Letters

LETTERS

A THOUGHTFUL READER COMMENTS

Dear CW:

The first issue of CYCLE WORLD impressed me as being well balanced and informative, and the equal of magazines selling for 50ȼ. The color photo on the cover is excellent. Best wishes for the success of the magazine.

Your editorial comments on the freeway horsepower law certainly coincided with my ideas 100%, closely paralleling what I have written editors of other motorcycle publications on the subject. I can add little to what you expressed except to say that I have written my state assemblyman on this topic, urging repeal or amending of the law, and I hope other motorcyclists will do the same. I ride an NSU Maxi, not only commuting to and from work 20 miles round trip daily, but also for all my errands and pleasure trips, and have made week-end trips as far as San Diego and Pismo Beach, for an average of more than 900 miles per month. The manufacturer’s rating of the Maxi is 12.5 horsepower, so it is now illegal for use on the freeways, which is something of a hardship, though I do not live where I gain much benefit from using the freeways in my daily commuting. I feel that the law, as you say, is an unfair one, for my machine has a top speed of 70 mph, and can easily maintain a cruising speed of 55 to 60 for as long as I desire, which certainly is adequate for travel on any thorofare. While I am in accord with the intent of the law, to keep the slow moving vehicles off the freeways where they are a traffic hazard, it does not seem that the legislators were sufficiently conversant with the relative speed and horsepower of modern motorcycles, especially many foreign makes of advanced design. One unfortunate result of the law is that it reduces the resale value of motorcycles such as mine. Those who buy mopeds and most of the scooters generally expect to use them only in comparatively limited areas, but when purchasing a machine such as mine they expect, quite rightly, that it will be both legal and adequate for use on any thorofare.

Any unfairly restrictive laws against motorcycles disturb me, for I find motorcycling so convenient, pleasant and economical that I have no desire to own and maintain an automobile, though I drove cars for twelve years. In May of 1959, a young man in my office bought a motorcycle and took me home from work on it as a passenger many times. He was a sensible and careful rider and I enjoyed motorcycle riding so much that I would pass up offers of rides in automobiles. In April, 1960, my office moved to a distant location which was inaccessible to public transit which I had been using, and I was faced with a transportaren problem. My friend suggested that I buy a motorcycle and he assured me that he could teach me to ride it. As I was 44 years old and had not even driven a car in Los Angeles’ traffic for eight years, I had considerable trepidation about learning to ride one of the “beasts” myself, especially as most of my friends, relatives and co-workers assured me that I would be taking leave of my senses to consider such a foolhardy and suicidal undertaking. However. I finally toôk the step and my friend did teach me to ride, with commendable patience, and I have never regretted it one moment. In fact, the motorcycle has given me all that I require in personal transportation, and has freed me from the limitations of public transit. In addition, it has been so economical that I often, in good weather, take long, aimless rides just for the sheer pleasure of riding, without having to think of the effects on my budget. To be sure, in rainy weather I sometimes get rather wet riding home from work in the rain, but such inconveniences are not serious in this climate, and are a small price to pay for the pleasures I get out of motorcycling.

I feel that there are many people who could solve their transportation problems very pleasantly if only they would disregard the public prejudice against motorcycles, so prevalent in the United States.

RICHARD B. WILLIS Los Angeles, Calif.

PRAISE FROM THE PRAISEWORTHY

Dear CW:

Congratulations on your new magazine CYCLE WORLD. This is one of the most attractive 'ind well-rounded publications I have seen. I feel sure it will prove to be a successful monthly addition to your already growing line.

Good luck in your new venture! WILLIAM P. MOSS Pres., Moss Engineering Inglewood, Calif.

EDITOR: Thanks Bill, both the nature and value of your comments are greatly appreciated.

THE TRUE LIFE STORY OF CYCLE WORLD

Dear CW:

Enclosed is my subscription money; I am looking forward to the first issue of CYCLE WORLD. I have been disappointed in the motorcycle magazines presently available in this country. About the only reason for subscribing to them is that it is either such magazines or nothing.

My big criticism is that there is a decided paucity of road tests and other information on new machines. Such road tests as are published often omit important information.

There are many tiring motorcycle tours which add nothing to a person’s knowledge of motorcycles ; all you learn is that someone made a trip on a cycle. I suppose I am prosaic but I buy a motorcycle magazine for information on motorcycles and don’t like to find I have a copy of “True Confessions” laid on a cycle background.

I like the way the English magazines handle the material. They test as many machines as is compatible with their size and circulation; the information is stated in a matter-of.fact manner and all of the pertinent facts are there.

This is rather different from the facetious approach frequently used here. I hope to find that CYCLE WORLD is more of what I would like to read. Good luck.

E. V. NOBLE Frankfort, Michigan EDITOR: Thank you, we agree with you completely. We hope that CYCLE WORLD is what you want it to he, too. If it isn’t, we would like to hear from you as to why not.

MORE GOOD WISHES

Dear CW:

Yes, we need a better cycle magazine, more road tests, information on engines, lubrication and tips On cycle handling. I wish you good luck with your new magazine. Enclosed is my money for a subscription.

R. A. HELECEK LaMeure, North Dakota EDITOR: You are right. We have them. This too. Thank you.

SAVING MY LOVE FOR YOU

Dear CW:

WOW! Just what I have been waiting sixty years for.

WILLIAM H. BAKER Cridersville, Ohio

EDITOR: Glad you could wait, Mr. Baker, sir.

WE GET WIRES TOO

YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON YOUR INITIAL ISSUE OF CYCLE WORLD. YOUR FEATURE ARTICLE ON PAGE . 22 ON MINIBIKES IS GREAT. IN FACT, WE LIKED IT SO MUCH WE HAVE DECIDED WE MIGHT BUILD ONE TOO.

GO KART INC. DON J. BEEBE.. . EDITOR: That’s a good idea, and

why don’t you call it the Scrambler?