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I drove Smart Fortwo when I was still in Europe, so older models. I agree with you they were really crude unrefined cars. I can't comment about the SCION IQ, I never tried one. Anyhow, the only reason why I would want one, is to gain space in my garage. Ideally, I would like to ditch my car.

It was the point I was making in my last post about the used equipment prices in the USA. It is not only cars. We now have used gear being put for sale at prices above new. It is everything; cameras, musical instruments.... People are trying to make a few bucks more out of just about everything.

It used to be commercialized here as the SCION IQ, and got bad reviews if excepted for its size and mpg. The SMART Fortwo remains the better of the limited choices. Mind you, as for every preowned / used vehicles here, the ask prices are simply insane. A 2012 Smart Fortwo with 150,000 miles: 7500 USD from an individual seller. The recommended price from a dealership is 2000 dollars less. Just to give you an idea of the madness. My 911, if I was to put it on the market, would yield an identical price to that when I purchased it in 2014.... crazy!

The closest I got was an E Type jaguar, with the V12; I had a friend who owned one, and it was always breaking down.

Main race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66o6I94xYSM Interesting race where the incumbents are taking a step back.

Most of vintage vehicles are sold at auctions, mainly for collectors. If shipping prices had not grown exponentially to what it is now, I would go to Italy, scour the local paper's add and find a daily runner there. Loot at this one: 2700 EUR; it is in Sicily (CT) https://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-cinquecento-d-epoca-catania-521401923.htm Sure, the upholstery needs a good refresh, but compared to a whopping 31,000 USD.... My dream car below....

By the way, did you know that initially, FIAT considered Moto Guzzi to supply the engine for the Cinquecento... however, Moto Guzzi did not have the production capacity to supply the volume FIAT required. So Moto Guzzi missed a chance to really make big bucks....

When I was working in Italy, owning one of those was the ultimate craze for those of us who did not get a company car. The Fiat 500 is slightly longer than a Smart ForTwo at 117" versus 106". The major problem is that it is basically a tinfoil car. If you get hit by anything, that thing will crumble on you like paper.

Sprint race recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3bliB8vGY8 The battle between JM and FB is heating up.

While I was in Paris, I saw the newer Smart ForTwo and Fiat 500. They really look good and have improved a lot. What model year is your ForTwo? Indeed, the augmented girth is not an improvement but with a Smart, I could park two motorcycles longitudinally behind it. At present, I can only put one. the "vanderhall" are very nice! are they trying to replicate the "Vanwall"? but at 40 kUSD, not really an option. I looked at the Japanese "kei" cars, or the vintage mini or 500 which are extremely small, such as this one: https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1972/fiat/500/101952239 But again 30kUSD for 1972 vehicle.

In 2019, I was prospecting to replace my Porsche 911 with a micro car that would allow more space for other(s) motorcycles. The only obvious choices were either a Smart fortwo, or a Fiat 500. Both these cars are no longer commercialized in the USA. However, they only were stop gap choices. None of the cars sold in the USA are really small any longer. I was in Paris (France) last week, and I came across the perfect candidate. This would allow me to park my motorcycles longitudinally in my garage, allowing for another two motorcycles alongside my Le Mans. The Twizy would fit perfectly as my only four wheeled activities are relegated to few and far between. The speed is limited to 45 km/h, which is fine since I live in a 30 mph environment. Can't have it though.... not imported in the USA...

Now that I have seen the Neue, übber alles BMW R1300 GS, I am convinced it is a "coup de Maître!". There will be plenty of comparisons, including with the Stelvio, but BMW really got it right on this one. Obviously, their main objective was to get younger riders to buy into the myth. I cannot explain my dislike for the BMW brand, since it originates from the early days of my interest in motorcycles. I know it has no valid foundation. I had the same slight for Honda. I think it was only because I was into two strokes engines at the time. My Moto Guzzi fascination was constructed from reading the Anne France Dauteville report of her participation to the raid "Paris - Ispahan -Paris" in the 70's.

As we all live in distinct environments, our appreciation of Gore-Tex benefits is as diverse as expected. Also, remember the main innovative "Gore" fabric, the ePTFE is no longer used in Gore-Tex garments today. Hence, only remains the "Gore-Tex" brand, and if we believe what we are told, they are using the same fabric as anybody else, correct? In the Texas weather, hot and humid, I do not wear anything rain specific. I get drenched, and I dry quickly. In the most cases, it is never cold enough to make the drying process slow. I wear my Elite Bowtex shirt, of which I purchased the XXL size while in Paris. It is porous both sides, so I don't sweat. Unlike anything Gore-Tex or assimilated. The layer system is always the most efficient. No doubt about it.

A recap of yesterday's free and practice at Sepang... (you will need to click the link as Dorna does not allow the YouTube video to be embedded here) Nice to see that Alex Marquez is doing the job on the Gresini Ducati, even if only on the single lap. Jorge Martin is as expected, up there, and fast overall. Same for Francesco Bagnaia who seems to always need some warming up before challenging. Everything being relative since the differences are in tens of second. Miller managed to remind us that he is still a force to be reckoned with. Brad Binder is showing consistency, in the same way Jorge Martin does. Honda is still looking for a successor to Marc Marquez; nobody has a clue who it will ultimately be. They seem to have ruled out a Moto2 pilot; that does not leave much of a choice. While DiGiannantonio seems to be the only one, they are possibly looking at poaching someone who has a valid contract for 2024; Maverick Viñales is a name that keeps coming up; Pol Espargaro was also mentioned. Speaking of Marc Marquez, it seems obvious, at least to me, that he will be performing on the GP23; if we only take for example how Alex Marquez made the jump in quality when switching from LCR to Gresini. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CI_GOdL7cg&t=158s

No rap, just the nice ladies....

the fitting type....

I have posted several of his videos. He makes a living out of them, but at least, they are well made and funny to watch. I have used miles of PTFE/Teflon tape, especially on national pipe thread valves, nipples and so forth.

Here it is at EICMA in English.... skip to 2'30 for the GP There is a full fairing in option

I was not hinting at grinding the cylinder heads protectors, rather the gyroscopic torque that can alter your lean angle if you suddenly increase power in a curve.

This is when the Guzzi transverse cylinders architecture sets the limit....

I never took to it, because of the price tag. I discovered it as I was a fanatic skier and was always looking for better gear.

Since I live in Texas, I got closer to Country music. After seeing Kyle Park live, I took to him. He is not a very well known Country singer but he is genuine and authentic. I am aware this style of music is not for everybody however, you may want to give it a shot. He is 100% pure Texas.

Looks good to me. Makes me want the Stelvio 1200 even more....

@v11_meticcio Grazie mille! As EICMA opened for the professionals, the videos are already trickling in....