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We now know who will get the non factory team Ducati GP 25/26: Fabio Digiannantonio / VR46. There were some talks about having him moving to Yamaha from next year, given that he is not one of the VR46 academy boys.

Even diminished like he is, not the fractured finger, but the rib's contusion, I would not put it past him to be able to win tomorrow the long race. Of course, the sprint was way too short for him to be able to get back to the front. Tomorrow will be different. After all, he finished "only" six seconds off the head of the race, within a shot of Franco Morbidelli. I am guessing that for the long race, Jorge Martin will not be able to cruise as he did today. The real surprise was Miguel Oliveira. Another surprise is the low competitiveness of the KTM overall. Pedro Acosta seems to have hit a stop somewhere, while Brad Binder is really struggling.

I am just back from Burnet Texas, I had to give up. I was in an "older" type of resort, and the room temperature was 85F/30C with the window air-conditioning set to minimum temperature. It is so hot that any kind of activity becomes a burden. I had booked an astronomy presentation, and even then, could not properly see the Milky Way because of the humidity in the air. The setup was ideal, since the moon was 1%. Now we have to contend with Beryl...

I watched MM93 starting 13th on the grid, and taking to the mids one rider at a time. It is not only that he is good at riding fast, but he is very astute in overtaking his opponents. I think he does it better than most of the rest. I think that not only he is a great pilot, but also a great tactician. I don't think many in the actual GP can stand up to him on pure plotting and planning passes. He combines many skills under one helmet. It makes me wonder though, did he plan to kill Martin's de facto move to Ducati? I am not certain. In any case, he played his cards very well. In fact, looking back, each time he has started from a back position on the grid, he managed to make his way up relatively easily compared to other riders starting in the same retro positions. I expect him to manage the same exploit tomorrow.

I meant, the sauna impression as soon as you leave a place with AC, this heavy wetness in the air.

Last year, I paid my Motul HD 80W90 Gearbox/final transmission oil $8.15 The same oil this year cost $17.82 74.47% increase in less than 12 months...

I have discovered that in the USA, for ACs, the unit used is the Ton of Refrigeration; SEER – Stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This measures efficiency across an entire cooling season. A higher SEER rating translates to lower electricity costs. EER – Denotes Energy Efficiency Ratio. This measures efficiency at peak conditions (95°F outdoor temp). A higher EER indicates the AC can maintain cooling on extremely hot days. Here are the minimum federal efficiency standards in the U.S.: Split System ACs: 13 SEER / 10.8 EER Packaged ACs: 14 SEER / 11 EER Based on the square footage of your garage, you should decide how many tons or BTU/hr you need; I suggest you read this: https://www.pickhvac.com/central-air-conditioner/cost/by-tonnage/

@GuzziMoto I was based in Italy from 1981 until 1992; thereafter, because of my "experience" working with Italians, I was often assigned to their local entities in some of the countries I worked. Even in Kazakhstan. Let's say very diplomatically that I am used to the Italian way of things. Paolo Campinoti just clearly demonstrated it. He felt shafted, so he took off. I could write a script about the number of soothing calls he will have gotten from just about everyone in Ducati, including Gigi. When I was based in Ravenna, Emilia Romagna, the local Agip (ENI now) manager was, I imagine, very similar to Paolo Campinoti. A complete autocratic nut case! he was feared by people above him. I only once got into his office in Ravenna, for a proper rimming. Behind his desk, was a made to wall size poster of him behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1. He seemed to inspire fear everywhere he went. He seemed untouchable. I actually looked up his name on the Internet, but could not find him. I picture Paolo Campinoti exactly like that. This was the last guy Ducati should have offended, and they did. Marquez too. Anyway, this is done, and I can't wait to see what is going to happen next year between the aces' trio. Bagnaia is very good, so is Martin, so is Marquez.

This is still unknown, and Dall'Igna said they will make announcements in due time, when everything is sorted. I have the feeling they had not planned for PRAMAC's exit, and this has thrown a major spanner in their works. That they are trumpeting to everybody that Marquez had no direct input in Ducati's choice to incorporate him at the Ducati factory team proves exactly the opposite. At Barcelona, they told Martin he was in. It is only after Marquez publicly announced that PRAMAC was not an option for him, that they rescinded their decision; "wait a minuted, we never said..." that sounded pathetic. So they went full damage control mode. It is very clear to me, that initially, Marquez was always penciled to PRAMAC. Even early statements from Marquez indicating he only wanted a current year spec'ed bike were misleading. In any case, it will be interesting to see if Martin can win a championship on the Aprilia. Strangely, Ducati will become the only team to have year old spec'ed bikes in the competition. From this GP on, Trackhouse will run two current year Aprilia bikes. Of course, the engine cannot be swapped, and will remain from 2023, but they are saying they are almost identical. We still don't know if Trackhouse will have Joe Roberts in MotoGP in 2025. I say they will... In 2025, all the teams will have same year spec'ed bikes, excepted Ducati.

Yesterday, I rode to the Iron Power Sport Triumph dealership to order oil. Temperature 97 deg F, felt 109 deg F; I went with the KNOX shirt, and it is painful. Even with the mesh air intake, hot air is still hot air, no way around it. On the way to, at posted speed, it is not comfortable, but bearable. On the way back, there was a major accident on the highway, resulting in miles long stop and go, and the uncomfort became more pronounced. Two weeks ago, I was in Phoenix, with a measured temperature of 106 deg F, and it did not feel as bad as here. The major inconvenience is of course the humidity which acts as the media to transmit. I have read about those "cooling" contraptions, and they may be suitable for shorter rides. My understanding is their effectiveness is very limited, especially when riding a motorcycle in our current environment. I think the only system that would probably work is an astronauts' suit, completely hermetical, with the temporary chemical cooling unit carried in a bag. Maybe a company will come up with a system that can be integrated to motorcycles. Or something like a dry diving suit, similar to what is used to dive in cold waters. Apart from riding early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, there is not much mitigation I can think of to make the situation less stressing. I think the major aspect of this situation is your own health. So far, I am able to ride in the heat without any other issue than the uncomfort. But I know the signs that precede a heat stroke. I don't even need to drink that much at all, even if it is one of the recommendations. I stay away from those industrial beverages, water is the best. Another tip which I have used for a long time and that seems to work, at least for me, I do not eat during the journey. Only when I reach my destination.

@GuzziMoto The line-up has been confirmed by Gigi Dall'Igna, as you had characterized it: 3 and 3. There is 1 seat available at Gresini, and presumably 2 at VR46; Marco Bezzecchi has left VR46 for Aprilia; Alex Marquez has been reconfirmed in Gresini. Fabio di Giannantonio's name has been floating around with other teams, even if Ducati said they would like to keep him. Then Fermin Aldeguer will possibly end up at Gresini, as Morbidelli is a VR46 team member; unless of course he stays with PRAMAC. The HRC has confirmed that Alex Espargaro will be their test rider. I don't think much will change for Ducati until the new specifications take effect. As for the rider's adaptability, I guess Marc Marquez deserves some reckoning. Especially following the major surgeries he went through, and being almost immediately competitive on a bike not designed around his style. If we look at Franco Morbidelli who was injured too, his progress on the GP24 seems to be much slower.

@GuzziMoto Let's do the math: this year, they have four GP24 and four GP23 distributed in four teams. Next year, they will have four GP24 from this season, only three teams. The Factory team gets two GP25, so in theory, VR46 and Gresini would inherit the four GP24. But this is no longer the standard strategy. Tech3 has current year KTM's or GasGas in 2024. PRAMAC will get the same M1s of the Yamaha factory team. LCR also has current factory spec'ed rides. Aldeguer has a Ducati contract, so maybe Ducati will still have four/three GP25 next season, however losing PRAMAC is certainly a bigger deal than they are trying to make sound. As for Yamaha, working with Paolo Campinoti is not going to be a walk in the park. He is known to have very strong opinions, as we could verify with his decision to dump Ducati. As for the tires, as I said, I am following two journalists from different media, both French, which have been in the motorcycling racing for a long time. I also follow Moto.it, also run by people who used to race in their days. Simon Crafar collaborates to GPMag, and brings a lot of technical insight which those YouTube guys don't have a clue about. In the latest issue of GPMag, there is a very interesting article about Michelin and the manufacturing of the MotoGP slick tires. Did you know? The rear MotoGP slicks are produced using the C3M procedure; 3D printing. Front is still produced the traditional way. Next year, both the front and the rear will be produced using the C3M procedure. Their QA/QC procedure is that every 100 tires produced, they take one out and cut it to verify that it is within the specs. All the production is nevertheless scanned. Should anything be spotted, the tire is removed. Each tire has its own identity and can be tracked, like aviation spare parts. Meaning that each of the components are traceable, including the rubber compounds. They gave the example of Jorge Martin's specific complaint about a tire. They have a lab that specializes in peeling, analyze, dissect tires. It takes time, but they can. Of course Martin's tire was perfectly matching; they came up with an explanation why the tire underperformed though. Martin's way of riding overheated the tire, dimming its adherence property. They did acknowledge that Bagnaia's tire issue at Sliverstone 2021 was a manufacturing defect. The MotoGP tires are produced around the clock, 9000 per year. They said they have an English version of the magazine, using Simon Crafar to translate the technical minutia.

Next is Sachsenring, another Marquez playground. This one is going to be interesting because Martin also likes the track, and Bagnaia is on a cruise. Marquez got a penalty for exceeding 0.001 bar of front tire pressure.... It is going to be Pedro Acosta's last chance to become the youngest ever GP winner. Will Marc Marquez be able to be in front of the GP24 with his GP23? I follow some debriefs of the Grand Prix from journalists who are affiliated DORNA, in particular I am subscribed to some paper magazines. Anyway, the point I wanted to make is that Michelin has introduced a new tire this year, and at the beginning of the season, the GP24 riders complained about front shattering. According to the journalists, Ducati has solved the problem for the GP24. The GP23 is not that well suited for that new tire, and this is clearly a handicap for those riding the GP23, except for Marc Marquez, who seems to be able to make the difference. He is actually always the top of the GP23, in front of his brother, DiGia and Bezzechi. It is very possible that we will no longer see four current year Ducati next year. Campinoti, the owner of PRAMAC is an industrial with deep pockets and powerful sponsors. It is unlikely that VR46 be able to pay for two current millesime Ducati next year. We will see. But loosing PRAMAC is certainly a big blow for Ducati.

I rode the KZ1300, and it was a fantastic bike. Not as great looking as the CBX, but with shaft transmission and Fuel Injection (later years), it was an incredibly reliable motorcycle.

This is Sedona Airport's designated overlook for watching the sunset... This is such a romantic moment when you can share it with the other 500 people that are there with you to witness it too....

Installed the starter yesterday; what a misery! I had to keep a towel around my neck to wipe my face every five minutes to remove the perspiration. My glasses were continuously slipping from my nose. My garage was literally an oven. What a difference that starter made. I can easily gauge with the older one. The crank is a lot stronger. In the package sent by the supplier, there is a note stating there is no guaranty if I use a Lithium battery.

This one is toooooo cool!

When I look at these bikes, most of them look like they are right out of the dealership... Were those ridden to the rassemblement? or were there transported? during the Lonestar Rally in Galveston, a lot of the bikers actually go there with their truck and the bike on a trailer.

Bagnaia was untouchable, and even Martin admitted that had he been starting from the second position on the grid, he would not have been able to finish first. Good did for Enea Bastianini third. Bizarre ride by Marc Marquez. Pundits said that he may have been impaired by his front tire pressure, being forced to manage it to avoid a penalty.

Pity... The V11 forum is an excellent repository for your memories too. A place where everyone (no only the forum members) can remember you, the trip. A bit like a blog and you can use it as a journal too. I understand nobody likes to write anymore; only videos with talking heads.

I received the Valeo replacement starter today! It says "Valeo France" on the drive casing. The sticker says "made in Poland" lol.... It is the same model as the one I removed: D6RA210, and it has a Valeo Part Number: H190137A, manufacturing date is November 11, 2023. I am going to test it, and install it thereafter.

As I have been wandering around looking for "Red/Orangee" Griso, I noticed something; Some of them have the exhaust pipes top collectors blued by the heat, others have not. Is this an indication of chroming quality? Is this an indication about how hard the bike was ridden from cold, stressing the external coating by a quick temperature change? I had a friend who owned a BMW, 60 years ago. Starting from cold, he would always want to warm up the exhaust collectors, to prevent them from turning blue. This was his thing. We always argued that it was because the chroming could not take the heat, but nothing convinced him. But he moved, and I never knew if he succeeded in keeping his exhaust pipes in their stock looking conditions.

Are you selling your GB500? owner wants 8,700 USD. For the price of an Orange Griso and without any starting issues given the kick starter!!! 1989 Honda GB500 Progressive Springs Braided Stainless Brake Lines (where?) EBC Sintered Brake Lines Otherwise Bone Stock Original Excellent Original Condition No Dents or Dings (wouldn't the fissure on the seat cowl account for one?) Well Maintained Never Dropped 8700 Miles

Francesco Bagnaia is the new king of Assen, or so it seems. After dominating each and every practice session, he just went away during the sprint race, and Jorge Martin could only watch him go. I much enjoyed Moto America Qualifying 1 yesterday, with Loris Baz 1 and Josh Herrin 2. I never understood how can a 6.3' tall guy can ride racing motorcycles.