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Interesting point; As I started to collect data, I was looking at Shell Advance; They distinguish between the V11 Le Mans 2003 and 2004 with recommended SAE 10W-40, and the V11 Le Mans 2001-2002 for which they recommend SAE 15W-50. It seems to corroborate Guzzi's specs. So far, Shell seems to be the sole brand to propose a different oil based on the V11 year.

Here it is: For our V11 engine, Motul recommends the SAE 5W-40; data sheet with the kinematic viscosity and VI on page 2 https://azupim01.motul.com/media/motulData/DO/base/7100_4t_5w-40_en_fr_motul_20210305.pdf When you compare the ASTM D445 viscosity tests with the 10W-60, https://azupim01.motul.com/media/motulData/DO/base/7100_4t_10w-60_en_fr_motul_20210305.pdf , you can't help but notice the huge result difference of the 40 deg C test (160.1 mm2/s versus 79.6 mm2/s , which ultimately influences the VI 181 versus 175. However they are not providing the HTHS test results. I will attempt to make a spreadsheet with all the V11 recommended fully synthetic oils from all the brands.

There are several lubricants which make the cut in this thread. However, what would be really useful is an understanding of what the data sheets really tell us. If I am correct, one of the parameter that indicates the oil quality is its Viscosity Index. Although, only looking at the highest number can be deceptive, since the VI is computed using kinematic viscosity results at two reference temperatures. You may have better performance at one or the other temperature. Synthetic oils benefits: (From the Elf Lubricant Website) Why use synthetic oil? Benefits of synthetic oil are numerous: Better low- and high-temperature viscosity performance at extreme service temperatures. Better viscosity index (VI). Better chemical and shear stability. Decreased evaporation loss. Resistance to oxidation, thermal breakdown, and oil sludge problems. Possibility to extended drain intervals, with the environmental benefit of less used oil waste generated. Improved fuel economy in certain engine configurations. Better lubrication during extreme cold weather starts. Possibly a longer engine life. Superior protection against "ash" and other deposit formation in engine hot spots (in particular in turbochargers and superchargers) for less oil burnoff and reduced chances of damaging oil passageway clogging. Increased horsepower and torque due to less initial drag on engine. Last benefit among the advantages of synthetic oil : Improved Fuel Economy (FE). Synthetic oil vs regular oil : is synthetic oil better than regular oil? (from the Elf Lubricant Website: You’ll discover below the different types of oils: Mineral oil is most commonly called as regular oil. These oils are produced by untreated mineral refining (Group I) Semi-synthetic oils or synthetic-based oils are a blend of oils produced by untreated mineral refining (Group I) and composed of oils produced by mineral refining with chemical treatment (Group III) Using “synthetic oil” terminology can be sometimes confusing as it might concern 2 different categories. Synthetic technology oils are oils produced by mineral refining with chemical treatment (Group III) 100% synthetic oils are oils with 100% synthetic molecules (Group IV and V) without any mineral refining

I found funny their "European Engine" category.... I did not know engines had nationality, lol! More seriously, when I was going to school, the US engine was the high capacity, multi cylinders, while the European engine was low capacity and less cylinders. The writing on the wall was European design got the same power with less. The US engines were more robust though. Like a lot of these assertions, I always thought it was a myth.

I set myself in Italy, and using a local search engine, I type key words in Italian. Then I follow the hit list, and I sometimes find old conversations, from back when the V11 was still in production. Using different search engines, and setting myself in different locations, I find pay. This is how I heard about the Playboy EE. But it is mostly a wild goose search. Search engines tend to always bring up the same threads that you have probably read several times already. There are some websites that invite owners to post their review of their bikes, following an established format. I also check what models are registered there. Just in case I get lucky. However that Playboy EE may be a case of the Mustang Bullit Fastback that was lost for many years, with the owner letting it rot in a barn, refusing any offer to turn it over.

I watched a few of his other videos, with other bikes, and he seems quite the guy. Of course, he has a completely equipped workshop, including lathe, milling machine, TIG and what not. I knew he was someone that could be trusted when he used torque wrenches. I felt the same as you. This is the kind of guy I would have no problem asking for tutoring.

Stop #15 to #24 of 50; Houston to Paris. Etapes 4, 16, 17, 20, 24, 25, 34, 35, 36. Summary: Started Friday 22nd Oct 21 at 09:10; Back home on Saturday at about 17:00. 1138 km for you the metric guys. Gladewater had three étapes, but I only did one. I took a picture of 17 (Derrick) without my bike in it;the rules allow for 10% of the pics without the bike. But the stop 18, Gladwater Museum I missed completely. Entirely my fault, as the organization stated the map may not be accurate, and riders should only use the stop list. Highlights: Spent the night in Paris in the city center for $55!!!! this is the cheapest night in Paris ever... Many admirers of the Moto Guzzi Le Mans, especially at the King's Inn Motel! Departing from Paris early in the morning, I had the road for myself. Lowlights: Missed two stops in Gladwater; Arrived in Paris after both South Main Iron and Paris Harley Davidson were closed. Lots of wind on the way back, it seems my neck resisted better... Etape 25: Visitor Center in Palestine; Palestine used to be a major train hub; you can see vestiges of its glorious past all over town. There is still plenty to do if you like trains and history. More to come at my next stop and in the video. Etape 24: Train depot at Rusk; They have a tourist train that runs from Palestine. I caught it on the video. Etape 16 and 17 at Gladewater: This is where I messed up. I only took a picture of 16, got an excerpt from the video for 17, and completely omitted 18. Gladewater seemed to be a nice place, I took a break from the ride and explored a little bit. Etape 20; South Dairy Museum Sulphur Springs. Another missed opportunity, I arrived at the Museum at the time they were closing. There was a football game taking place close by, and the place was absolutely swarming. You cannot miss the entrance of the Museum, as you can see in the pic. I am kind of sore to have not been able to visit as I am certain there were plenty to learn. Sulphur Springs, what an interesting name for a city... Etapes 34, 35, 36; Paris Texas. Everything was closed down when I got there. Fortunately, I met a lot of interesting people at the Motel where I stayed for the night. The cheapest I could find. 50 dollars + taxes. As I parked the Guzzi to get to the reception, people started to come out of their rooms, and congregated around the bike expressing awe. One guy went back in his room and came back with some beers, and we sat and spoke about Guzzi for a long time. Obviously a guy born in Paris and riding a Guzzi was intriguing. Lots of interesting stories in an unsuspecting place. In the wee hours of the morning, as I was doing my pre-departure checks, I found the Guzzi low on oil. I spent some time perusing the forum for advice on oil, and ended up purchasing a quart of Castrol Power! at O"Reilly. Etape 4; Texas Sidecar Company. This is completely out of anywhere, in a little village named Donnie. I did it on my way back from Paris. The sole stop of the way. The place seemed totally abandoned. I shall see you on my nest Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas 2021 trip. I am cutting it close, the hard stop is November 15th. Fortunately, you only need to have done 25 stops to be declared a tour finisher. But I had more ambition when I signed up.

what is even more surprising, or at least it is to me because I am discovering it, is the amount of people complimenting on the Guzzi.... I have guys rolling down their windows at traffic lights, to tell me how nice the bike looks! The best one was when I was in Paris. I parked the bike to register at the Hotel office, and when I came back, I had a bunch of admirers around the bike.

Here's the official presentation of the V4 Pikes' Peak by Ducati.... After watching the video, I would be tempted to try it, just to verify the truth of the statements. However, Ducati or not, the V11 will always rule!!!

Moto.it revealed a shot of a camouflaged V7 during trial tests, and they hypothesized it may probably be a new iteration of a V7 model. They don't really know what it could be. Here's the link: https://www.moto.it/news/moto-guzzi-una-nuova-v7-foto-spia.html

Have you done the lap with it? That is something I would certainly put on my bucket list...

Personally, I would prefer a "Chiara R"; chiara being the contrary of scura. All that is black in red, and all the red parts black. I am not completely convinced by the color grey, somehow.

The tour ends on November 15th; I have lots of items on my bucket list. One of them, of course is Route 66. Then there's Highway 50, a.k.a. "The loneliest road in America". There is also the "Comanche Trail" that you may be familiar with.

I spoke to MPH today, and they use Liqui Moly lubricant.... SAE 5W-40. This one: https://products.liqui-moly.com/motorbike-4t-synth-5w-40-street-race-2.html?___store=limo_b2b_com_en Here's the product data sheet: https://pim.liqui-moly.de/pdf/en_US/liqui/43/P000261 This is what they use on all the motorbikes trusted in their care, unless you have stipulations with regards to the oil. Who knew Liqui Moly would be popular in Texas???

I since saw a post from you about that one of kind? Playboy Edition. I am wondering if it is still around in someone's garage...

My utmost concern at the moment is to complete as many stops as possible of the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas. It is a bit of marathon now, because I got to a late start having my Le Mans immobilized waiting for that lost end bar weight. I even managed to make life harder for myself, there were three stops in Gladewater Texas, but the map only lists one. There is a disclaimer about the accuracy of the map, but I did not heed the warning. So my H'town Paris H'town trip should have been 10 stops, and I only did 8.... darn! of course no forgiveness, the tour director told me; no picture, no credit... Its a 225 miles mistake, I don't feel that I am going to do 450 miles to complete the two stops I missed. But doing the tour has brought a lot of discovery about many aspects of Texas that you can't really get unless you just hop on your motorbike and go.

Did you notice the "Playboy" version? I have not investigated it further.

I read your post last night, and while in bed, I scrubbed the Italian forums for some answers on my tablet. I found similar query with partial answers. One guy claimed he wrote to Guzzi about the Centauro production numbers, and got a reply from Guzzi. This is the thread I went through: http://forum.guzzisti.it/viewtopic.php?t=33844&start=20 If you go down the thread, you will find some answers for some of the limited editions. I found several duplicate threads in various Forums with the same question and no tangible answer.

Have you checked the "Texas Monthly" magazine? Their latest issue has the "40 best BBQs classificationn" in Texas. This is a classification they publish every four years. I went to Barnes and Nobles to get it, but not a single copy. There's one in the top 5 in Lexington, don't know if it is the one you mentioned in your post. I heard it on NPR. But lining up for hours to get a BBQ meal.... I feel it is amiss; during a stay in Austin, I checked Franklin's and it is simply insane. People start to line up in the morning!!! I would have come, but I just gotten back from Paris, late Saturday.

If you checked my link to Facom tools, that's what I am looking for. With the added complication to look fro metric sizes.

You would think that every oil manufacturer could publish their product's data, but it seems it is not as much important as telling the consumers "my oil is the best". Motul has not responded yet, but with what we went through, nothing is the same anyway.

I understand. While I feel the same, I think those who look for a product data sheet are a minority among the consumers. We will see if Motul provides the data, or even answer my query.

I followed the link, but I did not see any engine oil for motorcycles, did I miss it, or do they only cater for four wheels? I see they have 2 stroke oil, but mainly for karts.

I did not know there were snakes in Indiana...