Harley Agusta anyone

[Mark-Bursledon]

Harley-Davidson in advanced talks to buy Italy's MV Agusta - report - Forbes.com

[Tony Cross]

H-D have been to Italy before but nothing to show for it now. Seems an odd move.

[Charlieharley]

Hi Was'ent GAGEVA italian? Way back in the 70s I had a 175 HD GAGEVA as my first road legal bike. I remember it well

[Ming the Merciless]

MV would get:

• It's debts reduced and those remaining would be taken over by HD
• Access to new capital from HD and easier access to future borrowing
• Use of an established worldwide parts distribution network
• Shared expertise with the Moco, especially in manufacturing and marketing

HD would get an extension to its product range into an area that Buell has not been able to penetrate - the prestige sports bike segment.

We are unlikely to see MVs being sold alongside Milwaukee's finest in the showrooms, although you can't rule it out. If this deal goes ahead, it is one for the long-term. The credit crunch will certainly depress the market for all 'luxury' purchases for up to five years.

IMO this makes commercial sense.

[FBB]

Originally Posted by Charlieharley

Hi Was'ent GAGEVA italian? Way back in the 70s I had a 175 HD GAGEVA as my first road legal bike. I remember it well

Charles,

I think you mean Cagiva, and it will have looked something like this?




I had the 125 version!

[Charlieharley]

Hi
Your are dead right, thats the one. Copied the picture as I dont have one just lots of fond memories.

Originally Posted by Excelsior

Charles,

I think you mean Cagiva, and it will have looked something like this?




I had the 125 version!

[Moley]

Interesting that HD should be talking to just about the only Italian manufacturer not to be running with a core philosophy of V-Twins?

Ducati / Aprilia / Moto Guzzi - all dominated by V-Twin bikes. . . . .

[kevscrivener]

Originally Posted by Moley

Interesting that HD should be talking to just about the only Italian manufacturer not to be running with a core philosophy of V-Twins?

Ducati / Aprilia / Moto Guzzi - all dominated by V-Twin bikes. . . . .

I'd suspect that the engine layout has bugger-all to do with it, Barrie.

The market is saturated with used H-D's, and they're no longer seen as a badge of exclusivity, a victim of their own considerable marketing success; think BMW in car terms, once a Yuppie's toy now common as muck.

I think the suits are more interested in the brand name in order to sell more T-shirts.

Cynical..... moi?

[Tee]

I had a 125 version but it was a traily and it had two sprockets on the back wheel, one for on the road and one for off the road. They even gave you four extra links rof the chain in the toolkit. Funny thing though - I can't find any record of it in the MoCo history.

I'm almost done renovating a SS250 for my son's first road legal bike at the moment He gets a Harley for his first. My Dad sold his Ariel Square Four just so I couldn't have it (Mum thought bikes were too dangerous for me )

[Phil]

Just got it confirmed today. Done deal, HD now owns MV Agusta 100%.
Harley have not released any further plans.