Ideas to Make Moto Guzzi More Successful?

[pikipiki]

I don't think its what members want but.....

would this be a suprising strategy?




Simplify the current range by dropping the 1200 and dropping CARC.
Make all bikes with single throttle bodies, standardise on components from Piago parts bin. Keep everything simple. Ensure expensive option packs are available for the reduced two platform range.
Drop the current dealer network.
Make all Ducati and Piagio dealers also Guzzi dealers, make them buy one Guzzi a month to keep their dealership.

[elvisboy77]

They've never been perfect, and never will be- BUT they have been in business since 1921.  So I think they are fine as is.

[canuguzzi]

MG is already successful. If you were MG why would you change anything? To change there must be some incentive to do so.

What incentive does MG have to change?

Increase customer loyalty? Why on earth change to get more of that when the people that own  MG bikes aren't going anywhere?

Increase sales? Maybe its time to read what the company is about, find anything where it says that its customers are a priority and its goals are to be more than it is? Read any defined goals that says they want to grow through improved market penetration?

Customer satisfaction improvement? Why, when they know that no matter what they do or how they do it a philosophy of acceptance and defense of that's just the way it is exists?

MG is already successful. It got you to buy one didn't it? And from many comments posted, once you got yours do you really care if anyone else buys one unless you are trying to sells yours on the used market?

If we're honest with ourselves, we'd recognize that we are the reason why MG won't change. MG has figured out that if its customers are afraid it will close up shop that it can do what it wants in whatever manner it chooses to do so.

More proof? How many of you would be willing to put your name on a letter demanding that MG improve it's customer service operations? I think almost none. There are quite a few members of this forum, who among you would actually stand up and be willing to ask MG to do better?

Pretty sure the answer is nearly none. That isn't a bad or negative thing, it is just the way it is.

[oldbike54]

 NP , what the heck are you doing up at 4:28 PST ? We are gonna have to find you a job to burn off some of that energy 

 Dusty

[MGPilot]

I realize that MG is not alone, but it is concerning to see dealers offering "new" bikes that are 2-3 model years old. Even as someone who likes them, it's a bit disconcerting.

If they're not selling technology, they need to stress image/experience.

I can remember the first time I ever saw a MG. Springfield, Ohio, mid 60's. Riding in a car with my dad, a motorcycle pulled up beside us. Amazing to see the cylinders sticking out like that. Dad said it was a Moto Guzzi. A somewhat rare, well made motorcycle that was the choice of experienced riders.  They could do more to push that image.

That image works today.

Moto Guzzi:  The choice of experienced riders.

(crap -- it's even reasonably accurate....)

[Triple Jim]

You might as well go with Fabio.  He collects motorcycles and is even Italian.

[oldbike54]

 Fabio ? Who the heck is he ? My vote is for the Texas Turnip , he can just scare folks into buying a Guzzi   



 Wait , is that Fabio guy the bass player in some version of BS&T , there have been like 150 different members .


 Dusty

[JBBenson]

Yep, advertising is what is needed.  Product placement in movies, TV and ads.  In a word, awareness. 

I have been doing just that.

As a film production designer, I am responsible for the "look"  and for setting the scene, and I recently got 4 brand new bikes for a big commercial shoot: California, Audace, Eldorado and a V7.

I got all black ones, for a group of bikers in a crowd scene. The actors were real Harley guys, but they really liked the MG's, as did everyone else. They looked really amazing all lined up, and were a better choice than Harleys, as the well known ad campaign is about being unique.

People have heard of Moto Guzzi, but they never actually see one, and when they do they are impressive. I don't even like cruisers but I want the Audace.

Look for it soon. I will post it as soon as it airs...

[canuguzzi]

If they pulled Fabio in he could do double duty, a little dirt on his face and open helmet, sell the Griso, a pony tail, sell the Roamer.

[Matteo]

As long as Guzzi is stuck with Aprilia it will not be allowed the spread it's wings.

[bad Chad]

Sorry, but knowbuddy under 40 gives two cents about Billy joel.

Have you seen what he looks like latley?  Picture Micky Rooney in his later years!

Ewan is a far better spokesman if you want to reach a non gray customer.

[drw916]

Usually, a company will spend far more dollars trying to get new customers than they will taking care of the customers they have.  This is a mistake in my thinking.  Unfortunately, it seems Moto Guzzi spends money on neither.

Example:

Here I sit with a 2010 Stelvio that I really like as my sidecar tug.  But, with a pending flat tappet problem looming what do I do?  My local dealer just dropped Moto Guzzi and can no longer help with any warrantee, although I know they will help anyway they can.  So, I guess I call  Moto International and hope out of the kindness of their hearts they will try and help?  That's a hell of an expectation to place on a shop that I didn't even buy the bike from.  Plus, my maintenance records are only the dates and work performed by me.  That was one of Guzzi's selling points that the owner could work on it.  Now it may prevent any $ assistance.

I can't blame my dealer for dropping Guzzi either. They haven't been able to sell much of anything in the Moto Guzzi line the last year, and with the new Triumph models coming out they feel there is just no point anymore of having both.

Highly unlikely I will buy another Guzzi in the near future which is a real shame.  I like them.  A lot in fact.  Since I bought my first one in 2008 I have had a Norge, Stelvio, Griso, and V7.

But, I also like BMW, Triumph, Ducati, KTM etc.  I am not brand loyal. There are so many great bikes out there to try, why make it difficult?   If MG can't keep me happy, maybe others can.  That is why last summer I bought a BMW R1200RS.  MG had nothing comparable to offer.  If they can't keep their dealers or their customers happy, it is a remote chance that they will see much growth in the line, no matter how nice the bikes are.

It makes me wonder what MG North America is all about.  What do they do 5 days a week?  Are they that lackadaisical, or is Piaggio impossible to deal with? 

Far too long a rant for me.  I should have gone skiing today.

[flip]

How about offering an AARP member discount? 

[MGPilot]

James' Guzzi Commercial #1.

Medium:  YouTube

[FADE IN]

Before us is a perfect summer day. Beautiful country side. Light breeze.

We are looking down a country road that winds into the distance.

Blended with the sounds of the countryside, we hear the deep throated idle of a Moto Guzzi.

[Deep, calm, male voice; slow pace]

_____Riding to you isn't bench racing motorcycle stats.

_____Riding isn't seeing how many Bluetooth connections you can make.

_____Riding is a conversation you have with your motorcycle and the road.

Long pause, while we hear the engine over the view of the open road.

[Fade to black]

From the blackness
[Fade In]
Moto Guzzi logo.

Below the logo.
[Fade in]
The choice of experienced riders.

[Fade Out]

[MGPilot]

James' Guzzi Commercial #2.

Medium:  YouTube

We see a black screen and hear the deep throated sound of a Moto Guzzi idling.

From the blackness

A sationary Moto Guzzi fades in. We look straight at it from the front.
Small spot lights from the side and back emphasize the exposed engine cylinders.

[Deep, calm, male voice; slow pace]

_____You've always dreamed of having an Italian mistress.

Engine idle increases slightly.


[Fade to black]

From the blackness
[Fade In]
Moto Guzzi logo.

Below the logo.
[Fade in]
The choice of experienced riders.

[Fade Out]

[MGPilot]

James' Guzzi Commercial #3.

Medium:  YouTube

[FADE IN]

Before us is a perfect summer day. Beautiful country side. Light breeze.

We are looking down a country road that fades into the distance.

Blended with the sounds of the countryside, we hear the deep throated idle of a Moto Guzzi.

[Deep, calm, male voice; slow pace]

_____You've matured.

_____Riding is more than top speed.

_____More than wearing costumes.

_____The essence of riding matters to you.

[Fade to black]

From the blackness
[Fade In]
Moto Guzzi logo.

Below the logo.
[Fade in]
The choice of experienced riders.

[Fade Out

[canuguzzi]

How about offering an AARP member discount? 

They already do.

[jbell]

Define "successful." Really. Because the most traditionally "successful" motorcycle company in the USA is basically a t-shirt company that happens to sell motorcycles. Harleys have become really good (though vastly overpriced),

I think they're selling over 100,000 bikes a year.  Overpriced??  Those people didn't think so.  Somebody has to sell t-shirts, or how would we dress up for special events?  Now if we could get Guzzi dealers to start selling red suspenders......... .......instant prosperity and fortune for all.

[Penderic]

Ad:

I've upped my standards...

Moto Guzzi!

.. now, Up Yours!

 

[canuguzzi]

Ad:

I've upped my standards...

Moto Guzzi!

.. now, Up Yours!

 

Hilarious.

[JBBenson]

James' Guzzi Commercial #2.

Medium:  YouTube

We see a black screen and hear the deep throated sound of a Moto Guzzi idling.

From the blackness

A sationary Moto Guzzi fades in. We look straight at it from the front.
Small spot lights from the side and back emphasize the exposed engine cylinders.

[Deep, calm, male voice; slow pace]

_____You've always dreamed of having an Italian mistress.

Engine idle increases slightly.


[Fade to black]

From the blackness
[Fade In]
Moto Guzzi logo.

Below the logo.
[Fade in]
The choice of experienced riders.

[Fade Out]

That's is not bad. Here my attempt:

Jesse's Guzzi Commercial #1

Medium:  Theaters

We see a black screen and hear the deep throated sound of a Moto Guzzi idling.

From the blackness

A stationary Moto Guzzi fades in. We look straight at it from the back. Tools lay all around the bike, and there is an open laptop on top of a old milk crate. The screen shows some kind of graph. A man is sitting on another old milk crate, his attention focused on something in the engine.

We hear hear the deep throated sound of a Moto Guzzi idling. It coughs and dies.

Man: Goddamn it. F**k.

[Deep, calm, male voice-over; slow pace]

"You've always dreamed of having an Italian mistress".

The man restarts the bikes. It dies immediately.

Man: F**k F**k F**k!

Wife pokes her head around the garage door: "How’s it going honey? Dinner is ready".

[Deep, calm, male voice-over; slow pace]

"Keep dreaming".

[Fade to black]

From the blackness
[Fade In]
Moto Guzzi logo.

Below the logo.
[Fade in]
Making mechanics out of riders since 1921.

[Fade Out]

[MGPilot]

Hey Jesse. I fixed it for you.   

Jesse's Guzzi Commercial #2

Medium:  Theaters

We see a black screen and hear the deep throated sound of a Moto Guzzi idling.

From the blackness

A stationary Moto Guzzi fades in. We look straight at it from the back. Tools lay all around the bike, and there is an open laptop on top of a old milk crate. The screen shows some kind of graph. A man is sitting on another old milk crate, his attention focused on something in the engine.

We hear the deep throated sound of a Moto Guzzi idling. It coughs and dies.

Man: Damn it.

Wife pokes her head around the garage door: "Hank! You've got a BMW in back. A Honda in the drive. Why are you messing with the Guzzi?"

Guy: "Those, I ride when I have to. This, I ride 'cause I want to."

[Fade to black]

From the blackness
[Fade In]
Moto Guzzi logo.

Below the logo.
[Fade in]
They're engaging even when they're not running.

[Fade Out]

[bad Chad]

Just promote the MX 21 promo commercial.  Apparently it's what the Phantom of the Opera would ride!

If you haven't seen it, look it up, just make sure your not eating or drinking when you watch it!

[canuguzzi]

Maybe Home Depot could start selling them, next to the tools section between welding equipment and air compressors.

[Murray]

Stop desperately hanging onto the past, drop the Carc system? why? Having never owned a shaft driven motorcycle without an anti jacking system and ridden ones that don't have them I'd suggest on the higher output bikes they are needed. Compel Ducati store to take on Moto Guzzi when Ducati has no links to piaggio how the hell are you going to do that?

Basically they need to make a bike I might actually buy I have two, currently there is nothing in their range I would seriously consider not enough go not enough handling not enough wind protection the list goes on. The need to benchmark the 11 degree tettastrada motor and the 1290 KTM super duke motor and build something along those lines. A road burner thats not lost at the track, large capacity fuel tank for touring some wind protection. I'm currently looking at the KTM superduke GT when that finally hits dealer floors.

[canuguzzi]

If those who haven't bought a new Moto Guzzi in the last 10 years went out and bought one, that might help.

[Shorty]

Be careful what you wish for. Triumph is indeed sucessful. The owner went to the Orient to see how successful  companies build motorbikes. He returned to Blighty with a fistful of dollars and a new plan. He built rugged bikes that shared many internal parts throughout the entire range. He then sold them to the Brits, Ozzies and Krauts(those who ride bikes hard) to test them for 5 years before hitting the American shores with well vetted bikes. 10 years in he started his "Classic" line of bikes, the Bonnevilles. He built them in England for 6 or 8 years, then moved production to Thailand. A lot of people are OK with that. A lot don't like it at all. Here is a recent unofficial unscientific poll on Triumphrat.net about it:

View Poll Results: Do you care if your Bonneville is made in Thailand?
I would would not (knowingly) buy a bike made in Thailand at all.      14   8.24%
I would buy a Thai made one but would prefer a UK made one even if it was more expensive.      32   18.82%
I would buy a Thai made one but would prefer a UK made one if it was the same cost.      39   22.94%
I have no problem if it was made in Thailand.      75   44.12%
I would prefer a Thailand made bike.      4   2.35%
Thailand? I thought they were made in Taiwan? Are those different?      6   3.53%
Voters: 170. You have already voted on this poll

Question: IF Guzzi found it made good business sense to seek better/cheaper Asian sources of product and labor, would it still be a "proper" Guzzi? If the bike requires the Mandello Tradition to be real does that mean things can not improve?
Many pride themselves on being resourceful enough to keep a Guzzi running. How many have thrown in the towel over a Guzzi improperly set up for sale, some niggling problems, or warranty issues? How many have we sent away from this site with the advice "If you are not willing to do ABC, you may not be one of us?"   

I fear if you want to sell bikes to the modern people today, it had better work out of the box, or be within reach of someone who can fix it.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If those who haven't bought a new Moto Guzzi in the last 10 years went out and bought one, that might help.

They haven't built anything in the last 10 years that I find attractive enough to make me spend my hard earned $$.

[rob-mg]

As a film production designer, I am responsible for the "look"  and for setting the scene, and I recently got 4 brand new bikes for a big commercial shoot: California, Audace, Eldorado and a V7.

...

I got all black ones, for a group of bikers in a crowd scene.

...

Look for it soon. I will post it as soon as it airs...

Please do. I'd love to see this.

[Murray]

They haven't built anything in the last 10 years that I find attractive enough to make me spend my hard earned $$.

This the last thing I brought off Guzzi which is coming up on 10 years ago is treated by the current management as an anomaly and they'd really prefer it never existed because people keep asking about it. All the current stuff and up coming releases I have no interest in what so ever as they don't suit how I ride a motorcycle.