For some reason, a number of people are actually considering buying their first Guzzi :-)
Happy Guzzi owners are fine ambassadors to the brand, so its important to all of us that the wannabees make what is the right choice for them. Even if it means that they'll go for another kind of bike.
This list of wisdom from long-term owners has its origin in a post in the Wildguzzi forum. The author; Daniel Kalal has allowed me to use his fine text.
This is what we believe is the truth about Moto Guzzi's
- Moto Guzzi is not a bike for everybody.
This means that if you plan to buy a new Guzzi, you should be thinking long-term ownership. When you are selling you'll have to be patient, or lower your price for a quick sale, because you wont find a buyer on every corner. You'll find that long-term Guzzi owners buy their bikes to ride and give no consideration to resale value. If you put 150,000 miles (or more) on a motorcycle, it hardly matters what it is worth, anyway. If you want to ride a well-known and popular motorcycle, there are several to choose from--just not from Moto Guzzi. - A Moto Guzzi is not fast.
If 130 mph is scary-fast for you, then a Moto Guzzi can be made to go fast enough. But, there many much smaller motorcycles out there that can run circles around most any stock Moto Guzzi. A Moto Guzzi is plenty fast for what its owners want. Forget horsepower for a moment; the power delivery and overall feel of a Guzzi engine is what makes it enjoyable. A Guzzi is a very satisfying motorcycle, but if you want to win at the drag strip, or run with an R1, do not buy a Moto Guzzi. - There are not very many dealers.
If you expect to find as many dealers as with Honda, then you will be very disappointed. What Guzzi does have, though, is a level of enthusiasm that makes up for some of this. Overall, the Guzzi dealers are the best bunch of people you'd ever want to meet in a motorcycle shop. It's not likely that anybody becomes a Guzzi dealer with the intent of getting rich. Consequently, they're far more likely to be enthusiasts, just like you, who are in it for the love of the sport. - Parts are not that difficult to find.
While there are few dealers, if you are not close to one there are several very good shops that will be more than willing to work with you for the parts you need via mail-order. It may be surprising to know that compared to an equivalent year Honda (for instance) an older Guzzi will be much easier to get parts for. - The owner support network is amazingly strong.
You'd be hard pressed to find a more eager and helpful bunch of owners willing to help you with any problem you have. There are many long-term Guzzi owners who are fanatical about the brand, and will what they can to keep yours going. Is there any other brand that has the equivalent of Dave Richardson's book Guzziology? - A Guzzi is easy to work on for most of the things that need working.
Guzzi parts are robust and easy to work on. It's not hard to get to most of what you'll need to be working on, and the parts are generally well enough built that there are few throw-away things on the motorcycle. - A Guzzi is reliable.
If you're squeamish about taking this obscure motorcycle on a long trip, don't be. These are very reliable motorcycles. - The Factory and Distributor support is not large.
This is a small company. The total Guzzi sales in the United States are likely exceeded by just a couple of Honda dealerships. You will not find a multi-story office complex full of people in suits all working for Moto Guzzi. You'll find a handful of people doing their very best.
Thats it now make your choice !
/Jens
FAQs
A Moto Guzzi is not fast.
Do Moto Guzzi hold their value? ›
As classic Moto Guzzi values have been languishing so low, any historic work will have been done on the cheap and usually very poorly.
Is Moto Guzzi a reliable brand? ›
Owners of previous versions rave about the reliability and finish of their bikes, the only grumbles being about the rear shocks – which are improved on the 850. Our 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 owners' reviews show two very happy buyers who haven't had any problems whatsoever.
How long do Moto Guzzi engines last? ›
Cruisin' Guzzisti. Traditionally Guzzi engines last a very long time. Many would say that 15k miles is just about run in nicely! There's lots of very high mileage Guzzis out there and I know some owners are concerned the V7 mileometer can't read higher than 99,999 so at that point they will have to buy a new speedo!
What happened to Moto Guzzi? ›
For a time, even the Los Angeles Police Department used Moto Guzzis for its motorcycle fleet. Despite its successes, the company began to wane. Its founders died; its funding evaporated. Moto Guzzi endured decades of ownership changes before finally being absorbed into the giant Piaggio Group in 2004.
Do Moto Guzzi overheat? ›
Overheating: Overheating is a common issue faced by Moto Guzzi owners, especially in hot climates or during long rides. This could be caused by a variety of factors, such as a malfunctioning cooling system or a clogged radiator.
What is special about Moto Guzzi? ›
Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, the company is noted for its historic role in Italy's motorcycling manufacture, its prominence worldwide in motorcycle racing, and industry innovations—including the first motorcycle centre stand, wind tunnel and eight-cylinder engine.
How long is Moto Guzzi warranty? ›
Season after season, mile after mile, the safety and performance of your Moto Guzzi always come first. For this reason, we offer our customers the option of extending the warranty on their motorcycle beyond the 24 months provided as standard, with specific packages for the third and/or fourth year of ownership.
Is a Moto Guzzi easy to ride? ›
It's the kind of bike a beginner could learn to ride on, and it's quick and nimble enough to keep seasoned riders and enthusiasts enthralled.
Where are Moto Guzzi engines made? ›
Moto Guzzi's motorcycle factory is located in Mandello del Lario, Italy. As a small town on the shore of Lake Como, its residents have so embraced the company that they've officially named it, “La Citta della Moto Guzzi”—the city of Moto Guzzis.
1934: Moto Guzzi is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Italy. 1939: The Airone 250 is launched, going on to be a huge success with 29,926 units being built.
Is Moto Guzzi fuel injected? ›
These pumps are essentially identical on all fuel injected Guzzi models manufactured from 1993-2003 (after which the pump was installed internal to the fuel tank).
How long does a Moto Guzzi clutch last? ›
Additionally, keep some free play in the clutch cable to prevent it from dragging or not disengaging fully. Moto Guzzi clutches can last 20K miles (if you're extremely rough on them) or well over 100K miles with care and maintenance.
Why does Moto Guzzi use a dry clutch? ›
The biggest downside to a wet clutch is that it operates against viscous engine oil. This costs the engine a bit of power, which is why the likes of Ducati insists on using dry clutches on its sport bikes.
Do motorcycles appreciate in value? ›
Limited edition models - Motorcycles produced in limited quantities or special editions can become collectible and increase in value over time. Vintage motorcycles - Older motorcycles, especially rare or in excellent condition, can appreciate as they become more desirable to collectors.
Do motorcycles increase in value? ›
If you have modified your motorcycle with aftermarket parts, it could increase its value as long as the modifications are popular among motorcycle enthusiasts. Furthermore, if a particular make and model of a motorcycle is in high demand, it will have a higher resale value than similar models.
