Riders Hill in GA closing

[Nic in Western NYS]

This was a great dealership and where I purchased my '12 Stelvio.  Especially when Steve was there, no better Guzzi shop existed anywhere.

I've had feedback from Anthony and his wife for a couple for years that made me concerned about the financial payback they were getting from the place.  I was hoping that taking on the Suzuki line would have helped but it was apparently too little and too late. The recent departure of main mechanic, Ian, caught my attention and made me wonder even more.

The bikes sold by Riders Hill were mostly niche bikes and the recession was not kind to such sales.

Even more ominous is the trend of endings of other significant Guzzi dealers like Red Line in Virginia and Moto Rouge in Baton Rouge. The common thread is that such places cannot, have not, made money selling Guzzi bikes. Sales of the bikes are very slow and usually deeply discounted, owners buy few accessories and tend to do repair work themselves instead of spending it in the shop.

Earlier this week I was in San Francisco and stopped in to Munroe Motors, long time Guzzi dealer. Their showroom was full of Triumphs and Ducatis and several MV's. Stashed off to the side in the back near the shop, were two lonely Guzzis, a Griso and a black V7II. The main salesman chuckled about the Guzzis and somewhat dismissed them as a wonkish affection for wonkish people.  He even made good-natured humor at the character of the Guzzi riders they see.

My thanks to all the gang at Riders Hill. I don't expect to see another of its type for some time.

Being new to the region I never met Anthony but it's clear that his family made something special.  I agree with leafman's thoughts. Coming recently from central Massachusetts, I reflected on my long association and friendship with Alan and David of AJ Cycle in Gill, another great Guzzi motorcycle shop.  In the last 20 years, I have bought 5 new bikes from a dealer but none have been Guzzis.  I bought a new BMW from Alan but never a Guzzi.  Of the 5 used bikes I've bought in the last 20 years, 4 have been Guzzis.  While I had never reflected on this before, it's consistent with my current thinking that if I bought a new Guzzi, I would need to be close to a dealer in order to sort out whatever niggling problems needed sorting.  I could easily buy a used Guzzi from a trustworthy, knowledgeable, mature owner and have all the problems sorted beforehand and get a bike that could go 100k miles at half the price of a new one.  So, what I'm saying is that I am the problem here.  In the future I need to buy a new Guzzi from a dealer, not just do service and buy gear.

[Travlr]

As a general thought, and not RH specific, the day of the small mom and pop dealer is coming to an end.
It's mostly over in automobiles where almost all are now owned by huge corporations.
It's coming to motorcycles.

Here is Phoenix Ride Now Powersports has swallowed up many of the locals.
They build huge, powersports warehouses forcing out dealers with less buying power.

This could be a real issue for Guzzi who generally relies on small, independent dealers.
Powersports wants volume to support their service department and financing department.
Not a Guzzi strength.

M

[bad Chad]

All this pontificating on why they are closing, have the owners given a reason?   Or is that not necessary for some of you, you can just manufacture your own?

I never got there, but I heard nothing but great things about the place.  I'm curious as to why a dealership with such reputation, and loyal clientel would choose to close?

[Wayne Orwig]

All this pontificating on why they are closing, have the owners given a reason?   

Sure, I go there a lot. I know and talk to the owners, sales, and mechanics often.

[jknight611]

I absolutely understand a 68 with a injury that is a reason to make the change, it is very sad.  I didn't buy my Stelvio there but I did stop by once for lunch while on a road trip.  I had a small screw come out of the heat shield on a Zard exhaust, and the fine folks at Riders Hill not only had the fancy Italian screw, they popped it in for me!    Good folks, the industry will miss them.  Hope somebody will be able to continue the tradition. 

[bad Chad]

Sure, I go there a lot. I know and talk to the owners, sales, and mechanics often.

OK Wayne, then tell us what the shop told you, as to the reason for leaving?

[Muley]

I got this news only yesterday (since I'm mostly out of the loop re. things internetish) from Yaniv when we met in Social Circle so he could check out my new EV shocks.  Shocks were the reason for the ride, and shock was my reaction to RH closing.  The place was a destination in itself, and, like so many of you have said, the owners and employees were all top knotch, friendly and were genuinely glad to see you there.

Now, when I can possibly afford to buy my new Guzzi in 2027, where will I go

[Wayne Orwig]

Why wait? I found one that you can afford today.

[Mile High Guzzi]

Living in the Rocky Mtns, I never had a chance to visit Rider's Hill, until work had me spending quite a bit of time in the greater Atlanta area recently, so I took the opportunity to visit Rider's Hill a few times, and to purchase a few things (t-shirt will be saved now).  You couldn't imagine a better rider's destination dealership than Rider's Hill, the location and the setup of dealership were top quality.  Anyone that has a picture of the setup should post, it is/was truly unique.

[mojohand]

Sad, sad day. I did a fly-and-ride to trade my Griso for a Norge, as well as spent several hours on other visits there.

[davevv]

I stopped by there as I was passing through just a couple months ago when I was out breaking in the new Motus.  Very nice dealership and there was a pretty good crowd that day.  It's always a shame to see a good shop close.

[MAC]

Another Guzzi dealer closing.

http://www.ridershill.com/