Did you buy a new Guzzi this year?

[Lcarlson]

Yep.

[bad Chad]

Ok Kev, so how many bikes have we tied off?   If Guzzi usually sells 6-700 bikes a year in the USA, we must now have cataloged at least 5% of that, maybe more!  Might be enough to make some sort of conclusion?

[anthracer12]

Bought a new 2014 V7 Stone this past February 

[Tom]

A dealer in my state would be nice.

A dealer, I can ride to would be nice.  Nearest one is 2000K miles.  The one in Honolulu is only a bike retailer with no service.

[John Ulrich]

Maybe I'll get motivated and put my "new" to me 1952 Astore back together and on the road. 

[rboe]

I was looking at the Touring and Eldo at Renaissance yesterday - and last month. I'd have to trade in the Griso to do so. But with the pickups registration due at the end of the month - not going to happen.

Odd thing is, I don't "tour" as much as I think I do or would like to so the V7 probably makes more sense. Alas, the big block poop has seduced me. The CB1100 is a nice touring machine, but does not have the organic pulse of the Griso, nor the point and squirt acceleration that is intoxicating. It does a superb job in town and in tight twisties with a bigger frame to fit my long body (the V7 is slightly small for me - but I could make it work) and has those extra ponies that come in handy. While I like the sound of the 8V in anger, the inline four also has a very cool angry sound to it - maybe I just like motors. :)

So I'm at least a year off, in reality, two to three. By then I may as well wait until SS kicks in.

[drlapo]

nope, I bought a new 13 V7 Special last spring

[jackson]

I came very close (99%) towards purchasing a new Norge for $11,500 plus tax/license.  Didn't complete the purchase for a couple of reasons; primarily because I would have a minimum, 5-hour round trip just to get the bike to the dealer & return home for any warranty work which I expected would happen.  Changed my focus and found something else (a used BMW R1200RT) that scratched my itch instead.  IMHO, the lack of dealers and distance to get to one plays a big part with many people who buy new bikes of any brand.

[Kev m]

Ok Kev, so how many bikes have we tied off?   If Guzzi usually sells 6-700 bikes a year in the USA, we must now have cataloged at least 5% of that, maybe more!  Might be enough to make some sort of conclusion?

Nah, I'm loosely counting purchases for the past few years of new Guzzis.

And loosely doing so as it is.

Maybe this should have been a poll.

But the unofficial and highly suspect for lots of reasons count seems to be at

24 Smallblocks vs 19 Big Blocks

Which, think about it, we're only talking 3 models of the one chassis/motor Small Block vs. all 4 Cali Variants, The Norge, Griso, Stelvio, I might have even included a Breva in those big block numbers.

[jas67]

I was looking at the Touring and Eldo at Renaissance yesterday - and last month. I'd have to trade in the Griso to do so. But with the pickups registration due at the end of the month - not going to happen.

Where do you live that vehicle registration is so much as to be the deciding factor?

[Kev m]

Where do you live that vehicle registration is so much as to be the deciding factor?

It's in his signature:

http://www.dmv.org/az-arizona/car-registration.php

Arizona Vehicle License Tax

The state also charges a vehicle license tax (VLT) at every registration and renewal. This tax is assessed for each $100 of your vehicle's value. Note that the value of your vehicle is calculated as 60% of the original manufacturer's retail price, and that total will be lowered by 16.25% at every registration renewal.

For each $100 of the vehicle's value, you will be assessed:
•New vehicles: $2.80.
•Used vehicles: $2.89.
•Alternative Fuel Vehicle: $4.

But a quick look at Zillow (for the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills area) would suggest their property taxes may make up for it being a fraction of what you would pay in PA for the same property. I'm seeing $500k properties with < $2k in taxes.

Makes me throw up a little bit living in NJ paying uhh > 6x that...

[Viker]

Yep, a brand new 2014 Stelvio

Love it

[Tom]

Long story short.  In Arizona, vehicle registration fees are based on a % of the MSRP new.  Then the following years are a % of that till they bottom out to a base fee.  California and a number other states do it that way. 

You could end up paying more for a new motorcycle than an older vehicle.  No highway use fees.  Strictly based on value.  Hence, a new Rolls Royce which I did the paperwork for ended up being $1500 for one year registration.  Tom Watson's wife whipped out her kitchen account checkbook and wrote a check and yes.  It was that Tom Watson.  I was working the counter in the MVD office in Scottsdale before I took a promotion to Inspector. 

Same vehicle out here would be around $280 because it's based on weight.  They nail us on taxes everywhere else.

[jas67]

Arizona Vehicle License Tax

The state also charges a vehicle license tax (VLT) at every registration and renewal. This tax is assessed for each $100 of your vehicle's value. Note that the value of your vehicle is calculated as 60% of the original manufacturer's retail price, and that total will be lowered by 16.25% at every registration renewal.

For each $100 of the vehicle's value, you will be assessed:
�New vehicles: $2.80.
�Used vehicles: $2.89.
�Alternative Fuel Vehicle: $4.

Don't let Tom Wolfe (Governor of PA) see that, he doesn't need any more ideas on taxing us.

Registration fee based on weight makes a lot more sense, as, the heavier the vehicle, the more it wears the roads.

What's stupid about this, is, if you buy a 10 year old used car for $5k that sold new for $30k, you pay (actually, a little more) as much tax as the person that buys a new $30k car.      Talk about a regressive tax.   Heck, the person buying the 10 year old car for $5k likely can't afford the tax.

[airheadbruce]

Same here, very happy. Orange, the fastest color.

New oldstock Stelvio this past spring (2013).  All good so far.

[canuguzzi]

What a great roll call!

A tack along question, I noticed some owners ordered their bike, had to wait to get it. How common is this? While I had to visit an alternate dealer, he did have two Norges and a Stelvio in stock plus several V7s and the 1400s. Is that a well stocked dealer or out of the ordinary?

BTW, that dealer puts the MG right up front, they aren't hidden away. That would be Elk Grove, Ca.

[Tom]

Sounds like a "well stocked" one to me.  Anything more that a usual "local" MG rally.  3 Guzzis in a parking lot.

[O]

A tack along question, I noticed some owners ordered their bike, had to wait to get it. How common is this? While I had to visit an alternate dealer, he did have two Norges and a Stelvio in stock plus several V7s and the 1400s. Is that a well stocked dealer or out of the ordinary?

Had to wait a bit for my 2014 V7 Special, but just because the newest model hadn't been released yet.  Purchased it full price in February 2014 once pics of the black/orange color were released.  It was delivered to the dealership April 1, and I picked it up a few days later.  I could have purchased a reduced price '13, but the color schemes didn't speak to me.  While I'm happy for the guys that are getting great deals on leftovers, I wouldn't trade the past two riding seasons on my bike for the 'premium' I paid.

[bad Chad]

Thats a good point about buying a Guzzi.   Not everyone is going to walk out the door paying $3000 under list for their bike!  If they did, Guzzi would like have to leave the market!   A Guzzi like most anything else is worth to you, what you feel it is.  Lots of folks pay MSRP or close for their beloved exotic Italian steed, and that perfectly normal.   If you read a lot of post here, you might get the idea that everyone is buying for super cheap, that's not really the case.  In fact most folks don't get a killer deal, they likely pay a fair price, and all are happy.  It's just not as much fun to get online and brag that you paid MSRP, but so what you got what you wanted!

[stevet]

What a great roll call!

A tack along question, I noticed some owners ordered their bike, had to wait to get it. How common is this? While I had to visit an alternate dealer, he did have two Norges and a Stelvio in stock plus several V7s and the 1400s. Is that a well stocked dealer or out of the ordinary?

BTW, that dealer puts the MG right up front, they aren't hidden away. That would be Elk Grove, Ca.

My dealer, Mill City Motorcycles in Minneapolis http://millcitymotorcycles.com/, had samples of all the models on his floor, both along the street side windows and right at the front door.  I could have had a '14 Stone for a steal, or a black '16 for the going rate minus a few promotional bucks, but I wanted the upgrades of the '16 in red, not black.  I was okay with the wait.  He said the reds weren't even in North America yet in late spring, so I had to wait a few months.

Steve.

[Arizona Wayne]

Thats a good point about buying a Guzzi.   Not everyone is going to walk out the door paying $3000 under list for their bike!  If they did, Guzzi would like have to leave the market!   A Guzzi like most anything else is worth to you, what you feel it is.  Lots of folks pay MSRP or close for their beloved exotic Italian steed, and that perfectly normal.   If you read a lot of post here, you might get the idea that everyone is buying for super cheap, that's not really the case.  In fact most folks don't get a killer deal, they likely pay a fair price, and all are happy.  It's just not as much fun to get online and brag that you paid MSRP, but so what you got what you wanted!

At the same time I don't like to get HAD $ wise if I don't have to.  If I need a bike NOW I pay the going price.  If I can wait awhile and get it cheaper that way, I will.  1 way is not better than the other.   Just depends on your priorities.

[Cool Runnings]

My dealer, Mill City Motorcycles in Minneapolis http://millcitymotorcycles.com/, had samples of all the models on his floor, both along the street side windows and right at the front door.  I could have had a '14 Stone for a steal, or a black '16 for the going rate minus a few promotional bucks, but I wanted the upgrades of the '16 in red, not black.  I was okay with the wait.  He said the reds weren't even in North America yet in late spring, so I had to wait a few months.

Steve.

Picked up that white 2014 Norge from them in November. 

[bad Chad]

Agreed.  It all depends on a variety of circumstances.

[organfixsing]

Bought a new V7II STONE in April this year.
 Main reason for buying was the ABS brakes and the 6 speed gearbox.
(I had previously sold my BREVA 1100. Legs too short, bike too heavy. 71 years old.)
Kitted it out with Hepco & Becker top Box & Panniers.
 Didn't like the suspension. Fitted IKONs on rear and IKON progressive fork springs. 5W oil in the forks.
Didn't like the adjustment of the gearshift. Adjusted that on the vertical link to the gearbox. (Bugger of a place to get to.)
(10mm open ender, preferably short, upper nut is a LH thread.)
Very happy with the bike now, particularly after the modifications & adjustments I performed.
Cheers
Brian 

[stormshearon]

Bought a new '14 Stelvio from MI. The orange, fast one. Absolutely love it.

[rboe]

What those guys said. At least it goes down over the years.

While not fond of paying taxes, the things we need are not free and we have to pay our share. And we pay, one way or the other. Shrug. Kinda like getting married, the taxes are a commitment you make and other purchases need to carefully weighed before pulling the trigger (like being married, you don't lightly skip out for some fun  ).

I've never owned a bit cruiser, so before the time comes that I may not be able ride anymore, I'm thinking that should be my next bike. Not sure if it'll be a MG, but it's on the short list.

Tomorrow I drive to Tucson to pick up the Griso. She has been rollerized and I'm jonesing to ride a big twin. Love the CB, but it does not scratch the twin itch. 

[guzzimaster]

Been ridin' ole Loop frames for 30+ years.  Bought my first brand new Moto Guzzi in November.  2015 Moto Guzzi Stelvio - the Green Hulk
Riding the Stelvio make me feel 30+ years younger!  I added visibility to the Camo Green for my daily commute.  Absolutely lovin' the Stelvio.
Threw up a web page for it:  http://www.inet-rendezvous.com/motoguzzi/Moto%20Guzzi%20Stelvio.html