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Shipping my Quota's Tachometer/Speedometer to Germany from the US: 200 USD cheapest I found with FedEx, including a big mess since they did not enter it as temporary importation, but permanent. Even if I had clearly filled in the custom document. Shipping from Germany, 50 EUR up to 3kg... A lot of the riding gear is also half price in Europe compared to here. And this was before the import taxes were changed.

That's the one I purchased. It is slightly longer, but it is a drop in place. It's 20.66 EUR from BMW, with VAT, so 17 EUR tax free. https://www.pieces-bmw-moto.fr/bmw-moto/affectation_pieces_detachees/46711242109

I finally found a rubber foot peg that fits my Quota; It is from a 1150 BMW GS, year 2004/2005; I ordered it since it was not in stock, 14.06 USD, which I found expensive for a little bit of rubber. It is a skinny one, not a large one. They received it today, I went to pick it up, and it fits. I thought, let's change the other one, and today, the price has increased to just double! 38 USD... Never mind then...

Past performance is never a guarantee of the future. By the way, Michelin had a very difficult experience of tires failure in F1; remember Indianapolis June 19th, 2005? I don't believe Michelin would have set a minimum required front tire pressure if it was not necessary. They have ran tests to confirm that possibility. Probably extreme tests, but as a company, you certainly don't want to have your name attached to a catastrophic event, again, Indianapolis June 19th, 2005... Conscious that imposing a minimum tire pressure, and laying down rules to enforce it would never win them any sympathy, they came up with a new tire, that Dorna did not authorize to use. My unbiased opinion would be, why would you release an imperfect tire in the first place? do it right the first time. Of course, this is probably a simplistic way to look at it. There must have been other factors, maybe time to influence that decision. Whatever it is, having a rider arriving second, and given a penalty for an insufficient tire pressure is simply ludicrous. We all agree. I wish they replace that front tire immediately.

Michelin set the minimum pressure rule, because if underinflated, the tire may suffer a catastrophic failure that could put the rider's life at risk. They have since come up with a new tire that no longer has that constraint; however Dorna did not authorize its introduction. This was a safety measure that was a stop gap while developing a front tire that did not require it. Everybody agrees that it is plain unacceptable to have race standings established after it has ended. Tech3 said they had not expected Maverick Viñales to race at the front, hence why they had set the pressure too low. Maverick himself said that front tire pressure was not his problem, even if there is a warning on the dash. Why is Dorna not allowing the front tire?

I also found out that nobody pull the dipstick out any longer. Now, my 911 has an electronic oil level indicator, but I don't rely on it. I physically check the oil and other fluid levels. I am told that you no longer need to worry about oil changes mileage, since cars tell you when it is time to change it. No need to check your rearview mirrors either, you have radars. Soon, no need to watch the road since cars are going to drive themselves... or maybe not?

I was shocked to find out that here, nobody changes their tires themselves. You call for help... Maybe there aren't any spare tires any longer?

Full ester; I actually had a long conversation with a Motul chap of Motul USA, unfortunately over the phone. He did say that oil was perfect for my V11 (he surprised me by saying he knew the bike). This oil is perfect for Texas, since we are already in the 80's at top of the temperatures. No need for a 5W here. Strangely, when you use the Motul oil selector, with the V11, Motul does not suggest the V-Twin 20W50. If you have an HD, it does. Motul proposes the MOTUL 300V 4T Factory Line 5W-40; if you read the recommendation, this is an oil for competition engines... An alternative is the MOTUL 7100 5W-40 4T. Both oils being synthetic ESTER base. I will probably use the 300V on the Quota for the next oil change.

I add the latest report (go to the 1st post) I got from Blackstone after sending the latest sample while using Motul V-Twin 20W50 made in USA...

I think a Ducati would have won. Yes, Marc Marquez was very smart on this one. Bagnaia did pretty well to come back from afar, but this world championship seems to already have its favorite. I am not saying Bagnaia is out of contention, but it seems clear that Marc Marquez has one leg up on just everyone. If we were expecting Jorge Martin's return to spice it up, we can now forget about it. As for Maverick Viñales, I am hopeful he will also be competitive in Jerez.

@audiomick In the 70's, I used to install either retreaded tires or tires that I would get from a wreck yard. I do not know if you are familiar with the wrecked car lots. This was a place where you would go and look for spares for your car. Most of the time, you would have to remove it yourself. You could also purchase wheels with used tires. I remember the retreaded tires would always squeal in turns... then the squeal tires disappeared in the modern world. But I am sure you remember if going too fast in a curve with your Opel Manta, or Rekord, or Kadett, or Olympia, the tires would whine plenty... This kind of place:

I felt exactly the same; I thought the California was discontinued because they can't pass the Euro 5+ emission with a large capacity engine without liquid cooling. Unless, this is a model made to be only commercialized in the USA. But I can't see the California anywhere listed on Guzzi dealerships websites.

I am the opposite; I think we have too many dull colors today. Most of the cars out there are either white, gray, or black. Obviously, I am biased because both Texas and France have in common Blue White Red on their flags.

Jorge Martin added to the list of his injuries Sunday, including a collapsed lung which is going to impede his quick return to Spain, and compromise his Jerez participation which was initially anticipated as his return to race appointment. The front tire pressure rule has struck again!

Which of those do you like? Personally, the V100 Wind Tunnel, the V7 Sport with the instruments of the V7 Special, the V100 Stelvio duecento tributo. the Gucci Palace looks nice, even if it is only a stylistic exercise. The V100 Mandello all blue is intriguing.

As far as I can see, he only has 11 Moto Guzzi as "new stock". I did not tell him, but I felt that not getting the 2025 V7 Sport is probably a mistake, however I understand that he did not want to get one more bike that would get no interest. Now, it tallies with everything that we know. Guzzi is not well known outside the real fans, and they are not in any kind of competition that would give them more exposure. That's the sad reality. Especially here in the USA, if it wasn't for Piaggio to insist that with Aprilia you have to take Guzzi and Piaggio, then there would probably be even less Guzzi available.

I received my Ride Texas magazine, and there is an article written by a specialist lawyer who provides legal services to motorcycle riders. What he is stating is disturbing but given to what is happening in the USA lately, it may makes sense; 1) if you are injured in a crash, it is your responsibility to prove liability. 2) the Insurance company's initial move is to blame the motorcyclist, based on the general accepted perception that motorcycle riders are reckless. 3) In claims without witnesses or hard evidence, it is common from the opposing party to blame your riding as the cause for the accident. 4) According to the lawyer, a video recording does the following: Show the exact timing of the impact (helps with proving the suspect was there in case of a hit and run, with later claim that he was never there in the first place). Disprove false claims made by witnesses and the police officers; according to the lawyer, it is very common to have witnesses describing the incident in unfavorable ways for the motorcyclist, swaying the police report against him. A recording my capture the driver's immediate action after the crash, such as fleeing the scene or initially accepting fault In extreme cases, accident reconstruction experts will be able to analyze the dynamic of the accident. What is disturbing, is he allegedly suggests police officers should not be trusted. Including the video camera they are supposed to wear to record any interaction. Those body camera are often not working, or footage lost, when it is convenient to them. In substance, he is saying that police cannot be trusted to do the right thing. Does anyone here ride with a dash came on his bike(s), just as a tattle tale?

I went to WWM this morning, to check if they had a 2025 V7 Sport in the showroom! Unfortunately, I got disappointing news; @PJPR01 the Moto Guzzi test ride did take place that cold day, and they had a lot of people that came to test the MG's; however, not a single sale that day, and nothing more than polite interest. Anyway, I had come today, to inquire about the 2025 V7 Sport, and the sales manager told me they are not making any new orders for MGs bikes as they only sold one since my last visit in October last year: the Blue/White/Red V85TT in the photo above. He said Aprilia are flying off the showroom, sadly, the MG's aren't and he has a warehouse full of them, on top of all those in the showroom. The V100, V100 Stelvio and that Travel V85TT are still there, gathering dust. He would only order the V7 Sport 2025 if I was to make a deposit to purchase it;

This was the Indian that I liked the most. They still have a discounted one for sale at Iron Supply. They had two; the fully carbon one sold! they have a standard one at a discounted price.

The unsurprising outcome has happened. Hopefully, the races are going to be not as predictable as the qualifying. I was not 100% certain it was going to happen like this, but I am not surprised at all. There is a strong message there, contradicting all the pre GP discussions. Tonight is going to be different, but maybe not that much.

@PJPR01 I went to MPH's new workshop this morning! It is almost one hour from where I live, really in the sticks. It is a completely different setup, nothing like the old workshop. The address is actually Mike's house, the shop is one entrance further. There is a dirt incline to get to the structure, not very bike friendly. It looks to me, and I may be wrong, they are sizing down. Maybe they will only take the jobs they want, but at present, they are probably not ready to take a lot of work. Besides, if you are going to drop your bike there, you will need someone to pick you up. There won't be any share ride service.

I agree that the Qatar track is particularly dirty given the lack of activity outside the F1 and MotoGP. But there are still 6 Ducati in the 7 top riders. I am not taking anything for granted, but I will not be surprised by who will make pole position tomorrow.

When we went to Bandera TX to pickup our flags for the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas, there were a few trikes, but the vast majority of riders were on two wheels, and the main brand was HD. Independently of this particular snapshot, which is certainly not representative, there was something common to all the riders, with the exception of a few: mostly "senior" citizens. This is something I have noticed since I do the Texas tour. Very few youngsters. When I was 16, all my friends were into motorcycling. We just have to admit it; the younger generations have different interests.

It makes me wonder why Piaggio is even keeping Aprilia in MotoGP, if they are not "All in!"? The kind of errors they have committed make them look like a "B" stock team, and defeats the purpose of racing to win the championship. Besides, they probably have invested a lot of money on Jorge Martin, so what is the point to have a capable pilot if you are going to cut his legs with miscellaneous issues? Anyway; Guess who is at the top of FP1 this morning? and we are not going to take it as an indication for the next practice, because as we know, FP1 means nothing...