Letters

LETTERS

Standard-issue GTS

One big reason Yamaha’s innovative GTS 1000 sits on the shelf (see “Brilliant But Unsold,” CW, February, 1993), at least in the U.S., is because it looks silly. Many riders in the 35-and-older age group who may have reached the income level where they can contemplate sinking $15,000 into one motorcycle remember when Triumphs, Nortons and other bikes were styled around their essential mechanical components-not an added-on plastic skin.

At a motorcycle show two years ago, I admired a GTS displayed on a turntable with its bodywork removed. What a piece of metalworking and machine design! Why bury it in a corny shroud?

In styling its leading-edge models, the motorcycle industry ignores an unknown number of middle-agish riders who could be some of its best customers. Notable exceptions in the same price category are HarleyDavidson and BMW Harleys sell for a number of reasons other than engineering, the most important being that they look like motorcycles. And BMW, which was smart enough to not entirely obscure the RS1100RS Boxer’s working parts, has enjoyed good sales of its new flagship.

Japanese, European and American aesthetics aren’t the same. Neither are those of youthful and mature riders. A large chunk of the motorcycle industry misses these points. Stuart F. Brown Hollywood, California

Of course Yamaha’s GTS 1000 isn’t selling: It’s too expensive and too ugly. Tell Yamaha to put that RADD front end on an FZR1000 and I’ll buy one. Chris Buckner Ashville, North Carolina

Cruise-off comments

I just read the February issue and wanted to thank you for the excellent “Cruiser Comeback” comparison test.

I subscribe to your magazine because I am fascinated with the technology involved with the new sportbikes, though I harbor no fantasies of owning one. Don’t get me wrong: When I can afford a stable of motorcycles, there will be a sportbike in it. But for now I’m a one-bike kinda guy, and that bike is a cruiser. Ben Kriegmont Columbus, Ohio

As the owner of a 1993 Honda Shadow 1100, I was thrilled with the “Cruiser Comeback” article. I believe one of the biggest reasons for purchasing an “import” cruiser over a Harley-Davidson is price. A range of $4400 to $7700 for a new cruiser is pretty hard to beat. I may be a Harley rider at heart, but my heartbeat can be felt in my wallet. Dale 0. McDaniel Denver, Colorado

Regarding February’s cruiser comparison: I was encouraged to learn that you don’t need lOOOcc and ten grand to get back up on something comfortable. Hmmm.... Ivan Berger Fanwood, New Jersey

You missed a heck of an opportunity when you published an 11-bike cruiser comparison that excluded Sportsters. I’m aware that the purpose of the article was to evaluate Japanese alternatives to Harley-Davidsons, but it would have been useful to have included the 883 and 1200 Sportsters as benchmarks. For better or worse, Sportsters are long-standing and relevant yardsticks in the same price range. Noyes B. Livingston III Houston, Texas

Triple threat

I’ve been lucky enough to attend the annual European shows for the past seven or eight years, and I have to say the reborn Triumphs never did much for me. The proportions were wrong, the colors were off, the engines seemed kind of boring. But the Speed Triple (OF, February) knocked me out. This one’s a winner, especially in black. Is it enough to make me park my Ducati 900SS? No, but I’m beginning to think I may need to make room in the garage for two bikes. Theodore Costantino Boston, Massachusetts

AAA alternative

Like Christopher Russell of Columbus, Ohio, I too was upset to find out that not all American Automobile Association roadside services apply to motorcycles (see Letters, January ’94). Then I discovered Motorcycle Touring Services. Available only to motorcyclists, this is a 24-hour, 365-days-ayear service available in the continental United States and Canada. Thankfully, I have not had to avail myself of MTS’s services, but I now travel with a lot more confidence that I am not going to get stranded somewhere. Chuck Gibbs Longmont, Colorado

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MEMBER MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY COUNCIL, INC.

Cycle World has no direct experience with MTS, but a motorcycle-dedicated roadside-assistance program sounds like a good idea. Some checking revealed that the company has been in operation for six years and that a one-year membership costs $49. For more information, call MTS at 800/999-7064.

Re“volt”ing ES21

My comments on Honda’s ES2l electric superbike (CW, February)? Come on! Have we forgotten what a motorcycle is? If I can’t feel the vibration or hear the noise of the engine, what’s the point of riding the damn thing? Nick Norland Eugene, Oregon

Politically incorrect

What in hell is happening to our sport? Motorcycling used to be about rugged individualism-wind in the hair, bugs in the teeth, risking our very lives on two tiny contact patches. I used to think motorcycling was the last bastion against the current onslaught of political correctness. Riders used to earn respect through ability and/or longevity, regardless of age, race, sex or political affiliation.

But now there seems to be a concerted effort by The Whiners to bring motorcycle publications into line. I see more letters complaining that, “You always/never say good/bad things about some particular make of bike.’’ Other complaints have to do with too much skin in advertising and intolerance to cigarette ads. These letters usually end the same way: “Please cancel my subscription immediately.” Good riddance, I say. Let the bastards go back to Reader’s Digest if they want to read something guaranteed to offend no one. I’d rather read different viewpoints, then decide for myself how I feel.

Please continue my subscription indefinitely. Rolf W. Pitts Grants Pass, Oregon

Isn’t “political correctness ” an oxymoron, like “military intelligence ” or “oil-tight BSA? ” □