Letters
LETTERS
Just Ducky
I would like to thank YOU for possibly upsetting my carefully achieved "cycle/car balance" (CCB) with your test of the Ducati 900SS in the July issue. The CCB is the delicate balance between motorcycle and car ownership achieved by urbanites who have only enough room in their garages for one bike and one car. Since we are space-limited, we have to choose bikes and cars that are appropriately “balanced" along several criteria, including cost, performance, design and visual appeal.
Let me illustrate the ( ( B w ith some personal history. Mv first motorcycle, a Honda 305 Dream, was appropriately matched with mv '69 Datsun I 600 roadster. I he Dream was replaced w ith a Honda 550 Lour that upset the CUB. requiring the purchase of a I 974 Alfa (LTV coupe. Perfect CUB. particularly in terms of classic design and performance. Later, a new Yamaha LJ I 100 meant too much motorcycle relative to ear. A chance trip tv) the used-car lot netted a Maserati Biturbo to restore the ( ( B.
You should now begin to realize the frightening ramifications that your test of the 900SS poses in terms of mv ( ( B. I f 1 succumb and actually buy the Duck, the car required tv) bring about an acceptable balance would destroy my bank account. insurance rates and marriage. Sv). the next time you review a 900SS. please sav the bike handles like a pig. hiccups on half-throttle, and is uncomfortable, to boot.
I )on Mar San f rancisco. California
Did YOU guvs dv) this on purpose? I was seriously considering buying a new Harlev-Davidson. Then the July Cvclc World arriv ed in the mail. That new Ducati 90ÜSS on the cover is sv) gorgeous it makes my teeth hurt.
faking advice from Peter LgaiTs I.eanings evilumn (“If you need a motorcycle, just buy it. Sooner is better than later."), I am now considering buying hath bikes. I'm a fairly accomplished rationalizer, but even I am hav ing trouble justifying an expenditure of $20,000 on two bikes. I lelp!
If you have a real I v world-class rationalization that you've been reserv ing tor just this kind of dilemma. please send it by the next departing /.X-1 I.
Peter Sw anson Ramona. ( ’alifornia
Unless vour upcoming test of the new Moto Guzzi Dr. John Replica can alter mv current state of lucidity. this former owner of a 1985 Suzuki 7 001 ÍS holds firm toward acquiring a 1991 Ducati 900SS.
Tim Alden Portland. Maine
I enjoyed Peter Egan's comparison between the past and present incarnations of the Ducati 900SS. (See “900SS Revisited." CW. July) I think 1 have a solution to his dilemma of w hich bike tv) sav e from fire if he were tv) own both the new and the old versions. All he has tv) dv) is buy twv) new 900SSs. One will stay in Wisconsin next tv) his beloved 1977 version, and the other will be kept in my garage. In case of fire, he can save the original without hesitation, because he has another new one eagerly awaiting him. Of course. I will have to ride the SS he keeps at my house—just as a favor to him—sv) it will be ready to go at any time, should he need it.
Mike Prather Sacramento, ('alifornia
I've got a real dilemma. I've been wanting to spice up my life with a Ducati. I had my heart set on a new 900SS. but there are none to be found. Instead, I ran across a beautiful. blue Ducati 906 Paso. The shop owner told me that because it is blue, it will be worth some money someday. Is this true?
Shannon Powers Norwich. ('onnecticut
W e don't know, hut if we were stuck with u /due. two-year-old Paso 906, we'd he telling you the same thing. You may want to hold out for the 1992 Ducalis, which should he released hefore this year is out. Rumors /utre it that the VOOSS is coming hack unchanged. and will he joined hv a /essespensive 75OSS version.
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Editor Edwards says of the Ducati 900SS, “Now here's a concept . . . forget about going I 50 mph . . . make the thing as light as possible . . . jam-pack the engine with torque . . . and what you've got is a superbike for the real world."
Gee golly! You dudes are really coming up with some profound discoveries. Glad you were able to tear yourselves oil'Japanese appliances long enough to discov er what European superbike owners hav e known since the first Honda CB750. If you ever make it out of L.A.. we'd be glad to give you some “real world" riding instructions, as well.
B. Jan 11 oil man San Diego. ( alifornia
dee thanks. R. Jan. Sow. let's see, was that "clutch on the left, brake on the right7"
Sportster for sale
Your clean-looking Ilarley-Davidson project bike (see “From Sportster to Speedster." CIE, June) is my idea of a great motorcycle. I don't know what happens to project bikes after you're finished with them, but I wish to be placed on the top of the list to buy it. Thanks
Linden G.Jacobs Milwaukee. W i s c o n s i n
Listen. Jacobs, transparent compliments as a wav of obtaining a Harley just won't work around here.
I have to write and compliment you on your motorcycle publication. Unlike all the other magazines on the shelf today, the ‘tongue-incheek' sarcasm which dominates both Cycle Worlds editorials and articles is not only entertaining, but is evidence of an intellectual style not often associated with the sport/ industry.
Jay karliner W i n d so r. Connecticut
Well, t/ujnk you very much for those astute observations. Jaw Say. bow'd you like to buy a clean-looking Sportster on the cheap? 0
