PJPR01

Indeed...The Griso is set up nicely for touring: Side bags, rear tail bag, tank bag that I switch back and forth to my Norge 1 clothing bag (water proof), 1 tent, 1 sleeping cot (Helinox, lightweight) all held on securely with 2 Rokstraps. I enjoyed the softer denier of the bags of the Griso compared to the hard ones on my Norge...easy to put some extra hydration bottles in. The bike has a few modifications I've done over the years: Bar risers, new handlebars that are narrower than stock and more curved back towards me, Knight design lowered pegs with rubber inserts, Hyperpro rear spring, new driving lights for nighttime riding (super enjoyable), Corbin seat + Black sheep sheepskin, hardwired TomTom 550 GPS, after market TPMS system, phone Quadlock with vibration mount. All day riding comfort, unbelievable power on demand, easily reaches triple digits without even breaking a sweat! I daresay it's a rival for the Norge for touring setup this way.

Looking good...nice update indeed P6X! I will have to make a special trip to King Ranch museum and Palo Alto battlefield (this one in particular interests me as I grew up mostly in Palo Alto, California...so it will be a nice connection). I plan on getting a cold weekend sometime in the summer or saving it for the fall when it's not intolerable. I added 10 stops on the way up and back from Cedar Vale from 5/16 to 5/20, bringing the tally up to 37 so far. Ran the Griso for 1900 miles thru Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and back home. Just flawless, easy touring and comfort, unlimited power and 40 mpg...unbeatable combination. At the end of June/return July I hope to add another 10 stops on the way out of Texas and back in as I head to Oregon for the Guzzi National Rally and return. I am NOT relishing the thought of the killer heat at the end of June and early July however...it's time to buy a cooling vest!

A pity you are not leaving a week earlier...the Moto Guzzi National Rally is in John Day Oregon the last weekend of June... We'll head back thru Idaho, Montana, Wyoming on the way back as well...if you haven't already considered it on your way to Vancouver...try running Lolo Pass from Montana thru idaho on the way west! Sounds like a super fun trip ahead!

This is what I carry on long distance trips now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C36BBF7Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I have a slightly smaller one that attaches to the cigarette lighter under the seat, but decided I now wanted one w/o that requirement so I don't have to unload everything that is strapped on the seat. Very powerful, fast, a bit heavier than the prior one, but very solid.

Coppa & Scura have Ohlins...I wish I had bought a Coppa from a friend 7 years ago, had to "settle" for a Scura instead a few years later...

WHAT A RACE!! I won't spoil the results...watch and enjoy!!

Patches received today...Merci Pascal!

I agree…and just being there and seeing them live is well worth it. Every live version with its mistakes and innovation is memorable. I wish I had seen them more often…but it didnt happen in the past. Opening song…Start me Up!! When you get 70,000 people all singing and enjoying the vibe…it’s a good feeling!

The Stones show started at 9:15, ran for 2 hours, about 15 minutes shorter than a normal show per the hard core fanatics…but the opening act of Gary Clark was enough to compensate…tremendous blues player. Compared to the 2019 show here in Houston, it was just as good and equally as enjoyable. Keef a bit more sedate but did a great rendition of T&A…

Chanel was on all but she really shined on Sweet Sounds, Sympathy…her voice is SPECTACULAR and she has stage presence like Tina Turner…just amazing! I have been watching the YouTube videos of the show and even what I recorded and honestly Sweet Sounds just gets better and better. The Hackney Diamonds album is phenomenal, even the Video for Angry is very special…linking the Stones history with some amazing lip synched graphics to old billboards. As amazing as the music was, the stage and lighting were equally as spectacular. I am tempted to go pick up another couple of shows as well! ENJOY the shows if you go…you will not be disappointed! I would love to see a concert at the Sphere…that will be a very unique experience for sure

Thanks Docc...message sent now to Pascal.

Saw The Rolling Stones last night here in Houston! Opening night of the Hackney Diamonds tour…last time they were here was 2019…great show, cool set list and a sold Out crowd! If you want to see a young version of what Tina Turner sounded like you should see this show for the backup singer Chanel…what a voice!! Mick was amazing as always…Ronnie still strutting and Keef sort of low key but enjoying himself! I hope some of you guys get to see them on this tour…what fun!!

Bartlesville also has an amazing place to visit called Woolaroc...not to be missed, if you have never been there. But give yourself at least 1/2 a day to go thru the museum...I don't think they'll let a motorcycle thru the animal safari side however... There's a very modest hotel in Cedar Vale...much easier than riding over from Pawhuska or Bartlesville...but depends on your "luxury" requirements.

A few weeks to go until the Cedar Vale rally. Will pick up a couple more stops on the Grand Tour of Texas along the way, possibly ride up with a friend from Terrell for the 2nd half of the trip. All Guzzi's or other brands welcome...welcome all.

Hey Pascal...are we going to have these do you think before mid June perhaps? Need a few hours to sew it on before departing for John Day on June 22nd! I've mapped out that I can get another 8-10 stops along the way of the Grand Tour heading towards Lubbock on the first day of exiting Texas in June on the way to New Mexico before getting to the high country and the mountains. Would be great to have the V11 patch next to the other Guzzi patches and Grand Tour patch also on the jacket.

Another couple of months to see this sign again! Some of the best roads in the country up in this area! Now I recall we spent the night in Lowell at the Wilderness Motel & Cafe. Fond memories of a delicious Huckleberry milkshake there that night! The scenery is amazing...fresh air, curvy roads, forests everywhere. Just paradise!

Here's a pic I took back in 2016 of the Spineys...wasn't but a few months later I found my Scura to add to the collection. Lovely bunch of V11's and other Sport i's that were there back in 2016! The Norges were lurking in the background!

Great suggestions! Back in 2016…after leaving John Day I went north thru Pendleton up to Walla Walla and then we went thru Lewiston to follow the Lewis & Clark trail thru Kooskia all the way to Lolo Pass. I think we’ll take a different route to Lewiston this time but I do want to ride the 100 miles along the Clearwater river to Lolo again..that was just spectacular riding! We stayed at a small motel right at the intersection of the Clearwater and Selway rivers…3 Norges and a friend in a car…was a beautiful place to spend the night…and then explored miles of dirt roads along the Selway early morning the next day before heading to Lolo. Can’t wait to do it again soon!!

Acosta is surely showing signs of being an exceptionally fast learner...he's got guts as well for such a young racer. I think Marquez sees himself in Acosta and enjoyed the battle out there. Like watching Federer vs. Nadal go at each other with their best stuff. Seeing Marquez go down all by himself, not even in a bump and grind situation was surprising indeed...I didn't really see an "error", but if mechanically something happened, he seemed to accept it. Either way, the Ducati was performing well enough for him to battle from 5th to 1st and ride to his limits, which was great to see again. Vinales was on another level altogether...but as said above, can be hot or cold, so very difficult to bet on him being "consistent" again at the remaining races. Either way, Moto GP just became exciting again...it was missing this last year.

Marquez almost pulled it off...just got a little too hot...but what a ride, the King of COTA almost made it back to his rightful position on the throne. The first 10 laps of the race were simply incredible. Acosta is spectacular, and shows great promise. Vinales rode the most amazing race of his career it seems...11th to 1st. This race was worth watching twice...

Last time I saw a nice collections of V11's assembled for the "group photo". I didn't have my Scura just yet by then...but shortly thereafter. I'll have to dig out a photo from the archives...maybe some folks here were assembled there.

I'll be there....likely on the Norge, not the Scura. Was there back in 2016 as well....should be a nice ride out and about.