MGX-21 Flying Fortress bat bike bagger merged threadfest

[kern16]

I spent a couple of hours tonight at Adventure Motorsports of NW Florida in Pensacola, our local Guzzi dealer, viewing the new Eldorado, the Audace (Aw-dah-che) and the concept MGX-21 bagger.

We had a contingent of Guzzi officials on hand, 2 of whom had flown in from Italy and one from NYC. A professional moderator along with a chap from a dealership in Connecticut also joined the traveling show moving by van throughout the US.  

We had a great crowd, a great spread of food and we all enjoyed looking at the bikes and talking with the people from Moto Guzzi.  

Earlier in the day they interviewed several recruited focus groups, primarily non-Guzzi riders, to gauge market sentiment towards their products.

They deserve a lot of credit for this effort.

All of the Italians with Guzzi were in their 30's and the average age of our group was not under 50.  The Guzzi guys were very friendly and received a lot of input back from our group. The MGX-21 did not generate a lot of warmth among our group but most people seemed to like the new Eldorado. Pictures of the MGX-21 were not allowed. Even the black Audace got some favorable looks but not on the level of the Eldorado.  

The MGX-21 had a lot of carbon fiber body parts.  The skinny 21-inch wheel up front is a cast aluminum wheel with carbon fiber covers attached to each side. We were told Guzzi is considering holes cut into the carbon fiber front wheel covers to reduce cross-wind buffeting. The beetle-type saddlebags come off along with their carbon fiber body trim panels to give access to the rear tire for service.

For those who have opined that the new Eldo should have a round headlight instead of the massive new-wave hunk, the round lamp of the Audace will bolt right onto the new Eldorado. I'm not sure it would be visually large enough but the mounting brackets are the same.  

Will any of this sell?  Nobody knows for sure.

We did discuss upgrades to the V7 motor and were given reason for hope in this regard.  They were aware of the idea for a Baby Stelvio but made no commitment in their remarks. They all told us that, right now, the factory marketing effort was focused on the V7 line and the California line. Prospects for the other models are taking a back seat for now.  

Water cooling is being "worked-on" and one of the water-cooled possibilities would displace 1500cc.

We also discussed production issues such as poorly greased bearings, poorly tightened fasteners and wiring issues such as with the aux lamps on the Stelvio. One customer raked them around about not having self-cancelling turn signals like his Japanese bikes.

Again, Guzzi deserves credit for this effort.  I was one of the last to leave.  Standing outside with the Italians, a crowd of about 300 people were milling around with a live band and BBQ cookers at the Harley dealership directly across the 4-lane street from us. The Italians asked what that was and I explained the regular monthly "Bike Night" and the Harley Owners Group (HOG) meetings that bring all the H-D owners together at the dealership. They were fascinated and headed that way for a first-hand look.

Stock pictures:

The New Eldorado


Audace (Aw-dah-che)


MGX-21

David all I want to add is:
I put a plug N to our new friends re:  the Eldo (NEEDS to have the Red Color Option as to color not just Black!) They also mentioned that bags and windscreen will b available for the Eldo!

[bad Chad]

Don't you guys ever think of looking at the Guzzi website for info?

MOTO GUZZI NATIONAL TOUR
Moto Guzzi is proud to announce that we will launch a tour to promote the return of the Eldorado and the launch of the Audace. The tour stops throughout the United States are below!


1. Seattle, WA – Moto International                                  Tue    May 5                             
2. Sacramento, CA - Elk Grove                                        Thurs May 7
3. Newport Beach, CA – Newport Italian                          Sat     May 9
4. Austin, TX – AF1 Racing                                              Thurs  May 14
5. Pensacola, FL – Adventure Motorsports                      Tue     May 19
6. Matthews, NC - Matthews Fun Machines                     Thurs  May 21
7. Brooklyn, NY – Moto Guzzi Brooklyn                            Thurs  May 28

Seems like they forgot about the center of the Nation?   Why they aren't making a stop at Elk Hart Lake WI in early June for a double weekend of Moto American Super Bike races, followed the next weekend by ARMA vintage road racing I don't know, seems like a total no brainer?

[Chuck in Indiana]

total no brainer

Egad! Chad! I believe you have it..
 ;D :BEER:

[Dogwalker]

We did discuss upgrades to the V7 motor and were given reason for hope in this regard.  They were aware of the idea for a Baby Stelvio but made no commitment in their remarks. They all told us that, right now, the factory marketing effort was focused on the V7 line and the California line. Prospects for the other models are taking a back seat for now.  

Moto Guzzi will present a new bike of middle displacement first than the end of the year (at EICMA). It will be between the V7 and the California range (There are rumors about a 940cc engine, different from that of the Bellagio).

http://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/notizie/due_ruote/2015/05/20/una-moto-guzzi-tutta-nuova-debuttera-al-prossimo-eicma_65c64808-3909-41be-8c2e-53b22bc5e40a.html

Or so the boss said.

[rocker59]

Moto Guzzi will present a new bike of middle displacement first than the end of the year (at EICMA). It will be between the V7 and the California range (There are rumors about a 940cc engine, different from that of the Bellagio).

http://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/notizie/due_ruote/2015/05/20/una-moto-guzzi-tutta-nuova-debuttera-al-prossimo-eicma_65c64808-3909-41be-8c2e-53b22bc5e40a.html

Or so the boss said.

 :food

[leafman60]

Don't you guys ever think of looking at the Guzzi website for info?

Rarely. It is normally out of date and occasioned with erroneous information.

[leafman60]

David all I want to add is:
I put a plug N to our new friends re:  the Eldo (NEEDS to have the Red Color Option as to color not just Black!) They also mentioned that bags and windscreen will b available for the Eldo!

Yes, the new Eldorado IS going to be available in red.  Antonio said that last night. Yes, on the windshield and bags too.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Moto Guzzi will present a new bike of middle displacement first than the end of the year (at EICMA). It will be between the V7 and the California range (There are rumors about a 940cc engine, different from that of the Bellagio).

http://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/notizie/due_ruote/2015/05/20/una-moto-guzzi-tutta-nuova-debuttera-al-prossimo-eicma_65c64808-3909-41be-8c2e-53b22bc5e40a.html

Or so the boss said.

Could this be the long awaited new LeMans??
Meh, probably not..  ;D

[leafman60]

Could this be the long awaited new LeMans??
Meh, probably not..  ;D

The guys last night were not encouraging about any new sporty Guzzi on the near horizon.  Griso is carried over with ABS.

[rocker59]

Moto Guzzi will present a new bike of middle displacement first than the end of the year (at EICMA). It will be between the V7 and the California range (There are rumors about a 940cc engine, different from that of the Bellagio).

http://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/notizie/due_ruote/2015/05/20/una-moto-guzzi-tutta-nuova-debuttera-al-prossimo-eicma_65c64808-3909-41be-8c2e-53b22bc5e40a.html

Or so the boss said.

A rough translation:

MAY 20, 2015  MANDELLO DEL LARIO (LECCO) - Moto Guzzi will present a new medium displacement motorcycle by the end of the year, specifically in the autumn at the EICMA Milan [motorcycle show]. [The new motorcycle] will plug between V7 and the range California, [and is] going to complete the line of products of the brand of the eagle.  This was announced by Roberto Colaninno, Chairman and CEO of Piaggio group, during the press conference for presentation to the international press of the new Moto Guzzi Audace and Eldorado 1400.

"Over the past 10 years, the Piaggio group has demonstrated, with Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Vespa, [and] with a revolutionary product [such] as the Mp3 three-wheeled [vehicle], that it wants to excel from a technical point of view, but also wants to be in line with their customers, not only Italian but also in the whole world".  

The new Moto Guzzi will marry in full this philosophy.

"The Piaggio group does not live on ephemeral emotions", continued Colaninno, "but on basic factors such as technical development, the design and a new model of interactive relationship with the customer that it rests on the most advanced technologies [in the industry], and will be an integral part of the development plan to relaunch the brand from Mandello del Lario. It will take years", added Colaninno, "but in the future we will be able to win against the competing Germans and Japanese that currently dominate the market."

"The historical seat of Moto Guzzi will be at the center of this process.   We want to transform Mandello del Lario into a new site, respectful of the more than 90 years of history, but also futuristic, for it to return to be our heart's button",  concluded Colaninno,  "[which] must become the point of reference not only for production but to all fans of the brand Moto Guzzi".

As far as the current economic performance, on the other hand, the 2015 has started well for the Piaggio group, that in spite of the difficult situation of global market of the two wheels, has seen it grow revenues for the first quarter of 9 %, from 276.8 million euros in 2014 to 302 million euros this year. THE 121,000 vehicles sold in the first three months of the year are a thousand less than the same period of last year, however, the mix has shifted toward the models with the highest added value, as confirmed by the growth of Moto Guzzi 6,4 %, Aprilia 3.4 %, of Vespa of the 14% and Mp3 of 13 %.

[leafman60]

By the way, I confirmed with Manfredo today that the "Audace" (aw-dah-che) come from the same root word as "audacious" or "audacity."  The bike is the audacious one.

[Kev m]

Rarely. It is normally out of date and occasioned with erroneous information.

This, so it rarely occurs to me to check it for anything timely...

[Chuck in Indiana]

  The bike is the audacious one.

Color me unimpressed..

[lucydad]

I am with Rocker on this one:

"
As a motorcycle rider, adding vintage style V7 bodywork to a Bellagio chassis would check lots of boxes for me...  Especially if it had an 8v top end!!

These new bikes do zero for me.  Would rather have an Indian Scout, if they add ABS and someone makes a seat where there is room to move.

Give me the V7 style, a good performing chassis, modern brakes with ABS and that 8v power.  Keep the weight at 500 pounds, and I will trade the V7R.

Dreaming probably, or it will be 3 years out. 

[tiger_one]

I have enjoyed this thread and it has caused me to think (dangerous).  Big reactions mostly negative at first then as the show progressed onward and more people started to share, the climate changes some.

I am really glad that several spoke up about the V7 needing more power.  Also good to hear that a middle weight is coming, maybe.

I was interested in the specs on the Eldorado several weeks ago and went to the website, course it was wrong as it showed the V7 specs.

They also had the Capo Rally up a few weeks ago, but before I could look at the specs, it disappeared (same programmer)?

You guys are hard to please and don't go for the HD Street Glide look much, I don't either.

I can't imagine selling my electronics everything, ABS everything, lightweight sport touring whatamacallit for any of these offerings.  But, we all get bored, just a matter of time.    :beat_horse

[bad Chad]

Rarely. It is normally out of date and occasioned with erroneous information.

Meh,   that was then, this is now.  The incumbent has been on F/B for over a week, and the US website as long.   Guzzi still has it's issues, but the web site seems to no longer be one.

[Kev m]

Meh,   that was then, this is now.  The incumbent has been on F/B for over a week, and the US website as long.   Guzzi still has it's issues, but the web site seems to no longer be one.

Except the wrong specs on the ELDO :-*

[Dogwalker]

Could this be the long awaited new LeMans??
Meh, probably not..  ;D

Probably a classic-scrambler bike with bigger displacement than the V7, since the competition is growing in performances.

[flip]

I'd like to go to Matthews Fun Machines to meet the Guzzi guys but I just can't get there today. I guess it's just as well that I'm not going. Guzzi doesn't sell anything in the USA that I like better than my Breva 1100. If I was to replace it with a new Guzzi, I'd consider a Norge or a Griso. The rest of their bikes do nothing for me. I thought I'd really like a Stelvio but a test ride left me  cold. I'm sure I would appreciate it's  abilities but I  don't think it would ever be love. So I guess I'm not the  customer that Guzzi is looking for.

I don't think that if Guzzi came out with a performance bike it would steal sales away from Aprilia. I wish Piaggio would give that try. I'd like to be able to lust after a new Guzzi!

[bad Chad]

Except the wrong specs on the ELDO :-*

If having the weight off is the best nit pick you can come up with, thanks, it helps prove my point! :)

[tiger_one]

None of the specs are right, not just the weight.  The thing is, having not changed or fixed it in all this time, shows not much communication going on with us to them.  Either they still do not know it is messed up or they do not care.

[Kev m]

If having the weight off is the best nit pick you can come up with, thanks, it helps prove my point! :)

No, actually, it means (and as Tiger pointed out it wasn't JUST the weight) that you just cant TRUST it and that it is often NOT UPDATED ON A TIMELY MANNER (as we've seen over the past decade).

Which basically disproves your point.

The fact that they actually had the schedule for this "tour" right doesn't mean they have a winning record of such things.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

damn I wish I had seen this before now..  WOuld have ridden down to Matthews  :-\ :-\

[bad Chad]

Nattering nabobs of negativism.   Perhaps your expectations are too high?  We are talking about an Italian motorcycle company after all.  I believe they have improved significantly in all most every way over the past half decade.  I don't expect it's ever going to be anything like Honda, BMW, and I'm ok with that.

[leafman60]

Nattering nabobs of negativism.   Perhaps your expectations are too high?  We are talking about an Italian motorcycle company after all.  I believe they have improved significantly in all most every way over the past half decade.  I don't expect it's ever going to be anything like Honda, BMW, and I'm ok with that.

BMW does not belong in any context that implies reliability.

** edit*** late-model ones

[Jim Rich]

I like it as a design, it has a lot of cool elements and looks like a fun bike.  MG is putting out more interesting bikes right now than in the 20 years I have been paying attention to them.

[Jim Rich]

Miguel Galluzzi talking about the design of the bike - meant to appeal to the younger riders.  link;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzD47GSCRuM

[rocker59]

I like it as a design, it has a lot of cool elements and looks like a fun bike.  MG is putting out more interesting bikes right now than in the 20 years I have been paying attention to them.

More interesting than Centauro, Sport 1100, Daytona RS, and V11 Sport from the late 1990s ??

[Kev m]

Nattering nabobs of negativism.   Perhaps your expectations are too high?  We are talking about an Italian motorcycle company after all.  I believe they have improved significantly in all most every way over the past half decade.  I don't expect it's ever going to be anything like Honda, BMW, and I'm ok with that.

Meh, I thought you were saying my expectations were too low and I should trust the website more. :P

Look, I'm NOT a downer on the company or products... I'm an enthusiastic fan. I've just adjusted certain expectations to the fact that, like you said, they're an "Italian motorcycle company".

And FWIW I've noticed improvements in a lot of areas despite that.

[Kev m]

More interesting than Centauro, Sport 1100, Daytona RS, and V11 Sport from the late 1990s ??

Ya know, now that you mention it, as much as I liked those bikes (and hell, let's add the Griso to that list too), I think I'd say YES.

Why? I guess cause I've finally embraced the fact that I'm not a "sportbike" guy and even if this faired fashion statement isn't really my cup o' tea either it's probably a lot closer in reality.