Author Topic: Bummer! Another dealer shutting down. (Read 3471 times)

BentGoose · « **on:** February 14, 2018, 01:27:49 PM »

Just found out that Moto Italia of Northern Colorado will be closing shop at the end of February, sad news for the Colorado Guzzi community, best wishes to Matt & crew. Until then everything in the store is available at blowout prices. They also will consider offers on shop equipment and fixtures.

bobrebos · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2018, 01:45:02 PM »

Hate to hear of dealers shutting down. Not a good sign for the Guzzi crowd no matter what the reason(s).....

Triple Jim · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2018, 01:49:43 PM »

Quote from: bobrebos on February 14, 2018, 01:45:02 PM

Hate to hear of dealers shutting down. Not a good sign for the Guzzi crowd no matter what the reason(s).....

Maybe it's a little like an alcoholic getting sober... you may have to hit rock bottom before you're aware of the problem enough to want a cure.

ITSec · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2018, 02:12:44 PM »

Fort Collins seems to me to be an awfully small market, particularly when a dealer has only one or two (niche) brands to carry the flag. Did Matt ever carry anything other than MG and Piaggio scooters since leaving the BMW business some years ago? A powersports dealer in a location like that would likely need to carry a brand that includes ATVs as well as motorcycles to be successful, and best to have multiple brands even then.

The other problem is that Fort Collins is close enough to the Denver area that people might go to the big city - but city folks might think it's too far to go to Fort Collins.

Dharma Bum · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2018, 03:06:55 PM »

Correct me if I am wrong, but that means there is only one dealer left in the Rocky Mountains from the Mexican border all the way to Canada?

cloudbase · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2018, 03:24:26 PM »

I was heading back home from a trip to Seattle and had to stop in for some unexpected problem. Great guys, and they took very good care of my Quota.

rocker59 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2018, 12:12:48 PM »

Quote from: Triple Jim on February 14, 2018, 01:49:43 PM

Maybe it's a little like an alcoholic getting sober... you may have to hit rock bottom before you're aware of the problem enough to want a cure.

Yet, Guzzi's sales are higher than they've been in over a decade.

M0T0Geezer · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2018, 01:11:13 PM »

Gonna have to get the old '04 Breva 750cc fixed up 'afor their titz turn skyward.

Here's their website, fyi: https://motoitaliacolorado.com/

Sad, sad, sad...

"M0T0Geezer" Dan

Toecutter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2018, 02:12:36 PM »

I still think the thing Guzzi has going against it (in terms of new vehicle sales), is NOT the sales themselves. It's "word of mouth" AFTER the vehicles have been sold. I've yet to meet a Guzzi owner that doesn't complain of ridiculously long waits for parts, piss-poor customer support from Piaggio, and "Friday bike" issues.

It's the same thing from most I know and have met... "I love the bike, but..." and that "but" is a huge deal for someone who is on the fence about "should I get the V7 or the Bonnie?".

Hell, my wife has been waiting on a sidecover for 8 months. Piaggio has shipped the WRONG side, three times. My history here outlines my issues with the Piaggio supply chain and support.

Word of mouth is a huge deal... and I think it works against Guzzi in many ways. Not everyone wants "quirk". I'm gonna say MOST people don't want "quirk".

Triple Jim · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2018, 04:47:45 PM »

Quote from: rocker59 on February 15, 2018, 12:12:48 PM

Yet, Guzzi's sales are higher than they've been in over a decade.

Yes, which of course means rock bottom hasn't been hit, and things aren't likely to change anytime soon.

Lee Bruns · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2018, 06:00:02 PM »

Read me loud and clear on this. LISTEN. The problem, again, is not the dealers themselves. it is how MGNA TREATS the dealers. That is why they are getting out of Guzzi. Love of the brand can't overcome crappy corporate treatment.

severely · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2018, 08:04:34 PM »

Here's a Guzzi rider without parts issues. I have an 09 Stelvio and a 71 Ambassador and am lucky enough to live near Harper's and they have always been there for me. Also have another Guzzi dealer within 50 miles. Have a great ride today.

skippy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2018, 09:14:57 PM »

Quote from: ITSec on February 14, 2018, 02:12:44 PM

Fort Collins seems to me to be an awfully small market, particularly when a dealer has only one or two (niche) brands to carry the flag. Did Matt ever carry anything other than MG and Piaggio scooters since leaving the BMW business some years ago? A powersports dealer in a location like that would likely need to carry a brand that includes ATVs as well as motorcycles to be successful, and best to have multiple brands even then.

The other problem is that Fort Collins is close enough to the Denver area that people might go to the big city - but city folks might think it's too far to go to Fort Collins.

In addition to Moto Guzzi and Piaggio, Motoitalia also carried Aprilia, Though From what conversations I have had with Matt it was indeed Moto Guzzi that sold the best.
This is extremely unfortunate. These are the only guys I would trust to work on my machines, not that I let anyone work on my machines but there was a time during my career where time was a most precious commodity that I couldn't afford. Not only where these folks a great conduit for factory fresh parts for Moto Guzzis (I hardly had to wait more than a customary week or two) they also, to my surprise, often had parts on hand for my old K75.
I plan on stopping by tomorrow to talk shop and bullshit with them, but I am really keen to see what plans Jim has.
As far as Denver being close enough to attract consumers. Being a resident of the Northern Colorado Front Range all of my life I can safely say, hell no", Unless it is a trip to the zoo, Natural History Museum, or Ikea, we Northerners just assume to stay away from Denver. I would take my bike to Seattle before going to the shop in Denver for any work I couldn't do my self. Thankfully my current career path affords me all the time in the world to take care of my own stuff.

Skippy.

redhawk47 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 15, 2018, 11:44:25 PM »

Quote from: Dharma Bum on February 14, 2018, 03:06:55 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but that means there is only one dealer left in the Rocky Mountains from the Mexican border all the way to Canada?

correction: Moto Guzzi El Paso and Erico, Denver

redhawk47 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2018, 11:46:29 PM »

Quote from: skippy on February 15, 2018, 09:14:57 PM

In addition to Moto Guzzi and Piaggio, Motoitalia also carried Aprilia, Though From what conversations I have had with Matt it was indeed Moto Guzzi that sold the best.
This is extremely unfortunate. These are the only guys I would trust to work on my machines, not that I let anyone work on my machines but there was a time during my career where time was a most precious commodity that I couldn't afford. Not only where these folks a great conduit for factory fresh parts for Moto Guzzis (I hardly had to wait more than a customary week or two) they also, to my surprise, often had parts on hand for my old K75.
I plan on stopping by tomorrow to talk shop and bullshit with them, but I am really keen to see what plans Jim has.
As far as Denver being close enough to attract consumers. Being a resident of the Northern Colorado Front Range all of my life I can safely say, hell no", Unless it is a trip to the zoo, Natural History Museum, or Ikea, we Northerners just assume to stay away from Denver. I would take my bike to Seattle before going to the shop in Denver for any work I couldn't do my self. Thankfully my current career path affords me all the time in the world to take care of my own stuff.

Skippy.

My experience and sentiments also.

fatbob · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2018, 12:46:40 AM »

Mathew's best revenue source is service on BMW bikes. I bought 6 bikes from him over the years, BMW and Guzzi. Great guys, hate to see them shut down. I can't say I am surprised though, Guzzis seemed to languish in the shop for a long time.

skippy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2018, 08:43:55 PM »

Stopped by to grab a bunch of parts today and talked shop with Mathew. 2016 V7s were flying out the door in 2016 but in 2017 not a single 2017 V7 was sold, only a few V9's and a couple of 2016 V7s. He is a little bit frustrated over the huge inventory he has been sitting on and is trying to come up with a plan to get back on track. Moto Guzzi/Aprilia will be picking up all of the unsold new bikes on Tuesday. Mathew mentioned that he would like to open up a service and parts shop somewhere and focus on BMW, Moto Guzzi, and Aprilia.
I hope it pans out for him.
Can he continue to get parts from the factory?

Skippy

Tusayan · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2018, 10:06:07 PM »

Quote from: fatbob on February 16, 2018, 12:46:40 AM

Mathew's best revenue source is service on BMW bikes.

BMW might be a relatively small manufacturer, but this remains true for so many people in the 21st century bike biz

LowRyter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2018, 10:08:48 AM »

Knowing the guy opening a dealer here in OKC, I am told that Piaggio is making an effort to turn the corner.

I hope he's not drinking the Kool Aid. He's got a good service and modification business and I think he's hedged the dealership so failure won't sink him.

Piaggio has a new marketing guy that helped make Ducati since the 90s. The guy expects to be able to influence development of new models.

john hooper · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2018, 01:07:51 PM »

Moto guzzi in the UK suffering many simlar problems, it appears it may be a piaggio corporate problem .

John

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Author Topic: Bummer! Another dealer shutting down. (Read 3471 times)

bobrebos