Subject: Guzzi riders - the next generation
Author: Clifton L. Smith
Date: Dec 11, 2003, 9:23 AM
Post ID: 1715473222
Bruce commented on the existence of few Guzzi riders under 40
results from the acquired taste after riding other machines. I think
that is true, but it does not cover the whole story. I also think that
is about to change.
Except the MGS-01 and the Daytona (which the designer of the
Dodge Tomahawk V-12 rides daily), Guzzi has not produced a serious
sport-bike competitor. Don't get me wrong, I think the LeMans and
modern counterparts are great machines, but they are not competitors
with a Suzuki GSXR or Honda RR bike. Twenty-somethings like the idea of
having the fastest and hardest, and they like the claim to fame.
Guzzi's only claim to fame since the development of the V7 engine is
incredible longevity. Championships sell bikes, attitude sells bikes
(Harley), 100,000 mile life-spans simply fall flat in an ad.
Guzzi is starting to be noticed again because of its heritage.
In part, the rise of Ducati through the 900ss and Monster bikes is
helping, but those engines remain as complicated as ever. Aprilla's
success in the 250cc class is being noticed by the race crowds. Italian
is becoming fashionable again. The jap bikes are so close as to be
clones, albeit high-performing clones.
So here's my prediction, Guzzi cruisers, which are very capable
machines, will continue to be sold to a few with the acquired taste.
The real growth for Guzzi will be the MGS-01, which will start to show
up in fashionable Hip-Hop videos on MTV and be ridden by a movie
superstar in some action flick. Guzzi will become a fashion statement
for the young and be parked next to Hyabusa's and Ducati's and Gixxers
and Double R's.
Some will stay with it, recognizing the superior design and style
(and hopefully continued improvement of the design). But I expect that
in 30 years, there will be a similar band of loyal connoisseurs,
preserving the great 4-valve OHC Guzzi's of the 2000's and lamenting the
Guzzi product of the 10's and 20's. And yes, I plan to buy one of those
used MGS-01, or better if Guzzi pulls it off, for cheap in the year
2010.
Of course, the loop-frame Guzzi's will still be cruising around,
60 years old and running great.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce Giller [mailto:bgil-@mitre.org]
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 10:12 AM
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: Re: General Looper age
Every notice the general age of the people in the MGNOC
newsletter
photos??? Hardly anyone under the age of 40. I suspect that
Moto Guzzi
is an acquired taste after sampling other bikes....which takes
time.
Bruce