Letters
LETTERS
NO HORROR STORY
Congratulations on your publication of the owner survey article for Ducati V-Twins. The article was very nicely done and should go far in furthering the public’s knwoledge of these Italian-crafted bikes. The survey responses which you received present an overall picture consistent with the views expressed to us by our club members. We were pleased to see no horror stories about keeping the desmo-dromic value assembly adjusted. Some magazine stories have left the public with the false impression that desmos require constant finicky adjustment. Such is not the case. We were also pleased to see the numerous maintenance or fix-it tips given in the article.
As for handling being the number one voted best feature, there is no surprise in that. Such handling has been instrumental in enabling Ducati 900 SS riders to win the AMA U.S. Open Production Amateur National Road Race Championship for the last three years in a row.
Graham Clayton
Ducati Owners Club of Canada
Windsor, Ont.
GUZZI GOODNESS
Thanks for the road test and cover photo on the Guzzi V-50 (September, 1980). I commend your choice and treatment of subject matter, but I differ with your theme.
My Moto Guzzi V-50 excites me, and I don’t care whether it is red, Italian, or noisy. I have ridden for 17 years, and I
have taken the ego trip on much larger size and displacement machines, but now what is important to me is the fact that the V-50 weighs only 336 lb., I can touch the ground flat-footed (I am 5 ft. 4 in.), it has a low center of gravity, it is maneuverable, it cruises comfortably, it is economical to operate and maintain, and it stops more safely than any other machine.
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If the sport and business of motorcycling is to thrive (and maybe even survive) in the future of fuel prices, shortages, and government regulation, it will not be because they are fast.
Sharon Hewitt Goddard, Kan.
REAL WORLD DRIVING
I just took the California motorcycle driving test and I couldn’t believe it. The1 only thing it had to do with real world driving was that I started from a stop and stopped at the end going no more than 5 mph. At no time touching my feet to the ground, I went about 20 yards betweeji two parallel lines 2 feet apart. I made a Uturn and then did the whole thing backwards. Just the thing for a trials rider. They didn’t know if I could shift, signal, drive in traffic or do a panic stop. They must figure that if I could get down to the DMV without killing myself, I must know all that.
I realize there are certain logistics problems in administering a motorcycle driving test but there must be a better way. I used to just watch out for motorists, but now I keep my eyes out for fellow cyclists-.
Alan Christensen Corona del Mar, Calif.
FOR TRUE RD ENTHUSIASTS
In your May, 1980 issue you printed a letter which I had written for the purpose of uniting the few, true RD enthusiasts in this country. I wasn’t ready for the loads of mai^ I received in response to that letter. While attempting to respond to all the letters,<1 had to move to another city because of my work and the letters were lost.
Please print this letter so all of those people who wrote to me will know I have not forgotten them, but that 1 will no longer be able to handle the task of organizing the club. I hope there is someone out there wbp. is willing to take the job.
To all those true RD enthusiasts who wrote me, I can safely say that your word has been heard and let’s hope this is just the beginning.
Doug Schneider Houston, Tex.
THE NEW YAMAHAS
Just finished reading your Decembe~ article on the new V-Twins from Yamaha and I think they've got a winner again. I've~ often wondered why the Japanese manu facturers haven't produced the big di~ placement Singles or Twins before. Three cheers for Yamaha!
I hope to see some tests on either of the V’s. One question, though, why a mono shock? What are the advantages of this system on a street machine?
Jim Hosta Cleveland, Ohio
We’ll be testing the new Twins soon as production machines are shipped to the U.S., probably in a month or so. Until then, briefly, the single shock puts weight closer to the center of gravity, which makes the bike more nimble; one giant shock can be less expensive than two smaller shocks allowing one better shock, and tucking the shock away gives extra room for exhaust pipes, saddlebags and such. It also appeals to customers.
CBX EXCALIBERS
We are an association of CBX owners in Michigan and would like to exchange information, pictures, and anything else that pertains to our favorite sport with other interested CBXers. We have our own jacket emblem and are planning a spring ride to Marysville, Ohio to visit the Honda plant.
CBX Excalibers Dan Phelps 21380 Ridgedale Oak Park, Mich. 48237
HATS OFF
Congratulations on your article on the Teson-Bernard top fuel bike. The story was by far the most informative, interesting and eye-catching piece of writing ever read by this bike fanatic! Hats off to John Ulrich for throwing a leg over that missile.
Bob Miller Shelburne, Mass.
UNDER ATTACK
This may come as a real surprise but some motorcycle nuts are environmentalists or as you prefered in November Roundup, elite preservationists. I hope some hit squad is not sent out to remove my motorcycle finding me unworthy after such a confession. Twice in this November issue I have found my position attacked and this is not the first time. For some reason you assume all motorcyclists are opposed to the 55 mph law. I am not, and by that I don’t mean I always go slow—I don’t—but it is a law with a reason. You also assume that all motorcyclists are opposed to wilderness expansion. Ever seen a motorcyclist with a backpack on it? They just might be going to a wilderness area to hike without the sounds of civilization in their ear.
I have been riding motorcycles for over 15 years ... I turn my head to watch motorcycles as a reflex action, have spent many> hours talking motorcycles and have been cold as only a motorcyclist can be . . . and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. But what is it that says my motorcycle is more important than natural resources or wilderness?
Bruce Grosjean San Francisco, Calif.
Under attack? Not from here you ’re not. Just about everybody is an environmentalist, in the sense of protecting and preserving. What we object to is the elitist idea of removing the public from public lands, of closing for the sake of closure. When we’re told motorcycles threaten land already being used for bombing practice and tank training, criss-crossed with power lines and mining claims, we object.
As for the 55 federal limit, it may be the law, but it’s wrong. The limit doesn’t save lives, or fuel. Instead, it wastes time and makes scofflaws of us all. If you’d like somé proof, our companion publication Road & Track did an excellent and documented study of the 55 limit in their May, 1980 issue.
STAR WARS BIKES
Flipped open your December issue to^ page 21 and almost instantly flipped out! As the proud owner of an ’80 GS1100E, I have but one comment for the Katana . . . that is the ugliest creation on two wheels I have ever seen! And give up the 1 100’s forks? Never. Imagining myself seated on the bike, I guess the view would be similar to looking over the hood of the 1950 Buick when I learned to drive.
The saving grace is that magnificent engine; the bike should go fast enough that not too many people will get a good look at it. I’m not ready for Star Wars bikes.
John D. Swain Denver, Colo.
