Letters
LETTERS
MILITARY TRAFFIC BUST
I missed the April ’70 “CW Gets Busted,” but caught the second part in my latest issue.
In the civilian world there is, at least, a court to hear a plea of innocence if a person wishes to contest a traffic citation. However, the Air Force generally considers the driver to be guilty. Why else would he have been stopped? With this in mind fighting City Hall becomes a simple task. The civilian world has its different court systems that allow for a contest. The Air Force has something called the chain of command. With it, one goes up a ladder of personnel until there are final results.
In a personal experience I was cited for laying rubber in a very out-of-tune Corvair Sprint. (This takes a lot of work even in tune.) The location was the base pool and there were witnesses who later signed statements in my defense. After convincing my First Sergeant, the Ground Safety NCO and my commander, an appeal was sent through “channels,” which was turned down. A second appeal was made, using the signed statements, and was again turned down. The third try was made through the base legal office. To the lawyer’s amazement it was again sent back. At this point we could only agree that a civil court would have thrown the ticket away and let me off, but that the Security Police commander had turned the last one down and that there was no further recourse. At that point I was forced to quit.
Robert E. Buxbaum APO, N.Y.
NOT SNELL
I would appreciate the opportunity of advising your readership of a helmet model bearing the 1968 Snell Foundation approval identification which does not meet the Performance Standard of the Snell Foundation and is being marketed in violation of agreement with the Foundation.
This helmet model is manufactured by Al-Po Company of Milan, Italy, and is being sold by the Avanti Company of Houston, Texas, as the model “Avanti 21.”
Several recently purchased Avanti 21 helmets have been examined and tested by the Foundation. They were found to be of entirely different construction than models previously fabricated, and thus are in clear violation of the manijl facturer’s agreement with the Foundation. On test against the 1968 Snell Foundation Standard, they failed severely. The Federal Trade Commission is so being advised, and an injunction against their sale is being requested of the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas.
George G. Snively, M.D. Director of Research Snell Memorial Foundation, Inc. Sacramento, Calif.
ASIA IN REVERSE
I was most disappointed with John Warren’s article, “Southeast Asia by Motorcycle” (CW, Feb. ’72). I made the same trip in reverse in 1970 (BangkokWest Coast of Malaysia-Singapore-East Coast of Malaysia) on a 175 Ducati bought in Bangkok for $125. I would highly recommend the trip to anyone who loves to travel by motorcycle.
Warren’s desire for sensationalism and lack of experience with motorcycles unfortunately gives an entirely wrong impression of some of the most beautiful cycling roads and country in the world. The Malaysian roads are excellent, better than Thailand’s, but both countries are warm and green and very lush with vegetation and scenery, leading to some riding that borders on fantasy.
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When I visited the Camaroon Highlands in Malaysia it was during a holiday, so I had to return to a guest house on the plain below each evening for two nights before getting a bed at the Youth Hostel. I figure I have ridden some 50,000 miles on motorcycles, some of it through unbelievably beautiful terrain, but the 40-mile stretch of road to the Camaroon Highlands, a trip I made six times in ecstasy, sticks in my mind as surpassing cycling through the passes of Switzerland, in the Western Ghats of India, down the Dalmasian Coast of Yugoslavia or through the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, as being a “motorcycle road” with all the excitement, beauty and ballet that the word implies. When driven quickly, even a Grand Prix racer would be in bliss.
The Camaroon Highlands are blessed with some of the lushest jungle I have ever seen, surpassed only by the Amazon or some of the Pacific Islands. It is unfortunate that Warren neglected to mention the natural beauty of this area, the peace experienced when walking the paths, the myriad of variation in vegetation and above all that over 800 of the 1300 different species of butterflies in S.E. Asia, some with wing spans of 6 to 8 in., inhabit the area. They have color combinations and an incandescense that can dazzle you with fascination, and they are often so dense you have to watch your step to avoid them.
Chuck Klaer Hawley, Penn.
And, all that in “reverse! ’’ God, man, you must have been a minor sensation yourself.— Ed.
SUNDAY MORNING RIDE
We could not find a format to follow for your “Letters” section; in particular, length requirements. Our letter is long, but after cutting it down twice, felt what we had to say just could not be reduced further. Whether or not you print it is, of course, your prerogative, but we feel very strongly about this and would appreciate the opportunity to be heard by your readers.
As subscribers to your magazine and avid dirt riders, we read The Sunday Morning Ride, February ’72 issue, with outrage, to say the least! That it appeared in CYCLE WORLD was disappointing to us, as we consider your choice of material not only informative and interesting, but in the best of taste.
The “when” of Martin’s article, that is, Sunday morning, is the least of tM story, but the how and why are oi disturbing concern to us. “How” the bikers ride is irresponsibly, with no concern for the safety of other motorists, respect for private property or for laws. “Why” they ride, aside from their own enjoyment, seemed to branch into racing on public roads and luring police into catch-me-if-you-can games. A few quotes from the article confirm these views: “In the old days, the second half of the ride was the Ultimate Experience, 75, 80 and faster, rolling into corners inches from another bike...,” “After his gate was destroyed a couple of times by riders...,” “...I had spent the previous day talking to an Englishman who told me over and over about how fast you could go in the rain if you tried.” Although taken out of context, the meaning of these excerpts is obvious and unaltered. ™
Because of many articles in previous issues of CW stressing safety, training, responsible behavior and trying so hard to build a new image for motorcyclists, as people pursuing a fantastic sport, which provides fun, freedom and relaxation, as opposed to the stereotyped leather-clad, chain-carrying delinquent straddling choppers and terrorizing “common folk,” we cannot understand what would possess you to print such a damning account of brazen insolence!
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We are a relatively normal middle class couple very wrapped up in a sport regarded as unconventional and dangerous by skeptics. Articles like the one by George Martin can’t help us as motorcyclists, it can only hurt the image and support the negative attitudes of nonbelievers. We’re not advocating the all too often hassle given bikers by the police. Many times the law is too quick to judge everyone who rides by the previous actions of flagrant offenders. On the other hand, it is doubly important, because of this offensive minority, for us to make every effort to prove we’re just as worthy of a place on the road as our four-wheeled friends! Running roadblocks, racing, speeding, outrunning “cops” and mocking the law is typical of what “earned” bikers their adverse reputation. All this article has done is to push us one more peg down—how will we ever gain the respect of citizens and police with childish irresponsible behavior as described by Mr. Martin?
A Sunday morning ride, or any other time, can be a totally unique experience, on hard road, trails, sand, or whatever turns you on. There are also certified racetracks, motocross courses, etc., for high speed thrills, where it’s legal. There is no place for knowingly breaking the laws which are designed for our safety and the protection of others and if that is a “square or straight” attitude, then we are proud of it!
Cindy and Charlie Puglisi State College, Penn.
If anything, we came away from the article having a much more positive attitude about the police in that area than when we went into it. Would you take all spontaneity from life? When the police and bikers enter into a spontaneous relationship like this one, it makes life much better.—Ed.
RIGHT ON!
Just read your comparison: Yamaha 360 vs. Bultaco 360 Montadero. Enjoyed it very much, especially the view on Yamaha’s 360. You detailed it perfectly in my opinion. It was the best article in March’s issue. I’m glad you did a test on Yammy’s 360. It’s a tough bike all ’round. All Yamahas are tough. I know, I have one.
Robin Falder Bartlesville, Okla.
Aha, you're biased!-Ed.
