Letters
LETTERS
WORDS FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH
I am 16 and was convicted of several motorcycle thefts and sent to a Development Center. Since I have no plans of taking up my old habits when I get out, I decided to put my knowledge to good use. I think if owners knew how their bikes were stolen, half the battle would be won.
Most thefts occur in the late evening, usually when you’re watching TV or away from home. Open garages are like welcome signs. They usually provide a dark area out of sight where the thief has time to cut locks, hot wire, etc. People are in the habit of putting their bikes in vans or on trailers and pick-ups the night before a race. That’s a big mistake. Stop and think about it and you’ll know why. Package deals like that are pretty nice.
If you are taking a vacation and don’t take your bike, hide it. Don’t ever leave your bike outside ready to ride for very long. The take-it-and-run method is commonly used. Always light the area where your bike is kept overnight and if possible have it in view of your bedroom window. Your best bet is to never leave your bike in a position where it can be rolled away. Parking your bike in front of your car in a garage is often a disappointment to thieves. Remember, parts and tools are just as valuable, so put them in your house whenever possible.
If someone wants it badly enough they’ll probably get it. So if your bike is stolen call the police as soon as possible. And, it might not turn up for a while so don’t give up after a month. There is more and you may write me if you wish.
Justin Petersen
Youth Development Center
Kearny, Nebr. 68847
XT500
The remarks in your April issue regarding a possible Yamaha XT500 road bike were well received. I ride a 1973 Kawasaki Z1 on the Marin County Sunday ride and notice that many RD350/400 riders are switching to the 500. I find myself wishing I were not packing the extra 200 lb. of the Z1 when I’m passed on the outside by a XT500 on trials tires!
If Yamaha were to produce a street 500 I would be the first in line though it would break my heart to sell my trusty Z1.
Robert Bredsteen San Jose, Calif.
TO RIDE OR NOT TO RIDE
I have restricted my motorcycling to trail riding for the past five years because I could not find a bike that met my requirements for street riding: quietness, smoothness, economy, and car-like ease of operations, such as automatic transmission and synchronized brakes. By chance I found and bought a Honda CB400F because it met my first three requirements. Its exhaust is quiet as an automobile and I get 60 mpg.
I believe there is a vast untapped group of potential cycle buyers (Honda’s view also, apparently) who would commute to work or school, run errands, and make similar short trips if the right bike was available. What I’d like to see is a bike that is super quiet, ultra-smooth, automatically shifted, single foot-braked with anti-skid modulation, and capable of 80 mpg at continued on page 14
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freeway speeds, complete with full fairing and tote box. It’s a technical possibility— not easy—but possible. What do you think?
D.M. Petrie Seattle, Wash.
There might be some problems in details, for instance 80 mpg and enough speed for the open road might confiet with the extra weight of an automatic transmission, fairing and luggage, but in principle, sure, such a motorcycle could be built.
It will happen when and if the manufacturers decide a bike like that will sell in large numbers.
It's the same old problem. Making motorcycles for people who already ride them is a matter of checking the marketplace and asking the right questions. Making motorcycles for people who don't ride them is another matter entirely.
We might be wrong, but we'd bet if a motorcycle manufacturer listened to the reasons people give for not buying bikes and then designed a model which answered the objections, those same people would come up with yet a new set of reasons. Deep down, people who don't ride motorcycles don't want to.
WOW
Some women from Massachusetts have formed an all-female riding club which is now legally incorporated under the name of WOMEN ON WHEELS (WOW). We are looking for new members who have their own motorcycles, are 18 or over, and who love motorcycling.
We have a number of interesting things planned for this coming year: road racing, maintenance instruction, trail riding, poker runs, etc. Anyone interested please call: (617) 782-2497 or (617) 489-0587.
Lynn Nathan Road Captain, WOW
PULL RIGHT, TURN LEFT
Regarding “Pull Right, Turn Left” in your May “Round Up” column, that question has been asked ever since there’ve been motorcycles. Yet most accomplished motorcyclists are amazed to learn of it because they do it instinctively and never speak of it because they never think about it.
Actually, the maneuver should more accurately be called Push Right, Turn Right or Push Left, etc. because I think you’ll find most cyclists actually push on the right or left grip to go right or left. Same effect of course, except you have finer control by pushing than by tugging or pulling the opposite grip. I have heard the maneuver referred to in some riding schools as lazy man’s riding.
Kawasaki Beginning Motorcycle Rider Course refers to it as out-tracking in a continued on page 18
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paragraph entitled, “Emergency Lane Changes” and in spite of more than 40 years experience I had to read the paragraph three times before what they were talking about was clear to me.
The most interesting and effective use of it is in compelling the motorcycle to turn when you have an uncooperative passenger (knowingly or unknowingly) who isn’t going along with your idea of handling the bike.
Henry P. Bloomer
Waco, Tex.
MOTOCROSS IN WEST AFRICA
I thought I’d let you know motocross is alive and well here in Kamsar, Guinea, W. Africa. There are about 30 motorcycles. Ten of them are 90 cc to 125 cc and 20 of them are Honda XL 125s. These seem to be very reliable and, while not as fast as some, they always finish.
As you can imagine, getting parts for temperamental two-strokes is a hassle. It seems the Hondas always finish first.
Last year’s champion was Rick Millard, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. This year, after two races, it is a close race between Millard. G. Read and J. Belanger (both Canadians).
The track is very interesting, having been made in an abandoned latente quarry. There are loose small stones on the track to play havoc with traction. Also, there are many jumps and one water hole that gets deeper after each use. It is slightly more than one-mile long and the best times are about 1:40.
None of the competitors are pros but all enjoy the competition and the spectators love the action.
Tim Antonacci Kamsar, W. Africa
SUZUKI GS750
As a recently displaced resident of the San Francisco Bay Area now living in northern Ohio, I am writing to tell you that motorcycling is alive and well back here.
I purchased a Suzuki GS750 from a local dealer and have found dealer competition and pricing in the area refreshing after the general “take-it-or-leave-it” attitude that I encountered in the Bay Area.
My bike and several other new ones that I’ve seen in showrooms are coming with Inoue Hi-Speed tires, not the Bridgestones that were on 1976 models. Against my background of K-81 Dunlops and earlier Bridgestones, I find the Inoue front skin a poor match for this bike. It also seems overly stiff and hard. Another complaint concerns the throttle return spring, designed for the wrist muscles of King Kong
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and, yes, the seat is hard and does seem to wrinkle a lot but the shape seems generally satisfactory.
Also careful reading of the manual points out that standard chain lubricants can harm the O-ringed chain on the GS750. Read carefully!
Bob Cape Madison, Ohio
HONDA EXPRESS
I was pleased to read your “not quite a test” of the Honda Express in the April issue. Having grown up in Europe with Honda P-50s, Mobylettes and Solexes, seeing this type of transportation come to the U.S. is a heartwarming experience. Hopefully, the idea will catch on and I’m glad to see your magazine devoting some space to this simple and economical way to travel. I don’t know if it was the author’s idea or not, but seeing her decked out in the full regalia of motorcycling was comforting. Too often you see girls, (usually passengers) wearing shorts, halter tops, and sandals. Sometimes helmets. If they only knew what their arms and legs would look like after a spill they would probably be more careful. Gloves, Levis, and a jacket might be hot. but so is the pavement, even at 25 mph.
Steven S. Cowper Plattsburgh. N.Y.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO THE ANIMALS
I’ve always been awed by daredevils and stuntmen, and believe that Evel has never received the credit he’s due. However, the photo of the elephant jumper in the April issue brought out the worst of the circus sideshows.
How does an elephant feel when 400 pounds of bike and rider at 80 miles an hour smashes into his spine? Tortoise humpers, cow chasers, and now elephant jumpers. It’s just a matter of time when we’ll be making reservations months in advance for a day at the local MX track.
Ed Ung
SI Hilo, Hawaii
