Miguel Galluzzi talks V9!

[Penderic]

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/talking-moto-guzzi-v9-with-miguel-galuzzi?dom=full&src=syn

"Miguel Galluzzi is Piaggio's Head of Advanced Design, based out of their Design Center in Pasadena, CA. They invited Cruiser out to talk to Miguel, see a little bit of the design process, and ride some of the new bikes. The V9 Roamer and Bobber are the latest additions the the Moto Guzzi lineup. We took some time to talk to Miguel about the new platform and what has changed since the older model, the V7."

[pete roper]

The sooner they pension that dolt off back to the moped division where he belongs the better!

[kirkemon]

Thanks for posting.
I didn't get a lot out of that interview, and I wished that he had ask Miguel different questions, like "is there a new LeMans coming?"

So Guzzi is no longer an Italian Design, but Californian designed?

[Adan]

Well that was a waste of 1:58.

[Penderic]

[rocker59]

So Guzzi is no longer an Italian Design, but Californian designed?

Yes.  It's been four or five years since Piaggio opened their "Advanced Design Studio" in Pasadena back in 2011/2012, run by Miguel Galluzzi. 

[beetle]

I was surprised. I expected to see a man with his head up his own arse.

[Matteo]

Galluzzi is an Argentine like DiTommaso who gave us the small block twins.

[AH Fan]

The sooner they pension that dolt off back to the moped division where he belongs the better!

Your awesome Pete...............

[rocker59]

Galluzzi is an Argenitine.

You're right.  I mis-spoke, and have edited my post.

[Doppelgaenger]

Well that was a waste of 1:58.

Yup...
Hopefully the V7 and V9 will make enough money that guzzi will have the cash to make something truly interesting. 

[leafman60]

That is a short but interesting interview. 

I give Piaggio credit for investing in a California facility.

Galluzzi underscores that they want to widen the appeal of their bikes.  The Roamer, he says, is such an attempt. It's more of a "standard" or "universal" platform. The Bobber was an effort to jazz it up a little bit.

The latest Motorcyclist magazine offers a breakdown of motorcycle type by demographic age profile. Cruisers account for the single largest share of each age group. They average 35% of total sales to all groups. Sport bikes only account for 15% of the total, 1 point less than scooters! 

Maybe these V9 bikes will be successful.  I hope so. They are apparently not designed to appeal to the likes of WG folks and that may be a good thing for Piaggio!

.

[Moto]

Honestly. It reminds me of a recent review of a Toyota Avalon, titled "Sensible Transportation for the Elderly," or something close to that.

The Roamer has a sensible seat height; it fits lots of riders (repeated twice). That's about all he said. It's like, "the Avalon's upright seats and low step height are well suited for the intended buyers." Is this all there is to design? Is this what Guzzi now aspires to?

Granted, I own an Avalon, but don't give me sensibility as the reason to buy a Guzzi! It's like turning a Porsche into an SUV.

Oh wait, they did that too. I must have lived too long.

Moto

[Adan]

In the grand scheme of things, I think it's great that Guzzi attempted to make a gentle motorcycle for everyday people, and moreover one that makes a style statement (whether that statement appeals to you is another matter).  Does anyone really think the big cheeses at Piaggio sit around a table saying "what can we build that will make a bunch of crusty old bastards happy?"

[Arizona Wayne]

I now wonder where these new 850 bikes sell the most............... .in the US or in euro countries. 

[Rox]

Pasadena is perfect for design . The Design School in Pasadena pops out some of the best designers in the auto industry. Hell, I'm sure Galluzzi himself went there. Much of the styling might be from Americans and that big chinned Argentino but all those designs must be signed off in ITALY and BUILT IN ITALY.

And for the record that big chinned Argie designed or had a big hand in designing some of my favorite motorcycles like the M900 Monster , the 90s 900/750 Supersports, a part of the Ducati 916,  the Aprilia Shiver, etc, etc. Oh, the v7s,...

Got to meet him at ProItalia in Glendale. He genuinely loves his job. Decent guy.

I  just curious what the hate on Galluzzi is about...

[Aaron D.]

I am surprised at the anti-Galuzzi thing too-not so long ago members here were quite pleased with him.

I'm pretty sure the Old School WG members have tastes that would bankrupt any maker that was limited to catering for us.

[pete roper]

God's teeth! If there is one demographic his monstrosities should appeal to it's the rusted on, 2 VPC, steel tank and *Metal* parts brigade.

There is absolutely NOTHING to attract anybody looking for an inovative, modern motorbike in these machines apart from their engine and braking/traction control management.

They are vanilla, stylistic, monstrosities that push no boundaries and have nothing new to offer. Evolve or die. That's the way it works, in nature and in engineering. At this rate Piaggio are sending the Guzzi marque, (And I fancy Aprilia!) the way of the Neanderthals!

YOMV. Sorry, I don't care, because I find this insipid 'Oh, they.re building machines that will be popular with 'Ordinary' people.' nauseating! Is all anyone want nowadays is to be an unthreatening drone, afraid of difference and their own shadow?

This is where I'd use the word that rhymes with 'Duck' but apparently that isn't allowed even if justified.

[steffen]

Why the surprise??
Galluzzi's got us the Cali 1400, an updated V7 with a new gearbox and abs (which by the way is a great beginners bike here in Europe, where it fits the license-rules nicely), and now the v9, an underwhelming bike with no pointers for the future.


When I cheered his arrival, I was hoping for something new and exciting, like the V12-protos. I was hoping, he would draw on the more exciting part of his porfolio, the monster, dorsoduro, RSV4...

[beetle]

That's a big NOTHING, Pete. Just sayin'.

[Cam3512]

In the grand scheme of things, I think it's great that Guzzi attempted to make a gentle motorcycle for everyday people, and moreover one that makes a style statement (whether that statement appeals to you is another matter).  Does anyone really think the big cheeses at Piaggio sit around a table saying "what can we build that will make a bunch of crusty old bastards happy?"

The reality is most of the "crusty old bastards" here won't buy a new bike, or are so cheap they wait until they ferment on the floor and the dealers give them away.  They are a business looking to sell bikes NOW.  If you want a modern, hi-po machine, go buy an Aprilia, Duc, or MV. 

I'm still confident we'll see some interesting stuff from Guzzi built around the 1400 and new 850.

[JJ]

The sooner they pension that dolt off back to the moped division where he belongs the better!

Too funny!  Pete, you really missed your calling in life...you could have been a stand-up comedian!!

[JJ]

QUOTE:  The reality is most of the "crusty old bastards" here won't buy a new bike, or are so cheap they wait until they ferment on the floor and the dealers give them away.

We could write an entire book on why Guzzi riders are so cheap!!

[leafman60]

The reality is most of the "crusty old bastards" here won't buy a new bike, or are so cheap they wait until they ferment on the floor and the dealers give them away.  They are a business looking to sell bikes NOW.  If you want a modern, hi-po machine, go buy an Aprilia, Duc, or MV. 

True words.

[jcctx]

Guess I have no taste, but I like the Roamer????? Since my eye sight is restricting my riding I doubt I will buy one; so my take matters not a whit!!!

[Dave Swanson]

The reality is most of the "crusty old bastards" here won't buy a new bike, or are so cheap they wait until they ferment on the floor and the dealers give them away. 

Oh man, that fits me to a T!       

[Lcarlson]

The reality is most of the "crusty old bastards" here won't buy a new bike, or are so cheap they wait until they ferment on the floor and the dealers give them away.  They are a business looking to sell bikes NOW.  If you want a modern, hi-po machine, go buy an Aprilia, Duc, or MV. 

I'm still confident we'll see some interesting stuff from Guzzi built around the 1400 and new 850.

Have to agree -- a low-volume niche manufacturer has to sell some product with wide appeal before it goes chasing high concept design which may not prove marketable to enough customers. In Guzzi terms, the V7s and Cali 1400s have been sufficiently successful, and I think the V9s will be as well.

[Lcarlson]

Guess I have no taste, but I like the Roamer????? Since my eye sight is restricting my riding I doubt I will buy one; so my take matters not a whit!!!

I like it too --

[travelingbyguzzi]

Ha!  Getting crustier every day!

[Adan]

I am no Guzzi expert (though I've owned 3).  And I have nothing but respect for Mr. Roper.  But let's ask the question (as I'm sure Guzzi did in planning the V9), what made the V7 a success.  I would argue it's because it's a REAL retro bike, with a design that simple and stuck in yesteryear, and that feeling is transmitted to the rider in every twist of the throttle and every turn of the bars.  And people liked that.

At the moment I've got some cash burning a hole in my pocket and it's going to go towards a Guzzi.  I'm probably going to get a V9 Bobber, and I'll feel some satisfaction knowing that I'm supporting the company so maybe the next 850 will be a LeMans, or mini-Stelvio, or mini-Griso.  But that's only about 2% of what's motivating me to get a V9.  The other 98% is that I loved my V7s and I think the V9 will just be more of the same.

I still might end up with a Griso though . . .