Letters
LETTERS
The cruiser caucus
Finally, a Japanese cruiser that may be “honest.” The Honda Valkyrie 1500 displays its radiator and hose proudly; it doesn’t have bolt-on fake fins; it didn’t blatantly copy Harley-Davidson styling; and it wasn’t detuned just to give a certain sound. I look forward to your upcoming test. Jim Santory McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Honda’s new Valkyrie 1500 is impressive. It could be the cruiser I am looking for; if only Honda would do something about the ugly-blemish-onthe-nose-of-Miss-America radiator hose and get the pricing in the $10,000 range (Kawasaki, with the Vulcan 1500 Classic, appears to be getting it right). Still, if the 1500 rides as good as it looks, Honda might sign me up.
Phil Stewart Sunnyvale, California
I truly hope the Valkyrie is received well, and that the media and public judge it for what it is and what it can do, not for what they think Honda is trying to copy. I have always believed that the more makes, models and styles of bikes there are to choose from, the more interest will be generated. This translates into more sales and a larger riding public. I congratulate Honda for such a bold venture.
Now for some trivia: Honda is not the first company to use the name Valkyrie for such an enormous behemoth. North American Aviation named its prototype XB-70 supersonic bomber Valkyrie back in 1958.
Norse mythology is the origin of the name. Legend placed Valkyrie as a servile follower of Odin, God of War, and described her as a maiden of great beauty who ranged the skies on her steed in golden armor deciding the outcome of battle. Brian M. Ashton Canyon Country, California
The Air Force’s XB-70 Valkyrie crashed and burned during a test flight. Hope the new Honda fares better.
Mark Stewart Port Chester, New York
Recently, both Honda (Shadow ACE 1100) and Yamaha (Royal Star) took motorcycle engines of excellent design, refinement and technological advances, and deliberately “dumbed down” the technology and the tuning of those machines. The predictable results were increased vibration and a loss of both torque and horsepower, all in the pursuit of getting the exhaust note to go, “potato, potato, potato.” Honda actually reverted to an antiquated single-pin crank. Aaargh!
All the brain-numbing dopeyness that went into the ACE and Royal Star seems to have left a lot of cosmic smarts for the new Valkyrie 1500. It’s a clean design uncluttered by all manner of bolt-on schtuff. The engine was actually souped up to increase horsepower, and (happy-happy-joy-joy) the styling owes a lot more to Moto Guzzi’s 1100 California than it does to whichever Harley-Davidson everyone’s been trying to clone. Percy C. Keith Skillman, New Jersey
Today, I read the letters to the editor in the March issue. One reader lectures that the resale value of a Japanese cruiser will be less than that of a “real” Harley, adding that a Road King will get more stares and admiration than a Yamaha Royal Star (isn’t it sort of early to tell?). Another reader makes fun of those who ride “wannabe Harleys,” suggesting that cruising around on a Royal Star is akin to “faking an orgasm.”
Gentlemen, please, let us be more tolerant. Those of us who buy Japanese cruisers probably could buy Harleys if we wanted to, but we aren’t all alike and 1 don’t want us to be. Do you?! Are you insecure if you buy a bike based on how many stares and admirers it will attract? This old psychologist thinks perhaps so.
One suggestion: A trip to the pyschlaundromat to wash out soiled mental underwear might be time better spent than writing angry, critical letters to the editor. Stanley Eliot Rocklin, Ph.D.
Fairfax, Virginia
If I was worried about resale value, I would invest in gold or something without wheels. I ride my motorcycle-a Yamaha Virago-for the joy of riding, not for the satisfaction of others. I ride for the freedom I feel and to escape life’s everyday problems. So don’t burden me with your brand loyalty, insecurity, sexual problems or arrogance. Jim Pajor
Hoopeston, Illinois
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1 find it hard to believe that the caustic opinions printed in March's Letters section about the Yamaha Royal Star represent a diversity of readers’ opinions. I’m saddened by the crude attitudes that so many motorcyclists have developed. The fact that one rides supersedes what one rides, or it used to anyway.
M.S. Miller
Six Lakes, Michigan
Okay, all you Harley riders, please clear something up for me: Why are you so upset with the introduction of the new Japanese cruisers this year, specifically the Yamaha Royal Star?
As an avid female motorcyclist,
I don’t understand your fears or what appears to be real anger at the introduction of these new “mega-cruisers.” Why are you calling them “wannabe’s?” If I wanted a Harley, I would have bought one. But, because of my personal taste for style, performance and high technology, I own a Honda Gold Wing and recently took delivery of a Yamaha Royal Star.
I thought motorcycling was all about riding with the wind in your face, the pavement rolling out in front of you, the camaraderie of fellow bikers, etc.
It seems most male bikers I know get too caught up in the My Toy Is Bigger/Better Than Yours Syndrome. (Wow, will this ever get responses!)
Sue Hoskins River Vale, New Jersey
With the introduction of the Royal Star, Yamaha, to my eyes, has done everything possible to produce a beautiful cruiser. Yet, judging from the March Letters section, it would seem I am in the minority.
So, I guess it’s up to me to take the point and declare that this bike is One Fine Ride. My Royal Star sits next to a Norton Commando, an R75/5 Beemer and the ghosts of many bikes, including an XLCH Sportster. My only regret in buying the Yamaha? It doesn’t have a kickstarter (but, nowadays, nothing else does, either).
For those of you holding your wallet and eyeing the Royal Star, I say go for it. This bike is different, and it shows. And, remember, when you decide against the majority, you’re traveling with good company.
John Jacobsen Seattle, Washington >
We ought to examine the term “imitation” (besides it being the sincerest form of flattery). A really good imitation is almost indistinguishable from the original. For example, a good imitation of a Flarley-Davidson would not have liquid cooling, overhead cams or shaft drive. Nor would it have a different number of pistons or alternate engine layout.
Yamaha’s Royal Star and Honda’s Valkyrie, then, are just about the poorest “imitations” going. How can these be Harley wannabes? The only thing the same is the general style of the bikes.
Riders who spend time bad-mouthing other riders and/or their mounts need to spend more time riding. Mike Zeiner " Wichita, Kansas
Pardon me, but I think the Big Four are missing something in all this second coming of the cruiser business. It would appear that they have corporately decided that what the American buyer wants is Luxo-Barge 1940s cruisers.
Well, I grew up on mega-motor Cámaros and Mustangs. For motorcycles, we had Triumphs, Nortons, BSAs and Sportsters, which were fast, and, of course, we made them faster. What they were not was Luxo-Barges.
For now, I guess I’ll just keep my VMax, a politically incorrect motorcycle for real men, that I paid less than 10 grand for, and that still runs with damn near anything on the mean streets.
Bill Moye
Staunton, Virginia
What the heck is going on here? I ordered a subscription to a magazine that’s supposed to glorify speed, technology and hot-dog stunts, and lately you slackers have been focusing on fat, lazy cruisers that could have been built on a Wisconsin dry dock 30 years ago.
In your most recent articles you have been covering historical events and bizarre contraptions that were built long before most of us were born. Furthermore, you wrote a bio on a man (Harry Miller) who specialized in race car engineering during the 1930s! What kind of a crossover is that?
Are you trying to bridge the gaps between motorcycling and other sports? Are you telling us that obsolescence is cool? Is this sacrilege to modernization going to continue?
God, I hope so! I’m starting to like it.
Rick Martinez McMinnville, Oregon
