Harley-Davidson has bought MV Agusta!

[Nathan]

perfect marriage I think, pity they lost husqvarna, otherwise they would have most bike classes covered :-)

[Jackomo]

Originally Posted by Nathan

perfect marriage I think

...and the result of that marriage would be something like this...

[Sventek]

Originally Posted by Xuaxace

I doubt HD will influence MV directly, and the money is going to let MV grow stronger. So i'm quite happy with the news, i didn't want to see mv disappear and for the last couple of months things looked very grim.

Well, I hope they inject some cash - but this is a straight purchase, not a bail out. There's no guarantee that they'll keep stumping up with the cash to keep MV going. They can do whatever they like now.

[rossguzzi]

Does Harley really have that much money to throw around? With the USA outlook not so rosie (poss resession) I wouldnt have thought it was a time to expand. Not in that direction anyway.
Thier shares have taken a hit lately.
I think any company that has a good solid scooter base will do well. That would generate lots of $$ for the development of sports bikes. Piagio have this covered. I think Ducati should be making some sexy mid size bikes and some scooters too! MV as well.
Lets face it big bikes are toys that will be dumped if a big enough recession hits. Scooters etc will sell more and more!
PS, I still have never ridden or wish to ride a scooter.Love my big bike and hope like fuk a recess never happens!

[merctom]

thats the whole point - they are trying to move into European so that they are not totally relient on the US market.

[duc13]

Has got to be a good thing for MV.
Bring on the F4 with ape hangers!!!

[rod]

Amazing news but this is just Castiglionis share, not the other major chunk which was sold to Proton and then that Italian bank yeah?

[thro]

Originally Posted by rossguzzi

Lets face it big bikes are toys that will be dumped if a big enough recession hits. Scooters etc will sell more and more!
PS, I still have never ridden or wish to ride a scooter.Love my big bike and hope like fuk a recess never happens!

Whilst i see your point, harley davidson is a global brand, and a recession in the US will probably have an impact, but it certainly won't kill them.

Not sure what to think of this, i'm sure MVs will still be made in teh MV factory, and harleys still made in the harley factory... if HD have the cash to throw around and prop up MV then it can only be good, yes?

[Xuaxace]

Originally Posted by Sventek

They can do whatever they like now.

That is one scary thought. But if they are purchasing mv is because they want the portion of the market share Mv currently has (or so i think...), if the start messing around internally, that market share is going to be gone as fast as the blink of an eye. People want a nice piece of Italian machinery, if that has any american influences my guess is that it will be over for Mv.

Lot of ifs.

[Ozboy]

Originally Posted by rod

Amazing news but this is just Castiglionis share, not the other major chunk which was sold to Proton and then that Italian bank yeah?

I was told yesterday that HD bought MV outright while CC and Tambo were employees

Wonder what the die hard HD riders are saying now, "f*ckin w*g crap"

[Sumfun4me]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a "budget" MV superbike in the near future in an attempt to get some cash flowing. This would probably appeal to a lot of people out there who are keen on the MV's, but not financial enough to get one. Just my 2 cents.

[Uncle Ho]

this could be a good thing for both HD and MV.... last year HD also bought Castalloy in Adelaide to secure supply of their rims....

so whats next on the shopping list hey.... Evo bottom with Ducati heads

[Infusi0n]

Devils advocate: Why did MV need to go up for sale? Maybe HD will mess around internally but if its to do with accounting / costing then that can only help in the long run with making MV a more stable company.

[Maxo]

Castiglionis passion, Tamburinis' design brilliance and Harleys money. Awesome combination I reckon.

^yep..
i have no problem with it at all.

Better than seeing mv go down the gurgler.

[Sventek]

Maxo, you're a wizard!

[duffman]

as soon as the HD engineering team make a decision on an MV bike, its all over.
hopefully they can keep them on the opposite side of the planet

I thought HD are going pretty well financially since they make most of their money selling hats, shirts and belt buckles?

[dr00]

dont forget HD is a successful company run by smart blokes, they are shit bikes to us but they arent selling them to us. they dont have an ulterior motive to convert the whole world into harley riders and if theyre smart enough to run HD then they are smart enough to work out that buying MV and not keeping that exotic europeanness would be a great way to lose a lot of money.

[Scoundrel]

Originally Posted by MADOGA

First MV then all the Jap brands, then Harley will own all bikes available!

Harley Davidson couldnt afford the yearly morning tea budget of the Jap brands, let alone assume a controlling stake in one. The industrial and economic might of companies like Kawasaki and Honda alone is just staggering.

I think this *could* be a good thing for MV provided that HD 'stays out of the kitchen' if you get my drift...

[rod]

MV Agusta bandanas.........

I heard HD don't need to paint flames on the bodywork of the MV's - some of them get the flamework later on. Usually out on a country road and most often when there's no fire extinguishers about.

j/k :-P

I <3 F41000S in red/silver..........