Will AF1 ever take on Guzzi ?

[JohnG.]

Just wondering...well they do all rest...
...and their shipping times rule...:happy:

[TxRider25]

I'd really like to see this happen but Ed, Jon, Micah and the guys know what their business plan and strengths are and so far haven't seen fit to do this far as I know.

As for cost-benefits considerations, Guzzi is even more a niche brand than Aprilia and a dealer prospect would have to ask themselves would there be enough return to justify the additional capital outlay in tools, inventory, and parts stocking. I'd be inclined to guess probably not. At least not now.

One of the best Guzzi dealers in the country, MPH in Houston, recently divested themselves of Piaggio corporate due to some unconfirmed issues and this leaves an opening for a good shop in this region of the country to take on the Guzzi line. But rumblings about Piaggio's/Guzzi way of working with dealers might make one pause.

But the prospect of AF1 supporting Guzzi as well as they have Aprilia is sure interesting. And I'd pay to observe a conversation between Micah and Pete Roper.:worship:

[JohnG.]

But the prospect of AF1 supporting Guzzi as well as they have Aprilia is sure interesting. And I'd pay to observe a conversation between Micah and Pete Roper.:worship:


TR,
I think they meet recently...Pete owns a Mana too,and was in the area to pick up a Guzzi Scura...
Btw,In OZ the same Importer handles both...and it Guzzi seems sales are higher

[SAFit07]

I asked Ed that question a couple of weeks ago. Didn't seem too keen on the idea at the time.

[Jupiter]

It is even more of a niche brand than Aprilia. But also, a business opportunity in that there isn't competition. There are lots of Yamaha dealers, for example and very few Guzzi dealers.

Guzzi ought to be thrilled if AF1 wanted their line, but they are Italian so who knows.

Also, it seems like a good match with Aprilia. Guzzi offers a beginner bike (V7), a cruiser (California), a muscle standard (Griso), a standard (Breva), a big trailie, and a tourer (Norge). None of these conflict with the Aprilia line, which no longer offers a sport tourer.



Here's another thought for the guys at AF1. How about a second dealership in, say, Denver? Or maybe better yet L.A.? L.A.'s a big market in a sunny part of the country where there are plenty of motorbikers. And the more dealers we have like AF1, the better off we all are.

[RossGuzzi]

JohnG if Pete cant help you, Dave Ward could, and if he cant Mario at Thunderbikes over here in littl ol Perth does a great trade in JUST Guzzi`s !!
Allways suprised me. The most remote capital city in the world, a very nich brand and he does very well thank you very much !!
One thing...he is not a Dealer. Dosnt have to stock bikes. Or get parts thru the dealer network. I believe this is what helps, I repeat, Helps him to survive !
Cheers!

[rayrey]

Af1-WEST with Amauri in north O.C. could be good for us out here

[JohnG.]

JohnG if Pete cant help you, Dave Ward could, and if he cant Mario at Thunderbikes over here in littl ol Perth does a great trade in JUST Guzzi`s !!
Allways suprised me. The most remote capital city in the world, a very nich brand and he does very well thank you very much !!
One thing...he is not a Dealer. Dosnt have to stock bikes. Or get parts thru the dealer network. I believe this is what helps, I repeat, Helps him to survive !
Cheers!

Ross,
No,just curious why AF1 doesnt have Guzzi...
Yup,theres some good OZ sources,like 'local' Tom Newel,(actually 1000klm away) in Brisbane.
I've dealt with Don there before,...just Briliant.

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

maybe someday.....good bikes, they just need to sell lots more of them to justify the investment, risk, training, parts stocking, and added stress.

They'd add us in a heartbeat, we just got to place a Guzzi bike/parts order.

I would love to have two other Euro brands at our shop... outside of Piaggio Group.....still schmoozing the reps on those two brands.....a local territory is bound to open up soon with these hard economic times.

[wicho]

would you guys even consider MV now that its owned by HD?

[Ed / AF1 Racing]

would you guys even consider MV now that its owned by HD?

probably would want to wait to see how the new corp structure emerges, I cant get anyone at MV to get back in touch with us, the brand seems frozen for now.

HD on board with MV is a good thing, brilliant marketing, dealer development teams, and big $$$ behind them. Hate to say it, but Italians build great bueatiful stuff, but they cant manage the business sides for shit.

HD will be a great manager for the USA market. The whole reason Ducati is so strong in the USA is 100% due to Michael Lock (sp?), an American running the USA Ducati market. He knows what works here and what doesnt.

[wicho]

You know I've heard they are really bad at following up on dealer apps :WTF:

[pete roper]

TR,
I think they meet recently...Pete owns a Mana too,and was in the area to pick up a Guzzi Scura...
Btw,In OZ the same Importer handles both...and it Guzzi seems sales are higher

Yup, Sean and I dropped in on our charge across from Houston to LA. Nice shop, well stocked, nice bloke, showed us around, offered me a ride on the Mana, (Mine hadn't arrived yet.) which I declined for fear of damaging it. Had an old (I think?) RD 350 air cooled Yam on the bench while we were there. any shop that is still willing to work on rinky-dinky-stinkies is just FINE by me:bump:

Pete