Letters
LETTERS
Kiss my ACE
In regards to CW's “Role Reversal” comparison of the Honda Shadow 1100 ACE and the Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide in the March issue: You say, “The Super Glide is unequivocally the better motorcycle.”
Unbelievable! Did you just get out of the bed that morning after dreaming up that statement? You seemed to base your entire conclusion on the fact that the Harley has more power, stops slightly better and handles better on twisting roads. Cruisers are not for drag racing or Superbike racing; they’re designed for cruisin’.
Next time, before you reach a conclusion on a test, try waiting ’til midafternoon-or at least drink some coffee-before you write.
Barry Ramaeker Humboldt, Iowa
“Is the ACE the Real Thing or just a blasphemous Harley knockoff?” Can someone explain to me what that means? I get the feeling that those of us who own ACEs are supposed to bow down and chant, “We’re not worthy.” You maligned the ACE for its performance, but I didn’t buy it to do wheelies or handle curves like a 600F3. So the Harley is a second quicker in the quarter-mile? It also has 241 more cc.
The bottom line is the ACE is an excellent boulevard cruiser. Plus, I didn’t have to wait two years to get one.
Dan Hoekstra DeMotte, Indiana
I have to take issue with your conclusion that the Harley Super Glide is a better bike than the Honda ACE. What I can’t believe is that you glossed over the fact that the ACE costs fully 30 to 50 percent less than a comparably styled Harley, despite a Harley lacking a lot of basic technological advances. Features like liquid-cooling, shaft drive and an integral transmission may not have the “elemental” charm, but they were designed to keep the ACE on the road and out of the repair shop.
Yes, Honda did compromise technically by using a single-pin crank, but the feel and sound of a cruiser are just as important as snappy throttle response. Rather than being “functionally misguided,” in my opinion the ACE is the best effort to date by any motorcycle manufacturer to blend high-end classic cruiser style and basic modern technology at a price that won’t jeopardize your childrens’ college education.
Hey, I even got a tool kit, standard!
B.R. Braden Washington, D.C.
You’re probably right picking the Harley Super Glide over the Honda ACE in your March comparison test, but the one thing you forgot to mention was the availability of H-Ds. Recently, my wife and I traveled the U.S., looking for a bike to buy along the way. We stopped at several H-D dealerships between California and Maine, and received the same rude response-that is, if the sales reps would take the time to get off their butts to answer our questions: “1997 is as soon as you could get one if you want to put your name on a waiting list.” What a disappointment. I had my eye on a H-D, but after my experience this past summer, I bought a BMW with three times the warranty. Mike Steffy
Post Falls, Idaho
Just read your comparison report between the Honda Shadow ACE and Harley Super Glide, and as a devoted Honda fan, I was disheartened to see the poor performance figures of the ACE. For years, I’ve heard that the best motorcycle engineers at Honda were being siphoned off and sent to the car division. It must be true!
Please, for the memory of Mr. Honda, somebody put some horsepower back into this bike! Perhaps, we need to call upon “Ace” Ventura, Pet Detective, to find those lost ponies.
Bill Silver Spring Valley, California
Wimps-R-Us
I’ve never written to any magazine before, but after reading the long-term wrap-up on the Harley-Davidson Dyna Wide Glide (February, 1995), I had to write.
In “Quotes From the Log Book,” Off-Road Editor Jimmy Lewis writes, and I quote, “But around town this piece of American iron is a bear, especially the clutch.” I have a 16-year-old daughter, who for her age is quite small. She has no problem whatsoever with the bike or the clutch around town or anyplace else. Mr. Lewis, either get a smaller bike or maybe spend some time at your local gym.
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Jerry Morris Pleasanton, California
I just read the long-term wrap-up of the H-D Dyna Wide Glide in the February issue. After reading the first sentence, which described HarleyDavidsons of the 1970s as “bikes that were substandard in nearly every respect...,” 1 had to respond.
My nearly stock 1977 FLHs may not be as refined as the latest from Milwaukee, but it sounds, feels, looks and rides like a real motorcycle, gets me to work every day, and will be making someone happy long after I’m dead and gone.
Come out to my house, ride my bike, and after you wipe the smile off your face, tell me that it’s substandard.
Jeff Garrett Chino Hills, California
We d send Lewis, but he 's too busy pumping up.
GPz1100 views
Congratulations Kawasaki. Your GPzl 100 looks great. And optional hard saddlebags to boot-outstanding! I really appreciate being offered more choices in the sport-touring arena. Sport handling and l lOOcc of inlineFour grunt in an attractive, uncramped package under 600 pounds. (All of this from the owner of a Honda VFR.) Kudos and Kawabunga! Peter Landon Santa Cruz, California
Finally! GPzl 100, a modern standard. Bull’s-eye! Richard Di Lorenzo
Deltona, Florida
A few words about Senior Editor Jon F. Thompson’s negative “Editors’ Notes” comments in the February issue concerning Kawasaki’s new GPzl 100: Hello! Is anybody home!?
Exactly how fast does a sport-touring motorcycle have to be, Jon? Is a 158-mph-plus-change missile not fast enough in the Land of the Double Nickel?
Not so long ago you would have to spend big money, and spend plenty of time and effort to get even the biggest and baddest bike into the 10s at the dragstrip. Then, to make things worse, you admit that you would gladly spend another two big ones for the ZX-l l so you could go a bit faster yet.
Slow down a bit, enjoy the scenery a little more, keep the $2000 and spend it on a long holiday.
Han Maricus Trail, British Columbia Canada
Duck under fire
Okay, so maybe 1 shouldn’t have parked my Ducati 888 in front of the Boot Hill Saloon during Bike Week at Daytona. However, shouting comments at me such as “rice-burner” (while throwing rice, no less) were not only politically incorrect, but geographically wrong, as well. Personally, I think throwing pasta would have been more appropriate.
1 guess I’ll have to take cans of oil to throw back next year. Chris Roher New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
Good ol’ days
Your March comparison of the 1947 Indian Chief and the Triumph Speed Twin was outstanding and brought back many memories.
My first bike was a new 1947 74cubic-inch Indian Chief purchased just after WWII. I rode the Chief from Bloomington, Indiana, down Route 66 to Albuquerque, New Mexico, including camping along the way in farmers’ fields. To wash up, I skinnydipped in convenient streams. Route 66 was only two lanes and rough at times, with detours, gravel patches and potholes. I was able to average about 50 mph.
Near Clinton, Oklahoma, I crashed head-on into a new Chevrolet-but that’s another story. I repaired the Chief myself from parts shipped to the hospital.
I am now deciding on my 28th bike-probably a Kawasaki GPzllOO or a Honda CBR1000F.
Ralph S. Prickett Adelanto, California
I surely loved your articles on the Indian Chief and Triumph Speed Twin. Exactly like I had in 1947 and ’48. It brought back the “good ol’ days.”
Now, if you’ll do articles on my 1938 and ’39 Indian Fours and my ’48 Ariel Square Four, I’ll kiss the editor.
Max R. Hutchins Fort Collins, Colorado
Mr. Editor Edwards says thanks, but a simple subscription renewal will suffice.
