Letters
LETTERS
Trouble in ZR Land
The Kawasaki ZR1100 may indeed be the Best Standard of 1992 as Cycle World states (see "Ten Best Bikes," October, 1992), but at $6999, it is in no way a good deal. For $400 more, I could get a Honda VFR750F, another Ten Best Bikes winner, and a motorcycle CW has called probably the best all-around bike on the market. I like the ZR's looks, but at that price, I will hold on to my early-'80s Honda V65 Sabre.
Bill Kress Buffalo, New York
If Kawasaki can make a Ninja 250 for about $9 per pound, why does the new ZR! 100, at $6999, cost $12.50 per pound? At $9, the ZR would list at just under $5000-about what it's worth.
Tell Kawasaki it should have used more ZX-11 components in making the ZR: the 16-valve liquid-cooled en gine, the aluminum frame, the single shock rear suspension. Then it might be worth the asking price.
There are still plenty of older stan dards around like my `82 Honda 900F that can be bought for about $1000 and will equal the performance of the ZR1 100.
Ron Randall Haverhill, Massachusetts
The recent introduction of modern, standard-style roadsters has once again generated my interest in pur chasing a new motorcycle. The day after the Kawasaki ZR1 100 was Un crated at my local dealer, I was there when he opened. Everything looked right. Nice paint, styling, seating posi tion. Then, the bombshell: $6999! Ex citement turned to disbelief.
Honda's Nighthawk 750 (with op tional centerstand) would cost me $4400. Admittedly, the ZR is more so phisticated, with box-section aluminum swingarm, dual front brakes, gas charged piggyback shocks, dual-plug cylinder heads and eccentric chain ad justers, but why a 40 percent increase in cost over the Honda with only a 30 percent increase in displacement?
Also, Suzuki's `93 GSX-1100G is S500 less expensive, yet comes with a single-shock rear end, a four-valve head, easily adjustable screw-and locknut valve lash, a track-bred and proven engine design, and shaft drive. Plus, unsold `92 models can be had at a discount.
Want to sell a bunch more ZR1 lOOs, Kawasaki? Drop the price to $5999. Then watch those babies fly out of the warehouse
Jim Turner Louisville, Kentucky
Where's Mr. Max
I enjoyed your Ten Best Bikes selec tions, but I wonder why Yamaha's V Max wasn't mentioned at all. I can't think of a better Open-class Streetbike. It's heavy and its fuel range is limited, but mechanics rave about its durabili ty, and its performance is legendary. And what a look! It reminds me of the great muscle cars of the Sixties and Seventies. I'm anxious to hear your staff's opinion of the V-Max.
Garrett Browning Cotati, California
It `s heavy, with limited fuel range, but is durable and has legendary per formance, plus a look that reminds us of the great muscle cars of the Sixties and Seventies.
Anti-XR650L
You rave about the Honda XR65OL being a new chapter in dual-purpose motorcycles. Well, that's not a dualpurpose bike, it's a street-legal mo tocross bike. By your own admission, you almost need to be a professional basketball player to reach the ground from the 37-inch seat, which is obvi ously also too narrow for all-day com fort. And the bike doesn't have a kickstarter to get you out of the boonies when the battery goes dead.
Thank God for my 1974 Triumph 500 Trophy Trail.
Juan Wiggins Wilmer, Alabama
Punch drunk T~, +1-,~~ D1~,f\1T IT 1 1 (~
In the BMW K1100LT test in the September issue, you wrote that the horizontally opposed BMW Twin en gine is called a Boxer due to its "square or box-like configuration." Hmmm. I thought that the nicknameS came from the fact that the Beemer's pistons make horizontal "jabs" at each other, like pugilists trading blows.
Jim Gray St. James, New York
De yuppie scum
In the October Roundup section, you say that Honda may bring back the Pacific Coast "yuppie-cycle."
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What is with you guys and the PC800? All I ever seem to read about the Pacific Coast is negatively biased. Yes, I own one. I love the motorcycle. I ride it to work everyday rain or shine, and enjoy the 45-mile round trip more than ever because of my PC800. Everywhere I travel, someone comes up to admire the bike and ask questions about it. It's clean-looking, smooth, low in maintenance, sure footed economical and fun.
My Pacific Coast gets the job done for me better than any motorcycle I've ever owned. Give me a break, okay?
Davli:I M~oye Franklin, Texas
The Honda Pacific Coast is a "yup pie-cycle?" I resent it when anyone casts personal slurs on me based on the model of two-wheeler I ride.
Lest you think I'm particularly thin-skinned, I've been riding since `55, 50 I'm not young. I'm probably not very upwardly mobile, though I am a professional. I don't deserve the "yuppie" slur; neither does the PC800.
Wayne Phillips Orinda, California
Name that tune
Do any readers happen to remem ber the motorcycle song that Roy Orbison recorded in the late `50s or early `60s? It began:
Two wheels a-turning Big motor burning Burning up the road I'm bound to wander Way over yonder...
As I recall, the song came out as a 45-rpm single, got a little airplay, and then vanished. If anybody remembers the title or the year it was recorded, I'd be much obliged.
Frank Conner Newnan, Georgia
Buy low, sell lower
Thanks, guys. Yesterday a customer was standing over my desk with $3000 in one hand and the August Cycle World in the other, wanting to buy a Hawk GT. Since it appears you are now in the business of advising potential buyers on the absolute rock bottom price for leftover bikes, per haps you can advise dealers how we can keep our doors open selling bikes that cost $3069 for $3000.
Byron Ellis Winston-Salem, North Carolina Volume?
