I am looking at another Guzzi myself maybe later this year. I am a member of the Guzzi club in anycase but have heard a few bad bits about Piaggio - who recently when taken to court over repeated failing of the Valve cams on the 8v model by a Guzzi club member - after the camshafts have failed three times and been replaced under warranty twice - however the third time they refuse to pay for labour and say that the bike and extended warranty expired. For goodwill provided the parts but not the labour costs. Which i suppose is arguable - however the case revolved around the fact that camshafts should last as a major component part of the engine - they are not a consumable or wearing part like a clutch etc. So should be replaced if they fail. Piaggio admitted the camshafts had been a problem and sub standard material / design and alternative material was being sourced for the re manufacture.
They wriggled out of any liability - as they Do NOT SELL motorcycles or motorcycle parts ! (contrary to what it states at companies house),They only promote the sale of motorcycles and parts. Piaggio do not have any warehouse or parts or stock. All spares are held by Fowlers motorcycle Bristol. Apparently it was concluded that the selling dealer holds responsability to pay for the bits and replacement. so you then have an argument with your dealer. who may not want to shell out for the bits. In this case the dealer was no longer trading so piaggio was taken to court. Piaggio won but the judge did not award costs (which were pretty high) to the losing party. Which in itself says something about the case and the technicial get out of jail card piaggio played. there are now only 22 dealers in the uk for moto guzzi there were 40 dealers in 2010 - maybe a problem somewhere me thinks between piaggio and the dealers.

You are being generous to Piaggio in using the word "maybe".

Best to check what other models of bikes and scooters Piaggio don't actually sell but merely promote.

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Dave

Why would Piaggio be any different to any other vehicle manufacturer? They are big and have a legal department they pay regardless. The consumer is small and pays by the hour until they run of money. The company I work for has the same policy and set up, no one buys from us, we advise and your dealer buys from the subsidiary company in Litchenstein.

The lesson is to trade the bike at another dealer while it is running. This is a factor worth considering with a Guzzi as they depreciate like a knackered lift loaded with bricks. I got rid of a Ural Friday afternoon job that way. The dealer who sells on then covers the next buyer. Triumph and BMW in my experience don't even let it go that far, they just refuse the warranty claim at the first go.

Piaggio don't want some of the old dealers and do indeed seem to be pushing the boutique style places. If they do want to be Harley rather than BMW circa 1979 it is a factor for those not ready for the idea that the warranty is just a way of pre ordering overpriced oil changes. I haven't spoken to a dealer since I got the bike 1.5 years ago.

MGCGB is not a place to get a balanced view IMHO, there are a lot of old boys over there who have pinned their colours firmly to a brand and aren't prepared for an entity they associate with themselves to treat them like the consumer they are. Brand loyalty will hurt you every time.

I don't know if Piaggio engineering breathed on the big block design. My experience is limited to comparing the old boys 2002 Nevarida with my 2014, both small block. I know the big blocks were FI back in the Aprillia days and the 1200's switched from two to four valve, which I guess was the stuff up.

My Piaggio 750 remains a bike I really like.

Andy

In view of the scarcity of information in here about the V7, it seems appropriate to know that the love affair is over
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...tornello-87144

Great thread nevertheless.

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Dave