New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
If Guzzi/Piaggio can nail this, then it could mean much more foot traffic for the dealers. Not everyone who comes in will leave on a V85, but will get a good look at a Guzzi in the metal (some will buy V7s and others) which is much more impressive than on the printed page or online. A good thing. But, nailing it for me means having a bike that is not a beta tester for the early adopters and critically, having it to the dealers in the spring. I don't think the track record on either of these has been very good in the past. I don't think this matters as much with anyone who is on the forum because we are the hardcore, but if they hope to expand their base even a little, they have a lot to overcome with the rest of the riding public. I have a good riding friend who buys a lot of bikes and has had 5 MGs over the years, the last new one in 04. That bike was such a nightmare that he won't even consider them now. He could possibly be won back if Piaggio can match the experience he has had with several modern Triumphs he has bought recently. They don't have to and can't really be expected to meet Japanese standards, but much better than in the past. My California has been nearly flawless in 10k+ miles, but they need to convince others that the bikes are that good. Although no one has said it, in corporate HQ, they could be deciding MG's fate based on the launch of this one bike. Here's hoping.
Japanese bikes unfortunately aren't without their issues. If you spend enough time on the japanese bike forums you will see what issues they are plagued with and the extra maintenance required that doesn't even show up in the service manuals. Plus, they cost less not because of the exchange rate or their willingness to make less profit. They cost less because they moved production to countries with lower wages, they use budget materials and components, etc. People are constantly chasing down rattles, stators are going bad, fuel pumps going bad, water pumps going bad, poor lubrication of bearings from the factory, water intrusion in swingarms, crappy chain adjusters, budget suspensions. Just about every Japanese bike I have owned has had some kind of recall and needed some type of warranty work performed. More so after production got moved out of Japan.
I've had my name on the pre-order list since last summer...though listening to the wisdom of those on this site and all my MC and MG friends and what I know having purchased my first bike over 45 years ago...I'm going to wait and see what happens...too many unknowns at this point and with MG intentions using the engine on subsequent models I'm looking forward to what comes while pulling my name from the pre order list. Totally love everything about the bike...but was hoping for less weight. Still very interested but being patient
I do think a lot of the issues can be done at the dealer level also.. I think you will get a much better bike out of a MG dealer that cares about the brand, then one of the shops where MG is just a filler product. Agean a lot of this comes down to a brand that WANTS to support, and build a dealer network...and we all know that beaten horse... I come from the new car end... so maybe i am expecting too much, but a good dealership that is happy with the product is a place to buy a new bike.
Thats a problem we now face in Australia, my previous local dealer was pretty good and had a definite passion for the brand. Unfortunately the national distributor changed and the new mob are one of the biggest players with their own multi franchise stores..I personally cannot stand their shops and the last one I went into just before Christmas had a few Guzzis just pushed into the corner..They are hurting the brand and they are making some good stuff..my 2015 Cali has been faultless and I would say better than any recent purchases from Japan.
I just provided a bunch of parts for a crashed Cali 14 to a bike panelbeater in Canberra. The repairer ordered a couple of bits from PS. Bits ordered from me were cheaper than those from PS and arrived in two weeks since I ordered them. Still no ETA on the bits from PS.Go figure........
They just don't care..Dunno why they even picked Guzzi up...?
The bike is developed entirely at Aprilia. As are parts of the engine of the V7 I - II, and the complete engine of the V7 III and the V9. And that is why it will work. By the way, the magazine "Motorrad" has ridden a prototype bike for about 300 km and they like it.
Here on Switzerland the V85 will be available from March-April and cost 12990 chf
I guess they are beginning to roll of the line now, obviously. Any further ride reports out there? I haven’t seen any; I assume Guzzi will be doing a big official launch soon for the bike.
hows your German? https://www.motorradonline.de/motorraeder/moto-guzzi-v85-erlkoenig-2018.983808.html
the above is pure fantasy the 2v motor is dead !!
There were a hundred others, but no one likes a troll....(apparently)
Timmy, my dealer had a notice two weeks ago from MG that a grey one will arrive mid-April, and a red one in May. So it sounds like they are letting dealers know what color is being shipped.I read the offer to state the deposit is only refundable for the first 30 days. Maybe that's changed?
