p6x

I updated the reporting for my last outing done Saturday 22/23 July 2023, under a hard weather.... I have now done 40 stops out of the 50; I am wondering if I should do the 10 remaining in one go, or split them into two. If I cover the last 10 stops in one trip, it is 1731 miles. If I split them, it becomes 2648 miles. Covering 1731 miles in three days should be possible. But not with these current temperatures. Also, it means that I would have completed the tour in July, and maybe I should leave some stops for later...

I purchased a set of Formotion dial gauges for my Le Mans in 2021. I installed them as shown below: Both were mounted on a metallic boss; on the first outing, the clock dial sheared from its support. For my last ride, I thought it would be useful to be able to read the temperature while in motion, instead of carrying the thermometer in my tail bag as I did up to now. Saturday I reinstalled the right bracket, this time on a rubber mount, to absorb the vibrations; For 700 miles, it worked. But suddenly, as I wanted to check the temperature, the thermometer decided to have a motion of its own. The temperature dial sheared from its support. It seems the design is a bit flimsy for something that should withstand subdued vibrations. I am going to report it to Formotion, but I don't think those gauges are Guzzi suitable.

The Quota 1100ES has an oil pan that imposed complete removal to change the oil filter. Would it be possible to install a V11 oil pan with the access for the oil filter on a Quota 1100ES?

My idle is very low. 600 rpm. 87, 90, 91 or 93 octanes, never stalled, even if it feels that it will. I know that I am below the minimum recommended by Guzzi.

True, it used to be easier to find out when you did not refill your tank with the required octanes. One of the telltale way was to open the throttle with the engine at lower revs than usual for that specific gear. Then you would get the knocking which would be easy to hear on a motorcycle with the heads close to you. But it is not a open/shut case any longer. The ECU maps are designed to adapt according to what fuel is being burned. Maybe also our V11? In my case, I did not feel any difference to engine behavior. The second way was auto-ignition. But this was back in the carburetors day. You would switch off the ignition, and the engine would keep running as long as the fuel supply last from the carbs. With modern engines, when you switch off, the fuel injection is too.

I came back yesterday from a 1050 miles errand in the sizzling Texas current weather. Max temperature while riding 115 deg F as read on my Formotion temperature gauge before it sheared (again) from its support. I had to refuel at a Halon station somewhere between Abilene and Coleman; only two choices "Diesel" or "Regular" (87 Octanes) fuel. Now, on the swing arm of my V11, there is an adhesive that states that I should not run with fuel below 91 Octanes, meaning "Premium". By the way, Halon seem to be the main provider of gas in rural Texas. Their "Premium" is 90 Octanes. I have had the experience to run engines on low octanes back when I was living in Europe. So I knew what to expect even if modern engines are more resilient to run with lower octane fuel. The Guzzi did not gave out a single of expected symptoms. In fact, I could distinguish no evidence of having changed fuel quality. The engine responded in exactly the same way. Anyone else ran with regular gas unscathed? I did not take it for granted though, and I refilled with Premium to up the Octanes at every opportunity.

You are a French Frog? still are? I was for a long time too. Actually it is a pleonasm, because in the 60's when an UK person spoke about "the frogs", it was the French of course.... because the French liked to eat "strange things" such as Frog's legs and Snails. However I think this nickname has fallen in desuetude today. I think that with globalization, it was discovered that the French are not the only ones to eat "strange things". I know of friends who like "Foie Gras" too. When I was living in Paris, there was a pub named "The Frogs and Rosbifs". (For those of you who did not guess, "Rosbifs" was the counter nickname given by the French to the English people. "Rosbif" has to do with the presumed culinary habits in England. Anyway, good memories.

The read temperature in my garage is 40 degC, feels like 45, and you get absolutely soaked in 10 minutes of light work... Norway feels like a dream!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOANndm-7i0 Unfortunately, Dorna does not allow embedding so you need to click on the link and enjoy on YT. There are many clips... I am wondering why Valentino Rossi is not there... Edit: Valentino Rossi was racing this weekend.

Anybody has been in a sauna before? This is how I can best describe the experience of riding in Houston yesterday afternoon. I don't think I have been in that can of heat before, excepted in a sauna. Speed does not really help either, because the air is warm and humid. Stops are excruciating with the sun beating you while you are at a standstill. The worse being there don't seem to be an remission in store.... I am now wishing for rain, which most likely is going to help in one way, even if not in the other.

The tear drop shaped valises, sorry pannier , fits the look pretty well.... is it something of your own design?

I am lucky, I get to celebrate both now.... The difference is that in 1976 (just a "few" years ago then....) I was in the military and participated to the parade. This year, the Indian PM is the guest of honor. My next objective will be to descend the Champs-Elysées on my V11 Le Mans, for the posterity!

I can see this tank on a living room table, as a vase for some pretty flowers....

You know, great minds think alike.... I thought about carrying one with me for that purpose. It means that Jack experienced that issue too. The Quies extraction tabs are flat and they should work better than the Alpine which are cylindrical. They are slippery and not practical at all. Probably easier to manufacture.

I will certainly try your solution as well. This is the only way. I have not even tried my Quies just yet. My next run will be to Dallas and back.

thanks for all the suggestions! It is kind of an odd problem but important. I purchased the Etsy cover because I could get it in red...

Last year, under the heat, the tank protection, or the tank expended, the glue melted and the pad is no longer properly installed. As long as the bike is home, it is protected from the sun, but when I go out it is exposed. I don't think I have the room to carry a tarpaulin in my tail bag; I am thinking that maybe a tank cover in leather, may solve the issue. Is a V11 tank cover even exists? if not, what would be the smallest tarpaulin that I could fit in my tail bag to cover the motorcycle when it has to stay exposed? What about this? https://www.etsy.com/listing/828285423/solid-color-more-shade?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=motorcycle+tank+covers&ref=sr_gallery-1-10&organic_search_click=1

Thank you for providing another option. How easy are the removal of the earplugs after a long ride? one of the issue that does not get much discussed is extraction. My Alpine Motosafe are very effective for noise attenuation, however they are terrible for retrieval. At least in a difficult environment when you have perspiration making everything slippery. I wear a full face helmet, which may contribute to sweat a lot. The reason why I picked the "Shark Tooth" is because it has been designed to perfectly integrate with my Shark helmet. The battery pack fits in a special indentation inside the helmet, leaving the external pod size affixed on the side of the helmet really small, unlike all other communication systems. The drawback is that Shark is a helmet specialist, so their communication system does not work as well as the one you describe in your post. Especially volume wise.

Here, it is actually the opposite; sadly.... the new normal is to never signal, or to signal too late. When I see a turn indicator flashing, however rarely, it is because it was forgotten on. True, it is difficult to have your phone in one hand, and signaling at the same time when you only have one hand for the steering wheel. Hopefully, when all cars will be driving themselves autonomously, the situation may improve. At least we are certain motorcycles will never be able to!!!

I don't recall that. The synopsis resemble the Vanquish plot? that girl is a retired enforceress, a corrupt ex cop kidnap her daughter to obligate her to work for him. I went to see the latest Mission Impossible yesterday evening. Just to check what stunt Tom Cruise pulled, and I understood how he injured himself while training on a motocross bike. The movie has multiple scenes with him driving motorbikes in pursuit or chases; I spent time in Rome (Italy), and those large paved streets are not easy to ride on at low speed...

I considered driving during the night too; but the heat is still present, and the danger is too great. I usually leave by 5:00 too, but even the morning hours are already suffocating. The Dallas stops are tempting, because only four hours away. I would have to overnight and come back in the morning. I don't want to travel just to make the stops. There is no fun in that. I am looking forward to go to Marfa to watch the stars.

I never directly worked for them. I worked for a well known service company. But my first ever job, in Cameroon was on a jackup rig, named "Texas Star", drilling for Mobil. At the time, I would have never suspected that one day....

Not that bad, but I can tell I have lost acuity. I started to suspect something was off when I had trouble to understand the Mobil (before Exxon bought Mobil) company man from Louisiana yelling at me because the logging tool failed.... lol Nothing like an irate company man to test your hearing...

That and the torrential rains in Vermont.... It is sad...

Those Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas stops are still awaiting your visit...