New Dealer and Piaggio

[LowRyter]

I just had an interesting talk with my local service guy.  I went to his shop to talk to him about a new shock and suspension for my Sport.  He's the gentleman that rebuilt the transmission and built the transmission brackets for the Red Frame V11 Sports.   He's an Ohlins tech and tells me that he's working with some local guys that are building shocks right here in OKC. 

But the big news, he's been in touch with Piaggio and is very much interested starting a dealership with Aprilia, Guzzi and Vespa.  My reaction was "are you nuts?"  He told me some very encouraging information regarding the brand.

The US honcho taking over Piaggio was the guy that was running Ducati USA and was responsible for the Monster.

That Piaggio wasn't going to drown him with inventory.  This would take a lot of risk off him and wouldn't kill his current service business.

That life style and customization was complementary to his service business and is consistent with Piaggio.  Apparently  Vespa riders like customize their bikes as much as Harley riders so.  He's already big with what we might call "hipsters" as well as older guys like me.  He's done some cafe and customs which has given him visibility. 

It looks very promising that we'll have a local dealer.  And it looks like the business model could succeed.

[Gliderjohn]

That would be great if it can be worked out and if Piaggio can get real with dealers. OKC is out about three hours straight down I-135 for me. Never thought I would reach the point that I would get excited about a Guzzi Dealer ONLY three hours away.
GliderJohn

[LowRyter]

I am pretty optimistic.   Frankly, I care more about my friend than I do about the brand, so I am hoping for success. 

[Kev m]

I'm an eternal optimist, so it sounds great to me. Here's hoping.

[Tom H]

Hope it works out!!

Tom

[rider33]

as a Vespa (and Harley) owner, I would have to agree with that.  You often see tricked out Vespa's (even to the full Quadrophenia levels occasionally), Harley's of course are rarely left stock.  The bit about the lifestyle marketing program required of dealers complete with forced inventory, display walls, minimum sales requirements etc. (ala Triumph), however, just makes no sense for a brand like Guzzi.  They just don't have the turns or penetration.  Vespa tried that when they relaunched in the 80's in the US and it fell flat,  I hope they learned from that.  You build a brand from a loyal core and having owners and dealers that really care about it is how it's done,  not by antagonizing owners over warrenty claims or forcing dealers into insolvency.  Toyota's marketing approach is different than Ferrari's, the approach needs to fit the task at hand.

[LowRyter]

I posted this because of so many threads about dealers closing down.  And quite a bit of frustration regarding Piaggio management. 

It looks like Piaggio USA is installing new management with a more realistic approach.  Greater dealer density and service is important for riders to have confidence to purchase new Guzzis.

[pebra]

Greater dealer density and service is important for riders to have confidence to purchase new Guzzis.

Let's hope that's in their business plan, and that they'll stick to it!

[rocker59]

The US honcho taking over Piaggio was the guy that was running Ducati USA and was responsible for the Monster.
 

I'm trying to decipher this sentence.

Miguel Galluzzi designed the Monster and has been head of the Piaggio/Guzzi design office in California for years.

Roberto Colaninno is, and has been the CEO of Piaggio.

Jason Chinnock is the CEO of Ducati North America, but wasn't at Ducati when Massimo Bordi and Miguel Galluzzi designed/built the Monster.

 

[slopokes]

So what does that have to do with my 650 vstrom?????🙃

[LowRyter]

I'm trying to decipher this sentence.

Miguel Galluzzi designed the Monster and has been head of the Piaggio/Guzzi design office in California for years.

Roberto Colaninno is, and has been the CEO of Piaggio.

Jason Chinnock is the CEO of Ducati North America, but wasn't at Ducati when Massimo Bordi and Miguel Galluzzi designed/built the Monster.

you know more than I do.  I know what I was told.  But I didn't mean to imply the guy designed the Monster, only that he was the guy that suggested the concept for the US market.

[Attackpug]

My Anni  said she wants to go to oklahoma

[Arizona Wayne]

Proof is in the pudding............ .talk is cheap. 

[LowRyter]

The email came into today.  Saw it myself.

OKC is getting a new Moto Guzzi,  Aprilia and Vespa dealer. 


 

[LowRyter]

Here's Don's current address.  He's firming up a new location for the dealership.

You might browse some of the projects that he's worked on. 

http://www.motivcycleworks.com

[ARGuz]

Surprised they would add another store in Oklahoma.  There is already a great dealer in Tulsa, Brookside Motorcycle Co.  I bought my Stornello there.

[kingoffleece]

Let's hope he understands floor planning.  It'll most likely be very nice to start out.

[Devildog]

Great news for OKC, makes me almost wish we still lived there.
Here in VA we have dealers in Richmond and Arlington, a similar distance to OKC and Tulsa.

[LowRyter]

Let's hope he understands floor planning.  It'll most likely be very nice to start out.

Piaggio has told him that he'll only get inventory that he requests.  That was the first questions I asked him. 

[LowRyter]

Surprised they would add another store in Oklahoma.  There is already a great dealer in Tulsa, Brookside Motorcycle Co.  I bought my Stornello there.

This allows more density for service support.  That is something that is essential for Aprilia and Moto Guzzi is they want to stay afloat. 

[JJ]

I posted this because of so many threads about dealers closing down.  And quite a bit of frustration regarding Piaggio management. 

It looks like Piaggio USA is installing new management with a more realistic approach.  Greater dealer density and service is important for riders to have confidence to purchase new Guzzis.

Good for your friend and OKC. Best of luck going forward...

In AZ, now that RIDE-NOW-Powersports in Chandler recently announced that they are severing ties with Piaggio completely, we heard a "rumor" that a new Guzzi dealer is coming to town soon (???)

Will it be GO-AZ in Scottsdale, which already has Vespa and Aprilia...?? or some new dealer ???

According to the official Guzzi website, this is it for Arizona!!

[oldbike54]

 Having met the new guy I can say he seems a good bloke . Of course so is the guy in Tulsa , wow , we have two knowledgeable dealers in OK  The other states are gonna be envious if this all works out .

 Dusty

[Texas Turnip]

Surprised they would add another store in Oklahoma.  There is already a great dealer in Tulsa, Brookside Motorcycle Co.  I bought my Stornello there.

For decades we had Ken Johnson in Tulsa and Cals in OKC. Both sold lots of Guzzis. Sorry to bore you with history from the 70's. Now I'll get reamed out for talking about the old days.

Tex

[LowRyter]

Having met the new guy I can say he seems a good bloke . Of course so is the guy in Tulsa , wow , we have two knowledgeable dealers in OK  The other states are gonna be envious if this all works out .

 Dusty

I can imagine that this could be a double edged sword.  Certainly two dealers 100 miles apart.

OTOH, if we expect to have the Guzzi brand to survive, they'll need expand their service network. You have to wonder how many more $18k 1400s weren't sold because the prospective buyer was 200 miles from the dealer?  Remember that all new bikes are computer controlled, so it's just not a situation of getting some gaskets in the mail to maintain your bike.

So the brand's long term survival is dependent on expansion IMO.  Service density being key.  The advantage here is that Don is willing and able to service classic Guzzis as well as new ones.

[oldbike54]

For decades we had Ken Johnson in Tulsa and Cals in OKC. Both sold lots of Guzzis. Sorry to bore you with history from the 70's. Now I'll get reamed out for talking about the old days.

Tex

 Ken sold a fair number of Guzzis even into the early 2,000's , despite the fact that local Guzzista called him names he was always cool with me .

 Dusty

[Kev m]

Remember that all new bikes are computer controlled, so it's just not a situation of getting some gaskets in the mail to maintain your bike.

So the brand's long term survival is dependent on expansion IMO.  Service density being key.

The first point is not proven (nor do I believe it).

[Darren Williams]

The first point is not proven (nor do I believe it).

I think the point John is making there is that on the new bikes you can't reset your TPS without something like Guzzidiag (at least on CARC bikes, don't know about new V7s and V9s) and not all riders are inclined to get a laptop out to do a valve adjustment and TB sync. Many times proper service is more complicated than some want to encounter.

[LowRyter]

The first point is not proven (nor do I believe it).

whatever..........

[Kev m]

I think the point John is making there is that on the new bikes you can't reset your TPS without something like Guzzidiag (at least on CARC bikes, don't know about new V7s and V9s) and not all riders are inclined to get a laptop out to do a valve adjustment and TB sync. Many times proper service is more complicated than some want to encounter.

Well, like you said, there's GuzziDiag so no need for a dealer. But why would you have to reset your tps?

And though I agree not all riders are inclined to do a valve adjustment and TB Sync, there's nothing more complicated about the 1400's or V9's/V7's that's going to stop or discourage those who are willing to service them themselves.

As a matter of fact for starters there is no dual TB's on any of them, so nothing to Sync. If anything they are easier to service than 1100 Calis or CARCs, and THAT was my point.

And I should add that I don't disagree that a better dealer network that offers more opportunities for owners who aren't inclined to service it themselves would be beneficial. I'm just disagreeing that the current lineup is in any real effect different from the lineup a decade or two ago when it comes to home serviceability.

[Darren Williams]

Well, like you said, there's GuzziDiag so no need for a dealer. But why would you have to reset your tps?

And though I agree not all riders are inclined to do a valve adjustment and TB Sync, there's nothing more complicated about the 1400's or V9's/V7's that's going to stop or discourage those who are willing to service them themselves.

As a matter of fact for starters there is no dual TB's on any of them, so nothing to Sync. If anything they are easier to service than 1100 Calis or CARCs, and THAT was my point.

And I should add that I don't disagree that a better dealer network that offers more opportunities for owners who aren't inclined to service it themselves would be beneficial. I'm just disagreeing that the current lineup is in any real effect different from the lineup a decade or two ago when it comes to home serviceability.

We're not that far apart on this. I just know quite a few guys that are comfortable with mechanical stuff but not so much the electronic witchcraft. (attempt at humor). And isn't a TPS reset a standard thing you do when servicing the valves? I thought it was listed on my CARCs and Breva 750 work list.

Another thing to consider is a lot of riders today are not as inclined to do their own maintenance as in years past. Some one with your knowledge and skill would eclipse me, as I would eclipse some guys that always have their car and bikes dealer serviced.  Those guys might never consider a brand that didn't have a dealer and service place within 100 miles.