Letters
LETTERS
Bad-Max weather
I really enjoyed Frank Conner’s “Touring to the Max,” in your November issue. I should know, because I own a V-Max and enjoy touring on it.
In 1985, The Max and I went on a 1400-mile tour through Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and then on as far south as Mayodan, North Carolina. Once I got that far, I had to run to the north to escape the weather problems caused by Hurricane Gloria.
As August of 1986 rolled around, The Max and I headed out on a tour. This time we went north to Acadia National Park, New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, then through moose country to La Patre, Quebec. On the start of this trip I was plagued by some rainy weather caused by Hurricane Charlie.
I find The Max great to tour on. With soft luggage, a good fairing and cruise control, it's quite enjoyable.
Oh, one last thing: It seems only appropriate to run from a hurricane on a bike with the power of one. Ron Watson Greenwich, Connecticut
Sounds like you 've just written the ad copy for Honda's new Hurricane sportbikes. Make sure you collect your cut.
A Standard request
Since April, 1986, when some clown stole my prize GS1100, I have been searching for its successor: FJ, Ninja, GSX, VFR? Great bikes, but not all that practical for everyday, three-season riding. Right now it's 45 degrees outside and rain is forecast for later on. So how do I fit a clear fairing on one of these hot-rods for a little protection from rain, cold and bugs? Can't be done.
Other bikes: cruisers—no thanks.
K100 or Concours—nice, but I also like to be able to take off the fairing if I so choose. GS 1 150—yes, but it's so ugly and overweight.
Having discarded all but one or two bikes from my list, I wait, hoping that the manufacturers will offer a standard model for the rider who wants a do-everything bike. Any of the current crop of 750 or liter-size sportbikes minus the fairing and fitted with a reasonable seat and handlebars would do me and many others just fine, I think. Brad Boyd Ossining, New York
Funny; we distinctly remember telling the manufacturers much the same things. Maybe, in time and with enough impassioned pleas from riders like you, they'll finally listen.
Once and future Triumphs
“Triumph Remembered” (October, 1986) really hit the bull’s-eye. My recollections of and sentiments toward these bikes are so similar to Peter Egan's that I feel as though I could have written the article myself.
The local Triumph shop in my home town also sold Yamahas and Hondas. The comparison was obvious: You bought Japanese because you couldn't afford a real bike. As I recall, performance wasn't a big issue, either.
Now that I'm old enough to afford a shiny new Bonneville right off the showrooom floor, the showrooms have regrettably vanished. I think I represent a sizable group of potential buyers who would jump at the chance to have a bike that looks machined, polished and functional rather than stamped-out, plated and decorated like a pinball machine.
I spend a lot of money to keep my old T100 running. I’d be glad to trade it in on a new bike, but I can’t bring myself to ride something that looks like part of a sci-fi movie set. Bill Hann Norfolk, Virginia
I just want to say thank you for publishing the article on the new Triumph Bonneville. After I wrote several letters to different so-called “motorcycle” magazines, CYCLE WORLD was the only one to publish any sort of news about the efforts of Les Harris to resurrect the British marque. It’s nice to know that there are still people out there who care about “real” motorcycles. Peter Egan expressed the true feelings that British motorcycle enthusiasts have for their machines, and as usual, it was very amusing. John Schneider Wakefield, Massachusetts
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Racing insurance crisis
Your article, “Slowing the Insurance Liability Crisis” (Roundup,
July, 1986), was accurate, if not somewhat brief. As an insurance agent/motorcycle rider/racer (an admittedly unlikely combination), I want to add a few personal thoughts. This crisis has not only hit the manufacturers and riders, but the racing clubs, districts and AMA, as well. Insurance for organized racing events has gotten so expensive that if something isn’t done soon, certain events will not be held at all.
What I have seen shocks me. Racers in particular are causing much of the problem. As unbelievable as it may seem, many racers are suing clubs, sponsors, bike manufacturers, dealers and land owners if they are injured. I realize that there may be some circumstances where this may seem proper; but what happened to the competitor’s acknowledgement that racing is a dangerous sport, and that people who compete choose to do so of their own free will?
It seems to make no difference that entrants are asked to sign releases; that parents also agree and sign the same forms; that recklessness or lack of skill may have contributed to an injury. What seems to matter is only that someone must pay. If we, the riders and racers, don’t do something ourselves to stop this ever-increasing litigation, we may ultimately bring about ourselves what our foes have been trying to do for years: eliminate all forms of competition. Rick Curtis Agua Dulce, California
Oops on books
As one who has obtained many hours of reading pleasure from your publication and many interesting imported books and magazines covering a broad spectrum of motorcycling, I read with enthusiasm your August, 1986, article entitled “Books On Bikes.” I have received excellent mail-order service on many of these publications from a company known as Motorsport Books in Missouri, a company that has been a frequent advertiser in your magazine. They were not mentioned in your article as a source of motorcycling-related journals, and I, for one, would like to state that they also are a reputable supplier to the U.S. motorcycling enthusiast. B. T. Stone Rocky River, Ohio
A double embarrassment for us. Not only did we inadvertently omit an established, reliable source of motorcycle-oriented reading material from our reference list, but we did so with one of our regular advertisers. Our apologies to our readers and a thousand pardons to Motorsport Books.
Calling all racers
I was pleased to see your October editorial on club racing (“Hometown Hotshoes”). We are working with the Western Eastern Roadracers Association (WERA) to improve spectator awareness of the WERA motorcycle roadracing events in their area. If any of your readers would like to get on our WERA mailing list, they should drop us a note at SSG, P.O. Box 1595, North Wales, Pennsylvania 19454, or call (215) 699-9658. We will keep them up to date with upcoming race announcements and information. James R. Habel North Wales, Pennsylvania
Thank you for your editorial on club racing. You put into print what we at Western Eastern Roadracers Association have been saying for years. C. E. Pritz
