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p6x

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Everything posted by p6x

  1. My Quota is also soon to be 25 years old, in 2025. I checked the Texas rules: The language is broad enough that I can "parade" my Quota every day for public interest.... That said, the "state inspection" is just a money grab, when it comes to motorcycles. The French which have so far managed to resist the European obligation to do the inspection for motorcycles have brought factual evidence that less than 5% of the accidents are caused by equipment failure. I also found that in Arizona, there is no tax involved for motorcycle private sales.
  2. It's official today, Fermin Aldeguer will ride on a Ducati from 2025. It is either at Pramac or the Factory team. Pramac, Gresini, VR46 have their Ducati contracts up for renewal in 2025. As Ducati confirmed his arrival to ride on a Ducati, at this very moment, only Enea Bastianini's bike is available until Pramac, Gresini, VR46 have signed their new contracts with Ducati. Everybody expects Pramac to continue with Ducati.
  3. Yes, obviously finding one in the US would be ideal. Given that the Tenni has been officially imported in the USA when it was commercialized, there is no federal impediment, nor should there be any at your state level. When I moved to Houston in 2008, I imported a lot of personal property devoid of vehicles, since I was provided with a company car. However, having looked at importing a car that was never commercialized in the USA, it is not really complicated, especially if the vehicle has reached 25 years since manufacturing date. But the Tenni has been imported in the USA, so it should be in the list of accredited imports. You should be able to find it on the web. If you are not fazed by the financial aspect, you can easily mandate a company for a turnkey deal. They will take care of everything on your behalf, including clearing US customs and registration in the State where they operate. Thereafter, you only need to transfer the title to your state. There are many companies offering the service; here's one: https://www.schumachercargo.com/usa-car-imports/ They are not the only ones! there are plenty, including in Europe. Or you can wait until one turns up in the USA, which is the easiest and cheapest.
  4. Agreed with the rationale... However, this one has an o'ring. Typically, o'ring act as a lock when pressurized, since they expand into the gap to seal it.
  5. Here's one: https://www.moto.it/moto-usate/moto-guzzi/v11/v11-le-mans-tenni-2002-03/8622739 This add was posted on December 31st, 2023. This is from a dealership, probably easier for a US based customer to deal with. A quick translation of what the listing states: 15,000 km (I let you convert in miles) Pristine condition Carbon terminals (originals are included) Original sides are packed (I don't know why) Full history available, two ignition keys. They also offer a warranty. Discounted price is 14,500 EUR. The Moto.it site has an email reply option and a telephone #. You could probably negotiate the price a bit further, given that you would export the vehicle outside of Europe. Looking at the number of motorcycle you own, I am guessing you do not need any further assistance. If you did, send me a personal message. Good luck!
  6. I always have been under the assumption those oil filters are supposed to be hand tight. Even if it "does not feel right"... This is a subject of endless discussions across every forum. On my V11, I do "reasonably" hand tight, and so far, did not notice anything astray. Using a worm clamp around the filter feels "overkill". The fine thread pitch of the oil filter access makes it easy to damage. They should have opted for a coarser one, making it easier to engage.
  7. Lots of VW adds here for the Taos... In my neck of the woods, we have a plethora of soccer mums running around in Cayenne, Maican, and the occasional Taycan. The 911 remains a boy's toy. I have seen a few young ladies running Boxters, but that is about it. The 911 is not up to today's comfort standards. There aren't many Audi SUV either, BMW seems to dominate the market. Tesla aplenty!!!
  8. looks like it coming out of the showroom....
  9. I have currently four vehicles, maybe five if I get a sports tourer. None of my vehicles get to renew registration on the same date, and for the sake of coalescing unwanted tasks, I went to my tax office and ask them to pool together the registration dates; obviously prorating so it remains fair for both sides. The clerk I spoke to said it was not possible to do it, as their software has no provision for that; she also said nobody would want to pay the registration renewal in one go, instead of having it been spaced. I really cannot believe nobody else thought about doing it one time per year, instead of multiple times along. It may be only me? I pay in person at the tax office. I have seen that many of you have a lot more vehicles than I do. Can you group your registrations in your respective states if you wanted to?
  10. It is possible they were each one asked about which car they would rather have. I am not a big fan of DKW Auto-Union evolution. To me, Ferdinand is the only one that got it right, even if I loved my NSU Prinz C. Anyhow, having an exotic car that can't be put through its paces is kind of let down. It is not even the speed limits, it is simply the amount of cars competing for space on the same roads. Here in Houston, no matter the time of the day, you are in traffic jams all the time!
  11. Thanks @audiomick! Most useful. I am waiting to get my Quota back before I embark in this task. I do not have a bench, nor a vice, each time I start to work on my bike I have to remove my car, not ideal conditions.
  12. Since you brought it up, I found out the hard way that many good products available in EUR are not distributed in the USA. I tend to share in the banter section. In fact, SIXS asked me if I would be interested in distributing in the USA. I was interested in getting the SHOEI NXR 2 in shine red color: 350.41 EUR (381 USD) The USA equivalent is the SHOEI RF1400 which is the exact same helmet but DOT stamped instead of ECE 22.06: USD 620 +taxes. The red color is not available, and I can't order from Europe since SHOEI prohibits shipping to the USA. 63% more expensive in the USA for the same helmet?
  13. The truth is, my V11 works better now, engine knocks or not. Acceleration has improved, the 3k engine misses are gone (so far), and my fuel mileage is now matching the forum's consensus. My highway mpg is now around 38, when it was always above 40 before the new map. I just ride around the knocks and that takes care of it.
  14. I completely concur; there was a time when fixing everything was the way to go. Assembly parts were readily available. I used to fix my cars with used parts taken from the wreck yards. The tap on the solenoid or starter was a current remedy in the 70's. My Citroën DS 19 still had a hand crank, which I used several times when my starter or my battery would not hold their own.
  15. I got stricken by exactly that same lack of etiquette.... Both should have gotten the exact same car....
  16. It proves that even if Ducati is playing Marquez's arrival low-key, repeating they have their "own" pilots, Audi wants to capitalize on the association. Indeniably, I think that Marquez probably aims at taking a higher seating at Ducati. Possibly Pramac. Franco Morbidelli's performance will determine his future in Pramac, which did not start in the best way; notwithstanding Jorge Martin's ambition to replace Bastianini in the factory team. Given that Francesco Bagnaia has already signed for two more years, there are potentially three spots that Mark Marquez can set sights upon. KTM has openly stated their interest in having Marquez too. However, I don't think he would want to integrate the Tech3 team. That leaves Jack Miller's ride, which up to now was always penciled to Pedro Acosta. Unless Pedro Acosta remains at Tech3... Now, Crash.net reports that Ducati has put all its pilot' salary budget on Bagnaia, and is not contemplating spending has much on his teammate. Which may rule Jorge Martin's arrival. It is also reported that Fermin Aldeguer will join Pramac in 2025. This reinforces the possible arrival of Marquez for the second factory seat, has he has dropped his salary requirement to be able to achieve his goal to get to 9 world championships.
  17. As reported in another thread, two weeks ago, I got a close call while being at College Station, about 100 miles from where I live. The starter would not crank. As I was wearing earplugs, I was unable to properly identify the nature of the issue. The dashboard lights went dim, so current was sent, but it seemed the solenoid did not engage. I put the bike in gear, and attempted a push start, which did not yield but moved the engine. Another starter attempt worked, and I got back home. I tested the battery with my Motobatt tester and found nothing wrong with current charge level and amps delivery. I nevertheless ordered and replaced the battery with an encased Odyssey, allegedly rated for higher temperatures than the standard one. By the way, it fits the battery emplacement of the V11. After installing the new battery, I could reproduce the no crank starter problem. Just once. A second attempt worked, and has worked since. But the starter noise is not what it used to be. It is different. Something needs to be done. Replacing a 20 years old starter may seem the best course of action. It is the only part of the starting circuit that has not been looked at. The easy way would be to purchase one of the MG Cycles replacement starter at USD 120.00 + shipping. But before I do that, I am willing to try a good clean up. That maybe sufficient. Note that MG Cycles has some limited replacement parts for starters, but they are all for older models.
  18. You know that when I started working in the oilfield business, oil was purged directly into the sea , flaring the gas was the usual way of getting rid of it since back in these days, there was no option to transport it. In today's world, burning anything is costly, as you need to request a permit with a reason for needing it. You need to estimate how much of hydrocarbons you will dispose off, and you get authorization, or not, and you have an inspector checking that you only dispose off that amount, and no more. Also, I worked for a gas company which used underground to store gas. Which was a very convenient way to stock as the wells had been drilled by another operator, and they found nothing but the geology was ideal for storage. You had two types of wells: injectors and producers. The producers would always sand-up, so from time to time, you had to clean them up. Since those wells were in a very sensitive area, no flaring was authorized, so we simply released the gas into the atmosphere. By today's rules, this would be a serious offense and be all over the news. That gas company never piped any word of that. I wonder how they do it today.....
  19. I thought this "behind the scene" video from the Honda HRC would be interesting to those of us that follow the MotoGP;
  20. As I am looking for my next motorcycle, I have been peeling away at multiple reviews of cruisers or tourers or sport tourers... I don't always understand what is the difference between those genres... I am back from an attempt to photograph the Milky Way, which lamentably fell flat on its face. Waking up in the wee hours of the morning, drive to the McDonald observatory in the hope to catch it, with nothing to show for my efforts. Anyway, while stationed at Fort Davis Texas, I met two riders (same age group) from El Paso on brand-new GS 1250s having been had at a discount to make space for the GS 1300, said the owners. As it was kind of chilly that morning, I told them about my bringing back a Quota from Arizona, and freezing myself in the process. Both those guys wore heating gear complimented by BMWs heated appointments; seat and grips. The conversation evolved on Cruise Control; both said they would never have a bike that does not have it. This is where I got lost... I understand cruise control in a car, because it frees your foot from the gas pedal, and allows you to change position. On a motorcycle, you most likely need to keep your right hand on the grip, so what is the big improvement there? I am not referring to those adaptive cruise controls, the crude one that just maintain speed. So, what's making it a sine qua nons to have cruise or to not have cruise?
  21. In any case, I believe the future should be fuel cells and not battery powered EVs. If I was getting a car, I would go for the Toyota Mirai; you get 15k USD of free fuel, refuel time is said to be 5', and 400 miles autonomy. Now, the bad news is that in Houston, I think there is only a single location where I can get H2, and I am not certain it is open to public. In my mind, this is a much better solution than today's EVs. Obviously, there are trade-offs. H2 making requires a lot of energy. Also, we don't really know the expected longevity of the fuel cells.
  22. I paid $6k for mine in 2020, with allegedly 8k miles... only to discover that the odometer was not working... 32k miles and counting today, with a few bumps along the way, which have been fixed. But price is subjective. The market for Moto Guzzi in the USA is very narrow, outside those few in the know. Before I purchased my Quota in February this year, I was closely watching a Stelvio 1200 NTX which price had slowly but surely gone down by the thousands; one year+ later, it still has not sold.
  23. I kind of like the "Le Mans" in cursive marking.... the red gets brought out by the black parts. I think the tank's black side protection also gives a better overall visual. Anyway, beauty is in the eyes of whoever....
  24. I was wondering since the one on my identical V11 2004 Le Mans does not look like Swiss Gruyere.... Also, my seat is not spotted but smooth like the baboon's rear end...
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