09-23-2019, 11:13 AM
Based on some numbers I saw a while back my guess is it would take approx $250-300 million to make a serious offer on buying Moto Guzzi outright from Piagio. With the new V85 motor Guzzi’s selling price might now be higher as it seems they have a hit on their hands with the new smaller ADV bike and rumors that the motor will be the basis for another potential platform or 2.
Not sure how the faithful would embrace an Italien Harley sitting in the showroom next to their bread and butter V Twins. As an aside, everything I’ve read indicates Corporate Moto Guzzi is all but impossible to work with. That’s from the dealers which carry the marque and is one of the primary reasons their dealers drop faster than flies. With the problems HD is currently facing I can’t image MoCo getting into a business relationship with a partner that has a reputation like that.
But, a lighter weight air cooled Sportster in the 750cc range ala Indians FTR might attract interest. Especially if HD made a concerted effort to keep the price down. I just don’t see that happening any time soon since the Streetfighter is due out next year at the 1000cc -/+ mark. Then of course there’s the article were their CEO states he’s fixated on a 40% profit margin.
Not sure how the faithful would embrace an Italien Harley sitting in the showroom next to their bread and butter V Twins. As an aside, everything I’ve read indicates Corporate Moto Guzzi is all but impossible to work with. That’s from the dealers which carry the marque and is one of the primary reasons their dealers drop faster than flies. With the problems HD is currently facing I can’t image MoCo getting into a business relationship with a partner that has a reputation like that.
But, a lighter weight air cooled Sportster in the 750cc range ala Indians FTR might attract interest. Especially if HD made a concerted effort to keep the price down. I just don’t see that happening any time soon since the Streetfighter is due out next year at the 1000cc -/+ mark. Then of course there’s the article were their CEO states he’s fixated on a 40% profit margin.