Letters
LETTERS
THE S-E-X QUESTION
First I will state my credentials—I am an active motorcyclist. I enjoy reading about the latest bikes. I am also a feminist and so found your editorial in the recent May issue rather disillusioning.
Let me say that there were points in your editorial with which I agreed. Also I enjoyed your editorial in the January '80 issue because it touched home concerning the images some motorcyclists have of themselves. However neither the letter you received nor the good points in your May editorial is sufficient excuse for the bulk of that May column.
To knowingly exclude women from our world by the use of sexist language is to attempt to grind the souls of all women (your wife and daughter no less than the others) into dust beneath the heels of your jackboots (a little loaded language in return for the loaded language in your May editorial).
I am going to assume that the errors in your May editorial were made through ignorance rather than malevolence.
An editor must be aware of the power of language. What we say and how we say it has some very drastic effects on what we
think. That we have inherited a male supremist language is not surprising since it was developed at a time when women were considered the property of men and were systematically excluded from the educational opportunities (and therefore from the language formalization process) of the period. However we live in 1980 and the legitimate requests of women to be included in our language are not and should not be characterized as “reverse sexism;“ it is in fact simple justice. Since you live near a major metropolitan area you could undoubtedly take an evening course in the Philosophy of Language (Linguistics) from a feminist instructor. Alternatively
you could contact the instructor of such a course and I’m sure she would be very glad to suggest a short list of books on the subject which you might read.
The last point I’m going to discuss is your statement that you are going to “ignore S-E-X.“ This may or may not be a commendable objective. What 1 find offensive is your implied method of accomplishing this objective. That method is to simply eliminate women from the language in your magazine and that method is less and less acceptable each day to women and to men.
Robert D. McDonough. Jr.
San Francisco, Calif.
Seems useless for two men to debate what women want, so we'll proceed to reactions from them:
Hooray for Cycle World's article in the May (Up Front) issue. “What Shall We Do About Sex?”
I feel you said it all! Being a small framed 110 pound girl who loves Motocrossing. I found your article very enjoyable and to the point.
I have always found it very uncomfortable in recent years buying cycle magazines. in fear of finding some voluptuous, overly developed model sitting on the same bike I ride with pride. It only confirmed that the male species still regarded biking a man's sport.
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Not only is biking enjoyed by women as it is by men. so is reading magazines like Cycle World that can give us that important information on buying the right bike for the individual.
Thanks again for speaking out on behalf of the up and rising woman bikers of the 80’s.
Elbe Mite
Woodland Hills. Calif.
Just a comment on “what shall we do about S-E-X'?”
Don’t. If some of the woman want those articles I suggest they start their ow n magazine. I am not one of the boys and don’t w ant to be or expect to be. I just love to ride and ride every chance 1 get.
Peggy Bernheisel Falls Church. Va.
All of which goes to show that women who ride motorcycles don 7 need to have this magazine explained to them. and are capable of thinking for themselves.
Ride on. sisters. —/LG.
BLINKING THE HEADLIGHT
Perhaps you should have assured Mr. Richard Baker (March. 1980 Letters) and readers that the starter motor will never even know you are punching its button unless the clutch lever is pulled at the same time or you have slipped into neutral.
J. L. Loomis Bethany, Conn.
STANDARD SENTIMENTS
Always knew your magazine had good taste. Your article in the April. 1980 issue proves it. I too believe that the standards are the best functioning and looking.
I bought a KZ550 a couple of days before reading your article and believe it's one of the best looking bikes of the 1980s.
Paul Carroll Midwest City, Okla.
I wholeheartedly agree with your April issue’s sentiments on style. Just as a stylist seems to be heading in the right direction. (for example, the 1978 Honda 750F) he starts churning out blueprints of “customs” and “specials” that scream of chrome and blunderbus exhausts with other garish touches too dismaying to mention. Let us hope that these engineers gone astray don’t infiltrate the automobile market and pump out the kind of mutations that the motorcycle industry is seeing.
As for me. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and waiting for the day when I'll open a Cycle W orld and see the “specials” as hard to find, limited availability models (and not because they're selling well). 1 I wonder if they'll bring back oil leaks?
Glen G. Wylie Frenchville, Maine
A FAN LETTER
You did it again! I just finished reading March's evaluation section and I was so impressed with the way it was written that I want to give credit where credit is due.
Many times before I have picked up your magazine intending just to glimpse through it and have been unable to put it dow n. Your style and the way you incorpo-> rate all the newest information for motorcycling enthusiasts makes me buy Cycle World as soon as it hits the stands.
Thanks! You are doing a great job.
Mike O’Neil APO. N Y.
FLASHBACK EXPRESS
Although articles about older motorcycles appear frequently in cycling magazines. I would never have imagined one about the little known Honda Benly 150. Having owned one for the past three years I have come up with very few facts concerning it.
“The Flashback Express.’’ by Peter Egan, therefore, found me nearly speechless with surprise and excitement.
Congratulations on a great story about a great little bike!
Robert McLaughlin Brooklin. Maine
Peter Egan's “Flashback Express” (April. 1980) did just that for me. The first motorcycle I owned was a 2-year-old fire engine red version of the Benly 150. complete with shocks, whitewalls, and rusting mufflers (later replaced with vacuum cleaner extension pipes and Snuff-RNots). Of all the bikes I’ve owned, it made the most lasting impression, and with its looks, it’s no wonder!
Thank you, Peter, for jogging my memorv.
J
Ted Demetriades McCall, Idaho
GET OUT THE VOTE
I am writing you to help me with my pet project, namely to get all bikers and their friends to register to vote. By the time we need their vote, it’s too late to register. Let's get the jump on November this year.
There are many times when we bikers need to back someone who is running who is “pro-biker.” Then too. there are times when we need the biker vote to help put a new; law' on the books or to keep one from getting on. (Like this year in Colorado. They are trying to get the mandatoryhelmet law back on the ballot this year and I'm sure this is just the tip of the iceberg.)
We need each and every eligible biker to register and vote.
Phyllis A. Niedens Carbondale. Colo.
OLÉ
With all the anti motorcycle government legislation and anti motorcycle feelings among government employees, I thought you would be very interested to hear that the Argonne National Laboratory, through the enthusiasm of Dr. Charles M. Falco.> has purchased a Bultaco Alpina from Aero P. A. This motorcycle is to be used for exploration of potential oil field sites in difficult terrain.
As you can see with the help of enlightened people like Dr. Falco and a good motorcycle like the Bultaco Alpina, motorcycles may yet keep those gas guzzling 4wheelers in oil and fuel.
Martin Horn Huntley, 111.
STAN THE MAN
I am presently building a KH400 cafe racer. Fains Cycle has helped me out tremendously. Stan Fain has secured unobtainable old parts, fixed the unfixable, and generally steered me in the right direction. His service is first rate and his prices are fair. Without his help I do not believe that I would have ever gotten my bike together.
So, to all those bikers who say shops don’t give a damn anymore. I say, look hard and you’ll find one. I did!
Mark Sotiriou Cobleskill, N.Y.
A LITTLE HELP FROM A FRIEND
I just read your Up Front in the March issue where you welcomed new riders to the two wheel crowd. But please, a little personalized education along with your, welcome.
At 42 years of age, I fearfully clambered aboard a Honda 90cc and with deathdefying bravado, dropped it into fourth gear, roared away and burned out the clutch.
The point of this letter is my friend. He was always there teaching, supporting, encouraging and giving me worlds of advice on traffic caution and safety. He didn’t push bike riding or discourage it. He just accepted it and helped whenever he could.
The end result is a 43 year old Major in the U.S. Army who is having the time of his life (and waiting for delivery on a 198CJ Honda Hawk). I will always be indebted to Colonel Charley Bell, a friend of bikers. He helped us to enjoy the horizons that only we bikers have the privilege of viewing.
Paul A. Wrightsman. Jr.
Major, U.S. Army
APO San Francisco, Calif.
