Letters
LETTERS
The Blue Angers
After reading August’s “Wild Blue” about David Edwards’ joy ride with the Blue Angels, I came away disgusted. This is a very thinly disguised endorsement of possibly the worst president in U.S. history. Edwards managed to endorse everything from homosexuals in foxholes to Hillary’s investment skills. I don’t subscribe to Cycle World to read this garbage. I plan on skipping any articles or columns by David Edwards from now on.
George Osborne Santa Ana, California
Do you really think Cycle World is the place to toss out political ideas? That “pesky” Senator Bob Dole, the guy you want to eject over the Everglades? He has a badly mangled arm. Do you know how he injured it? Not protesting his country at Oxford University, but defending his country on foreign soil. In the military. The same military that was nice enough to take you on an E-ticket ride in an F/A-18 Hornet. Dwell on that for awhile.
Brian Rathjen Englewood, New Jersey
I have to disagree with Editor Edwards conclusions about Tailhook. I had some pretty outrageous Saturday nights back in the old college dorm, too, but I was never so hard up for women willing to get naked and be groped that I had to go out and attack women who weren’t.
Right is right, wrong is wrong, and the guys who screwed up at Tailhook were a bunch of mutts. Just because you got a hop in one of their planes and threw up in the back doesn’t mean you have to make excuses for what they did. Dan Delgado
Fresno, California
In “Wild Blue,” David Edwards refers to the Tailhook incident as “a good Saturday night back in the old college dorm.” Could he possibly believe what he wrote?
The conservative media’s attack on what it refers to as “political correctness” now affords anyone the opportunity to make almost any bigoted remark and then defend it by accusing critics of the heinous crime of oversensitivity. Encouraging this trend, whether tongue-in-cheek or not, is not in our best interest. I will remind you that each time we ride, motorcyclists are a minority expecting the same rights as the majority.
I am now humbly stepping down from my soapbox. Don’t make me write again...you’re cutting in on my riding time. Matt Rehm
Imperial, Pennsylvania
Your little upchuck ride cost the tax payers plenty, so just stick to motorcycles. Leave the aviation articles to Flying and the political satire to the Saturday Evening Post, because you suck at both of them.
Brian Wenhold Tucson, Arizona
Imagine that, I was reading my August issue of Affordable Flying and ran across a review of the ZX-9R. Now, if I just had a CBR600F2 with twin turboprops. Dann Sternsher
Perrysburg, Ohio
Career changes
“Wild Blue” should not have appeared in a motorcycle magazine. If a political article is to appear in CW, it should pertain to the subject of motorcycles. Perhaps Editor-in-Chief Edwards should consider a position with The New Republic magazine. Tripp Smith
Martinsville, Virginia
I want to comment on the opening of the Honda NR750 test in the August issue (“How far would you go to obtain a ride on your Dream Bike? Donate a kidney? Give up your firstborn? Maybe hock the wife?”).
Women and children are not property to be traded; neither this notion nor the practice of slavery is popular in contemporary society. Some women do read your magazine, and the act of directing a particular article towards men is contrary to good manners. After all, what you were discussing was a motorcycle, not jock-itch powder.
Maybe you folks would care to write for Peoplel Marjorie Osborne New Paltz, New York
Dissenting opinion
Good article by David “Chunks” Edwards about his flight with the Blue Angels. I even agree with his political statements about Bob Dole and twoton Rush Limbaugh (what a Bozo). I had a couple of chuckles. Mike Morio Redford, Michigan
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MEMBER MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY COUNCIL, INC.
Audit Bureau of Circulations Member
Who was IT that said never to discuss religion or politics? To set the record straight, both the Blue Angels story and the lead to the NR750 test were written with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Or did you really think Cycle World is in favor of mass molestation, the drowning of one-armed war-hero senators, the bombing of right-wing radio talk-show hosts and the exchange of family members for an NR750? (Both it and a ride in an F/A-18 are worth the simple donation of a kidney, however.)
Year of the Duck
Congratulations. You did it: came up with a classy cover for the July “Bike of the Year” issue. A symphony in gold and silver, and, of course, the brilliant red of the Ducati 916. It made a pleasant change from the usual numbing neon hues of bike and rider, with the latter invariably indulging in strange antics in the process of negotiating a simple corner. Sam Jowett
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
I’m surprised Cycle World would deface its pages with something as ugly as a Ducati 916. This corny, stupid excuse for a motorcycle looks like something out of a comic strip!
Whitney A. Turpén Westminster, Colorado
Thank you for all the articles describing new and exotic bikes that are heavier, slower and more expensive than the Honda CBR900RR-yes, I do own one.
Dan Patterson Wappingers Falls, New York
In regards to the Ducati 916 as Bike of the Year, I just can’t buy it. It’s basically a go-fast toy. Rick Aaboe
Fresno, California
Yeah, so what’s your point?
Wide is right
Regarding the six-cylinder Honda “Wide Wing” cruiser mentioned in the August Roundup, I have to disagree with the comment that the machine resembles a Harley Fat Boy. I’ll admit it does seem to take many of its styling cues from the FLSTF, but the overall look of this hulking Honda brings to mind another machine from a bygone era: the Indian Four. The flair of the fenders, the shape of the tank and especially that massive engine with all those carbs and exhaust pipes flowing back into fishtail mufflers, all recall the lines of the 1935 Indian Four, the “Duesenberg of Motorcycles.” It could be a real winner; I hope Honda decides to build some.
Jeffry A. Arend Pickerington, Ohio
Burning questions
In December 1993, I purchased a Harley-Davidson 883 Sportster. In the eight months and 5000 miles that have followed, I have not been able to bring myself to refer to all other types of motorcycles as “Brand X.” Neither have I been able to discipline my left hand to wave only at other Harley riders. I have not replaced my full-face helmet with a reproduction Nazi helmet. I am not convinced that I will never ride anything but a Hog from now on.
What’s wrong with me?
Matt Morrow Nokesville, Virginia
If tennis star Gabriela Sabatini’s personality is as beautiful as her face (see “Gaby Rides,” Roundup, August), then she is my absolute dream woman. The Ultimate Date would consist of a 150-mile ride/picnic on a sunny afternoon exploring the countryside of southwestern Ohio, with Lady Gabriela riding beside me on her CBR600. Could you, uh, maybe give me her phone number?
Joe Schuster Cincinnati, Ohio
Sure, it’s 1-800-GET-REAL.
Fill ’er up
I don’t know why Cycle World complains about the small size of motorcycle fuel tanks. In last July’s offroad Thumper comparison, the empty weight of the KTM 620 is 275 pounds, and the fueled-up weight is listed as 396 pounds. That’s a 121-pound (roughly 20-gallon) fuel capacity! No need for refueling stops during the Baja 1000. My only concern is that the bike might feel a bit top heavy.
Robert Erck Lombard, Illinois
I would like to know what the hell kind of fuel was used in your KTM 620 testbike? A. Watchful Eye
Orlando, Florida
Leaded?
