Letters

LETTERS

Cameron assassination

I usually enjoy and appreciate Kevin Cameron’s technical analyses. But when he strays from the mechanical to the rhetorical, as in his “Character assassination" column in the December issue, I wonder if he actually understands motorcycling.

In his column, Cameron identifies character as being synonymous with quirkiness. This may be just another of his thinly veiled slams of vintage motorcycling, but in an age when there is virtually no practical reason to ride (whether it's a '29 Sunbeam Model 90 or a '95 Kawasaki ZX-I 1 ), character continues to attract riders to motorcycles.

Mr. Cameron’s philosophies would be more at home in a more “applianceoriented" (his own term) magazine. I'll watch for his column in Dishwasher World magazine. Eric Tucker Denton, Texas

Kevin Cameron should give bike manufacturers more credit than he did in his “Character assassination" column. A “can’t live without" motorcycle is seldom one that is a mechanical marvel or ultimately practical. In fact, it is often just the opposite, which is why I love my Suzuki Intruder 1400. Despite one or two shortcomings, it has character. Dick Brown South Colby. Washington

Egan’s World

So, Peter Egan dreams of owning a fabulous Vincent (Leanings, December). I owned a 1951 Black Shadow, in England, in 1953, and my recollections of it are not happy. It was very difficult to start, as I would expend enormous amounts of energy swinging that long kickstarter, all with poor results. The handling was atrocious. I remember one ride, slowly descending Birmingham's infamous cobbled Bull Ring (now, happily, no longer with us) in a light drizzle, with my date on the back. After gently applying the brakes, we were both deposited unceremoniously on the ground, while the bike slid ahead of us on its side. Oil leaks were always a problem. Mine usually originated from the pushrod tubes.

Peter should enjoy his dreams, as a Vincent might be a good buy as a speculation. But for a bike to ride and enjoy, he would be well advised to read his books and dream his dreams, but not to turn them into reality. Hedley J. Cox San Antonio, Texas

But did it have character?

Required reading

Peter Egan's Leanings columns are read and re-read purely for pleasure. I re-read Kevin Cameron's TDC because I'm a slow learner. But I am learning. Keep on doin' it. guys. Jeff Young Tupelo. Mississippi

Free ride

I would like to be first in line to take Jeff Sunstrom up on his offer for a day aboard his Ducati 916 (see Letters, December). If he still believes that nonDucati-riding motorcyclists are ignorant after one day, I will gladly accept being sentenced to a second day. Liz Cook Lewisville, Texas

I agree with Whitney A. Turpén (see Letters. October) that the Ducati 9 16 is a corny, stupid excuse for a motorcycle. I would also like to take Jeff Sunstrom up on his offer. Michael Napier San Diego, California

For a ride on Jeff Sunstrom’s 916, I will walk to his home in Maryland and give him a 1000-word essay. I have even changed my name to Whitney A. Turpén. As a matter of fact, I changed my wife’s name to Whitney A. Turpén. David Cain Bedford, Pennsylvania

I can't afford a Ducati 916, but I would be willing to trade my first-born child and a limb for a day in the saddle. Scott Wass Grand Rapids, Michigan

Sorry. You 'll have to get behind Cook. Napier and the faux Turpens.

Standard pleasures

The Triumph Thunderbird featured in your November issue was to have been my introduction to standard motorcycles, until the MZ Silver Star caught my eye. Thank you American Jawa, for importing it. And it's affordable, too. I was so excited, I even gave them a call. Daniel Danguilan Portland, Oregon >

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Honda sells a great-looking and probably solid, liquid-cooled inlineTwin (CB500) in Europe, and Yamaha has just introduced what would appear to be a great semi-standard (XJ900 Diversion). I must admit that I am somewhat dismayed at not having access to these bikes. When I was younger, 1 could not afford a bike. Now that I can spend a bit. many of the most attractiv e bikes are not imported. If possible, please provide an explanation for the Japanese strategy of providing Europeans with technically competent, good looking semi-standards while leaving U.S. enthusiasts like myself to read and weep. Michael Sanchez Fairport, New York

It's a mystery to us, as well. Kawasaki seems to he trying, though. Cheek out the CIC 1100 tested in this issue.

Honda should come out with a bare-bon es version of the original Gold Wing with its 15()()cc Hat-Six. One thing, don't style it to look like a Harley! " J.M. Travis Lompoc, California

CB750 memories

Thank you for your terrific article. “A Bike to Remember: CB750" (Deeember, '94). When I was 14 years old. my buddy and I debated if the “Beast from Japan" sitting in his parents' barn w as eapable of transporting his sister and her boyfriend from Maine to C alifornia. Needless to say. it did so effortlessly, and outlasted their relationship, too. Craig Cote Marathon, Florida

I just purchased an old Honda 750 Four. Can you inform me of the address of the CB750 Preservation Society mentioned in the article? John M. Weinstein Fairfax. Virginia

The CB750 Presereation Soc iety, now with a membership that numbers !20, can be reac hed at 7242 Reseda Bled.. Reseda. C l 0/335; SI8/343-6073.

Rally remarks

I applaud Jimmy Lewis for his third-place finish in the Nevada Rally (December. '94). but I feel Alain Oliv ier and Kawasaki did not receive proper credit. Considering its all-out factory effort. Honda should have pounded the competition. Also, renting a $10.000 motorcycle to win $5000 seems illogical. Mike Pizzi Hubbell, Michigan

Lew is rented a S 10,000 motorcyc le to win, period. The $5000 prize was immaterial.

Hardly-Ableson

You guys never cease to amaze me. In the October issue, you tested another 1 larley-Dav idson (the model doesn't matter). After pointing out the numerous shortcomings included at no extra cost on all II-Ds, you wrap it up by praising the bike. You guys even gave H-D kudos for improving the front brake to the point where most testers won't rag them too much about it. Father you guys have stock in H-D. or you are brainwashed by this “mystique" crap. A barebones motorcycle complete with a handful of Haws for only $14.000? What a bargain! This thing costs about $4000 more than my Gold Wing Interstate and guess what: My GF does everything it's supposed to do almost perfectly. It even has a front brake that works well. As for your contention that most H-D buyers are management people, if you come out to eastern Pennsylvania you will see that the easy-rider wannabes far outnumber the middleand uppermanagement folks. The best part is that they refuse to wave to somebody not riding a Harley-Davidson. Some guy that looks like he hasn't showered for a week thinks lie's hurting my feelings by not wav ing back to me? Yep, I'm crushed. Mark Schuttenhelm Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Truth is, Mark, the easy-rider wannabes are management people, dust ask them.

Renaissance Ahoy!

It occurs to me that we're witnessing a motorcycling renaissance. The quality and style of current bikes, the interest in vintage and classic motorcycles. the rebirth of Triumph and (maybe) Indian and the quantum increase of television coverage all lead to my conclusion. The greatest threat to all this involves the escalating costs of our sport. 1 hope the renaissance isn't bankrupted by high prices. Steve Kelley Hampton, Virginia