I have seen postings of poeple waiting for their 1000's to arrive. I was just at my local dealer in Southen California and had a talk with them. They have only been a dealer a couple of months, have already delivered 3, there are two for sale and ready to go on the showroom floor and they tell me that getting more is not a problem. I find this curious...

-- Cali-Kane (mvagusta@sbcglobal.net), September 25, 2004

Answers

Hi Kane. My dealer (Reniassance Motorcycle) in Tucson also has two 1000s (a mono and a bi) in his showroom.

When I was there two weeks ago, Pro Italia also had sold one floor model, had a mono for sale, and had another in a crate.

I'm getting the impression the 1000s aren't selling anywhere near the level the 750s did in 2000 and 2001. Maybe by this time next year, dealers will be willing to offer decent discounts.

But, I also find it curious they're not selling faster, especially when the 1000 has gotten good reviews (except for one of those Euro mags that complained about the handling). Maybe the price ($24K OTD) is too far beyond what the typical Ducati or MV buyer would pay? But even then, a 750 at MSRP was $21K. Like you said curious.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, Az) (agibbs996@aol.com), September 25, 2004.

My local dealersip has an AGO for sale $25 and some change. www.beaudrymotorsports.com

-- brian (brianbriguy187@msn.com), September 25, 2004.

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who gets to drewl over new MV's on the showroom floor. They do seem to sell pretty good around here, but who knows how long that will last. They sold two of the Ago's before they even got them. I am hoping that they will start stocking parts since it will save me some shipping costs.

-- Cali-Kane (mvagusta@sbcglobal.net), September 25, 2004.

Interesting that the 1000's are available on the floor at almost any dealer but the Ago's are the ones that are being chased after even though they are more money.

-- Chris Brown (fasduc@msn.com), September 25, 2004.

I think that is because the "rarer" items are more collectable. If given the choice, I think that most people would rather have something a little less common, not like any MV is common in the first place!

-- Cali-Kane (mvagusta@sbcglobal.net), September 25, 2004.

One can argue whether the F4 1000 is a good buy nowadays. I changed my F4 750 a few months agoe for the 1000 and according to me the overall improvements on the 1000 are worth the extra money.. HOWEVER I hesitated a long time before making up my mind (Doubts between the top model of Ducati and MV, although completely different bikes).

Some personal refexions :

1) the MV is a design that is more than 5 years which is obsolete for a motorbike. One can expect a "new" 1000 model within the first 2 years.

2) I regret that at the first view there is not the slightest difference between the 750 and 1000, which is a little frustrating.

3) MV should have made some minor updatings on the 1000 as did competitors. For example replace the poor quality blinkers and tail light by a one with LEDs, replace the front brakes by BREMBO radial type (even if the actual brakes are satisfactorely). I suppose however that the cash situation did not allow MV to do so. This is negative marketingwise.

4) For what you get, the price is too high. Exclusivity may have its price but there are limits. I am pretty sure that within 4 years when I will again replace the bike, it will be a bad fincancial transaction but I will have had the pleasure of having ridden an MV bike.

On the other hand the Ducati new model (Terblanche design) is not a success either. Sales are far below expectations. Already 6 months ago, a Ducati dealer, a personal friend, told me that due to poor sales Ducati would already update their model.

regards

Patrick

-- Patrick Maes (patrick.maes@electrabel.com), September 27, 2004.

I think Patrick hit the $24,000 question. MV is just getting back on its feet thank to Proton, which makes me wonder, how soon will it be until the MV will have technical or design changes.

The design is five year old and Castiglioni said the design would be around for 10 years like the (916 -which was actually 8 years). If sales drop, I think the current design would only live for maybe 7 or 8 years, which means a new MV could be out in about 2 to 3 years.

On the technical aspect, someone speculated the variable valves on the Tamburini model would become standard in a year or two...or maybe a 1000 SPR version. If MV plans to go toe to toe with the Japanese 1000s (which I'm not getting the impression that they are), I think the 172hp MV will be out when the Big 4 update their current bikes - like two years. :)

So, I guess if you're in the market right now for an MV, the possible changes may not make a difference. However, I figure I'm a year away from trading in my 750 for a 1000, which puts the possibility of design and technical changes in a different perspective. In other words, maybe I should just keep my '02 750 until a brand new MV comes out.

-- Allan Gibbs (Phoenix, AZ) (agibbs996@aol.com), September 27, 2004.