What does Guzzi need? Be realistic given economies on all fronts?

[bad Chad]

I used to think I knew, now I'm not so sure.

[fotoguzzi]

a new parent company.

[ohiorider]

a new parent company.

I agree ..... but I don't know who that would be.  Any thoughts?

Bob

[oldbike54]

a new parent company.

   Well...

 

I agree ..... but I don't know who that would be.  Any thoughts?

Bob

 ... If we pooled all of our money could come up with a down payment ? We have a couple of very savvy business types here .

 Dusty

[slopokes]

No drinking at lunch time...

[oldbike54]

No drinking at lunch time...

 Chad asked for "realistic" 

 Dusty

[ohiorider]

I'll get flamed on this response ....... but ....... BMW.  They could do their hi tech stuff, and promote Guzzi as the air cooled ride the way we loved it for years.  They do know how to market.

[Kev m]

In order:

1. Quality control
2. Product development
3. Marketing
4. Dealer network


Thing is they are FANTASTIC bikes, but they keep getting crippled by STUPID SHIT:

* Bad hydros
* Bad clutches
* Bad upper steering clamps
* Bad fuel lines
* Bad fuel filters
* Bad instrument clusters
* Bad 8v, valve trains

It's not the occasional failure, as much as the pattern ones that go for A LONG time, long after they should have fixed them, that bother me.

But some should NEVER have happened in the first place.

[Sheepdog]

They need a real sport bike to enhance their image. Some liquid-cooled heads and an additional twenty horsepower on a sexy Latin roadster would make their entire lineup look better...

[bigbikerrick]

A new Le Mans, not just a rebadged smallblock, from the V7 family, but  a bigger , hairy chested beast,at least based on the V9, but with some real performance goodies added ,to give it some cojones. A hot cam, high performance throttle bodies, etc. Just imagine what a beautiful motorcycle Guzzi could build ...totally modern, but with mild retro styling cues from all of the old LeMans  series bikes!
Rick.

[oldbike54]

 Building a modern sportbike to compete head on in that market would crush Moto Guzzi .

 Dusty

[drawnverybadly]

Realistically, they need to dip even further into their heritage and dredge up more and more retro modern classics, and try to stay ahead of the trend curve, I would like their next bike to be a sexy tracker/street tracker variant of the V7/V9. Maybe name it the V9 TT (Tutto Terreno) to give it enough of a connection to Guzzi's past.

[blu guzz]

I am new to the MG lineup.  I have had 4 BMW's and 2 Harleys and 1 Victory.  My first 2 BMW's were bought used based on the reputation, number 3 was new and 4 was used.  The Harleys were new in 92 and 06.  I bought the BMW's because of my desire to tour and their reputation (not entirely true) for reliability.  The Harleys just because at each time, I wanted them.  I had great trips on the BMW's but except for the first which was the iconic R100RS, I don't shed a tear for any of the other 3 or the Victory (25,000 miles in 3 years and perfect mechanically).  The Harleys, I really missed.  Why should that be?  In every respect, the BMWs and the Victory outperformed the Harleys in every feature of performance.  What does this have to do with MG you ask?
The MG reaches me in a way that the Harleys did and it handily outperforms any Harley in any measure of performance.  But MG competes (if that is the correct word) with each of those brands, especially as the MG''s are configured now with the engines they use and the frame geometry.  Although I think my Cali Custom is going to be a very capable tourer, I think of it as a "sport cruiser", but maybe a little closer to Harley than BMW in the audience that might be its natural target. 

I think to expand their market share, they must have broader exposure.  People have to try these bikes to really appreciate them.  This starts with the dealers.  A radical change would be for the factory to "floor plan" the dealer's inventory and make sure that bikes are available in each model.  They need at least one dealer in every state.  They need to support their dealers to the hilt.  They need to try to find a reason to warranty repair everything they can, unlike BMW which takes the opposite approach.  In other words, like Honda cars when they first tried to enter our market, they need to buy their reputation.  Those first Hondas were not the paragons of virtue that new ones are, they had lots of problems, but the dealer support and service were second to none. 
Corporately, they need to sell tradition similar to Harley.  Promote a lifestyle.  I went to my first Guzzi rally last month and it was one of the best I have ever attended with the most outgoing people.  They need to get that in front of the riding public.  Ever notice how the magazines lead in fall with the latest rocket bikes and it takes until June to see anything about MG?  That needs to change. 
Who knows, maybe they should hire me.

[MMRanch]

I didn't buy a new Guzzi for power , I would have got a Suzuki , power has Nothing to do with it !
I didn't buy a new Guzzi for fancy electronics , the less fancy --- the better .  Keep it simple please.

I did buy a new Guzzi because its "Lighter than my Harley"
I did buy a new Guzzi because its "Air cooled" 
I did buy a new Guzzi because its got the "V" in the right direction
I did buy a new Guzzi because its got "Push-Rods" instead of cam chain

I was disappointed that the six gears got closer together instead of "Wider-Ranging with an Interstate Gear"  If I wanted a Sport-Bike ... I'd get a Suzuki
I was disappointed in the lack of fork-mounted windshield mounts - had to make my own. (think Memphis Shields).



 

[flip]

In my opinion, I think they need to be able to share some major parts between different models. I think a somewhat modern naked bike with 100+ hp and quality suspension could share a lot of components with a modern GT and a sport-touring bike and perhaps an adventure tourer...wait, update or at least base them on the CARC bikes design.

Update the existing engines with water cooled heads or...use design some new engines that use the basic Aprilia design but built to the Guzzi layout. Surely using existing cylinders, pistons, rods, etc could save some money.

Oh and keep making the old tech small blocks as long as possible since they seem to sell.

[MMRanch]

Liquid cooling , would KILL the whole idea of having a Guzzi ,  There are plenty Liquid cooled bikes out there to choose from .

So , What are the Air-Cooled  Options to those who like Air-Cooled :

Enfield ... Chain drive -   
All those little China Bikes ... again Chain drive -   
Triumph ... again Chain drive -   
Harley ... Seem to think Heavy Weight is a Good thing -   
Honda ... air/oil cooled ... again Chain Drive -   

Nope :  Guzzi is in a : "Class-by-Itself " ...  That may be their best trait    

 

 

[Gliderjohn]

No all out sport bike attempts but...a serious sport tourer. The Norge is close but needs cruise control at the very least and electronic adjustable suspension as an option and better designed side cases. Second, a new great all around naked big block. Third, a good two up touring bike. The current 1400 is toooo big. Fourth, a small block true adventure bike. Not much compation in that segment.
Other.....better overall quality control and when there is a screw up, back it up and fix the damn problem. Last, somehow build a wider dealer network, train the techs well, and work well with the dealers. Continue expanding marketing.
GliderJohn

[Kev m]

I am new to the MG lineup.  I have had 4 BMW's and 2 Harleys and 1 Victory.  My first 2 BMW's were bought used based on the reputation, number 3 was new and 4 was used.  The Harleys were new in 92 and 06.  I bought the BMW's because of my desire to tour and their reputation (not entirely true) for reliability.  The Harleys just because at each time, I wanted them.  I had great trips on the BMW's but except for the first which was the iconic R100RS, I don't shed a tear for any of the other 3 or the Victory (25,000 miles in 3 years and perfect mechanically).  The Harleys, I really missed.  Why should that be?  In every respect, the BMWs and the Victory outperformed the Harleys in every feature of performance.  What does this have to do with MG you ask?
The MG reaches me in a way that the Harleys did and it handily outperforms any Harley in any measure of performance.  But MG competes (if that is the correct word) with each of those brands, especially as the MG''s are configured now with the engines they use and the frame geometry.  Although I think my Cali Custom is going to be a very capable tourer, I think of it as a "sport cruiser", but maybe a little closer to Harley than BMW in the audience that might be its natural target. 

So much of your post rings true to me that I'm reluctant to disagree with any of it.

I bought my first Harleys in 93 and 96 because they spoke to me.

I bought BMWs chasing some perception of better tech or performance, neither of which really matters as much as I thought it would to me. The bikes were too appliance-like, too antiseptic.

Then I went on a cathartic "I'll look at everything available from every manufacturer for about $10k search" trying to be open minded and stumbled upon Guzzi.

It was as if the red-headed stepchild of the motorcycle industry was the love child of a BMW and Harley. The shaft, easy valve adjustments, Brembo brakes of a BMW with a visceral V-Twin of a Harley that spoke to me.

As a continued fan of both marques I'd argue with your characterization of what sounds like a Tonti Cali beating any Harley in any performance metric, it's just patently not true. But that said it is true that generally speaking most Guzzis are more performance oriented than most Harleys and I get that additional function.

I think Guzzi could and should cash in on that position...a classic brand that offers the heritage and visceral pleasure of a Harley combined with the performance of a BMW.... There should be a market for that if packaged correctly.

I do think the V7 strikes the chord... But can't carry the whole team alone on 50 hp.

[fotoguzzi]

I agree ..... but I don't know who that would be.  Any thoughts?

Bob

Polaris?

I did buy a new Guzzi because its got "Push-Rods" instead of cam chain

?  the cam chain drives the cam that actuates the push rods.

[MMRanch]

 

  the cam chain drives the cam that actuates the push rods.

 

I didn't know that ... 

[oldbike54]

 OK Brad , it's time for the giraffe thingie 

 Dusty

[Travlr]

BMW is doing pretty good right now.  Sales are up.  Profits are up.  And it isn't the singles and 4's that are doing it.
It's bikes that honor the past while using current technology.

1. Their #1 selling bike is the GS.  A new Stelvio 1200 comes to mind.

2. Their #2 selling bike is the R9T.  A few models that build on Guzzi tradition would help.
And not small blocks.  A new big block 1000S or LeMans  for instance.

M

[Idontwantapickle]

Why does Guzzi need anything? They will evolve along as they have for decades and the suspender-snappers will wait to buy 3 year old new bikes and then wonder why dealers are scarce.
The current range is good and there is little doubt that new emission standards will drive any significant drivetrain changes.
Guzzi has not been a big producer. They don't need to be, they do what they do and there is a group of motorcyclists who appreciate the unique value of that, myself included. I don't want the most popular mainstream lifestyle appliance. And if I ever do my brother has instructions to smother me.

Hunter

[Shorty]

   Well...

 
 ... If we pooled all of our money could come up with a down payment ? We have a couple of very savvy business types here .

 Dust

We could at least have fun whilst sucking the treasury dry.   Hire Pete Roper as public relations spokesperson. Squatch is in charge of hiring and  the sexxyterries. Turnip is product testing. Dusty is union officer. Shorty will write all the snobby commercials. Tom is in charge of warehousing and shipping. Lannis and HD Goose handle complaint department. LowRyter will smooze the govt and handle bribery. Doug and Dave run the employee mess and wine cellar.  Luap will.live nearby in Monte Carlo and handle the asset management.  Damn Yankee will translate. Who have I missed?

[Bud]

In order:

1. Quality control
2. Product development
3. Marketing
4. Dealer network


Thing is they are FANTASTIC bikes, but they keep getting crippled by STUPID SHIT:

* Bad hydros
* Bad clutches
* Bad upper steering clamps
* Bad fuel lines
* Bad fuel filters
* Bad instrument clusters
* Bad 8v, valve trains

It's not the occasional failure, as much as the pattern ones that go for A LONG time, long after they should have fixed them, that bother me.

But some should NEVER have happened in the first place.

:1:   I bought a 2014 Touring new. History with just under 14k miles. 2 sets of front rotors, leaking bags, random hard grabbing clutch, right header randomly coming loose and recently 2 of the four bolts holding part of the oil circulation system started leaking and had to be tightened. I love this bike but would never buy another Guzzi. There is no excuse for these kinds of things to be happening to a modern motorcycle. I have had jap bikes in the past with zero problems, no soul but zero problems.

[fotoguzzi]

We could at least have fun whilst sucking the treasury dry.   Hire Pete Roper as public relations spokesperson. Squatch is in charge of hiring and  the sexxyterries. Turnip is product testing. Dusty is union officer. Shorty will write all the snobby commercials. Tom is in charge of warehousing and shipping. Lannis and HD Goose handle complaint department. LowRyter will smooze the govt and handle bribery. Doug and Dave run the employee mess and wine cellar.  Luap will.live nearby in Monte Carlo and handle the asset management.  Damn Yankee will translate. Who have I missed?

ME? I'll make the videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lwzsg7pfLQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMQ9LdqzUzI&t=20s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAgGqJdYdM&t=5s
 sorry about the ads just click the x to off them

[lucian]

I'll take Test Pilot

[oldbike54]

 Union officer my azz , I wanna be in charge of hiring the models for the shows 

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

Thanks Shorty, make me the bag man.

I'll shmoooze it for ya, the "new engine" debuting at EiCMA will solve all the issues.


Believe me.

[Shorty]

Union officer my azz , I wanna be in charge of hiring the models for the shows 

 Dusty

You might can outrun the Squatch, but don't let him get a holt of ya......