“In this photo, it’s my son Alex, on the saddle of Moto Guzzi V7 850cc (2021), and me on Moto Guzzi Audace 1400 (2016), in our front garden. It was a hot day so hence the sunnies”, says Tony Merrett.
March 2024 (G.T.) - Tony Merrett from Australia, a short time ago, wrote to the editorial staff of Wide magazine, with very specific requests: a new next version of the Moto Guzzi V7 (for which he would be willing to spend more, we suppose), with: twin disc front brakes, a bikini fairing option, Ohlins/Wilbers suspension option.
Another beautiful image sent by Tony: him with his son, their Moto Guzzi’s and a great panorama. Yes, they really know how to enjoy life!
Thus, immediately demonstrating that he knows a lot about motorbikes, and then he explains: “I have owned two Moto Guzzi V7’s (2015 and 2017) and now ride a 2016 Moto Guzzi California Audace, my son Alexander has a 2021 V7 also; I have toured the Moto Guzzi factory and love the brand”. We thank the loyal Australian motorcyclist for the message that we immediately send to the Moto Guzzi experts, designers and engineers.
And Tony continues: “In 2017 my wife Kay and I toured the Moto Guzzi factory and museum in Mandello del Lario (Lecco province, Italy). We were personally shown around by a lovely lady who explained every motorcycle to us in Italian, she was so nice, but we spoke no Italian, didn’t matter as it was the highlight of our holiday” (His related photos above).
And now we are the ones who want to know something more about Tony and his passion for the Italian “eagle brand”, which has been “flying” for 103 years(!), having been born in March 1921.
Moto Guzzi 850cc Le Mans Mk II, in auction at Bonhams/Cars, The Autumns Stafford sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show, 14 October 2023 (Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground, UK).
Tony, how did your preference for Moto Guzzi motorcycles arise?
“I saw a Moto Guzzi Le Mans in 1980 and fell in love with the bike and the brand and vowed one day when I can afford one I will have one.”
In summary, what are the characteristics that you prefer about these bikes?
“I have always admired that Moto Guzzi’s were individual and unique, in design and features. I don’t want to be the same as everybody else and Moto Guzzi has an amazing history going back to 1921 and the same factory in Mandello del Lario.”
Happy 103rd Birthday Moto Guzzi! By Brian Mckinnon, Moto Guzzi Club of Victoria facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/mgcov
Do you ride every day or only during your free time?
“I am now retired and usually ride weekly, even when I was working I did the same. If I had a meeting in the city (Melbourne) I always rode to avoid heavy traffic, lane splitting is legal and here we can park legally on the footpath, very convenient. The weather on the Mornington Peninsula is good for riding most of the year and I also go on annual rides with friends and rides with the Moto Guzzi Club of Victoria. In April I will ride across Victoria and New South Wales on a group ride with friends over 1-2 weeks, an area twice the size of Italy.”
The spectacular Mornington Peninsula (Victoria, Australia). Info: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/Home
In your email you mention the Moto Guzzi Club of Victoria – “The Moto Guzzi Club of Victoria is the biggest in Australia, maybe the southern hemisphere and a local enthusiast has set up a museum in Yea – do you are a member?
“When I got my first Moto Guzzi in 2016, I joined the club and made connections with other enthusiasts and learned about caring for my motorcycle and who is the best mechanic. The club has a long history and members are regular attendees at the museum in Mandello del Lario.”
“Who we are: Alexander, 30 years old working as Social Worker on a Mental Health crisis team and a qualified Ambulance Paramedic. Living in South Melbourne, about 80km from the family home across the bay. Tony, 63, retired after 44 years as a Mental Health Nurse, mostly worked in Alcohol and Drug, Mental Health, Forensic and Homeless Services, living in Mount Martha, on The Mornington Peninsula, about an hour south of Melbourne, it’s a wine region and also has some of the best beaches in the world. My wife wont ride with me unless on a scooter in Asia but my daughter is a great pillion, sometimes on a long ride she tries to fall asleep.”
How and why did you pass on your passion for Moto Guzzi to your son Alexander?
“Alexander has always loved motorcycles and when he wanted to buy a proper motorcycle I advised him this is the best option, he has always loved the Moto Guzzi’s that I have owned.”
What is the best trip you have done together with your motorbikes so far?
“We have done many, Tasmania three times, across Vietnam and Cambodia on local Vietnamese bikes, but these days we ride to meet each other and go out for a meal and socialize together.”
And what would you like to do, always together on your Moto Guzzi bikes?
“Our tradition now I am retired is the day after Christmas in Mount Martha we gear up and ride around the Mornington Peninsula visiting friends and our favorite café. Usually because our Christmas presents to each other are for the motorbike, so we are testing them.”
The final comment to Alexander: we suppose it’s nice to have a passion that unites you, father and son.
“For sure, motorcycling has been a great way to spend time together and a great shared passion, whether it has been riding along the open roads around the Mornington Peninsula, around Melbourne city or even Tasmania. The shared interest for motorcycling and Moto Guzzi especially has been quite a unique passion that has sparked lots of adventures locally and overseas. We agree on all things Moto Guzzi except which motorcycle sounds better, the V7 with the Agostini exhaust is unbeatable!”
Source of the image: www.facebook.com/groups/mgcov
Image of background taken from the cover of “Genio e Sport”, the Official Newsletter of the Moto Guzzi Club of Victoria (Edition 315, March 2022).
TO KNOW MORE:
Moto Guzzi Club of Victoria, established in 1981:
www.motoguzzivictoria.club/home
Calendar upcoming events:
www.motoguzzivictoria.club/calendar
The Cathedral of Moto Guzzi: Moto Guzzi Museum in Yea, Victoria, Australia, by Teo Lamers.
526 Ti Tree Creek Road, Yea VIC 3717. Phone: +613 5780 2600 (Local: 03 5780 2600).
Email: TeoLamers@Bigpond.com
Teo Lamers' Cathedral of Moto Guzzi and the all-new V100 Mandello | INFO MOTO.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oShsJFhyD9Y&t=597s
Rewind: “2022 Festival of Moto Guzzi – Cathedral of Moto Guzzi, Victoria”. The article of MCN News:
www.mcnews.com.au/2022-festival-of-moto-guzzi-heads-for-yea-in-country-victoria/
Moto Guzzi Australia:
MOTO GUZZI: OVER A CENTURY OF MOTORCYCLING.
