Flying Tiger Motorcycles now have Guzzis, let's send some unsolicited advice

[Wayfaring Stranger]

Greetings all!

Local shop in Maplewood MO, now has Guzzis on the showroom floor as of this past Saturday. This small storefront shop in an inner ring suburb of St. Louis sells Royal Enfields and assorted scooters such as Buddy's and Stellas and well cared for older bikes, and Zero electric bikes.

The showroom currently has 2 Flying Fortresses, one in the storefront window, as well as a Griso, two V9s, and a herd of VIIs. I think there was also an Audace, if memory serves me correctly.

They have yet to "announce" the presence of these fine bikes, but invited me to take a ride of any in that stable some day.

Let's give them some advice for a long time presence.

https://www.flyingtigermoto.com

[fotoguzzi]

Let's give them some advice for a long time presence.
 

would that be like.. add Harley Davidson to the lineup?

[Late to the party]

They may start selling Moto Guzzis (probably a good thing), but do they possess any technical prowess?

[boatdetective]

I wish them the best of luck- but i really don't know how to sell motorcycles. i might recommend having some events- possibly something that brings the bikes out to the people somewhere public. The point is to get people talking. Perhaps descend on a coffee joint some Sunday. Offer the coffee joint something to set up in the parking lot- I dunno. How about school hangouuts? Point is you are going where people are hanging out rather than waiting for them to come to you.

[Two Checks]

Hopefully they will treat FT better than the original dealer here in STL.

[kevdog3019]

One must always cater to the enthusiast: A mannequin sporting suspenders, a corn cob pipe, and lest they forget the steal cut oats.

[BillinPA]

Start with 2 million dollars.....quit when you are down to 1 million?

Best advice I would think is hire and train an EXCELLENT mechanic. That seems to be the number one new owner complaint.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Start with 2 million dollars.....quit when you are down to 1 million?

Best advice I would think is hire and train an EXCELLENT mechanic. That seems to be the number one new owner complaint.

Yes.  Hire, train, and retain.

[jrt]

I've got the sales skills of a penguin, so I'll just say I hope they do well with Guzzi.  Nice to have local representation again. 

[Late to the party]

I wish them the best of luck- but i really don't know how to sell motorcycles. i might recommend having some events- possibly something that brings the bikes out to the people somewhere public. The point is to get people talking. Perhaps descend on a coffee joint some Sunday. Offer the coffee joint something to set up in the parking lot- I dunno. How about school hangouuts? Point is you are going where people are hanging out rather than waiting for them to come to you.

Isn't Flying Tiger Motorcycles directly across the street from Schlafley Bottle Works (a premier microbrew here in STL)? The Bottle Works is all about community involvement, including hosting Vintage Bike Night, a classic motorcycle gathering held the first Monday of every month from April thru November. All they'd have to do is stroll across the street, set up a tent and give away some stuff to get all the public exposure they need.

Admittedly, making this work would require some good neighborliness and marketing skill. But the opportunity is there. And yeah, having some truly talented wrench-twirlers on staff would do a lot to boost their reputation.

[rocker59]

Let's give them some advice for a long time presence.

https://www.flyingtigermoto.com

Stocking consumables would be a good start.  Filters and gaskets.  It's amazing how many of these new dealers come online with no parts in stock.  I don't get it.  If I take the trouble to make time to walk into your brick & mortar establishment, please don't tell me you have to order simple (and inexpensive) things like valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, oil filters, clutch cables, speedometer cables, brake pads.

Because you know what?  I CAN ORDER THEM, TOO.  And, I can get them quicker, and delivered straight to my house....