Kane

Spoken like a true doc!

Here ya go: The bike is real, but the rider is probably a stand in.

This is a long running complaint with some members here, but personally I find the V11 stock position pretty good. I have a 2001 red frame, so maybe it’s different from a 2004. I am 6’2”, kind of a lanky build, and once I’m in the bike it’s good. The bars are on clip-on risers, so it’s not an aggressive lean. It’s akin to a Ducati SuperSport or other “gentleman sport bike” / sport-touring rides. It puts you forward enough to lean in and out of the wind a bit. Better for me than a more upright position. As mentioned, the wrist thing is about using your core and thighs and knees. The substantial and flared tank is good for this. Tank grips may help. There are aftermarket or Buell pegs that wil give you another inch or so, but your foot will be outside more due to the bend, and you’ll have to adjust the linkage. I am happy with the stock pegs. The most fatigue I get is from peg and bar vibration at certain RPM ranges. I do sometimes suffer hip cramps when I first mount, but I think it’s more from being old, drinking too much, and not eating enough bananas. Once I settle into the bike it’s a great ride, vibes and all.

Here’s something unusual: a white (post) Christmas in L.A.:

No, it’s a Shoei RF-1200. A basic full face sport helmet. The RF-1200 replaced the RF-1100 and is now being replaced with the RF-1400, so it’s been around for a while with a series of design refinements. I can use my Ray-Ban Wayfarers with it, so I don’t think you’ll necessarily need a modular helmet to wear glasses. I bought it from my local Cycle Gear store, and they had a good selection of helmets. When I was looking at helmets I liked the idea of a helmet that was “hand made” (for the most part) in Japan, rather than cranked-out of a factory in China (Even Bell is no longer made here in the States), so I was intertesed in Shoei or Arai. I also wanted a helmet with a second safety certification to the DOT, i.e., the Snell or ECE certifications. Those “requirements” eliminated a lot of helmets like Bell, AGV. However, to be fair, I believe you can get a $150 HJC polycarbonate helmet with the DOT and Snell certifications. After trying the Shoeis and Arais, the Shoei fit my head the best, and I was able to get very good all-around-my-head snug fit with the RF-1200. It’s a basic no frills helmet that was just shy of $500 for a solid color, which suits me. Graphics add a lot to the cost. Anyway, I’m pretty happy with the RF-1200. It’s comfortable, snug, the vents do what they need to do, the Pin-Lock visor works great.

The Rukka stuff looks really nice. Their prices seem in line with higher end gear. You should have gear that doesn’t get in the way and that you trust and like to ride in for the years to come. If you’re keen on going the bespoke route, in addition to Vanson Leather in MA, there is Langlitz Leathers in OR, and Bates Leathers in CA.

P6x, let us know how the book is when you get it. Is it in English or Italian? I have just gotten the Falloon book, and it’s pretty nice! Good info and pics of the V11 models.

It’s best to try stuff on in person, but this is difficult in many locals, and very hard right now with Covid. I think Revzilla and Cycle Gear may be the same company. Revzilla is user friendly with returns which is often necessary to get the right fit. Alpinestars and Dainese make good stuff, but the fit is Euro slim. A good sizing chart will get you close with jackets and pants, but helmets and boots are more particular for matching helmet shells and shoe lasts to your head and feet. I have Daytona boots which are great but it took two times with Helimot to get the fit right. My Shoei helmet I was able to buy at a local store, and I’m glad that I did as all of the helmets I tried fit differently from each other. I have a great vintage Cal Leather horse hide jacket I got cheap on the fedora lounge forum. It predates the use of armor in jackets, but it’s like a suit of armor and is in great shape (I have an extra one if anyone is interested). I have newer Vanson leather pants which are what I like to ride in; they’re a little pricey but very nice. I also have a new Vanson jackets but the fit is not great and I need to send it back. These things are expensive and it takes a while to have them made, but the idea is that you’ll end up with a perfect fit. I dunno. In spite of having the custom Vanson and vintage Cal Leather jackets, the jacket that I use the most is an inexensive Cortech jacket I bought on sale from Revzilla. It fits and works great and has full CE armor. It a combo mesh/leather jacket and is great in hot weather, and with a windproof base layer it works in the cold. For gloves I use the Lee Parks DeerSports, and after a year’s use they’re holding up ok. I think if I was riding a lot in wet weather I’d be looking at an Aerostich suit. I don’t know if they’re open now as Covid has disrupted a lot of operations. Good luck!

Here’s a nice gift: There’s a nice overview of the merger with Aprilia / Piaggio.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you. I hope you have much joy and contentment! Cheers!

Thanks for all of the great ideas! Much appreciated. In the meantime.... Get ‘er done

When this mess is done, come out and let’s get our SoCal brethren and sistren together for a ride. I want to put a run together called “The Spaghetti Western”, for Italian bikes that ends with a great Italian meal. Maybe ride up to North Beach or Napa, or perhaps Mark would host a meal at MG Classics? Just kidding! sort of. Anyway, hope you make it out here soon, Chuck. It sucks being stuck in one place.

But you’ll be going faster than a raging virus! Just don’t get off the bike.

Docc, please Hey docc, very cool! Please keep me in the loop. Thanks!

Thanks for that, Tom. I hadn’t thought much about turbulence with a larger bag.

Howdy all, I know that the topic of luggage for the V11 has been discussed before, but I am wondering if anyone has tried either of both of these tail bags and would share their thoughts: The SW-Motech EVO Cargobag: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sw-motech-evo-cargobag-tail-bag?sku_id=1315522 The SW-Motech 700 Dry Bag: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sw-motech-700-dry-bag-70l-tail-bag?sku_id=1195302 I know the obvious difference is that one is a larger dry bag. I am comfortable with either style of bag and either bag has enough volume for me. I am more intertesed in how well they work on a V11 without racks or side saddle bags for it to rest on or attach to. I was first thinking of going with a combination of side saddle bags with a center tail bag, but I like the simplicity of a single bag to remove and not having to use racks. These both look good on the webpage, and they are affordable. I will use the tail bag in conjunction with a tank bag, and I like the look fo the various Cortech, Nelson Rigg, and SW-Motech tank bags, a mid-size tank bag with a strap attachment system as a don’t want to have to attach a base-ring attachment system and obviously a magnetic bag won’t work. Any thoughts on any of those tank bags? I am looking forward to finally outfitting the V11 for touring, and I am tired of wearing a backpack! I appreciate any advice and info you can share! Thank you

For those of you in SoCal, Aprilia has one more demo-ride / track day scheduled for this year, on Dec. 14 at Chuckwalla. They will have the 660, and other bikes, there to ride. https://aprilia.regfox.com/aprilia-racers-days-2020 This would be a nice way to end this year!

Greetings and best wishes to all! Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. (I know other countries have similar holidays on different days—e.g., Canada is in Oct). This is my favorite holiday because I love to cook, eat and drink. Alas, this year with the state that things are in the Mrs. and I are passing on getting together with anyone and are laying low and staying home. I look forward to feasting next year, but I am thankful today. I hope you all are well and are enjoying the day! Cheers!

I contacted them about a week ago and Mr. Ed Cook provided a speedy response. https://www.af1racing.com/

Cool pic. What’s the building in the background?

Chuck, the weather has been outstanding and the traffic is still lighter than usual. The fires have been rough. Much of the crest / Hwy 2 was shut down for a while.

Another look: Ain’t she sweet? So what will the bright lads and gals at Moto Guzzi / Piaggio do to bring in the 100th anniversary? Will they give us a new bike with this fire, this visceral riding machine?

After too many weeks of limited in town riding, I took the Green Muse up San Gabriel Canyon / Hwy 39. It’s a lovely November day, and it felt great to hammer up and down a canyon! As usual, she ran flawlessly. But I think I’ve lost some of my handlebar vibe acclimation!

Thanks, Pete. I thought that if Mistral makes it it might be a good thing, especially if I’m running their mufflers and potentially their crossover. I have also read good things about the Fat Duc O2 manipulator, which looks very similar, but obviously requires an O2 sensor (not on my bike). I guess that’s one of those “super-shitty” O2 sensor foolers that you’re referring to. I get what you’re saying! I’d like to use Guzzidiag and learn to do this stuff myself. I am sure that it will be enlightening and liberating to be able to master the knowledge and control the bike’s fuel map; however, I only have an IPad and when I download the Guzzidiag file it opens as a string of code text. I think I will need to buy a proper computer or laptop to use it. Cheers!