Gmc28

Aren’t the agostini’s made by mistral?

rode the V85tt again this week, and has me thinking how sweet it would be to take it to John Day instead of Red. Oh man, i hope Red can’t read, and see what I’m thinking…. I mean with AI, and other black magic, who knows… don’t want a jealous Italian beauty having it out for me for leaving her behind. anyway, all that cargo space, windscreen, smooth suspension, and range, sure would be nice for that run. Though bringing Red to such a gathering seems most fitting for other reasons. may be a game-time decision, whether to strap on the soft bags, pack real light, and head out on Red, or play it lazy and sweet and just flop onto the V85 and go. oh, and thanks again to P6x for the V11 patch(s)! Thinking what I’d wear in the heat of John Day to sport that nifty patch, but it’ll be t-shirts and shorts I’m thinking down there in late june.

For what it’s worth, i ride alaska every year, except during covid. Love it. Mosquitoes are a bigger problem than bears. Not joking. DEET, and/or one of those head net deals can important, though why they are thick a times and at other times not an issue at all, is not something i understand. Wind/breeze helps a lot, so being out of the trees when you camp CAN be helpful, depending on the situation. bear talk for alaska is like a motor oil thread… so with that in mind I’ll just note my own personal input: bear spray - yes. Gun, no, for the reason u noted, which is Canadian customs & law. And northern canada is where u want to be… fantastic. Be cautious with food, but an old friend who still lives up there and camps a lot each year always just ties his food in an REI type waterproof bag, attaches a line through it, and slings it up over a tree branch so its suspended in the air, away from tent. Best idea? I don’t know, it’s just what i’ve always done, and has worked fine for me. I’ll see bears every time i ride up there, but they’re always trying to run away from me, and I’m always trying to cautiously gape at them as sightseer. I just assure i have an exit path on the bike, and all’s well, with the deal being me just trying to be smooth enough to not scare them away. Being on foot and getting between mom and cubs, that extraordianary circumstance of note, well thats something to just avoid, like riding through thunderstorms (mostly avoidable if we’re careful, but not always when we’re enjoying the scenery and not paying attention :->) Note that a lot of the northern canada campgrounds are really great. I avoid US campgrounds, as i don’t want the noise of other people, or RV’s, or just other people at all (I’m a Scrooge that way). But those northern canada campgrounds are often deserted, yet well kept. And they’ll have the metal/concrete storage containers, which are basically garbage containers that seal, so you can leave food there while you camp (on the honor system, if others are around). Bear proof. And if the food is in that waterproof/sealed bag, I’ll even use the back of a fully enclosed garbage container (in the metal enclosure, not actually in the garbage bin) to stow the food at a campground that doesn’t have the bear container dealio’s. Sounds gross, but if that sealed garbage area isn’t filthy/gross and your food is in the sealed sack, it’s an easy stowage place. Judge that as you choose… and you can map-search for those campgrounds, since they are identifiable places on a map, versus just hoping to find something like a US forest service land access road that might lead you to a legal and quiet place to camp down here. For the satellite device, lots of info/options as u know, but the inReach or similar devices work really great now, and are cheap to buy and cheap to use for text, and when necessary to make a call. I haven’t used the call feature, but the text feature is used by some of my friends in AK quite regularly. Monthly charges aren’t that bad, with choice for either year round (cheaper monthly) or just seasonal (practical, but higher monthly charge), and usually includes lots of texts in the package. I have my old inReach i pack along, but friends have newer devices that apparently are simpler to use, pair to your smartphone via an app which makes it all work pretty easy. With a GSA you’ll not have any issues with fuel, but I’d generally not pass up the chance to top off and stretch your legs even when u think u may not need to. Peel off to visit Atlin if you can, up sort-of near Carcross, and the top of the route to Skagway. It’s one way in/out for Atlin, but only about an hour (from memory…. Double check that) each way, and a fun place to spend the night. Pretty, and interesting history. Couple of hotels on the lake there which are not “bush”, and probably overpriced, but nice break between camping nights. Route down to Skagway, White pass, is fantastic. Top 10 type of road. In fact, if i was designing the route, 100% that I’d visit Atlin, then go back up to the “main road” and then shoot down White pass to Skagway (lots and lots of tourists, but still neat to see), then take the fairly short but very enjoyable ferry ride over to Haines, then ride back up to Haines Junction from there to continue the journey into AK. Probably spend the night in Haines, which is less crowded than skagway, but fewer hotels at Haines, so not always feasible. (I lived there for a short while a long, long time ago). The hotel halsingland is worn out and not very well maintained, and not cheap, but it’s a great piece of history with great views, and an interesting/likeable owner. The ride back up to Haines junction is a true hidden gem of a ride. Climbs in elevation, so be ready for possibly cold windy condition, but in june probably all fine. Discovery Yukon lodgings up north in the Kluane area is where I’ve stopped many times. Little cabins on a grass airstrip, with a bunch of old WW2 stuff laying around. You can get a home cooked meal there and some mediocre Canadian wine, if you arrange it in advance. I think you can camp there as well, in their nice grassy areas, for a fee. Note that all these places, and the alaska ferry, are usually pretty full this time of year, so arranging things in advance is pretty important. Anyway, I’ve carried on too long… didn’t mean to ramble. If any of that is of interest, i may be able to fill in more detail where desired.

Sorry to hear about all the carnage down there… hope things work out ok. I’ve not had that experience of the “derecho”, but like pressureangle i had a north Texas “long and lonesome highway” experience with a storm that left a mental mark on my memory. The blue sky had the one batch of black clouds, with the highway turning toward then away from it all. Pulled over and put on the rain jacket just in case, despite it being mostly hot and blue sky. Sure enough, shockingly fast it went from “I think we’ll miss that black sky” to then some rain drops, then all hell breaking loose with big winds and massive hail. Didn’t like the idea of pulling over because there wasn’t much of a shoulder, and people wouldn’t see you if they were meandering/swerving in the lack of visibility. Hail was smashing against my helmet and within moments the pavement grooves were deep in hail ice mixed with rain water, with only the middle part of the lane between the tire grooves being somewhat visible above the level of the hail-ice. The cars were putting up huge “bow waves” of watery ice as they sloshed along. “This ain’t good”, screams the lower brain stem. Slowing down was the instinctive answer, but since i knew most motorists couldn’t see me on the bike, i instead accelerated and got ahead of the 4 wheel vehicles that had clustered together, me in the middle by chance. With luck i shot the gaps to get ahead and it was just me trying to stay upright, rather than leaving my fate to being splattered by a motorist who couldn’t see me. Maybe 30 seconds later it was back to blue sky. Another couple minutes later my drenched pants were dry. But you guys chose to live in Texas! At least luckyphil has the Great Barrier Reef, excellent wine country, beautiful coastlines, and decent espresso to show for living in place where his fellow Aussies would tell me “everything will kill you here” when we first got our orientation there at the airfields.

Some proper science, that! i’ve had some good espresso in Switzerland, but in fairness I had to seek it out (google map search), and i paid dearly for it. Versus Italy where there were ok odds that I’d find a cafe just by walking around that would pull a decent shot, and it would probably be not much more than a euro (not long ago). So I’d agree, Italy wins. My complaints about Italian coffee are all focused on espresso, and about how in the past you’d never see a machine to spit out “super automatic” espresso, but now see them all too commonly. So between the places that don’t do a good job with espresso, and then the machines, the odds have gone down significantly of just walking into a place and being sure you’d get some good espresso. Can certainly still be found, it’s just tougher sledding for great-shot-seekers. Just back from a couple weeks in France, and hard to find good shots there, so i just drink the drip or the machine made espresso, and occasionally find a decent shot somewhere. Or stick to wine.

You just named off a bunch of great places to ride around too! I’ve spent more time in the NW part of mountains in Italy than up around Bolzano, but the time i have spent up there to NE keeps it hot on my “get back there” list. Ideally on a motorbike, but even way back in my old worn-out-clutch 78 Ford Escort (German made ford) I enjoyed poking around that area. All the espresso i drank only made me even more anxious when wondering whether I’d make it up some of those grades with the clutch slipping so bad on that car. And to link the espresso and motorcycle themes together in this thread/post, I have the distinct memory of driving up some of the steep grade switchbacks up in the mountains around Bolzano, clutch slipping, and being passed like i was standing still (ok, i almost was…) on the outside (left) of a right hand switch back by motorcyclists just haulin-ass and scraping pegs. 5 months? Wow, that sounds like a helluva gallavant.

Yep, like a motor oil topic, but at least with this moto guzzi group, less hostile! I’d second much of whats been shared…. Italy used to be the spot for espresso when i was younger, as even the gas stations in teh 80’s (Pavesi, etc) would serve up decent or even really good espresso. I’d brag about it to my kids, then over the years most of those places replaced the barista with a machine. Gross. Had the proper chemical effect if looking to get jacked-up to rip down the auto-strata and into downtown Rome, giving the bird to everyone as a matter of course on a normal day, but the machines even from illy and other brands produce rotgut. That said, to be fair, i also have to say that those old Italian places where the whole population would be there espresso shots, i distinctly remember seeing locals get their espresso cup, then grab the sugar container and and do a long pour of white crystals. That part tends to get glossed over in my fond memories. So maybe the Jo wasn’t as great as those gas stations…. And as others have pointed out, Oz is where odds are high you can get a great shot. Love to hit New Zealand to tour and sample espresso, and i suppose the Sauv Blancs and even Pinots they’re famous for…. Vacation list for eventually.

Lots of magnificent roads in CA, but wonder which road that is? and as i assume audiomick would agree, sound is a wonderful attribute! Just should be part of a whole package, when applicable :->

What an entertaining thread! With the Aussies on this forum, things could really go off the rails when it comes to good espresso talk. Oz, and dare i say the US(?), have really done some beautiful work with espresso in recent years, surpassing the old country originators of our favorite motor-oil like morning beverage. Some of the barista threads I watch can get real entertaining, going well beyond even a motor oil thread on a moto forum, and often have Aussies deep in the mix. In a twisted way i relish the travel coffee, the brutal brown water served at most hotels and travel stops, as a way to embrace what Forest Gump said, “the sweet just ain’t as sweet without the sour”. That said, had an excellent couple of espresso shots this morning at Steam Dot espresso in Anchorage AK….great roasts, great grinders (key), the Slayer espresso machine, and a good barista. Making me look forward to tomorrow morning! pressureangles quote: “nothing 8hrs away can be that desperate”…. Amen!

I’m endeavoring to get Greenie and Goldie out for a full-speed spin every few weeks, just “riding around” to keep them exercised, and avoid the issues of letting them sit too long. (Red is a regular rider) though they are obviously all roughly the same machines (1 short frame, 2 longs), remarkable to me how different they ride. Red has the slightly different foot peg position, and cushier suspension, and Goldie’s clutch is getting toward the end before needing plates, all which make for a fairly dramatic difference when riding back to back. And of course greenies short frame and no windscreen means what that means. Sort of obvious i suppose, but riding them all back to back accentuated things. That little Lemans windscreen I’d always thought didn’t do much, but it makes a real obvious difference in reality… really smooths the airflow a lot more than i would have thought. Similarly, I’d have said “the short frame isn’t that much shorter”, but its a whole different feeling. I feel like I’m on a mini-bike on Greenie after i get off the Lemans. Must be something else to it…. Maybe I should look more closely at stock foot peg position, or maybe that frame length delta just does more than i would have thought. Greenie, with the pods, purrs like a kitten, and pulls nicely through the whole rpm range, but is “lumpier” as you run up through the rpm range. I assume thats a pod issue to some extent. Goldie is still (after much fussing) somewhat lifeless below about 4500 rpm, then springs to life like a 2 stroke above that. And Red is the Goldilocks of the group, being about perfect throughout (engine and suspension), though its nuisance gremlin is the occasional “starts hard and won’t idle” that will happen randomly each summer. anyway, just some pointless sunday morning musings about the differences in these bikes, which i think maybe all have more “artist” and voodoo in them, like proper Italians should, after an enjoyable run on all 3 of the girls yesterday.

Just saw MartyNZ’s post of the WW2 bird in NZ, which reminded me: for anyone heading to the MGNOC at John day this year, at John Day you’re about 140 miles from Madras, where the owner of our company keeps his collection of warbirds. It’s truly worth seeing if you’re an enthusiast and have the time. Ericksoncollection.com. Is the website (for some reason the link won’t paste, so i just typed it) for anyone making the journey and not from around here (meaning, interested in tips on what to do out that direction), i could recommend a scenic riding route or two out toward Madras, and a fantastic steak house in Bend (50 mins south of Madras).

In fairness, a trade for a ktm 390 adventure (etc) would be a seismic shift. You gotta love your greenie… they deserve and need the love 😎

I sent the smoke signal last night, should be good - thx!

interesting topic! i'll only add that i drug my kids to hawaii to certify, since i just wanted it to be easy and fun, and we scored on both counts (but more than a decade ago). I certified in Alaska, and loved it, but it was in fact a goat-rope if comparing it to warm water, and I'm just glad I did that when i was younger and had the ignorance to think "why not?" lots of good diving up there by the way, but its more of a "when in Rome" thing. though look up "gods pocket" down near Vancouver Island (BC canada) if you want motivation to get into dry suit diving. Maui and the big island both have multiple reputable shops/schools (padi, etc), and they go to warm, usually clear-viz sites, where the whole thing is easy and enjoyable. Bring or rent a shorty, but thats all thats needed unless somethign odd is going on with water temps. Big island had some real nice, clear water dive sites with plenty of coral and fish to gape at while they're learning. But i'd consider bringing my own regulators, as its seems like as often as not when i rent gear when traveling it's safe enough, but crappy/worn-out enough to be finicky, and less "smooth" for me and certainly for a learner. like skiing, crappy gear can make it a worse experience for the learner. For most of the gear who cares, but a mask that fits and you like, and a good regulator setup is stuff you can keep pretty much forever, easily fits in luggage, and you can assure its dialed in before you go.

that would be cool, if it can be sourced and evaluated.

Seem to recall the same issue on the Cagiva Gran Canyon (ducati 904, with external fuel pump), and we all used what we called the "sharkbite", which was the brand name of the 90 deg copper reducer synonymous with what LaGrasta shows above. I think Ducati used a custom hose, and we changed to the reducer fitting, and in doing so actually gained additional leeway in how the hoses routed (they were down low, bottom front of engine). Seems it might yield the same benefit here, where the issue Phil is wisely pointing out might be alleviated with use of a 90 deg fitting coming from the petcock. maybe not.... would have to look closer at the limited real estate available, but i'd think the small hose leaving the petcock could point inward toward centerline of engine, then the 90 would turn the flow straight forward, and attach to a nearly straight run of the larger diameter hose to the pump.

amen. Or the sign on the way down (southwest), the yellow caution sign that shows the squiggly curve symbol and says "next 78 miles", or some such thing. delish.

Sounds like you've got a good feel for the good stuff up here... Lolo is always a great run, and the area all around there. the curves are fantastic on any bike, and then if you're on an ADV bike there are lots of great offshoots into the boondocks, or on a V11 there are lots more twisties to chase. Not sure if this an appropriate place to throw out some other "snapshots" of nice roads, but here's a link to what I'm 99% sure is the run i've done a few times that I quite liked (google map link, fairly ubiquitous). You can continue up the snake river to Oxbow, which is another short distance up-and-back also: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8LiNXm6iAV2Fg6d39 Thats a neat, fairly remote route between the snake and Joseph, and then north of there up toward lewiston on the 3 is also good. For off-road (ADV, not dirt bike) riders i have a great little route between walla walla and Anatone (off route 3, north of Joseph). If you're out that way and want to do the Joseph OR area for those enjoyable riding routes around there, my favorite little hotel at Joseph I think I heard is selling, and maybe is selling or may shut down, but their web site is still up. It's a quirky place, but unique in what i'd call a good way: jenningshotel.com i don't actually know who sets these (John Day) events up, other than the generic knowledge that it's MGNOC. I know there are great day rides around John Day, but whether a guy would have to arrive armed with that knowledge or get it from a resource at the event I don't know. yesterday I did the run NW from John Day toward home, up through Fossil and Condon, which is always a great ride. A few very short sporty sections, but mostly just "mildly sporty" and lots of great scenery, and in large sections of the ride lack of vehicles. But in late June, will be strings of tourists checking out the fossil bed stuff I assume, and will likely be HOT in some sections. the "lonesome highway" from Vale OR, up the 26 to john day, was enjoyable. A few grin-inducing sections, but mostly just grand scenery and a good number of sweepers. But in that corner/quadrant of the state, there are lots of fun, remote routes.

To those not familiar with John day, my humble opinion as an Oregonian and with my own subjective lenses on, is that it’s not a destination you’d normally have on your hot list. Far from it. But the area is beautiful. If I were offering advice on where to go, stay, and ride on a visit to Oregon, this area would certainly be hot on the list of recommendations. But I’d consider staying down the road perhaps at prairie city (nifty old hotel there), though I suppose maybe it’s crowded in the summer…. Can’t say for sure these days if the wonderfully quiet area turns into a zoo in summer. Maybe. long distance travelers coming out to John Day and who have time, I’d recommend including the Joseph & Enterprise area, walla walla, Bend (opposite direction), in addition to all the great more remote areas between John day and the Gorge (with the gorge also worth visiting), are where I’d generally point. Lots of scenic hot spots and sporty roads.

Well, not to get too far off thread topic, but will indulge in a quick offshoot… cold riding. Partly in defense of my childish behavior yesterday on the v85 :-> i lived in alaska for a good number of years, and have mostly TomChri’s type blood in me, Norwegian, so maybe thats whey the cold is not as bothersome 😉. Used to ride year round (on a BMW RT), but In truth, I have only very rarely in the last couple decades decided to man-up and purposely ride into very cold weather, choosing instead to re-schedule whatever i had planned when the weather gods were smiling more. Last month I had planned to go get the V85 from Denver, and the weather looked good, right up until i was about to leave, then went downhill fast (dumped snow). Cancel. This time forecast was decent, a lot warmer on the western end of the ride (today… supposed to be mid 60’s in Boise later), and nothing forecasted worse than brief periods down around 42 and dry on the east/denver end. But as often happens, crappy apple weather app forecasts and spiteful weather gods conspire and i end up needing to “man up” as you alluded. Oh well… so be it. Riding for an hour or so through nasty cold, snowy conditions is what it turned into, so thats ok. You riding the Quota to John Day?

All very good. Sounds like you pulled trigger on the Quota, so that should be fun. Might you ride that to John Day? I should have started my opining above about the v85 by confirming that i think such opinions are nearly useless, albeit potentially entertaining, as they are so subjective, and serve mainly to either reinforce others love of the machine, or in some cases perhaps to help someone interested avoid a trait they very much want to avoid. I know that various versions of my younger self over the years would not have loved the bike as much as I do now. I used to scoff at my good friend who first had a V11 Lemans back when I had my ST4… friendly competition. Now the V11 is my favorite. The V85 so far is doing everything well, but doesn’t necessarily win “best of class” in any category. As a total package, it needs no excuses despite some areas where it could in fact be improved, and is consistently bringing a smile.

For what it’s worth, not regretting the v85tt, which is now my official opinion. Mine is a 2022 (bought it used), not the 2024 from the thread title, but today was the unintended test to settle things. Left Denver (Longmont) in unforecast light drizzle and wet snow, and being the child that i am i headed out and upward in elevation. Forecast was for 39 degrees at the coldest, but Apple weather was garbage as always and it dropped to 29 (f), in wet snow. Pavement was fine, but the moisture made it painfully cold, even with the electric gear. Sigh. But in rain mode (pioggia) to assist, she handled smooth, and then when we finally broke out into balmy 38 degree weather and dry air/road, she picked up the pace and danced along beautifully. Then on the highway slog later in the day, something i didn’t test in Italy on the rental v85, i locked cruise control at 85 and she was smooth and steady even in the blustery wind. Only complaint is I thought I had heated grips… but I don’t. Just the button. Cruel Italian. So have had her now in the Italian mountain twisties, nasty cold & wet in CO, and open highway at high speed in WY, and she’s checking all the boxes. Now to waste more hard earned cash on guzzitechs mods to juice up the HP and exhaust, something she does NOT need, but the child in me will keep the upper hand, and money shall be well wasted.

I’ll probably ride through john day on sunday, making a bee-line though, to get home that evening after a few days on the road on the new-to-me v85tt. Weather is typical spring…. Supposed to be pretty nice tomorrow, then cooling off again into the lower 50’s Sunday when I’ll pass through. Can’t complain. (Left Denver with an ok forecast…. But per usual Apple weather was way off. Forecast for 39 deg at coldest turned into 29 (F) and wet snow. A brutal 1.5hr slog till it cleared off. But the V85tt handled nicely)

I've done similar, even with AGM's, when they got real old and were showing "end of life" signs, and I felt I'd gotten enough life out of them to feel ok to swap it out (got my bang for the buck). For what its worth, that AMG brand (AGM) I took out of the 1200 Ducati was still getting the job done, but was cranking slower each start over the course of the summer, then in the cold wx i had the almost-no-start, so i changed it. point is it was a Li-ion, and that one seemed to show similar signs as a lead-acid to being worn out. Not sure what kind of data point that is, but perhaps of interest.

From a broad perspective, it’s arguably the most common issue with any old Italian motorcycle, the electrical system. Years ago I just determined that I’d go through the electrics and do the handful of usually affordable and not-to-tricky upgrades on the front end, and life has been easier ever since, with all my beloved Italians. I’ve not done much with fuse blocks, though docc and many others have a lot of insight there. Mine have always looked great, so I haven’t messed with that. But checking for good grounding (can be a “free” fix for a lot of issues), the mosfet VR retrofit, new & good relays, and at least checking if not also just pro-actively upgrading the wire connectors is time/money well spent for longer term peace of mind. I’ve purchased a number of mosfet upgrades from roadstercycle, which were quite a bit more expensive, but he specs out some good (or great) quality connectors and wiring, which is handy.