[DJH1960]

http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=12597

 

[Nathang]

With today's crummy exchange rate for US dollars, you would think a buyout of any European company would look like it took a very high price.

 

[Vettster]

With today's crummy exchange rate for US dollars, you would think a buyout of any European company would look like it took a very high price.

I believe the MOCO is thinking ahead. High price or not, right now they have a lot of money available to invest. They have come to realize that it is indeed a global economy.
I read somewhere that Europe is their fastest growing market.
Also, that the V-Rod is the best selling model there.

 

[Nathang]

The article above says they have had double digit growth in European sales, I believe for a couple of years.

 

[EZE RIDER]

They may have had the money in Euros from other European interests already.

Those Italian bikes by several different makers are great machines! I'm sure we will all benefit down the road.

 

[Dinero No Mas]

With today's crummy exchange rate for US dollars, you would think a buyout of any European company would look like it took a very high price.

And now they can continue to grow through a lot of already established dealerships. Probably a good move on their part.

 

[Kainam]

I think its an awesome move, they gain a 190hp sport bike in the F4RR.

 

[sfarson]

Believe it makes sense for H-D. Both makes are known for their design and prestige. MV is a high end product with nice margins and much growth potental. The name is historic with a high racing pedigree.

The bike (F4312R) is blistering fast. It won last year's sportbike "Master Bike Shootout", beating all other sport bikes with the fastest times around the Jerez circuit. The engine was developed with Ferrari. When aboard it, at above 6K RPM's, one feels as though they're on a jet ready to be launched off a carrier deck.

Have owned two MV's the past five years, but sold the second one this past spring. Zero reliability problems. Motorcyle art, with beauty not just skin deep. This Milwaukee purchase will certainly give some of the competition some sleepless nights.

 

[Kainam]

Very nice! Was that your bike sfarson?
I may be picking your brains in the future...

 

[sfarson]

Yeah, that was MV #1, the MV F41000S. A photogenic thang. It is considered by more than a few, the most beautiful thing with two wheels.

Here was #2, the MV F4312R (The 312 is for how fast the bike went on a closed course during development... 312 km/h) (194mph). If you look closely the bike has the same appearance as #1. It hasn't changed in ten years. This is because MV didn't have the capital to roll out its design replacement, which supposedly the legendary designer Tamburini has already penned. Think of Tamburini as the Willy G. of the sportbike world.

 

[DiamondLil]

Steve, it is good to hear someone with a positive attitude about this move.
With the deal allowing for satisfaction of MV's debt do you think they might come out with that new design sooner than later?

 

[slammedv]

Yeah, that was MV #1, the MV F41000S. A photogenic thang. It is considered by more than a few, the most beautiful thing with two wheels.

Here was #2, the MV F4312R (The 312 is for how fast the bike went on a closed course during development... 312 km/h) (194mph). If you look closely the bike has the same appearance as #1. It hasn't changed in ten years. This is because MV didn't have the capital to roll out its design replacement, which supposedly the legendary designer Tamburini has already penned. Think of Tamburini as the Willy G. of the sportbike world.

Wow! Beautiful bike Steve. Why on earth would you ever sell it. New owner is a pretty luck person.

 

[Nathang]

Why on earth would you ever sell it.

Steve has only got room for 9 bikes at once, sometimes when one needs an oil change... it's just easier to get rid of it

 

[EZE RIDER]

Steve,

Please stop showing me these BEAUTIFUL bikes. Pretty soon I will be homeless with 7 awesome motorcycles.

 

[sfarson]

Wow! Beautiful bike Steve. Why on earth would you ever sell it. New owner is a pretty luck person.

That is a VERY GOOD question.

 

[sfarson]

Steve, it is good to hear someone with a positive attitude about this move.
With the deal allowing for satisfaction of MV's debt do you think they might come out with that new design sooner than later?

Well, I think this makes financial sense for Milwaukee... A prestigious company, bought at a low price, with much upside potential.

As a customer of H-D, I kinda have hesitations. I like H-D as an American company/product only. There's something clean, aligned, and focused about this. At the same time, let the Italians stay Italian with all their flair and passion. Perhaps these distinctions will be worked out.

Tamburini has designed the F4's successor and now it is very likely it will make a market appearance. Curious to see if it will have the sweet lines of the F4, if the bike will be well received because it is deserved, or because who it is from.

 

[sfarson]

Steve has only got room for 9 bikes at once, sometimes when one needs an oil change... it's just easier to get rid of it

Hey, the 12 step program is working.

 

[Darien1965]

Yeah, that was MV #1, the MV F41000S. A photogenic thang. It is considered by more than a few, the most beautiful thing with two wheels.

Here was #2, the MV F4312R (The 312 is for how fast the bike went on a closed course during development... 312 km/h) (194mph). If you look closely the bike has the same appearance as #1. It hasn't changed in ten years. This is because MV didn't have the capital to roll out its design replacement, which supposedly the legendary designer Tamburini has already penned. Think of Tamburini as the Willy G. of the sportbike world.

WOW, definitely stay in the wind curtain. Nice bikes

 

[DiamondLil]

Well, I think this makes financial sense for Milwaukee... A prestigious company, bought at a low price, with much upside potential.

As a customer of H-D, I kinda have hesitations. I like H-D as an American company/product only. There's something clean, aligned, and focused about this. At the same time, let the Italians stay Italian with all their flair and passion. Perhaps these distinctions will be worked out.

Tamburini has designed the F4's successor and now it is very likely it will make a market appearance. Curious to see if it will have the sweet lines of the F4, if the bike will be well received because it is deserved, or because who it is from.

I think it will be interesting to see what becomes of the Buell line. Is there room for both?

You bring up a good point regarding reception of the F4's successor. Some folks will simply sour on it because it is not from HD and others because it is associated with them. It is all too silly in my view.

 

[sfarson]

I think it will be interesting to see what becomes of the Buell line. Is there room for both?

You bring up a good point regarding reception of the F4's successor. Some folks will simply sour on it because it is not from HD and others because it is associated with them. It is all too silly in my view.

That is a good question. I think the Buell line will remain (It currently outsells the exclusive MV). More Buells are sold overseas than here, and overseas is H-D's future growth engine. Plus, the Buell is distinct from MV Agusta. Most sportbikes (Triumph excluded) are booming/torquey twins (like Buell) or howling inline 4's (like MV). Harley would now have both covered, plus, there could be some technology/innovation exchanges between the two divisions. I guess we'll see!