Another one bites the dust.

[jas67]

I guess the old saying is still true, "to make a small fortune selling motorcycles, you need to start with a large one."

Are other makes this bad with floor planning?

How do they expect dealers to be able to even make money!?!?

Sorry to hear that this is the way it has gone for you.

Question: will you still be selling Moto Guzzi Parts?   I'm not in Texas, but, have been an online parts customer.

[lucian]

F#@&K Me gently, I hate hearing this again. We had two great dealers here in Maine ditch them in the last couple of years, really stinks if  you like the bikes. All the best moving forward and thanks for giving it a hell of a go.  Dave

[Demar]

I'm very sad to hear this. I guess it's a volume thing. Not enough people buying Guzzis. I can see contraction to 1 or 2 dealers per state. I can see, for example, Pro Italia to service the So. Cal market and Elk Grove to service the No. Cal market. If you want a new Guzzi it's fly-n-ride. The few dealers might survive that way.

[Rich A]

Sorry to hear this, but as is the case with most crappy relationships, it's better to get out than prolong the frustration and suffering.

Rich A

[johnr]

I'm sad to hear this too. It's almost like a death in the family.

[flip]

Darn it! I hate change!

So, are you now sitting on a pile of collectors edition MPH CYCLES Moto Guzzi shirts?

Seriously, good luck guys. I hope your new business model works well for you.

[SmithSwede]

Ok, the more I think about this, the more irritated I become. Although my frustration is surely dwarfed by Mike's.

Any clues about who we could write to at Guzzi to explain how suboptimal this outcome is?

I could not be happier with the V7 Mike sold me. 35,000 miles in less than two years--warranty expires in a month.  But looking back on it, I'm not sure I would have taken the plunge on Guzzis if I wasn't convinced about longstanding competence and integrity of a place like MPH. There was a Guzzi dealer in Dallas where I live, and in Austin, but in my mind there was no question I would go to MPH.

Just seems really dumb for Guzzi to throw away such high class dealers.

When prospective buyers expressed concerns about skimpy dealer network or lack of parts, I'd always say not to worry, because there are places like MPH. Now I'm not sure what to say.

[Arizona Wayne]

Having been riding Moto Guzzis for 30 years, it's been my observation they don't appreciate other's opinions on how they should run their business and don't care what we think.  There's the  joke Moto Guzzi's been going out of business for decades, but some how some Italian source keeps them afloat.  Their ownership changes hands every few years, it seems.    

[mphcycles]

we will continue to sell parts and service, but our access to OE parts is going to be slower than before. T shirts still available!
I was in the motor vehicle repair and service business as a sole prop for 20 years before I got hooked into being a Guzzi dealer. MPH is a deeper subject than selling Guzzis, we will be fine. Maybe someday they will come back and ask me to re-join, maybe not,but I hope to be retired by the time oil recovers.
 One thing i have learned is pushing a rock uphill year after year gets tiring, more so every year.As a younger man I took it as a challenge, now i realize that moving goal posts makes it hard to win even half the time.

[Guzzistajohn]

Well, sheeit, @ least I got a t-Shirt!

[Gliderjohn]

This is getting toward being the last straw for me. With my Norge problems, tappet problems, no dealer in the state, as much as I like the bike I am about ready to dump it for whatever I can get, keeping the T-3 for fun. I have an excellent Honda/Kaw dealer about 10 miles away. May have to look at those brands for a touring bike.
GliderJohn

[lucydad]

I would like to thank Mike, Todd (bless his spirit) and Larry for their fine professionalism, sales, service and just friendship.  A better family business you will never find.  May there be good fortune for the House of MPH.

My full confidence remains in MPH service for my V7R.  If timing were right I might snag one of their left over deals.  That just won't happen for a few months, at least.

The oil crash has indeed really impacted the Houston economy.  In my opinion, as a 40 year veteran of the oil cycles, this major dip has at least two or three years to go until an upswing occurs.  Just about everyone in my age group has been terminated, force retired, or simply quit in utter boredom and frustration.  The remaining workers are very much at risk.  The big disposable incomes from the big bonuses have gone poof.  Most are worried about losing jobs, paying off mortgages and car notes, and supporting families.  Such is the oil "bidness"--"it varies from the sublime to the ridiculous".

Moto Guzzi being a boutique, niche brand will always have its fans.  Moto Guzzi interest remains in the 4th largest city in the USA.  My bet is one of the big Piaggio dealers here on the SW Freeway will pick up the Guzzi flag and keep selling. 

[Nic in Western NYS]

Thanks for all the good work over the years.  Seems like the powers that be aren't making a shop like yours sustainable for selling new bikes.

[bad Chad]

Best of luck ahead.

[Bill Havins]

I'm sorry to read this, Mike.  But you must do what you must do.

Most Americans get excited when oil prices drop and stay lower - gas gets cheaper at the pump and that's all they think about.  But in cities like Houston (and Midland, Odessa, and other petroleum-economy cities) things quickly get desperate; people lose jobs, families lose homes, and small businesses close their doors.  In this case, the frustrations of Piaggio's business practices caused a storied dealer to end his relationship with the marque since it looks like Italian motorcycles won't be selling in Houston for years to come.  Such is life "in the oil patch."

Thanks for everything you've done for Guzzi owners, Mike.  And thanks to Todd, too.

Bill

[BillinPA]

Sorry to hear this but certainly understandable. Seems they make it very hard to stay on as a dealer. We have seen some damn fine and helpful folks fold.  Maybe PGA is really an ISIS group trying to kill Moto Guzzi. If that was their goal...they seem to be succeeding.

Best of luck with your other business.  I am convinced it will get easier for you now.

[LaMojo]

Mike- Thanks for your and Todd's years of dedication to keeping our Guzzis going.  My 98 EV is still running better than new since you gave it a tune up back at the 2001 LA Rally.  Will still be my go to dealer for parts.  - Jack

[mphcycles]

Man That was a busy day, more than 50 bikes tweaked and adjusted. too old for that now for certain.
Thanks Jack

[earemike]

Shame, that happened here a while back with old school Guzzi dealers being pushed out.

We're lucky to have Pete down under but here in SA they pushed out Eurocycle as the last service centre, I believe when they allocated a new dealership which didn't want the competition. That place has terrible service & the staff know F'all about Guzzis.

Corporate treats you blokes like car dealerships which is a real shame. Best wishes for the future.

[tris]

Mike Haven said part of his issue is he's smack in the middle of the oil industry epi-center and with the low price of oil now oil workers are being laid off for lack of their skills needed right now and who knows what the future holds  for them in Houston. They may be lucky enough to relocate some where else to keep employed, but that's not going to help MPH sell new Guzzis in Houston.   Add that to the demands of Piaggio and it's a loser for MPH as a dealer.   Least that's what I read out of what Mike posted here.

I work for a company based in Aberdeen Scotland and the slump in oil prices has hit the industry there hard too.

MPHs problem is the sad consequence for many "support businesses"

My company is skirting round the edges at the moment as we're in the refurbishment business of existing equipment

However, if I end up down the road the bikes will be at the front of the queue if cash becomes a problem which takes them away from the local motor cycle garages - and the vicious circle begins again

Good luck MH

[John Ulrich]

Piaggio executives keep there jobs by increasing sales.  Dealers are "pushed" to take more product in the hope it sells thru and the year ends on an up note.  It's only business.

After 30 yrs in sales to resellers .....I've had enough myself to retire.

[ritratto]

Sorry to hear it Mike. Been there from the beginning for you with Guzzi and you guys have always done a great work for me, starting with my Centauro that the "other dealer" could never get right. Todd, of course, was the man. Find you that crazy part , figure how to get Guzzi to cover repairs when possible.

I know you're still there for work, but will miss seeing the latest and greatest from Mandello.

Happy Thanksgiving too to you, Larry and everyone there.  You all run a tight ship.

Ted

[mphcycles]

Thanks Ted.
BTW all you MPH T-shirt admirers should know that Ted did the original art work/design of our shirts.

[cee2cee]

So sad to hear!  Have purchased parts from MP for some time and one less resource.  Not sure why Piaggio even bothers trying to market in the US?  Seems as though the less support they give the dealers, the less incentive there is to buy a MG and then they can justify, in their own minds why they should not spend any money in the US 

[John in PA]

No dealer and repair shop more trustworthy in the US (and VERY few even approaching your equal!)  Sad day for Guzzidom.  The same story from every ex-dealer I know. "I love the bikes, I HATE the company" (Usually accompanied by vehemence, glaring eyes, and flying spittle!)

How does Piaggio manage to move at all with multiple self-inflicted bullet wounds in both feet? 

[lschultz]

For what it is worth  :weiner:I emailed Piaggiog and gave them my opinion of this. Only had dealings with Mike MPH for 4-5 yrs and he is one of the best.  Shame on Moto Guzzi for letting it come to this. They need to take a good look at themselves. Best of luck to Mike MPH in the future.

[Vasco DG]

Sad but I can perfectly understand it. Piaggio has been jacking Mike around for years, it can only of been deliberate. Look at my experience with my Cali, ordered and paid for months in advance yet they were sittin on the floor in other states while Mike ground his teeth. Maddening. I'm surprised he didn't tell them to bash it up their quoit a decade ago.

Pete

[cloudbase]

Not the first time for something like this.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=23678.0;imode

[ohiorider]

Back in 2010, when I'd purchased my first Moto Guzzi (1200 Sport), I was attempting to work through a simple warranty repair.

The local dealer in NE Ohio at the time (not Phil at Cleveland Moto, who has been extremely helpful) advised me to try contacting MG in NYC directly.

Hah, hah ........... that was fun!  Reminded me of the old Popeye cartoon where Wimpy would say 'give me a hamburger today, and I will gladly pay you Tuesday.'

Problem was ..... Tuesday never came.  'Oh, Bob ..... we are so sorry, but we haven't heard yet from Italy.'

Well, after several weeks of the same response, I simply gave up.

Thank Gawd, Todd Haven contacted me and took care of the problem.

Love the bikes, love the Guzzi community.  The manufacturer and their way of doing business, well, not so much!

No more new ones for me.

Amendment:  No more new ones for me unless Guzzi brings out a big block equivalent of the V7 bikes.  That might cause me to overlook past experiences with the Corporation.  But it needs to happen quickly  ......  the new T120 is looking like it might meet my criteria ..... and it has the same 270/450 degree firing sequence as Guzzi.

[Offcamber1]

Not the first time for something like this.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=23678.0;imode

I had forgotten that well written manifesto.  It would be amusing if it was not so sad.  But perhaps in the intervening 7 years things have improved?  Mike went from beating his head against a wall until it is bloody to just pushing a rock endlessly up a hill.  That's progress, right?