Letters

LETTERS

Kross talk

Reference the Editor-in-Chief's most recent diatribe titled "General stupidity" (CW, January): Boy, did the general get a burr under Edwards' Corbin saddle. Regardless of how you cut it, I have to agree with General Kross when he says, "The bottom line is that riding motorcycles poses a significantly greater risk to individual safety than driving an automobile." Very true.

I notice how quickly David jumped on freedom and personal choice being part of our constitutional rights. Did he forget freedom of speech? You see, David, the good general was well within his rights to make his feelings known. I also have that right. So here I am exer cising my freedom of speech by telling you what a complete moron I think you are. Your editorial should have been ti tled "Editorial stupidity." It would have been more appropriate. Ron Le Fan League City, Texas

In response to the words of General Walter Kross: Has the general ever thought about how many Americans the Armed Forces have collectively de stroyed? Motorcycles a high-risk gam ble? Join the service and have your ass shot off, that's the real documented risk (see Vietnam). He would have been better remembered if he had taken a stand discouraging participation in meaningless wars. Jay Vlasek Crystal Lake, Illinois

"Nice to have Kross out of the sys tem," eh? I'm not so glad to have his kind out of our system. In fact, the more guys like that we lose, the more I fear for our system. What's so bad about taking a motorcycle safety course or riding sober or any of the other things he told us to be aware of? Keep up the good work at Cycle World,

David. but please lay off genuinely good guys like Kross who have earned a little respect from brother Americans. Major Don R. Parker, USAFR Phoenix, Arizona

Many service members I know won't even ride to work so they don't have to deal with the hassle from the military. Your editorial was disturbing to read, but (anti-bike) attitude is an evil reality in our Armed Services. Troy V. Haight Tampa, Florida

Eleven Air Force personnel lost last year from motorcycle accidents, eh? I'd like to ask Kross how many individuals were lost as a result of "in-flight inci dents." I'll bet a lot more than are re ported in the media!

Motorcycling, "one of the deadliest threats?" Give me a break! As far as being responsible when riding, I can assure General Kross that the next time I wheelie my RZ350 down the road I won't take out a whole gondola of in nocent Italian skiers! Jeffrey Bulk South Bend, Indiana

When is Cycle World going to get its head out of the safety-issue sand? I look at the five points made by Gener al Kross, and I see valid points that your magazine seems to ignore. You call the general stupid; I call the total lack of safety-related information in CW denlorable.

I love CW~ and my subscription his tory proves it. I just think you are consciously omitting safety-related ar ticles from your pages, and I can't fig ure out why. Mark Junkersfeld New Brighton, Minnesota

I had been riding for 12 years when, in the mid-Eighties, I joined the Army and was told several times that I need ed to sell my bike for my own good. I believe this attitude came about be cause so many servicemen were away from home for the first time and fi nally able to buy what they'd been de nied for years, but they knew nothing about how to survive on a motorcycle in a world of cars and trucks. Anyway, when someone tells me motorcycles are dangerous, I tell them a Boeing 747 is dangerous, too-with the wrong person at the controls!

I still ride my `84 Gold Wing 15 years after I was told to sell it. Mark Floyd Hilisboro, Tennessee

Been doing a pretty good job lately, but Dave goofed with "General stupid ity." Let's forget for a second the ironic context within which Kross' memo was written, namely that of sending young men off to die, and concentrate on the general's objections and points about motorcycling. The fact is, he doesn't say anything that is in the least bit untoward. Taking a safety course, making sure your protective gear is top notch, staying off the bike in inappro priate weather or when soused, are all sound bits of advice. More, as a guy with 650,000 two-wheeled miles under me, I'd guess he's probably right when he says that riding is the deadliest thing most people face (though not, of course, most Air Force pilots). Arthur Rosenfeld Boca Raton, Florida

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I read your editorial with interest, but must say that I don't agree with all your conclusions. The general is looking at this problem through the eyes of someone who not only doesn't ride a motorcycle, but who is really disturbed that he sees young men under his command dying. Also, unfortunately, some of the things he says are true: Young guys do drink, take risks, etc. Also, he wants his men to do constructive things, like have them take MSF courses. I shudder to think what would have happened to me if my first ride was a 916 Ducati instead of a 200cc Triumph Cub. Patrick Restaino Newfoundland, New Jersey

I wonder how many of the 11 Air Force motorcycle fatalities mentioned might have been avoided with motorcycle safety training. You see, in 1995, General Kross' predecessor, as head of Air Mobility Command, waived the requirement for mandated motorcycle safety training. This move was apparently in response to "shrinking resources."

Even though it was stressed that bases under AMC were required to promote motorcycle safety, in practice some bases simply took a passive, if not lackadaisical, stance on the issue and chose not to have an active rider safety training program. Rather than simply counsel Air Force motorcyclists on risk assessment, as Kross suggests, perhaps it is time for a more positive measure: Find the resources to bring the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course back online at the bases that no longer require it. After all, the most critical resource any organization possesses is its people. Darrel Kuhse Oxnard, California

General Kross' sermonizing would be better spent on preventing pilot error and death from friendly fire, but fear not, motorcycling and rational thought are alive and well in today's Air Force. If the good general ever wished to debate it, I would gladly jump on my Concours and blast on down to meet him.

MSgt. Jeffrey G. Adams, NHANG, (AMC)

Intervale, New Hampshire

I do appreciate the many contributions General Kross made to my Air Force and my country, but I'm glad he's no longer in a position of authority. I wish him luck in his endeavors, and pray he'll keep his nose out of mine.

Dana M. Shifflett MSgt., USAF (Retired) Wichita, Kansas

Memos to Ducati

A few words of advice for Ducati on the new Hailwood Replica: Produce it! Produce it cheap! Make one for everybody! Everyone I know has already fallen in love with this bike. This is just the thing this world needs to tighten the loose screw we call society. What a beautiful machine!

Paul Emery Lakewood, Colorado

The Ducati ad in CWs January, 1999, issue is revolting! I can't believe the

head honchos at the Duckworks would allow this. Looks like two prison escapees and a street chick who just got busted trying to steal a Monster in a very bad part of town. Ed Biza

Centerville, Ohio

The Drifters

As a fan of the old iron, I have watched with interest (and occasional amusement) the whole retro thing being pushed by the motorcycle manufacturers. Kawasaki's latest efforts compel me to comment. While their delightful W650 looks to out-Limey recent Triumphs, I find the ill-proportioned Drifter (CW, December, 1998) to be as ugly as a hickie on a hemorrhoid.

Tom Drise Salem, Oregon

As I read "Drifter 1500: Kawasaki indulges in a little skirt-chasing," I found Editor Edwards' poor use of the English language and sexist terms very offensive.

The paragraph in which he writes about Kawasaki having to make the Drifter's "oogly" seat a two-up because

of the "ol' ball-n-chain" holding the purse strings is not only ignorant, but it truly shows that he is completely out of touch with half of the potential consumer market. Let me enlighten you a little, Mr. Edwards. Women have come a long way over the last 50 years, and we too enjoy riding motorcycles. Perhaps if you're married (I feel sorry for the Missus if you are), you might consider having her enjoy the pleasure of cruising on her very own machine.

In closing, Mr. Edwards, I want to let you know that your magazine in the past may have been read by mostly the male gender, but it is the Nineties and women are reading to see what is new and exciting on the showroom floors. Yes, we have interests beyond rughooking and controlling our husbands. Get with the program and write articles that are not gender-slamming.

Della Graham Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Atta girl, Della! In fact and amazingly enough, Edwards is not married. He wonders, though, if you 're busy next Saturday night? □