Guzzi mess up on the Stelvio in Europe.

[Guzzipat]

The Stelvio is now available in most of Europe, bikes arrived in the UK last week. Initial reports are good, but Guzzi have shot themselves in the foot with a stupid decision, to delay production of the ABS version. It will not be available till late this year or early 2009, at least one dealer has already lost two sales, people debating between the Stelvio and BMW GS, went for the BMW because it was available now with ABS.
I want a Stelvio, not for any off road capability but because I think that an upright riding position will be better for my old knees. A combination of soccer playing and bike riding (and falling off) has left them decidedly dodgy. I also want switchable ABS, so now I have to wait till Guzzi decide to produce that model. I am not a happy bunny, being a Guzzi fan is close to masochism at times.

[farmer fred]

Man, if I were in the market, I'd pay extra to get one without ABS.

[kendenton]

I'm holding out for a Stelvio's that not so ugly  .  I luuuv Guzzi's, but the snout on that thing is worse than my Multistrada!

[atadaskew]

I'm holding out for that 4V engine to come to the US!
Whyyyyyyy do they keep me waiting?
 

[jed]

I'm holding out for that 4V engine to come to the US!
Whyyyyyyy do they keep me waiting?
 

Cause the dollar is tanking and imports for us folks get more expensiver and the margin for them Italian folks gets smaller per unit sold here.

I like the Stelvio myself.  Good job Guzzi!

[atadaskew]

Cause the dollar is tanking and imports for us folks get more expensiver and the margin for them Italian folks gets smaller per unit sold here.

BS Sir!  Ducati doesn't seem to have any problems bringing over the good stuff.  Lemme check.. yup, they're made in Italy too!

[jed]

BS Sir!  Ducati doesn't seem to have any problems bringing over the good stuff.  Lemme check.. yup, they're made in Italy too!

I'll bet we see their prices start to creep up too before long!  And I'm lusting for an 848!!!

[squeezer]

BS Sir!  Ducati doesn't seem to have any problems bringing over the good stuff.  Lemme check.. yup, they're made in Italy too!

Ever looked up Ducati's balance sheet?  I love the bikes, but that's not a company you'd want to use as a role model for how to run a business.

[atypical1]

Ever looked up Ducati's balance sheet?  I love the bikes, but that's not a company you'd want to use as a role model for how to run a business.

They have actually done pretty well lately. It is hard for a company like Ducati or MG who only make bikes (and niche market ones at that) to do as well as Yamaha, Honda, etc. The "Big 4" all make lawnmowers, cars, vibrators, etc which allow them to make bikes really cheaply. In fact they can be loss leaders on some of their products without making any kind of impact. Sportbikes are a really, really small market for motorcycles which means it is hard for anyone to get rich simply from their sales.

But, they can all learn from HD.

james

[falcofred]

Ever looked up Ducati's balance sheet?  I love the bikes, but that's not a company you'd want to use as a role model for how to run a business.
[/quote]

Hey, Ducati does pretty well for a racing team that sells motorcycles to support their racing efforts

[atadaskew]

Focus people, we are talkin' bout Guzzi here!  Where is my 4V?!!

[Guzzipat]

BS Sir!  Ducati doesn't seem to have any problems bringing over the good stuff.  Lemme check.. yup, they're made in Italy too!

After geography, you might check on production figures. Ducati are much bigger, Guzzi is currently producing a little over 10,000 bikes a year. Compared to Harley's 300,000. Guzzi are a small company, you can't compare their operation to much bigger rivals.The supply problems are largely because the popularity of the new models is outstripping the production.
America get the models last because it is a small market for Guzzi, Italy, Germany, Netherlands and the UK all sell more, so they get the bikes first.

[st ryder]

Ever looked up Ducati's balance sheet?  I love the bikes, but that's not a company you'd want to use as a role model for how to run a business.

For a company that's not a role model for good business, it always seems to have a lot of business savvy investors interested in buying it up. The Ontario Hospital Retirement fund, one would guess, is laden with fiduciary responsibilities, and are heavily into Ducati stock, and now want to be part of the privatisation buy out. Ducati has a lot of desirable business qualities going for it, regardless of its balance books, which in 2007 were very good, like its products.

[st ryder]

The Stelvio is now available in most of Europe, bikes arrived in the UK last week. Initial reports are good, but Guzzi have shot themselves in the foot with a stupid decision, to delay production of the ABS version. It will not be available till late this year or early 2009, at least one dealer has already lost two sales, people debating between the Stelvio and BMW GS, went for the BMW because it was available now with ABS.
I want a Stelvio, not for any off road capability but because I think that an upright riding position will be better for my old knees. A combination of soccer playing and bike riding (and falling off) has left them decidedly dodgy. I also want switchable ABS, so now I have to wait till Guzzi decide to produce that model. I am not a happy bunny, being a Guzzi fan is close to masochism at times.

So, you're not going AV riding? AFAIK, ABS is bad on gravel/sand etc. as it extends stopping distance. If that story about two prospective buyers going to BMW because the goose doesn't have ABS is true, they weren't that interested in the first place IMO. Why "settle" for a trite GS, when you can have a Guzzi?  

[atadaskew]

Guzzi is small but they are owned by the Piaggio group who are huge.  I would have thought that the Piaggio investment would have expanded production and quickened models to market by now.
Any news on when the 4V motor is going to make it to the Norge?

[Guzzipat]

So, you're not going AV riding? AFAIK, ABS is bad on gravel/sand etc. as it extends stopping distance. If that story about two prospective buyers going to BMW because the goose doesn't have ABS is true, they weren't that interested in the first place IMO. Why "settle" for a trite GS, when you can have a Guzzi?  

The ABS on the Stelvio (and the Norge) is switchable. If it was a choice between always on ABS, or none ,I would choose none.  I don't see any issue or disadvantage with ABS that can be switched off.
 
The two people who enquired about Stelvios were interested enough to ride their existing BMW's 50 miles to a Guzzi dealer. They were looking at replacing them with Stelvios but wanted ABS.

[DFH]

The two people who enquired about Stelvios were interested enough to ride their existing BMW's 50 miles to a Guzzi dealer. They were looking at replacing them with Stelvios but wanted ABS.

50 miles..... man that shows commitment. At least for a pair of poms.

I can see it now, riding in formation through the early spring lanes, all kitted out in matching adventure riding kit, smiling knowingly at each other as they share the rugged experience of all terrain touring, riding over the mini-roundabouts with gay abandon.......  

Guzzi have not messed up. They have got demos to dealers in time for people to ride them as your season approaches, make a purchasing decision and place a deposit. If Guzzi had held back the bikes until a third party supplier got there act together to supply an optional extra then that would have been a mess up. No demos means no sales.

So if you really want a Stelvio and are not just having a whinge, ride the non ABS demo to see if it rides as good as you want it to, check to see if it soothes you creaky knees and provides the comfort you need... then place a deposit on an ABS model.

DFH

[st ryder]

The ABS on the Stelvio (and the Norge) is switchable. If it was a choice between always on ABS, or none ,I would choose none.  I don't see any issue or disadvantage with ABS that can be switched off.
 
The two people who enquired about Stelvios were interested enough to ride their existing BMW's 50 miles to a Guzzi dealer. They were looking at replacing them with Stelvios but wanted ABS.

Ducati's ABS on the now extinct ST series is also able to be turned-off if the rider wants more control for sportier riding. I wasn't aware the ABS on the GS is also able to be, in BMW terminology, "depowered."

[Guzzipat]

50 miles..... man that shows commitment. At least for a pair of poms.

I can see it now, riding in formation through the early spring lanes, all kitted out in matching adventure riding kit, smiling knowingly at each other as they share the rugged experience of all terrain touring, riding over the mini-roundabouts with gay abandon.......  

Guzzi have not messed up. They have got demos to dealers in time for people to ride them as your season approaches, make a purchasing decision and place a deposit. If Guzzi had held back the bikes until a third party supplier got there act together to supply an optional extra then that would have been a mess up. No demos means no sales.

So if you really want a Stelvio and are not just having a whinge, ride the non ABS demo to see if it rides as good as you want it to, check to see if it soothes you creaky knees and provides the comfort you need... then place a deposit on an ABS model.

DFH

You are real big on stereotypes aren't you, painting a picture of people you have never met and know nothing about.
As for the preaching, I have been riding Guzzi's for 12 years and bikes for 49 years, I have learned a little. The test ride on the Stelvio was booked 2 weeks ago before one came into the country, so you kind advice is superfluous. Not surprising as it was based on assumptions not facts. I know how to buy bikes.

 Guzzi didn't need to wait for any third party supplier to "get their act together", the Brenbo units were already available and were already supplied with the Norge, all that is required is a simple computer adjustment. That is Guzzi's responsibility not Brembos. So again your assumptions were wrong.

[DFH]

You are real big on stereotypes aren't you, painting a picture of people you have never met and know nothing about.....

and

It will not be available till late this year or early 2009, at least one dealer has already lost two sales, people debating between the Stelvio and BMW GS, went for the BMW because it was available now with ABS.

You were part of the above debate, were you? Know for a fact they were going to buy a Stelvio and have evidence they actually have bought a GS because of the ABS availability?  Or are you painting a picture of people you have never met and know nothing about yourself?

 

Guzzi didn't need to wait for any third party supplier to "get their act together", the Brenbo units were already available and were already supplied with the Norge, all that is required is a simple computer adjustment. That is Guzzi's responsibility not Brembos. So again your assumptions were wrong.

How do you know its a computer issue?

And my real question is, why such a negative post in the first place.
What would be much more interesting is a post of your actual test ride experiences, especially in light of your vast and unique experience..

DFH