Moto Guzzi Club of Queensland Forum

Hi dear fellow Guzzisti,

I'm Alexander from the Netherlands and I'm new on this forum.
It's good to talk to people riding similar bikes. The other reason for me to post on your forum is that I plan to visit Australia the coming month of April (2009 that is). I'll be working on a Dutch dredger operating off Dampier, but intent to spend part of my leave in Australia. I hope to visit some family and friends at the East Coast and would like to travel at least from Sydney to Noosa and to visit Byron Bay. I've family at all these places. I thought I might as well travel by bike and if possible on a Guzzi !
So, I'm trying to look into options to rent a Guzzi either way, I mean going North or the other way. Is any of you familiar with bike rentals at Sydney or at Brisbane? If not, I may consider riding another make.
After having owned two V50-3 (ex-Dutch military bikes) and a 850-T5 (ex-Milan Police bike) I now ride a 1992 California-3. I love the bike and I love riding on it. The feeling, the vibration, the sound, the relaxed mood it gets me in.
Happy 2009!
Hope to hear from you guys!

Greeting, Alexander

Welcome Alexander,

I do not think you will find anyone in Australia renting Moto Guzzi. As a rule rental bike companies tend to use BMW's a lot, assorted Japanese machines quite a bit, and some specialize in Harley's for those that are into chrome.

I did a search on Google Australia http://www.google.com.au/webhp?hl=en and came up with this one. You might find others using the link to Google. Please note that I have no knowledge of this business so I cannot recommend them or otherwise. I just thought that with their offices in Sydney and Brisbane and that they do one-way bike hire it may suit the trip you mention. Regardless of who you decide to hire from be sure to ask if the bike comes with luggage, and if this is included in the basic rental price.

http://www.ozmoto.com/

As they mention their website, Australia is a very big place. So do your research and be sure to allow enough time for your trip. I've met people from Europe touring here who actually did not believe the maps they studied at home and thought the distances where misprints . Not so, long days in the saddle are the normal thing if you are doing serious distances.

Keep in touch, I'm sure we can help you with lots of local knowledge and "must see" places, as well as "must ride" roads.

Welcome aboard. A lot of people don't realise just how big Australia is. Perhaps this will give you an idea!

Thanks guys,

Appreciate the warnings: I know you are right. I've been there and have made the tour before (by car). Just thought to do the same trip by bike this time. I've reserved about 14 days for the trip, I hate tight plannings and love to make stop-overs, spend some time, meet people and see things. Americans (who else) still 'do' Europe in a week.

Guzzi's appear hard to find indeed. But I ran (by email) into Pete Roper who happens to have a Griso for rent. He may be the only one though.
Not to worry: if not a Moto Guzzi I'll find some other decent bike. I'll check all your options. The planning goes on.

All tips and suggestions are welcome.

Regards, Alexander

Noosa is always a good place to go for lunch if you take the long way from brisbane

Peter Roper knows his Guzzis. If its his yellow 1100 for rent it should run well as it was his own bike and he is a guzzi service agent.

Getting it back to him will be the trick or are you planning a round trip?

There are some great roads just inland from Noosa. I'm about 50 km south of there.

Enjoy your trip.

Rod

This is one of Peter's Grisos, I would rent this one

Thanks a lot, guys!
And thanks for chasing me on my email reminding me of this forum.... good trick. It worked.
Yes, the plans are still on, although I need to convince the lady that staying away from home for at least another week is absolutely necessary... I'm called to join my ship one week earlier, prior to departing from Singapore. So, together with the ride this implies that I'll be away from home 8 weeks in stead of 6 weeks.
Being a Guzzi-rider & -fan I surely hope to find a Guzzi in Australia.

The plan is to fly from Dampier (i.e. Port Hedland / Perth) to Brisbane or Sydney and rent a bike to visit family in the Sydney-Manley area, Byron Bay and Noosa. Either sequence and preferably one-way. However if the bike needs to be returned at the rental place, I ride the bike back too. No sweat, just some extra days fun.

Cheers, Alexander

Glad to see you back Alex

An extra two weeks in Australia? How can anyone see this as a bad thing? Sometimes women can be very difficult to understand, that's why I don't try.