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@audiomick Look at his right hand during his intro. It is evident that he hits the strings differently than classical;

I think his way of playing the guitar has been recognized as innovative. Mark Knopfler and Jeff Beck just to name two used only their fingers to play guitar, but in a much different way. I chose his Van Halen cover of You really got me, but he does his own stuff too.

His right finger technique seems to be similar to classical or flamenco however, he plucks the strings from above more than from under. This is what appears to be the real innovation. He also uses his right-hand fingers to hit the strings like the hammer on the piano. If you look at Ana Vidovic, which is a picture-perfect illustration of the classical technique on the acoustic guitar, down to the right-hand position, you can visualize the "claw" way; she pulls the strings sideways from down up, using the bawl of her fingers to pluck from underneath. His technique seems to be hybrid.

Yes, I did.... Can't seem to distinguish my left from my right lately...

I am still waiting on tires.... I really want to check the Road 6, if only one time. I wish I had a second motorcycle, I am wasting perfect time. Someone said that some of these storage outfits have Motorcycle storage options. Are you familiar? I checked the one that is next door to where I live, and they don't.

Good thinking about Velcro patches! If you noticed, there are actually no stops in Houston. I suggested some, including Iron Supply Powersports in Katy who's owner I spoke to. The tour director only takes family owned businesses, Iron Supply Powersports fits the requirement, and the owner said he was willing to be a sponsor, but according to the Tour Director, the sponsoring is numerus clausus, so no opening for now. I wish he swapped some of those stops that come back every years for new ones. Next year, I will start my campaign earlier, trying to avoid the hottest months. March, April, May are ideal.

Here's a favorite country picker of mine Johnny Highland to illustrate the technique difference with Matteo Mancuso. Check Johnny's right hand. He holds a pick with his thumb and major fingers, and claw the rest of the strings with index, ring and annular fingers. Some pickers have a thumb pick which does not require a second finger to lock it, so they can use four fingers for the picking. When he solos, he continues to use hybrid picking for speed.

This guy, Matteo Mancuso introduced a new left hand technique; he has been noticed by those guitar players which have notoriety, such as Steve Vai. In this song, played the Van Halen way, he demonstrates how he uses his left hand fingers to achieve his peculiar style. The tapping is not part of it. The technique could be assimilated to what Bass guitar players do (those that don't use a pick). He plucks the strings from above. Not to be mistaken with the hybrid picking country players favor, using a pick to pluck the bass strings and three remaining fingers to pluck, but not from above, from underneath the strings.

The European media have been tooting the arrival of a NASCAR owner for the RNF Aprila team, bikes presented with the fairings mimicking the USA banner colors. It is easy to understand Dorna would like to get more following for MotoGP in the USA, something they have so far failed to accomplish. The comparison of the number of spectators at COTA between F1 and MotoGP speaks for itself. I can tell you that it won't be Laguna Seca, since the track no longer meets the safety criteria to host a MotoGP race, and the necessary changes cannot be made because of administrative issues? this is something I read, so I am not certain it is the truth. What is really interesting, or at least to me, is that the US sponsor has announced the possible arrival of US pilots once the existing ones have finished their contracts, end of 2024. My question being, could someone like Jake Gagné jump from Medalia to MotoGP? or Cameron Beaubier who has Moto2 experience? although Cameron clearly said he left Moto2 because he did not want to be out of the USA as it is required if you compete in MotoGP.

Halas, while the new BMW GS-1300 is being reviewed, tested and compared to other "adventure" motorcycles, the 2024 Moto Guzzi Stelvio is nowhere to be seen! It could be Piaggo's decision to have a dedicated media presentation at some point early next year. This is what they did with the V100 Mandello after all. I am inclined to think the reason maybe they are simply behind with the assembly schedule, and the Stelvio shown at EICMA were either prototypes, pre-production. I am told the Stelvio will hit the dealerships next year end of Q1. We shall see.

@audiomick Those unlimited German autobahn always are a magnet to your European neighbors. I remember that German drivers were really observant of traffic, each time I was there. I suspect that habits have changed there too. Concentrating on driving is no longer compulsory. Well, here at least you never expect anyone to use their turn indicator. That keeps you on your toes. It is not so much the brake lights of the car in front of you may indicate a left or right turn, but the same is true for the incoming traffic. You can't see the brake lights, and the driver may be cutting your lane to turn. This is something I had to learn. In France, you can never cut a continuous lane to turn. Here, continuous lanes only indicate you cannot overtake. But you can turn if you want to. It is more accident prone, but that's the rule. I found that when speed is involved, even if you are not the one who made the mistake, you have to share the responsibility since the insurance always assumes you may have been able to avoid the accident. But this is new. The unspoken rule, is that you have to do defensive driving, and help to prevent other's mistakes. Well, on our motorcycles, we know it is part of survival. I expect that traffic rules are going to be less and less respected. I think people wear out of abiding by the rules. I can see this where I live. There is a school nearby. When school buses unload the children, they have those stop signs that come out. All traffic must stop. Today, some cars just proceed! no more respect...

That should be easy to correct; I personally disagreed on the rule that you only receive one of the round patch for your first participation and 25/50 stops completion; successive completions will only yield the millesime rocker for that year. He has so far, no provision to get more than one round and rocker patches. I contacted him on the first year of participation, suggesting that some of us have more than one jacket, but his answer was, the majority have a single garment where they put their patches on. Is this how it works for everybody? I also suggested to have either a 5/10/15/20...years tour finisseur rocker or patch. He said he would look into that, maybe. I am planning to run the tour for as long as I am able to.

This is a very sad illustration of the reason why people should never drive (a lot) faster than the traffic ahead of them. This video clip has been released by the German police for education purposes. The motorcyclist is legally going at 300 km/h, however a vehicle in front of him failed to notice him prior to changing lane at 120 km/h. The motorcyclist can't avoid the collision. The narrative said he survived but was seriously injured. I inferred that he did make it; if not, the police would not have posted the video. Would a Tesla's driving assistant be able to detect the incoming motorcycle at this speed? I don't know, but I doubt it. When we drive our cars, we usually only give a quick glance at our rear view mirror. This accident proves that when difference in speeds are consistant, glancing is not sufficient. You need to probably scrute for several seconds. Last but not least, your rear view mirrors should not show the side of your car, but as outward as possible, to minimize the blind spot. Another question I have, how far does the radar detection goes for those that have the blind spot warning on their mirrors on on their HUD? I don't think it goes that far behind... Because of the way "X/Twitter" works, you may have to copy the link and paste it in your web browser to see the video. It is only 20 seconds long. https://twitter.com/PolizeiMFR/status/1729123505353167305

I found out the hard way that USPS is not irreproachable, unfortunately. I already have had several occurrences of surface mail lost, including a passport. Usually domestic postal services work well, worldwide.

How many of us, do a thorough check of their vehicles before using them? In my company, we had to actually verify the car before each drive, no matter how short. Of course we had to record it in a log book, later record it electronically. Invariably, it can lead to rubber stamping. But when you are about to drive into the desert to reach an drilling rig, when there were no GPS systems, no Satellite phones, you never wanted to gamble on your life. I still check the basics before I go anywhere, starting with tire pressure. We do not have pressure indicators on our old motorcycles, old cars. This should be the very minimum I think. Agreed, since TPMS is standard now, it also helps drivers to not forget. I still take the dipstick out of my cars to check oil level, from habit I guess. But all the modern technology aims at making you less aware of the few compulsory checks you can't ignore, Including checking your mirrors before you change lane or you turn. In today's world, I do not even fully comprehend what "learning to drive" means any longer. I guess it is just a matter of being able to put the vehicle in motion?

@PJPR01 I got it now! So we had three Moto Guzzi representatives: a California 1400, a Le Mans, a Norge. There seem to be a lot of trikes and three wheeled Harley's.

Very good Doc! That's my take too... Royal Enfield had a single representation, and I only saw one Ducati: the Desert X; I could not find your entry @PJPR01

The Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas made a kaleidoscope of the photos taken by the participants. Interesting to have a view of the people that do the tour, some of them returning each year. As you would expect, there is one brand which is majorly represented, many trikes too. Which brand is the least represented? if you have the patience to watch the video until the end, let me know;

My point was, that Dunlop has provided racing tires for motorcycles during the past two decades. Manufacturing tires for racing helps to perfect the tires you sell for the general public, as well as general exposure. I am not implying that because Dunlop exits the MotoGP, their tires will automatically be less performing. Pirelli was probably more agressive because they have a lesser known reputation in motorcycling. They are also aiming at replacing Michelin in MotoGP. Similarly, Bridgestone left MotoGP, and their commercial tires are still used by many...

2023 50 stops rocker patch arrived to ornate my decades old jacket.... (purchased in 2003). Photo at the top in the reporting thread. Looking forward to 2024!

Since we talk about Dunlop, you may be aware that Pirelli replaced Dunlop for Moto2 and Moto3 starting from next season. For both tier, Pirelli is supplying tires that are also available to the public. https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/motorcycles/pirelli-s-philosophy-in-moto3-and-moto2-involves-not-bringing-their-entire-range-of-compounds-available/ar-AA1kLS2A Incidentally, during the tests in Valencia last Monday, Moto2 improved one second from the race week-end on the Dunlop. https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/motogp-lopez-holgado-top-combined-moto2-moto3-pirelli-test-at-valencia/ I know that it is all academical, we will see when next year's season resume. I am currently getting a Michelin road 6 front on my Le Mans.

I always liked Junior Brown; he get a lot of music out of minimal foot print. Look at the drummer's kit... his wife at the rhythm guitar, upright bass, nothing more required. Close to be a one man show.

Just for the sake of the discussion, with regards to the Martin / Marquez collision, from looking at the video, Martin attempts to squeeze in the inside past Marquez. Marquez sees it coming, and release the brakes; Martin no longer has the ability to pass Marquez, however because of his residual speed, he can't make the turn. He would have had intended to be in front of Marquez, not behind. Marquez could have let him go through, and pick him up as Jorge Martin would have not been able to keep the apex anyway. For Bezzecchi and Marquez, I could not find a replay of the crash; Here's a YT video showing some stills. It appears that Bezzecchi is ahead of Marquez.

Indeed; the public started to mess up at that point, not having the help of reading the music at the same time. I found that the quarter rest at the end of each bar, before the one, was a big help. I had no problem if keeping time with my foot. However, if not using anything but my "sense of time", I was rushing with the triplet feels.

Test your skills to keep time, for those of us versed into music; Try to clap your hands on beat 1. It is one of this odd meter: 7/4; typically Music is mostly written in 4/4. The numerator is the number of beats, the denominator the duration of each beat. In a 4/4, you have four quarter notes per bar. In a 7/4, you have a seven quarter notes duration per bar. Here's the exercice: it seems easy, but as varies the rhythm and beats duration and arrangement, always respecting the 7/4 meter, clapping on the one beat becomes challenging.