Dealer sets up bikes right before he sells them so problems are reduced. If there are problems, dealer deals with them promptly. Customer gets bike that runs great and he is happy, so happy that he tells all his friends how great his bike is. People that ride with him see how many trouble free miles he puts on his bike and how well it goes in the real world. Very easy to imagine that over all these years of a dealer doing business that way, there would be a lot of Guzzi’s in the area.
— an excellent quote from the Wild Goose Chase Moto Guzzi forum about Moto International Moto Guzzi
And that’s why you should buy locally if you have the dealer that is of this quality — and Moto International does have some peers across the country. If you get a good deal on your Guzzi from someone out of town that’s set up quick and dirty, what do you expect the local dealer to tell you when you bring it in? Are you telling your friends to buy from him? Are you buying from him? If you come in with an emergency and he’s got 3 bikes on his lifts from local customers, what can you rightfully expect?
Don’t go cheap up front. I know very dedicated dealers in Thousand Oaks, Woodstock IL and Phoenix AZ. I have talked on the phone to dozens of others, notably Mr Field in helping me diagnose some Eldorado problems. Spend some time doing your research and talk to your local dealer about his services and policies. Chances are you live in a city, so you might have a choice of vendors. Take your time, build some trust.
I probably paid more for my 1200 Sport than I would have if I had purchased one from the internet, but I solidified a friendship with a guy that “deserved” to sell me the bike. It has already paid dividends in the ongoing service and the absolutely flawless set-up of the bike. I’d rather give my friends money — I know its staying in the community, educating their kids and making my life incrementally richer.