Letters
LETTERS
Jolly Green
The King’s Men
Family and professional commitments have made it difficult for me to purchase a new motorcycle, but when I saw the Kawasaki ZRX 1100 in your December issue, it ignited the fire in me to own another motorcycle.
I think Kawasaki is on to something here, the kind of retro-bike that appeals to my Baby Boomer generation: a sane riding position, a torque-monster motor, comfortable, smooth, high-tech and drop-dead beautiful.
I’m waiting, Kawasaki. In the meantime, I’ll just keep drooling over the photos in Cycle World. Greg Thornhill Temecula, California
I’ve decided I must have the ZRX1100! Thank God for big Japanese inline-Fours. The UJMs to me are the best motorcycles ever. A ’90s version like the ZRX1100 is exactly what I and my friends have been waiting for. Spread the word! J. Pino Cherry Hill, New Jersey
I want to let Kawasaki know that the contemporary style and advanced technology of the ’98 ZRX 1100 is a morethan-tempting combination. I would also like Team Green to know that the new ZRX is attractive to those in their 20s, such as myself, and not just Baby Boomers as noted in the article.
Jason Santamore Craftsbury, Vermont
Good news and bad for ZRX droolers. Kawasaki will bring the 1100 in as an early-release 1999 model. It should be in dealerships by fall. Except, sad to say, in California, where those meanies at CARB will prevent Jolly Green from being sold.
Sunday, Sunday
In regards to Brian Catterson’s “Sun-
day Morning Ride” article in the January issue, let me get this straight. On Brian and Mark’s excellent adventure, they use $36,000 worth of motorcycles to go the whole 30 miles from point A to point B. Hmmm. They do this at admittedly illegal speeds. And this behavior is acceptable, so long as you’re not caught? PhiTip M. West
Glenview, Illinois
You have grasped the concept, Phil, with uncanny alacrity.
Give Mr. Catterson a big raise. Here in northwestern New Mexico, winter has steeled in, along with cabin fever. “Sunday Morning Ride” was short but sweet, bringing a momentary end to the aforementioned ailment. That article should be sent to every non-motorcyclist living in this great nation of ours. Then maybe, just maybe, they’ll understand what makes us sportbike riders crazy with anticipation for that “Sunday Morning Ride.” i. J. Nissen
Farmington, New Mexico
Quoting from January’s HarleyDavidson Road King Classic test: “...the never-ending procession of widgets, trinkets and chrome-plated doo-dads...the current Evolution engine, which carries the dubious nickname ‘Blockhead’...acceleration is painfully lacking...engine vibration is almost unbearable at idle...clunky transmission, harsh suspension and the flawed windshield...”
Not only is your writing bad, it predictably follows the bash-Americanand-glorify-the-Japanese habits of Cycle World. R.M. Byrom
Crozet, Virginia
About the Road King test, and most any other Harley test: So, less is more, and if you want more you have to take less because less is the real thing! Can you spell S-U-C-K U-P T-O H-D? Give credit only when credit is due! Motorcycles are not a religion.
D. Cochran Perry, Georgia
Look, you guys are just gonna have to sort this out between yourselves. Let us know what you decide.
German lessons
I’ve just finished reading Peter Egan’s excellent account of his experiences on this year’s Cycle World GP Euro-Tour, for the 2000th time. As an American expatriate living only minutes from many of the places mentioned, I can easily relate to Mr. Egan’s adventures. I just have a few points which may prove relevant:
Those yard-long German words are not as daunting when you consider that they are merely compound words. There are, in fact, only 11 distinct words in the entire tongue, four of which refer to > brewing processes. The other seven are just combined, and re-combined, to make up a language.
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Nothing illegal in Amsterdam? Have you ever tried to park there?
The rainy weather you spoke of was actually the driest summer we’ve had in the five years I’ve lived here.
Anyway, stop in for a beer next time you’re in the neighborhood.
Alex Kulcsar Speicher, Germany
What Waldmann rides
Kevin Cameron’s article on Max Biaggi in the January, 1998, issue indicates that teammate Ralf Waldmann used Michelin tires in 1997. This is not the case. Waldmann uses Dunlop and has done so for many seasons. It’s not a huge deal, but it would be nice to set the record straight. Any way to do this?
Jim Allen
Road Race Manager, Dunlop Tires Buffalo, New York
Consider it done, Jim. Sorry ’bout the mix-up.
Rollie Free, flat-out
Sure enjoyed the exciting article on Rollie Free’s “bathing suit Vincent” world-record bike (“Return of a Warhorse,” CW, January). I’m old enough to remember that event, and have a vivid memory of that famous photo of Free sprawled out “a la coffin,” as we used to call it.
Naturally, many of us speculated what would happen to Rollie if he fell at 150 mph practically naked. One of the magazine articles of the time answered that question: No problem-the salt would take off the skin, sterilize it and cauterize it all in one quick operation!
Ray “Bubba” Ward Beasley, Texas
Thank you for the fine article on Rollie Free. His accomplishment was nothing short of breathtaking in 1948, and it was this as much as anything else that established the legend of the Vincent motorcycle in America. As the proud owner of a Black Shadow, I believe that the Vincent is truly in a class by itself, but don’t take my word for it. You should road test one yourselves and see what you think. John Carey Burbank, California
That sounds like an offer to us, John. What time would be convenient? □
