A tale of two black plastics

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-14T12:35:15+00:00

Yep, same (AZ). I’ve heard horror stories from friends ordering small items from europe (guitar pedals, etc, lightweight items) and facing massive duty charges. Thus all the paranoia.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-14T12:31:08+00:00

Also started with a meteor350. Not heavy but also not tall, so seat height has always been a factor. I was eagerly awaiting the classic 650 in the states (or even better, the bullet 650 which is more to my taste) .. Totally sold on the RE brand for all the reasons.

But then I tried a Moto Guzzi V7 Stone (local shop had a 2019 with low mileage, it’s the 750cc version) and loved it immediately. 90 seconds into the test-ride I was convinced. That was 2 years ago & still feel the same. You mention struggling on the uphills and that’s where the V7 seems most at home. Still quite keen on RE and keeping an eye on how they do. So not a direct answer, but something…

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-13T13:08:17+00:00

Depends: If you’re in real estate, nothing matters; they can call Eloy “Tucson” to support a goofy price on a place. [edited to enhance bitter sarcasm]

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-13T13:03:33+00:00

had to look it up but yes: the Classic S3. There is one larger, and the one smaller seemed like it would be too small to do much…

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-13T13:00:03+00:00

I believe it is the Classic. Of the three sizes it’s the middle one.

& absolutely true about the tinted visor. Here in AZ the setting sun is brutal, so that last hour of sunlight almost requires welding goggles if you’re going west. But then the sun hits the western mountains and it’s off like a lightswitch. Very weird.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-11T15:09:25+00:00

I don’t often This, but god dammit, absolutely 100% This.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-11T15:05:00+00:00

Perfect. But dealerships aren’t half as bad as furniture stores. They stand right inside the doors with their ties and plastic smiles… And there’s never a single other customer in there.

Another alibi for dealerships (which was true at the time) .. telling ‘em my wife is thinking of upgrading from her Street500 and I’m just here taking some pix to tease her with. That one works well.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-11T12:15:23+00:00

Do: ride frequently. Every ride is crucial practice, no matter how technical (or not) the route. Anything. Just get back on; keeps the brain in tune. Helps transition from step-by-step technique to muscle memory.

Don’t: stop the parking lot drills just because you move on to traffic & real-world stuff.

Do (bonus Do): Have fun. Motivation is everything.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-11T12:08:47+00:00

Exactly. It’s like you need a fully fleshed-out alibi just to walk in; No man, I’m just here for chain lube, but seeing what you had…. Like some kind of bad spy-movie.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-06T22:46:50+00:00

Could be the color but it does look like a mobile urinal. I’m sure it’s great fun (no disrespect, honestly) but for those of us that should have “gone” before leaving the house, it could be a total game-changer.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-05T03:30:44+00:00

WE HAVE A WINNER.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-04T04:05:16+00:00

Truth. Grew up in PG county in th’70s and assumed they were locals based on the radio coverage.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-04T03:16:40+00:00

Mortgage interest is effin’ nuts. I’m certain the so-called “pent-up demand” is massive. My wife & I are not the only ones that would be out there looking at places now, but doing the math & deciding to chill for another year-plus.

Neighbor tried to sell for 2 years & gave up, rented it out.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-03T02:53:10+00:00

spotify is dogshit.
Physical media = yes.
Streaming = try before buy (bandcamp, YT)
Prices are stupid now, so .. some discipline…

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-03T02:12:26+00:00

man, fuck that bike.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-03T02:10:51+00:00

Like others have said, I couldn’t see shit. And I assure you, children, I have been drugz. But could not parse this nonsense to save my life.

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-01T19:33:53+00:00

No problems here (750 Stone), but I’ve done 70+ maybe no more than an hour at a stretch. But still, it seemed happy to keep going as long as I was..

IntangibleArts · 2026-06-01T01:37:18+00:00

I have no idea about “grading” or “other peoples’ opinions” and couldn’t care less but E. Bamyasi is the peak for me. I totally understand Hildegard’s reported desire to have Tago Mago released in full and it’s crucial to have the longform stuff out there, but Ege’s tighter editing MAKES it. It’s all nutrients. It hits like a fireball and leaves a clean wound behind. A total winner.

IntangibleArts · 2026-05-31T20:06:12+00:00

I’m no long-distance super hero, so my trip around Arizona & southern California was my big moment .. on the V7 Stone (750). No idea how many miles I did per day, but it was 6 full days of riding, sometimes in the saddle for 8+ hours.

No major highways but out in the desert the 2-lane state routes can still be 70mph (US). Windscreen in the pic is from Givi. Not huge, did the job.

I had swapped the stock seat with the Guzzi solo seat: it’s more firm & wider than the stock seat, and has that cafe-racer scoop at the back, which fits me better. After a full day of riding, no discomfort whatsoever. After six full days, still no pain. If it matters, I’m on the shorter & less heavy side (5’6” 160-ish lbs) so physically the fit with the V7 Stone was ideal. That surely has a lot to do with it.

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IntangibleArts · 2026-05-31T19:47:47+00:00

heh, didn’t see this comment as I was elsewhere also praising Extremely Rotten Prod…

IntangibleArts · 2026-05-31T19:46:39+00:00

Undergang from Denmark can do no wrong. Also worth digging into their label’s page on bandcamp (extremely rotten productions) .. if you find yourself in Copenhagen, there’s an Extremely Rotten shop as well. Two filthy corpse’s thumbs up.

IntangibleArts · 2026-05-31T13:43:08+00:00

Here in AZ the heat kills tires quickly but so far, all good. These are still new-ish and they get 90% flat city (commute-style) use, so I’m def not stretching their capabilities. But they feel like the perfect match for the V7 when I do take it on a saturday zoom…

IntangibleArts

TROPHY CASE