[Buzglyd]

Just think, Pierre can ugly-up a whole new line of motorcycles!

 

[rhust]

Duck Duc Goose. Now it really will be Moto Gucci...

 

[grubz916]

Wasn't HD expressing interest in buying them not all that long ago? I don't know what Ducati's financial health is lately, but I hope that if they follow thru with this they embrace their parental responsilities and keep MG on the right track, unlike what happened to Indian & Laverda. MG has been turning out some real nice bikes lately, especially that MGS & V11 lemans.



Grubz out -->



oh, First Post!!!

 

[grubz916]

Doh!!!



Third post

 

[39957]

Doesn't Aprilia already 'contribute' to Guzzi's well being?

 

[23063]

Ducati could have the Italian Harley. They should punch up the Guzzi and bring out a new and modern Ambassador.

 

[Neal]

The California EV Touring is pretty much a modern Ambassador.

 

[nokneedragin]

Lets see, Aprilia bought Guzzi afew years ago. Has arguably brought them up to speed as for quality, name recognition, product diversity. Now Ducati is looking at buying Guzzi (again).

By my take Aprilia would sell MG only if they see it internally a a loss leader to be dumped, or the money offered by Ducati is so astronomical that they would be fools to pass it up. So if Aprilia keeps Guzzi its to loose money, but gain credit for the marque history; or they actually are making a good profit on the Guzzi line and won't sell unless the offering is going to be so high that Ducati won't see a profit in Guzzi for years to come.

I don't think Ducati will buy Guzzi to lose money, and (I have not studied the profit/loss statement for Aprilia) Aprilia is making a decent profit on the line as it stands. So this strikes me as a no smoke and no fire issue.

 

[nokneedragin]

On another Ducati side story, I just read that Ducati will contest a 749 in the AMA FX races

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2004/Apr/040422b.htm

"HMC Ducati will contest the Formula Extreme series starting at Barber next month. Former three-time Superbike champion Doug Chandler will ride the Ducati, according to Hansen. The bike will roll on Dunlop tires."

Hope it juices up the FX series some.

 

[4940]

I just hope that they don't change the Griso. I've been wanting one for a couple of years now. VWW

 

[seruzawa]

This will be okay as long as they decide not to build a Moto Guzzi Indiana.

 

[40746]

Gotta say, the Guzzis have charisma, which I value highly, but some engineering flaws in the California EV we had last summer such as a horrible transmission and unreachable kickstand, left me wondering what the hell those guys were thinking.

 

[33225]

Suggestion to the New Investors

Whoever winds up with Guzzi, I hope they put their new swingarm (as seen on the Brevas) on the LeMans bikes. I’d even give up my VFR for such a bike.

 

[acecycleins]

Aprilia has Guzzi in it's holdings. Aprilia is in the race business not the cruiser business. Guzzi make some fantastic "street sport" bikes but the bread and butter are tour/cruisers. Ducati has the "air cooler" motor down to a science and the old tractor motor from the Guzzi could only benefit from this. Ducati would not have to worry about trying to develop a cruiser for a growing market if it were to aquire the Guzzi brand. Natural fit? Yes.

 

[Neal]

Well they gotta California and a Nevada.....guess an Arizona is next. Plenty of states before they get back to Indiana.

 

[Neal]

I think you hit the nail on why Ducati would want MG......I'm just not sure why Aprilia would want to unload it unless its losing money.

 

[Buzglyd]

How about a Utah?

It comes in one color: Vanilla. It has no chrome and 10% of the proceeds go to the Mormon church.

 

[4940]

Wow seruzawa you really do remember so relatively obscure motorcycles. It's hard to believe that the same company that brought us the Montjuich was simultaneously dreaming up the Indiana, a cruiser that looked like it was designed by a 60's era Japanese company. VWW

 

[seruzawa]

I even remember Greeves, DOT, Zundapp, Marusho and DKW! How about the Munch Mammoth?



My neighbor had a Sears Puch.



Lots of obscure motocycles. DOT was supposed to stand for "Devoid of Trouble". Hahaha. A British Villiers engined leading-link dirt bike. Devoid of Trouble. Pull the other one.

 

[tonyharrah]

Re: How about a Utah?

...and it runs fine on low-octane gasoline. All the way down to 3.2% without knocking.