Letters
LETTERS
FalcoRustyco faux pas
I was interested in the new Suzuki GSX-R 1100 shown in the January issue, but captivated by the Suzuki FalcoRustyco. I prefer high performance in a bike and currently ride a Honda CB1100F. I can't afford a new bike as often as quarter-mile times get quicker, but I want Suzuki and the rest of the Big Four to know that the FalcoRustyco in a liter-bike version looks worth my hard-earned money when I can trade. How about getting Suzuki to let your testers ride this bike, since you stated it was a running demonstration of technology? Sure wish I could pronounce FalcoRustyco. 1 never took Latin.
George Martin Evansville, Indiana
Apparently, neither did we, as you will learn in the following letter.
I don’t know what Latin dictionary Suzuki used to get “white falcon” from FalcoRustyco, but I don’t believe it's correct. So far as I can recall, the Latin word for white is “albus.” As to “rustyco.” the Latin word “rusticus” means rural or rustic. The letter “y” is a borrowing from the Greek alphabet and not really Latin at all. I'll appreciate hearing from any Latin scholars.
Jack Boyd
National City. California
Well, we're not Latin scholars, but you can read our foot-in-mouth apologies on the subject in Roundup.
On the record
It was only last month (Novem-
ber) that I picked up Motorcyclist magazine and read with interest about their attempt to use a new VF1000R to beat the old personal record they had set on an '82 CB1 100F. After I finished reading it, I thought, big deal. Why don't you guys do something that is going to break a real record? Then I pick up the December, 1985, Cycle World, and in big. bold print I see, “We Set World Speed Record.” I thought, “This is more like it!” Congratulations. Great effort. Great article. Great mind-reading.
Ken Shields
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Congratulations! Cycle World is the owner of 12 speed records. A lot needs to be said about your accomplishments. You broke the 24hour speed records that stood for the better part of a decade. But after all is said and done, what did you prove? Nothing is sacred to people
with money; without money, your group wouldn’t have had a chance in hell to obtain the records that it did. It wasn't your technology that was running 140 mph for 24 hours, it was your money. Any motorcycle rider with the nerve and skill can run 1 40 mph.
Your contributed technology—the auxiliary gas tank—didn't work. You went 140 mph on bought motorcycles. but hasn’t a man named Buell gone 1 75 mph on a motorcycle he built from the ground up?
To me. his accomplishment is by far more impressive than yours. I know he bought the plans for the engine, but it was full of problems.
If I had the money I'd be chasing records, too. But in the meantime,
I'll be tuning my '75 Trident and going after my own records.
Ric Schrank Liberty, Indiana
I have been reading Cycle World for years. The December issue and your world speed record was fascinating. You guys did a great job! It must have been fun running those bikes WFO like that. I think that by bringing this 24-hour endurance event to public knowledge, you offered a challenge to anyone who thinks he could go even faster. It's neat that you left the bikes stock, but it would have made for noticeably higher top speed and racier pictures had you removed the mirrors and turn indicators.
An interesting note about the pigs: Here in Wisconsin, we have deer to contend with. My service manager hit and killed a small deer continued from page 10 this summer at Elkhart Speedway aboard his BMW Twin at over 100 mph. It ripped off the front fender and slightly bent the forks, but did not change his course.
continued on page 15
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Craig Terlau Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Congrats on setting the world record for 24 hours in Texas. When you are ready to break the record again, try a Ducati Hailwood replica. With minor preparation, you have a bike that is as light and fast as the Suzuki and gets 40 mpg at racing speeds (as Mike's did at the 1978 Isle of Man). Not bad for a bike that in its basic form has been around for 1 5 years. I think you fellows have started something. Go for it and save a place on the team for me, but wait 'til June 2 1 for the most daylight of the year, and cooler weather than you experienced.
Gino Tommaselli Sisters, Oregon
Thanks for the suggestion, but a June day's worth of weather in Laredo is best described as 18 hours of attempted cremation followed by six hours of mediocre sun-tanning.
Congratulations on your world speed record. However, I have a few questions about the test/record.
1. What did the factory technicians look for (and do) during their careful, mechanical-defect inspection that normally would be overlooked on regular production bikes?
2. Can consumers be assured that their production bikes will be as reasonably free of defects, and as dependable?
3. What service (if any) was performed during the test?
The reason for these questions is that I am planning to buy a GSXR750 and want it to last forever.
Paul LeBrett Healdsburg, California
l. They torqued all the nuts and bolts to the proper value, looked for leaks and loose/ill-fitting components, and made sure everything that directly affected performance (ignition timing, valve lash, carburetor synch, camchain tension, engine compression, etc.) was up to spec. 2. Reasonably, yes. 3. Absolutely none, other than the addition of oil as needed. 0
