Steve G.

The events of this ride have more to do with your skill as a rider than the V11. It also sums up a couple other things I've held solid in my mind for years. 1, If you own a comparitavely underpowered bike, you learn to be a better rider in corners through the need of speed preservation, and 2, modern superbikes negate the need to be a good rider to keep pace, because it teaches the squids that proper riding is nothing but point and shoot, rather than the proper riding skill, namely "flow", or "flying on the ground" . Someone who learns "flow" on a superbike is untouchable. Ciao, Steve G.

Talkin' about Rednecks?? Ciao, Steve G.

Oh, but what a glorious looking problem a Vincent is! Ciao, Steve G.

Fish, You ever want to get rid of the Harro Elefantenboy, I'm your buyer. I know a guy who has one, great old kit. Ciao, Steve G.

I'm not really a Mike/Michelle Duff fan, just confused. He was a dashing young man, with the nicest looking European ladies, winning races at the top level. Then his need to 'change things' [no real problem with that]. But now comes word she/ he thinks it was a mistake, and now wants to go back to being Mike. I have serious issue with the Canadian taxpayer getting stuck for the bill for someone who can't figure out who they are, so give it a try one way for a while, then go back if it's not working out. Regardless, you have to respect this person's skills as a roadracer, when the Isle of Man was on the GP circuit. Ciao, Steve G.

Wouldn't the heat build up of the rotor going literally twice as fast as normal [because it's going backwards] cause issues with fluid temperature, ie, fade? Ciao, Steve G.

While I would like Nicky Hayden to be from my country, and others would think that I sometimes sound like an American, I can asure you I am very much Canadian. No offence, just a geographic correction. Ciao, Steve G.

While I understand your frustration with Rossi's continued dominance [although do not share it] , I'm willing to accept and enjoy what is a skill and determination dominance in Moto GP, rather than the mechanical/technology dominance which which has been the trend in Formula 1 for nearly 15 yrs. Very different things. In F1, basically, whoever has the most money wins. This is not the case in Moto GP, as evidenced with Rossi accepting less money to ride for Yamaha vs his years at Honda. Ciao, Steve G.

An easy [and super cheap] fix for moving tank bags, and as an isolator for paint protection. Go to a marine hardware store, a place where boat guys get their shit [stuff]. Locally, Steveston Marine Hardware. Look for a product that calls itself 'anti skid pad', or something like that. It comes in a roll, to be cut to size and shape with basic sissors, available in many colors. It is a rubber/foam stuff about 3mm/1/8" thick, with uniform holes throughout. It is used in marine purposes for table tops, and prevents things on tables from sliding around during rolling seas. It prevents movement of tank bags. Even without straps, the silly things stay put. I've cut a pad to shape for both of my tank bags, and can confirm it works. There are two similar products locally here, but the one that works best has a more foam feel to it, rather than a shinier rubber look/feel to it. Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Greg, It sounds like Callison may have something for me. Thanks for checking anyways. If it doesn't work out, I'll talk to you about riding down and bolting it on. Ciao, Steve G.

Get the factory one, it is good. I have a factory Beemer one for my GS, and they are very good, and the Guzzi one is comparable. Check around they are still out there. Todd at MPH, or Moto Inter. I was in British Italian in Vancouver recently, they have two, but the price? I think it was 250$ cdn. I got mine 3 yrs ago while heading through Sparks, Nevada. The old dealer there gave it to me for $170us, cash, I think. A note of caution. If you value your paint job, you will put protective tape on the tank where the front straps wrap around the headstock, there is a paint removal possibility. I use electricians tape, it peels off nice and clean. Ciao, Steve G.

This is nice stuff: http://www.stewartwarner.com/ Ciao, Steve G.

What a Hillbilly! It looks good on the goof. My money was on the dirt bike. I remember this night time ride I had on my old Can-Am 250 MX back in the early '80's in the little town I used to live. Lets just say it pays to know all the back allys in town, and knowing that most RCMP out on the west coast are recruits from Quebec!! Eeeehaaaaa!! Ciao, Steve G.

Chris, where did you buy this centre stand? Can you forsee any clearance problems with agressive handling? If it turns out the centre stand you have is for a pre-2002 model, I'll buy it off you for what you paid for it. Ciao, Steve G.

I'll be there. Our club helps out there. I'm not going to be a judge this year. I'm missing too much outside. Inside, you'll find nothing for M.G., but a whole pile of crap for H.D. Save your money, and go get a beer across the street [i think thee's a pub there]. Ciao, Steve G.

Golly, this test is fixed. Scoundrel, 121yrs, and 5000pound fine. England's laws have gotten quite uppety lately. I remember being an absolute nutbar last time there. I did get a speeding fine at TT'94 though, 55mph through Kirkmichael. She was seriously pissed! Even called me an American!! Ciao, Steve G.

Please excuse my spelling. Is it a Ciccatto? Ciao, Steve G.

Last Sunday I had a great time at a Harley/Buell ride demonstration day. Rain was threatening, so as a result we had the pick of the litter. My first was the Buell Ulysses. I thought I'd give it another chance after the run I had on it a month earlier, where the thing was clearly having engine issues. After a 1/2 hr out on some twisties [those factory tires really are scary on pavement] I came back with a smile, actually I was laughing. As everyone dismounted and headed back to get signed up for another bike, I had to yell at a Buell Rep to give me a hand. On the ride back, the left mirror fell into my lap, and the scraping metal sound that it was doing turned out to be the side stand falling off! As I handed the thing off to a mechanic to wrench it back to life, I went to the H.D. guy to see what I could ride next. He asked about my Ulysses ride. I had to tell him the truth. People laughed. I told him I wanted to ride the biggest fattest lumbering truck he had. I got the keys to the Electra Glide Classic, with a radio!! Much to my disapointment, after 5 minutes the radio died, so had to concentrate on how horribly gutless these things really are. The suspension makes the most horrible crunching sounds when it goes up and down, and going around corners requires assistance from the harbour tug boats. I couldn't get off the fucking cow soon enough. Next was a H.D. softail sport, I think. It had the big engine, Sportster engine, and sport tuned suspension, twin brake rotors. I'm sure glad it was a gutless pig as well, because the brakes, seriously, were worse than drum brakes off a 40yr old Norton. I was amazed. We all left. Sorry. I just don't have good luck on Buells or H.D. I still have a burnt oil smell on my leathers from where an XB9R blew up all over me in front of everyone. Ciao, Steve G.

For sure!! and the same goes if you are up these parts. Ciao, Steve G.

I was a VME member for, I guess 10 yrs, but not for a couple years. My brother and I used to go to 4 meetings a year, in the late spring/summer, while it was at Teddy's. I remember a great selection of vintage and classic machines, with minimal new Harley trucklets. The best time I've done [hope there are no Washington police reading this] from Teddy's to the WA/B.C. border, back in the late '90's, was with brother Dave on his RC30 [VFR750R] and me on my Laverda Jota, 1hr, 5 minutes. My belly was on the tank the whole way to keep up with that bloody Honda. I always make the Vashon TT, great fun. I even do the Vashon Tiddler Tour every other year. Heck, I know the poker run route off by heart! Ciao, Steve G.

Arai used to have a Jimmy Adamo Replica on their Signet. The colors of Italia were used, 3 big stripes. Havn't seen a new one for years, my brother bought one new 16 yrs ago, still has it. Ciao, Steve G.

I don't see the point really. The things are underpowered as it is. I would have little patience revving the shit out of something to make it go. Ciao, Steve G.

My mileage was initially bad like yours. I now average 200mi/300ks on a fill up, so over 45/us gallon. Give it time, and a set of tires, it will change. Ciao, Steve G.

Sorry, but sometimes that lovely 'signature' MV Agusta exhaust of earlier models does not work. In this case, it looks totally out of place. Don't know if it's the color, but it looks stupid. At any price. Ciao, Steve G.

Did somebody say IPA? You're going to have to tell me how to get to the Buckaroo Greg. Serious. Does the VME meet there? Last time I was at a meeting was at Teddy's on Roosevelt. Ciao, Steve G.