Letters

LETTERS

Thompson, yea and nay

My 41 years of riding have spanned dozens of bikes, from a Whizzer to my present RD400, Honda dirt bike and Kawasaki Concours. Steven L. Thompson’s column, “Sunday rider: no apologies” (At Large, September 1988), is eloquent, balanced and beautiful.

Keith Prentice Jamestown, North Dakota

Mr. Thompson is no role model for anyone. He is living proof that age has nothing to do with maturity. The “no aplogies” in the title of his September column really irks me because he owes apologies to his family for not caring enough about them to jeopardize his life, and to his readers for his stupid, self-righteous account of the thrill of breaking the law. Mr. Thompson, grow up. Diapers would probably fit better than your leathers.

Scott Pylat Kokomo, Indiana

I had to write and thank you for publishing Steve Thompson’s column, “Sunday rider.” It’s one of the best explanations I’ve ever read on why we ride sportbikes.

I, too, live for those cool Sunday mornings, slipping onto the unclogged freeways for a quick trip to my favorite winding road. I’ve been using bikes as aggravation-reducers for more than 20 years, and that fast Sunday ride makes it a lot easier to turn up for work each Monday.

William Schiffmann San Francisco, California

Steve Thompson should have used his excellent writing skills to paint the picture of what a 42-yearold homeowner, taxpayer, veteran, college graduate, dedicated father, faithful husband, loving son, churchgoer looks like after he torpedoes a 3000-pound bull at 160plus mph. Lets keep the racing, in any form, on the track.

Wes A. Williams Mountlake, Washington

I am a writer by profession. “Sunday rider: no apologies” strikes me as the very best piece I have ever read in a specialty-interest magazine. It speaks to me.

Arthur Rosenfeld Westport, Connecticut

As self-congratulatory hyperbole, Steven Thompson’s “Sunday rider” column plumbs hitherto unexplored depths. Reminds one of that old record cut of the ’50s: “I love me, I love me, I’m wild about myself.” Spare us this sort of pap in an other wise well-written magazine.

John Joss

Los Altos, California

Thompson 's response is completely predictable: “No apologies. ”

Not impressed

In the July, 1988 issue, your product review of the Monarch Aerohawk helmet states: “when the rider turns his head . . . wind . . . tries to keep turning the helmet. It’s noticeable at 60 mph, and aggravating to the extreme at 100 mph and above.” Several questions come to mind: 1 ) Why are you riding a motorcycle at “ 100 mph and above”; and 2) why are you trying to turn your head to the side?

Such statements as “ 100 mph and above” have no place in responsible motorcycle journalism. Don’t risk your life testing any piece of equipment or motorcycle at “ 100 mph or above” for me, I'm not impressed. Grow up guys.

James Jonak Corning, New York

Actually, James, we didn 7 do it for you, we were just trying to stay ahead of Thompson.

Big Zook

In your September, 1988 issue, you printed the Suzuki GSX-R 1 100 as having an engine displacement of 10,052cc. My question is, what kind of mileage do you get with that?

Andy Medcraft Hastings, Minnesota

We don't know, Andy. The last we saw of the bike, Thompson was on it, going “100 mph or above. " S