Letters
LETTERS
“LOST OUR COOL"
To speak of taste in the atmosphere one feels while reading your reaction to the letter of M.D. Barnard of London, England, (CW, Sept. ’69) is rather incongruous to say the least. Such smugness was uncalled for; you certainly “lost your cool.” You exhibited a distinctly irrational and spiteful manner in your response—such name-calling—no class. I regret that you did not give yourself some time to cool down and gather second thoughts before your performance (hopefully you do also).
I mean not to be totally critical. I do rather enjoy CYCLE WORLD. Your coverage and presentation are excellent.
R.N. PRESZLER
Sacramento, Calif.
One bad taste deserves another.—Ed.
BRIAN’S NEW MATH
So you at CYCLE WORLD regularly read British motorcycle publications. And you find them insular (belonging to an island, narrow-minded, etc.); fatuous (silly, foolish); uninteresting, provincial (narrowness of outlook); technically lacking. And this you would claim as fact and not opinion.
Herewith a few facts you failed to reveal.
Britain’s Motor Cycle News sells 408,876 copies every month. How does CYCLE WORLD stand?
This past year we have sent staff men (men employed full time by us) to Japan, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Spain, Russia, West Germany, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, the United States, Denmark, Poland, Ireland, Yugoslavia, to many of these countries three, four and even five times. How does CYCLE WORLD stand?
BRIAN McLOUGHLIN
Managing Editor
Motor Cycle News
Kettering, Northants
England
Using the same math you use, CYCLE WORLD would sell over 650,000 copies monthly, if it were published weekly, as is MCN. And you conveniently omit mention of the fact that the intensity of readership of a monthly magazine is several times that of a weekly newspaper, i.e., people read it harder, and keep it around longer.
Ten of the countries you name in your account of staff coverage are practically in your own back yard, and easier (and less expensive) to reach from Kettering than one quarter of the way across our nation. In spite of the geographic obstacles involved, we have managed, ever since CYCLE WORLD’S inception, to cover the British scene far better than the British press has ever managed to cover the United States. How interesting it is that our critic in London bought and read CYCLE WORLD in spite of MCN s excellent coverage!
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Pardon us for blowing off our critics once in awhile, Brian. But only the driver may toot his own horn. And surely you would not step forward to toot ours for us. —Ed.
LIKED OUR REPLY
I just received the September issue of CYCLE WORLD, and I write to praise you, congratulate you, and offer you my highest esteem for your reply to M.D. Barnard of London, England.
I have read various letters in yours and other magazines similar to Barnard’s. But never, never have I read a reply such as yours. Most magazines would have had little or no comment about it for fear of the adverse effects it might have on magazine sales in that country. But from your reply I can see that you are proud of American heritage.
TED KULIS Baltimore, Md.
THANKS FOR STANDING UP
Regarding the letter from M.D. Barnard (CW, Sept. ’69) I’m sure he must have misspelled his own last name, as the smell of his letter certainly indicates the origin of his species.
Thanks for standing up for all your readers who still believe that personal opinions, likes, and tastes should be just that-personal.
FORREST LINDERMAN Santa Cruz, Calif.
HIS JUST DESERT
As a Canadian, I am neither American nor British. As a motorcyclist of 18 years experience, I would like to comment on M.D. Barnard’s letter (CW, Sept. ’69). Your reply was brutally honest and exactly what Mr. Barnard deserved.
Perhaps someone from England should come over to North American and see what goes on here!
JOHN T. PRESTON Ottawa, Canada
WOULD YOU BELIEVE
“Mr. Edward R. Fletcher Lodi, N.J.
“Dear Mr. Fletcher:
“Governor Hughes has referred your letter of April 1, 1969, to me for reply.
“It is true that under our present law the total of our registration fee, inspection fee, and uninsured operator’s fee for a motorcycle is $36. The fees for a small passenger car under 2700 pounds now total $37. The motorcycle fees cannot be considered excessive because there are some heavy motorcycles which weigh more than some light passenger cars. It would not be practical to have more than one weight classification for motorcycle registration fee purposes...”
“JUNE STRELECKI
Director
State of New Jersey
Division of Motor Vehicles”
SIDE-HACKS FOREVER
We would like to thank you for the excellent article, “Helplessly Hooked” (CW, Sept. ’69). We are, needless to say, vitally interested in all forms of sidecar racing, and always appreciate reading really good articles on the subject. Though our opinion may be slightly slanted, we feel sidecar racing of any kind is exciting-both to the riders and the spectators.
Our association, too, is growing and changing and articles of this caliber can only help this process along. We believe, as do our Canadian counterparts, that “the potential of the sidecar has not even been tapped.” It is our ambition to see the day when sidecars will be required to qualify for a race because there are more entries than can be run.
NANCY F. PERSON, Secretary Southern California Side-Hack Assn.
Los Angeles, Calif.
SPEEDWAY BUFF
I am a keen speedway supporter of the Newport Waspo Speedway team, and a fan of Barry Briggs.
Can any of your readers help me with my hobby-collecting old prewar and postwar programs from the speedway tracks at Lincoln Park, Sacramento, Fresno, San Diego, New York, New Jersey, Culver City, Los Angeles and Milwaukee. I would also like to have the program from the Houston Astrodome when Barry Briggs raced there.
Thanks for a grand magazine.
TERRANCE SHIRLEY
12 Afon Close
New Inn, Pontypool
Monmouthshire
South Wales, N.P.45QE
United Kingdom
CLEAN-UP TIME
I’m against anything compulsory, period. That includes carrying out the garbage. However, it is unsanitary to let it pile up in the kitchen. Similarly it is against my principles to have to wear a helmet. However, it is also unsanitary to have flies crawling around on my brains beside a telephone pole as a result of a simple spill sans helmet.
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JACK KENNEDY Chattanooga, Tenn.
THANKS FROM MRS. NIX
I would like to thank all of Fred’s fans and friends for their thoughtfulness and prayers during our time of sorrow. Words cannot really express my feelings when I heard from hundreds of people from all across the nation, telling me that my husband had also brought joy and meaning into their lives, and that he would be missed and remembered everywhere.
Fred’s main goal in life was to be liked by everyone, to be a fair sport, and to make his name mean something good—and to make the word “motorcycle” mean only something good. To me, receiving all these cards and letters during the past weeks and the fact that he was voted most popular rider this year meant that he reached his goal. May God bless you all.
MRS. FRED NIX Lawton, Okla.
WASHINGTON LAW
This clipping from a local newspaper concerns laws that were passed in the state of Washington two years ago. I am not for the laws, but they have been very effective as you can see.
After two years in operation, Washington State’s motorcycle safety law has been even more effective than its proponents had hoped, according to Department of Motor Vehicles Director Doug Toms.
In 1966, before passage of the law, 45 motorcycle fatalities were recorded. In 1968, the number of motorcycle fatalities dropped to 23, a reduction of 49 percent.
During the same period, motorcycle registration declined 16 percent, from 55,395 to 46,597.
One provision of the 1967 law requires that motorcycle riders wear protective helmets. Toms said the requirement appears to have had a direct effect in reducing fatalities, since 11 motorcycle riders suffered fatal head injuries in 1968, as compared to 28 in 1966.
The law also requires that motorcycle riders pass a special license exam, a provision with which only 20 percent of the state’s motorcyclists have complied. Toms theorized that the remaining 80 percent may be more careful about obeying laws and equipment regulation in order to avoid being stopped and cited.
“One interesting statistic is the fact that three-fourths of the motorcycle collision victims in 196 7 and 1968 did not own the cycles they were riding,’’ he noted. “This suggests that inexperience is a major factor. ’’
Michael J. Rodell, research consultant for the Department of Motor Vehicles, compiled the figures.
D.L. HAYDEN Sumner, Wash.
COLORADO HELMET RULING
One of the foremost news items in the local papers has been the challenge of the Colorado motorcycle helmet law. The challenging suit has been filed by the Colorado Motorcycle Association on the grounds that the safety helmet law is unconstitutional under the Colorado constitution. The law requires all operators of motorcycles or motor-driven cycles to be equipped with approved safety helmets and protective goggles or faceshields. The same requirement also applies to passengers. Gov. John Love signed the bill passed by the legislature into effect July 1, 1969.
Denver District Judge Edward J. Byrne ruled the helmet portion of the law unconstitutional July 9, but, at the same time, he upheld the protective eye gear portion of the act.
Representing the CMA was attorney Frank McKibben. Asst. Atty. Gen. Harold Neufield represented the state. The defendants included Gov. Love, Lt. Gov. Mark Hogan, and state officials responsible for the law’s enforcement. Both attorneys said they were displeased with the results of the ruling and planned to appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court.
PETER CHRONIS Denver, Colo.
HE DOESN’T BELIE VE IT
While reading your last issue I came across an advertisement on Suzuki motorcycles and discovered what I feel is an outright lie. They say about the TS-250, “The Savage is the most powerful single-cylinder dual-stroke built.” How can they say this with bikes like Huskys, Bultaco, Montesas, Greeves, CZ and Maicos on the market. We’re lucky we have a good magazine like yours to give us the facts. Let’s hope you can straighten this out.
GUY SCHENSKY La Grange Park, 111.
Most bike manufacturers at some time have been guilty of excesses in their advertising copy. True or not true, the race does not always go to the swiftest. — Ed.
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NEW TIME OLD-TIMER
I wonder how many cycle enthusiasts you have older than me. I was 69 years young last Nov. 17 and have been riding three and a half years.
1 have three bikes now. I started with a 65-cc Honda, then bought a Super 90 H, traded for a 150 H, then bought a Suzuki X-6 Hustler and boy, is it a cat! Greatest sport in the world! I am curious to know how many elder citizens you have on your mailing list. I would invite correspondence.
DWIGHT ALEXANDER Route 1 Matthews, NC 28105
PRIMARY, INDEED!
Your answer to George Lay ne in the August letters column was beautiful.
However, I am afraid that you may have given inexperienced riders the erroneous impression that the primary purpose of the rear brake is to stabilize the machine while braking with the front. It is true that this is a secondary function of the rear brake, but its primary purpose is to actuate the brake lamp switch.
LARRY D. FOX Santa Cruz, Calif.
Hmmm. And we always thought the primary purpose of the rear brake was to hold the back wheel on.— Ed.
DAZZLED BY CW
Being in the rather isolated area that I am over here, the only motorcycle publications I manage to get hold of are old, tattered and uninformative. Then yesterday, I received a giant manila envelope from my mother containing the past four issues of CYCLE WORLD. I was amazed, not only at the quality, which you’ve always had, but at the definite improvement of the magazine as a whole.
Often changes occur at such a slow rate, or on such a small scale, they go unnoticed, but not seeing a CW in such a long time and having this gift of heaven dropped in my lap just blew my mind. Your road tests have been the outstanding difference from other magazines and now they are so comprehensive, they leave any other effort far behind. Even in what I believe is No. 2, (beep-beep) Magazine, you’re lucky to find any performance readings, let alone mpg, piston speed, engine revolutions/ mile in top gear and test conditions. You guys are just too much!
NEIL MULLEN APO San Francisco, Calif.
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PLEASED WITH HIS CHOICE
Last week I purchased a new motorcycle; again I was guided by the results of your tests. Several months back, a friend and I purchased a used motorcycle and my CYCLE WORLD Annual proved invaluable. I have found the tests and the ads helpful when shopping.
When I first saw your test, I thought the Suzuki TS 250 would not suit me; however, closer analysis of your comments plus a favorable local situation prompted the purchase. As usual, your criticisms were valid and accurate.
The TS 250 is heavy, but the weight doesn’t seem to hamper handling. As you stated, weight reduction is simple. I added 50 cc of 30 W oil to each front fork, and the handling is as good as the primary competitor. The “topping out” was almost eliminated. Low gear probably will work for me as is, but a change should be simple.
Low end torque is significantly better than the primary competitor and I’m anxious to use the full power band once the bike is broken in.
Y our test indicated this machine would be close to my requirements, and my experience has reinforced my confidence in your tests. I am pleased with the choice.
JOHN NEE Fort McClellan, Ala.
EMPATHY
I agree with your answer to Bob Saunders’ letter (CW, Aug. ’69) about the California motorcycle driver’s test question on lean, but think he deserves a better answer. The test question simply wants you to recognize that you lean more when you take a corner fast than when you go around it slowly. Unfortunately the test writers have buried the concept so deep in semantics that you have to pretend you are reading a legal document and not a driving test in order to answer it correctly.
ROBERT BRIGGS Mountain View, Calif.
A DAY-MAKER
I have subscribed to your magazine for two years, and I have come to consider CYCLE WORLD a “Bible for the Motorcyclist.”
Because you have shown your integrity by presenting fact as a basis for opinion, I refrain from judging a machine until I see what you, the experts, think. You don’t exaggerate the feats of a bike, nor do you generalize, in the form of a vague checklist, the performance, and you refuse to dwell on sensationalism as do some of your counterparts.
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But your road tests and impressions are only a part of your appeal. The imaginative short stories, the vivid accounts of adventurous tourists and the sporting news all add up to exciting and informative reading.
I hope you will include some articles on the fine points of riding techniques not just for the road rider, but also for the racing hopeful. You have all shown yourselves to be very adept in the saddle, and I think it would be most interesting to learn from you.
Finally, I would like to say that you have added class to a sport which has been victimized from all quarters. Perhaps it would do the unwashed some good to read your magazine. So, keep the faith, CYCLE WORLD.
TOM KENDALL Normal, 111.
BLAST FROM THE BENCH
Here’s another blast on Daytona. I’m in Viet Nam now, but on that rainy Sunday I was in the infield at the speedway along with the rest of the throng. When the score board flashed the news, I, like many others, after feeling bitter disappointment, turned to that page in the race program. I’m sure you know the page I mean. “Races will be run, rain or shine.”
Some may try to justify the riders by saying that the promoter was at fault. I say phooey! I also say the riders who obtained the postponement ruling are unprofessional, and I don’t care who I include in this statement.
DOUGLAS M. KURST
How easy it is for you to sit in the stands and deride a group of human beings who make their livelihood in racing because they won’t race on a track that was not designed for rain conditions. You ought to see how fast the car people call in their drivers at Daytona after the first drop falls. Would you be so willing to risk your life in Viet Nam if you thought it was only for the entertainment of the folks back home?—Ed.
HE DOESN’T DIG IT
It sure is sickening to read or see a Japanese article or ad on almost every other page.
Before you know it, they will own the magazine.
JIM ZAMOSKY Garden Grove, Calif.
Ah so, you do not speak our ranguage?—Ed. [O]
