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Since you brought it up, I found out the hard way that many good products available in EUR are not distributed in the USA. I tend to share in the banter section. In fact, SIXS asked me if I would be interested in distributing in the USA. I was interested in getting the SHOEI NXR 2 in shine red color: 350.41 EUR (381 USD) The USA equivalent is the SHOEI RF1400 which is the exact same helmet but DOT stamped instead of ECE 22.06: USD 620 +taxes. The red color is not available, and I can't order from Europe since SHOEI prohibits shipping to the USA. 63% more expensive in the USA for the same helmet?

The truth is, my V11 works better now, engine knocks or not. Acceleration has improved, the 3k engine misses are gone (so far), and my fuel mileage is now matching the forum's consensus. My highway mpg is now around 38, when it was always above 40 before the new map. I just ride around the knocks and that takes care of it.

I completely concur; there was a time when fixing everything was the way to go. Assembly parts were readily available. I used to fix my cars with used parts taken from the wreck yards. The tap on the solenoid or starter was a current remedy in the 70's. My Citroën DS 19 still had a hand crank, which I used several times when my starter or my battery would not hold their own.

I got stricken by exactly that same lack of etiquette.... Both should have gotten the exact same car....

It proves that even if Ducati is playing Marquez's arrival low-key, repeating they have their "own" pilots, Audi wants to capitalize on the association. Indeniably, I think that Marquez probably aims at taking a higher seating at Ducati. Possibly Pramac. Franco Morbidelli's performance will determine his future in Pramac, which did not start in the best way; notwithstanding Jorge Martin's ambition to replace Bastianini in the factory team. Given that Francesco Bagnaia has already signed for two more years, there are potentially three spots that Mark Marquez can set sights upon. KTM has openly stated their interest in having Marquez too. However, I don't think he would want to integrate the Tech3 team. That leaves Jack Miller's ride, which up to now was always penciled to Pedro Acosta. Unless Pedro Acosta remains at Tech3... Now, Crash.net reports that Ducati has put all its pilot' salary budget on Bagnaia, and is not contemplating spending has much on his teammate. Which may rule Jorge Martin's arrival. It is also reported that Fermin Aldeguer will join Pramac in 2025. This reinforces the possible arrival of Marquez for the second factory seat, has he has dropped his salary requirement to be able to achieve his goal to get to 9 world championships.

As reported in another thread, two weeks ago, I got a close call while being at College Station, about 100 miles from where I live. The starter would not crank. As I was wearing earplugs, I was unable to properly identify the nature of the issue. The dashboard lights went dim, so current was sent, but it seemed the solenoid did not engage. I put the bike in gear, and attempted a push start, which did not yield but moved the engine. Another starter attempt worked, and I got back home. I tested the battery with my Motobatt tester and found nothing wrong with current charge level and amps delivery. I nevertheless ordered and replaced the battery with an encased Odyssey, allegedly rated for higher temperatures than the standard one. By the way, it fits the battery emplacement of the V11. After installing the new battery, I could reproduce the no crank starter problem. Just once. A second attempt worked, and has worked since. But the starter noise is not what it used to be. It is different. Something needs to be done. Replacing a 20 years old starter may seem the best course of action. It is the only part of the starting circuit that has not been looked at. The easy way would be to purchase one of the MG Cycles replacement starter at USD 120.00 + shipping. But before I do that, I am willing to try a good clean up. That maybe sufficient. Note that MG Cycles has some limited replacement parts for starters, but they are all for older models.

You know that when I started working in the oilfield business, oil was purged directly into the sea , flaring the gas was the usual way of getting rid of it since back in these days, there was no option to transport it. In today's world, burning anything is costly, as you need to request a permit with a reason for needing it. You need to estimate how much of hydrocarbons you will dispose off, and you get authorization, or not, and you have an inspector checking that you only dispose off that amount, and no more. Also, I worked for a gas company which used underground to store gas. Which was a very convenient way to stock as the wells had been drilled by another operator, and they found nothing but the geology was ideal for storage. You had two types of wells: injectors and producers. The producers would always sand-up, so from time to time, you had to clean them up. Since those wells were in a very sensitive area, no flaring was authorized, so we simply released the gas into the atmosphere. By today's rules, this would be a serious offense and be all over the news. That gas company never piped any word of that. I wonder how they do it today.....

I thought this "behind the scene" video from the Honda HRC would be interesting to those of us that follow the MotoGP;

As I am looking for my next motorcycle, I have been peeling away at multiple reviews of cruisers or tourers or sport tourers... I don't always understand what is the difference between those genres... I am back from an attempt to photograph the Milky Way, which lamentably fell flat on its face. Waking up in the wee hours of the morning, drive to the McDonald observatory in the hope to catch it, with nothing to show for my efforts. Anyway, while stationed at Fort Davis Texas, I met two riders (same age group) from El Paso on brand-new GS 1250s having been had at a discount to make space for the GS 1300, said the owners. As it was kind of chilly that morning, I told them about my bringing back a Quota from Arizona, and freezing myself in the process. Both those guys wore heating gear complimented by BMWs heated appointments; seat and grips. The conversation evolved on Cruise Control; both said they would never have a bike that does not have it. This is where I got lost... I understand cruise control in a car, because it frees your foot from the gas pedal, and allows you to change position. On a motorcycle, you most likely need to keep your right hand on the grip, so what is the big improvement there? I am not referring to those adaptive cruise controls, the crude one that just maintain speed. So, what's making it a sine qua nons to have cruise or to not have cruise?

In any case, I believe the future should be fuel cells and not battery powered EVs. If I was getting a car, I would go for the Toyota Mirai; you get 15k USD of free fuel, refuel time is said to be 5', and 400 miles autonomy. Now, the bad news is that in Houston, I think there is only a single location where I can get H2, and I am not certain it is open to public. In my mind, this is a much better solution than today's EVs. Obviously, there are trade-offs. H2 making requires a lot of energy. Also, we don't really know the expected longevity of the fuel cells.

I paid $6k for mine in 2020, with allegedly 8k miles... only to discover that the odometer was not working... 32k miles and counting today, with a few bumps along the way, which have been fixed. But price is subjective. The market for Moto Guzzi in the USA is very narrow, outside those few in the know. Before I purchased my Quota in February this year, I was closely watching a Stelvio 1200 NTX which price had slowly but surely gone down by the thousands; one year+ later, it still has not sold.

I kind of like the "Le Mans" in cursive marking.... the red gets brought out by the black parts. I think the tank's black side protection also gives a better overall visual. Anyway, beauty is in the eyes of whoever....

I was wondering since the one on my identical V11 2004 Le Mans does not look like Swiss Gruyere.... Also, my seat is not spotted but smooth like the baboon's rear end...

ICE banning has been broadcasted in Europe for some times now. The mayor of Paris has been slowly but surely making life unbearable for those who want to travel in a car or a motorcycle. She (the Mayor) wants to use the Olympic Games to make permanent some of the traffic changes that will be implemented for the event. In 2030, only individually owned electrically powered vehicles will be authorized to circulate in Paris. Of course, whoever will get elected in 2026 may reverse the 2030 ban.

This is neat... price is 23k EUR. https://www.mini-freestyle.com/en/mini-freestyle-300-racing.html

Soon (2025) to be paired with Pedro Acosta.... Portimao will be the reveal of what Pedro is capable of; if I am correct, this is a track where he aced it in the previous categories. Now, we can't judge Losail, since they did some testing there, so he had time to fine tune everything; (so did Marquez by the way). That being said, there is not much that has changed from 2023 with regard to Ducati Bagnaia and Martin. They have resumed where they let off.

Just take a look at Acosta.... This guy has talent.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0xyHHvPedk&t=194s

Following the first free practice, which in itself does not reveal much, but may be construed as a reinforcement of what we suspected. Jorge Martin is top; Alex Espargaro 2nd, and no surprise, Pedro Acosta 3rd. Marc Marquez is 4th, and did pretty well throughout the session. Surprisingly, Johann Zarco is the 1st Honda with the LCR team; 6th, three tens behind Jorge Martin. Franco Morbidelli has been at the rear end of the pack, no surprise. As for the world champion, he did too, navigate at the bottom of the roster, whatever that means. Fabio Quartararo seemed to have a real hard time too.

I only used to watch them for MotoGP; they put effort in providing thorough coverage on race day, with two journalists covering the event on site, including interviews.

I knew that... probably the reason why many sports are broadcasted for free... as long as you set yourself in Austria or maybe in Germany too? I watch the ski competitions too. However, Dorna has been policing the free broadcasters. I had to upgrade my VPN service to obtain my own IP address in Austria. Servus TV changed their protocol so a standard VPN, meaning many users using the same IP gets detected and you are denied the transmission. In any case, it is still cheaper than the 140 Euros Dorna is asking for the full seaon. My subscription was USD 41 dollars, without a dedicated IP and 52 with one for Austria.

@GuzziMoto If you get a VPN service, you do not need to limit yourself to what is offered in the USA. https://www.servustv.com/sport/b/motogp-world-championship/aa-1qg6dqwd91w11/ Servus TV is in German, but only for the races. All the practices are the direct comments from MotoGP. They also have the races in playback, if you cannot livestream.

I always watched MotoGP on European TVs, such as Servus TV or others who broadcast either with their own commentary, or using those from MotoGP. But I have stopped. Now I only tune in to those to discuss the races.

Just go by trial and error; substitute the relay with another one which you know works.

@igor This morning, I read your post, and I thought it was really an odd problem. Nevertheless, as I was running errands, I decided to use my horn. Instantly, my horn cut off, I lost my tachometer, my head beam, and I later discovered that the low oil pressure lamp was no longer lighting with the engine not running. I thought that I must be that lucky, someone talks about it, and it immediately affects me. Fortunately, I checked my fuse box, and discovered that where there should have been a 15 Amps fuse, there was only a 5 Amps one, and it was blown! I don't think you have the same problem as I did, but just for being thorough, check your fuse.... It is the one with the head lamps icon. Bonne chance!

Un connaisseur !