have signed up to be a life MGNOC member and to contribute a little $$ here at WG when I can .... if I'm not going to get out there and do the work, it's the least I can do.   Or I guess I could just piss and moan about it, but others have got that covered.

Lannis

[EldoMike]

To repeat, MGNOC is the glue that hold us all together.    :BEER:
Matt

Personally I think it our love of the marque that holds us together

[rodekyll]

Why would anyone sign up to be a state rep?   So they can be accused of being part of a private moneymaking scheme, getting beat up because they're running a rally that conflicts with another rally 1500 miles away, and being told it's just for old farts anyway because there's no titty shows, burnout pits, or chugging contests?

Bugger that.  Thank God that some people step up and do it.   And I appreciate it enough to have signed up to be a life MGNOC member and to contribute a little $$ here at WG when I can .... if I'm not going to get out there and do the work, it's the least I can do.   Or I guess I could just piss and moan about it, but others have got that covered.

Lannis

I'll take that as agreement. 

[davedel44]

I'd like to have a Missouri campout in the spring. I can put you guys right in the middle of some really good Ozarks roads.

Anyone interested?

Yes
I guess Luap's rally is a thing of the past :'(.  I think Dusty has hit the nail on the head.  The next incarnation of Guzzi events will be NARs.  The Oklahoma Campout  year before last, and Sickbay's Arkansas NAR were excellent.  I don't know how much planning went on behind the scenes, but all the bases were covered.  Everyone seemed to pitch in and things got done. 

We need to get the word out to the new riders.  There are a lot new guys on the V7s and some have been showing up at recent rallys. I know Beaver and Sickbay987 both kept sign in sheets.  Maybe we could use these to reach out and offer personal invite to some of the events. 

Not everyone knows of this forum.  How about posting the Web address at the dealerships? 

Next time you plan to attend a rally bring a buddy Guzzisti or otherwise.

Dave
Galveston

[ChuckH]

I've normally supported the marque club for each bike I was riding -- MGNOC when I rode Beemers, Concours Owners Group when I had a C-14, etc.  I am now a member of MGNOC because I own/ride a Guzzi.  I also contribute annually to WG.  However, the only time I go into the MGNOC Newsletter is to find out about the upcoming rally schedule, I find the articles and advertisements of little interest.

A question -- has there ever been consideration given to a designated section for a schedule of upcoming rallies, NAR's, campouts, etc on the WG website?  I realize there is normally some advance discussion about these events on the website and, as they get closer, they're elevated to the "sticky" category at the top of the page but I'm thinking further out than that so advance planning would be easier.