No Guzzis in Italy....

[cee2cee]

Just came back after spending 3 months in Lucca Italy and the only Guzzis i saw were in the show-room of the local dealer.  Plenty of Ducatis and Japs, but NOT ONE MG was spotted on the roads, so sad! 

And btw, I traveled from the northern part of Liguria east to Bolgona to Piombino in southern tuscany during my stay and just did not see any MGs.

[bigbikerrick]

Thats very surprising. What were the police riding?
Rick

[cee2cee]

The Polizia were on BMWs......go figure!

[Kai]

That's what I experienced as well. The older Italians love the latest GS, as soon a new GS is out you don't see the previous model anymore, the younger riders like sporty japanese stuff.

[Matteo]

When i last visited my family in Puglia they asked why I rode Guzzi�s, almost like they were surprised Americans rode them. All I saw there were Ducks, KZ�s and small dual sports.
Seemed like 1 out of ten bikes I saw were Monsters. Saw an equally small number of Harley�s and Guzzi�s. About 3 each in a month. Piaggio ruled the streets with Scooters.

[ohiorider]

Maybe the place to be to spot Guzzis is in Germany (??)  Seem to be well-accepted there.

Bob

[Chuck in Indiana]

Maybe the place to be to spot Guzzis is in Germany (??)  Seem to be well-accepted there.

Bob

I don't know if it is still true, but Germany used to be Guzzi's biggest market.

[LowRyter]

Thats very surprising. What were the police riding?
Rick

I don't think Guzzi offers a cop bike now that the Norge is done.

[bad Chad]

Maybe it's the season.   I was there in May of 14 and saw 5 on the road over the 4 days we were in country.   But yes, there were many more brand x than Any Italians

[giusto]

We spent a month in Italy summer before last and the only Guzzi's we saw were at the Mandello Museum and this one Galletto in Forno di Zoldo




how to delete mint account


everything else was Kz's and BMW's

[Tom]

I like the Cinquecento in the background.   

[Scud]

Last year, when I rented a BMW GS in Germany, and rode to the Alps, including a few passes in Italy, I saw many Guzzis. Poetically, I followed a Moto Guzzi Stelvio up the Stelvio pass. I also lots of other GS BMWs - and Honda Africa Twins (the original ones that were not imported to USA).

[Mr Pootle]

I saw three Italian registered Guzzi in Sicily last year. The year before, in Umbria, I had a chat with a Suzuki riding italian in Umbria, and when I said I had a Guzzi the reply was “I didn’t know they were still making those things”.
BMWs are by far the most common bikes in Italy.

[pebra]

The posts pretty much reflect my experiences as well.
I'd like to add that I see even fewer Aprilias than Guzzis in Italy (or anywhere else)

[fossil]

Maybe the place to be to spot Guzzis is in Germany (??)  Seem to be well-accepted there.

Bob

You bet!

[Toecutter]

This was my experience in Italy as well..

Lots of BMW. Lots of Ducati. A few Harleys. A bunch of UJMs. I never saw a single Guzzi, not one.

[Tusayan]

You see Guzzis in the Italian Alps, ridden by enthusiasts...  not as many as late model GSs or Japanese naked econo-bikes but a fair number of them.  Down in the flat lands, Italians use motorcycles for urban transport and while a new V7 would do that well, retro styling is not a good fit for urban Italians.

[PMDMN]

Lucca is a beautiful town.  I spent a week there about ten years ago and would be happily return.

[pressureangle]

Within the first half hour in Rome, saw a very nice, very ridden early LeMans with a guy at least as old as I am on it.

[Twoleftfeet]

Just came back after spending 3 months in Lucca Italy and the only Guzzis i saw were in the show-room of the local dealer.  Plenty of Ducatis and Japs, but NOT ONE MG was spotted on the roads, so sad! 

And btw, I traveled from the northern part of Liguria east to Bolgona to Piombino in southern tuscany during my stay and just did not see any MGs.

Next time your in Italy take a look at the Guzzi Factory museum on the edge of the beautiful Lake Como, as for spotting Guzzi's I took a ride a couple of years ago down to the heel of Italy and could have counted the Guzzi's on one hand during the trip, however, if you visit one of the large classic rallies in Italy there are normally Guzzi's abound or visit the annual pilgrimage to the Moto Guzzi bash.
I'm off to Pisa in a couple of days so it looks like I'll have to put Lucca on the list, Lastly, I'm considering fitting a Corbin saddle to my 2011 Calvin and would appreciate any feedback on this saddle before spending the money.
Keep the shinny side up.

[Tusayan]

I'm off to Pisa in a couple of days so it looks like I'll have to put Lucca on the list.

I'd advise a couple of hours in Pisa, enough to see the obvious tourist sites, and the rest of any available free time in Lucca.   A friend lives in Viareggio and taught me his well choreographed routine along those lines for use when showing others around.  (I've subsequently been through the area with groups a couple of times)

[cee2cee]

Next time your in Italy take a look at the Guzzi Factory museum on the edge of the beautiful Lake Como, as for spotting Guzzi's I took a ride a couple of years ago down to the heel of Italy and could have counted the Guzzi's on one hand during the trip, however, if you visit one of the large classic rallies in Italy there are normally Guzzi's abound or visit the annual pilgrimage to the Moto Guzzi bash.
I'm off to Pisa in a couple of days so it looks like I'll have to put Lucca on the list, Lastly, I'm considering fitting a Corbin saddle to my 2011 Calvin and would appreciate any feedback on this saddle before spending the money.
Keep the shinny side up.

If you make it to Lucca, check out SerchioMotori http://www.serchiomotori.it/, the local Vespa/MotoGuzzi /Aprilia/Piaggio dealer.  They are located near the train sation.  They have a really nice room full of MGs and MG gear.  Interesting as I asked about renting a MG and they said they only rented Vespas.  When I told her I did ride a MG she said she would speak with the boss and he would probably rent one to me.  I never got around to it, but when I return in the fall I will take her up on the offer.

[cee2cee]

I'd advise a couple of hours in Pisa, enough to see the obvious tourist sites, and the rest of any available free time in Lucca.   A friend lives in Viareggio and taught me his well choreographed routine along those lines for use when showing others around.  (I've subsequently been through the area with groups a couple of times)

I agree with the few hours in Pisa, and then move on.  In fact Pisa is 20 mins by train from Lucca, you could stay in Lucca or alternately in Viareggio.  Both Lucca, Pisa and Viareggio are well connected by short train rides.    While we are on the subject, least anyone be surprised if they are planning on visiting Italy this year, China has invaded Europe!!  Well, not quite but it sure seems like it.  The Chinese, have discovered Europe and are in all the major tourist sites in hordes.  Like ants they form long lines, dressed similar, being led by a flag or umbrella leader and when anyone breaks through the line, like ants, they quickly close ranks.   And every shop owner or local that I spoke to without any hesitation stated, the Chinese are the worst tourist in the world.  In fact, outside the Louvre in Paris, there's a sign in Mandarin which tells visitors not to defecate in the surrounding grounds. This sign is only written in Mandarin Chinese.  And I was in a restaurant near Abetone and a group of Chinese were nosily having dinner and a group of 4 Italian men got up went to the owner and told him that they were leaving after only eating part of their primo or first course and when asked what was wrong they simply looked at the Chinese who were being loud, taking photos of each other etc.  As anyone knows who has spent time in Italy most restaurants are fairly small, and on average are very quiet....anyway, no guzzis in Abetone either, but plenty of chinamen!

[Toecutter]

Pisa?!

My suggestion is to make the 1 hour walking (round) trip to take the obligatory picture of a tower that happens to lean, and then get back on the train to wherever it is that you're heading. Most underwhelming tourist attraction ever... there it is, it leans. And 2000 people are all trying to take a super clever picture of themselves holding it up.

Asian tourist groups seem to outnumber others by a large margin, though, I will agree.

[RRider]

Guzzi is a niche brand, also in Italy. I've understood that its there more for enthusiasts, read older guys. Ducati is a sexy machine for younger ones - but not that common either.

The stat attached are the official figures of Top20 brands registered in 2017.

[Tom]

I agree with the few hours in Pisa, and then move on.  In fact Pisa is 20 mins by train from Lucca, you could stay in Lucca or alternately in Viareggio.  Both Lucca, Pisa and Viareggio are well connected by short train rides.    While we are on the subject, least anyone be surprised if they are planning on visiting Italy this year, China has invaded Europe!!  Well, not quite but it sure seems like it.  The Chinese, have discovered Europe and are in all the major tourist sites in hordes.  Like ants they form long lines, dressed similar, being led by a flag or umbrella leader and when anyone breaks through the line, like ants, they quickly close ranks.   And every shop owner or local that I spoke to without any hesitation stated, the Chinese are the worst tourist in the world.  In fact, outside the Louvre in Paris, there's a sign in Mandarin which tells visitors not to defecate in the surrounding grounds. This sign is only written in Mandarin Chinese.  And I was in a restaurant near Abetone and a group of Chinese were nosily having dinner and a group of 4 Italian men got up went to the owner and told him that they were leaving after only eating part of their primo or first course and when asked what was wrong they simply looked at the Chinese who were being loud, taking photos of each other etc.  As anyone knows who has spent time in Italy most restaurants are fairly small, and on average are very quiet....anyway, no guzzis in Abetone either, but plenty of chinamen!

BUT the shopkeepers take their money. 

[Matteo]

I agree with the few hours in Pisa, and then move on.  In fact Pisa is 20 mins by train from Lucca, you could stay in Lucca or alternately in Viareggio.  Both Lucca, Pisa and Viareggio are well connected by short train rides.    While we are on the subject, least anyone be surprised if they are planning on visiting Italy this year, China has invaded Europe!!  Well, not quite but it sure seems like it.  The Chinese, have discovered Europe and are in all the major tourist sites in hordes.  Like ants they form long lines, dressed similar, being led by a flag or umbrella leader and when anyone breaks through the line, like ants, they quickly close ranks.   And every shop owner or local that I spoke to without any hesitation stated, the Chinese are the worst tourist in the world.  In fact, outside the Louvre in Paris, there's a sign in Mandarin which tells visitors not to defecate in the surrounding grounds. This sign is only written in Mandarin Chinese.  And I was in a restaurant near Abetone and a group of Chinese were nosily having dinner and a group of 4 Italian men got up went to the owner and told him that they were leaving after only eating part of their primo or first course and when asked what was wrong they simply looked at the Chinese who were being loud, taking photos of each other etc.  As anyone knows who has spent time in Italy most restaurants are fairly small, and on average are very quiet....anyway, no guzzis in Abetone either, but plenty of chinamen!

They have replaced”The Ugly American “

[Toecutter]

My wife and I aren't huge "tourist area" travellers... we like to get off the beaten path. Now, that said, how do you go to Florence and not visit the Uffizi, or Rome and not go see the Colosseum? However we like to get off the beaten path. After a day or 2 in Florence, seeing all the "attractions", we just picked a direction and started walking.

One back street we wandered down had, spraypainted on it's stone wall, in English, "Why is it called tourist season, if we can't shoot them?".

 

[Tom]

They have replaced�The Ugly American �

They still exist.  They come to Hawaii. 

[cee2cee]

They still exist.  They come to Hawaii.

Well there are sure a lot of them 'ugly' Mericans, since they come to Florida as well.....