Letters
LETTERS
Minis to the max
I had to drop a note after reading Peter Egan’s “Minibike flashback” column (Leanings, September). My dad, who rode Indians and Harleys as a youth, bought me mine, a used Rupp with a 5-hp Briggs & Stratton, Mercury centrifugal clutch (was there any other kind?) and Fred Flintstone-style Converse All-Star brakes.
I had some great times on that bike, especially the freedom of sneaking in some street miles while doing my paper route (yes, Mom, I lied). Eater, I left my mini in an ex-girlfriend’s garage and subsequently lost it in a “teenage divorce,” but thanks, Peter, for rekindling some good memories.
Glenn Namian Indian Springs, Ohio
Although the minibike of my youth came well equipped with a 4-hp Briggs & Stratton and a centrifugal clutch (compared to Egan’s 1.5-hp directdrive creation), he couldn’t have been better at describing the joys of those early motoring years.
I hope that the potential for adventure to be had on even a simple machine is not lost on the net-surfing, mall-prowling youth of today.
Chris Ulrich Kennesaw, Georgia
Rest of the story
October’s Up Front column, “The Ten Rest” calls the Gas Gas Jordi Tarres Replica 370 trials bike the “BestNamed Bike Never Mind That Three People Will Buy It.” Some corrections: 1) Jordi Tarres is a seven-time world champion, not three as mentioned in the text; 2) the Gas Gas JTR uses a chromoly-steel perimeter frame, not aluminum; 3) it’s the Beta Techno that has the integrated frame fuel tank, not the JTR; and 4) there were more than three Gas Gases sold in the U.S. this year. I think there were four.
Florin Owens Wasatch Trials Association Cedar City, Utah
Just a note to thank you for including the Honda Pacific Coast as the “Best Comeback Bike” and one of “The Ten Rest” motorcycles.
I agree completely with your remarks concerning the “Soap Dish.” While not the most popular model within the ranks of our Honda Sport Touring Association (that is probably a toss-up between the ST 1100 and the VFR750), we do have some 125 happy Pacific Coast owners in our membership. Dana L. Sawyer
South Carolina State Director Honda Sport Touring Association Columbia, South Carolina
As the owner of a pearl-white Pacific Coast, I’m always pleased to see the bike get recognition in the press. After lusting after one for six years, I finally bought a beautiful used PC800 for just $4500, and it has proven everything that I expected of it. Thanks again for recognizing a modern classic.
Peter A. Marshall New Haven, Connecticut
Missing links
Honda comes up with what could easily be one of the great bikes of all time, the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, and then equips it with ...linked brakes? A warp-speed rocket with that fine line of control purposely removed? I surely don’t get it.
Cecil Golden Montgomery, Alabama
I agree with Cycle World's low opinion of linked brakes on a motorcycle intended for experienced enthusiasts. It’s bad enough that we have to fight the dollar/yen problem (a new CB250 Nighthawk now costs what my CB750 Nighthawk listed for a very few years ago), why should we also have to pay for the shortcomings of the general motorcycling public? We haven’t learned proper braking so we need ABS, ABSII, linked braking and integrated braking. We also haven’t learned proper throttle control so we need TCS traction control. Before long, we will have AGC (auto gyro control) because we do not know how to turn, along with not knowing how to brake and accelerate. Get real.
De Carroll Tyrone, Georgia
All the dirt
“Thundercross!” (CW, September, 1996), an ass-kickin’ comparison of three modern, exotic four-stroke MXers, was a joy to find amid the usual crotch rockets and cruisers. As the owner of seven B50/TR5 MX Thumpers, I’ve got it bad, and OffRoad Editor Jimmy Lewis’ article lit all my candles. Fred Socky
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MEMBER MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY COUNCIL. INC.
Columbia, South Carolina
I want to thank Jimmy Lewis for September’s excellent “Matchless MXer” sidebar. Being a participant in vintage motocross, I was pleased that a mainstream motorcycle magazine published such a positive article about vintage racing.
All too often in the past I’ve read articles which unfairly compare historic mounts with their modern counterparts. The rider, who is used to a modern machine, complains about how difficult it is to ride an old bike. Lewis’ treatment was a refreshing change from this type of story.
I was a spectator at the Glen Helen AHRMA nationals. My entire family enjoyed seeing Lewis and Rick Doughty racing so close together. I hope Jimmy will consider participating in future vintage events. I think he’ll find the racing enjoyable and the overall atmosphere of the event devoid of the “attitudes” that are so prevalent in modern motocross events. Steve Caro San Diego, California
Rat patrol
Recently, I picked up a copy of your October ’96 issue, as I do from time to time, just to keep abreast of what will be blowing by me as I putt over the road on my old H-D.
On page 88, heading the Service column, I came upon a Hector Cademartori cartoon that I take great umbrage with. It depicts a rider standing by his garbagefestooned ratbike with flies buzzing around his head, a big belly and what I assume is a can of beer in his hand.
Well, it’s time someone stands up to this kind of insult, so I’m writing to set the record straight: Let it be known that no self-respecting ratbike rider would ever attach a Barney doll to his pride and joy! Blind Boy
Pine Bush, New York
Like a virgin
Regarding CWs exclusive test of the 1997 Harley-Davidson Heritage Springer: “Leather basketweave pattern?”...“conchos with tassels?”...“seat valance?”...“chromed grabrail?” What the hell are we talking about here, a motorcycle or Madonna’s bidet!?!
Neil Cudden Huntington Beach, California □
