Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Brough stuff
I'm writing to you to express my concern as to the new editorial direction of Cycle World. I hadn't realized you had become a paid advert rag for greedy speculators to use to help them increase the price of antiques and classic machinery.
I'm referring to the August issue's "Enigma Machine" article about Lawrence of Arabia's Brough Superior. You shamelessly let yourselves be used to help build up the market for that bike and, in turn, all Broughs. If you and your co-conspirators keep this up, there will come a day when only art collectors and the seriously stupid-money people will be able to buy these things. Then will you be happy that you helped keep good and important motorcycles out of the hands of enthusiasts and under sheets “embalmed” awaiting the next huge price increase? Scott Dell
Red Bank, New Jersey
I must express my disappointment with the article on Lawrence’s last Brough. Although well written, it appeared to me merely a camouflaged advertisement for an overhyped and over-rated machine. Why did the author, Mr. Jackson, mention the bike’s potential £1,000,000 value unless he had some vested interest in fanning the flames? The owner has been trying for years to sucker some wannabe into purchasing this brushpainted lemon. Barry Brown
Westport, Ontario, Canada
Excellent article on Lawrence of Arabia and his “Bruf-Sup.” Michael Jackson (the Gloved One?) did a fine job of research and composition.
Paul Watts
Clovis, California
Dead Duc
Peter Egan's selling his 996 Ducati ("Character Infusion," Leanings, Au gust) must be like the falling of Michael the Archangel to the_____ Ducatisti of the world. Such blaspheme from the keeper of the flame. Tisk, tisk.
I, too, have tasted the waters that flow from the other motorcycle-makers, but I have not found the flavor that I need to satisfy my Italian soul. So Peter, when you’ve had your fill of the finest toasters that man can make, come back to the machines that transport not only the body, but the soul as well.
The rest of us (The Faithful) will keep the flame lit...until you come back.
Mike Cecchini
Bethesda, Maryland
After reading Peter Egan’s “Slow Seduction” column last September about buying his Ducati, he had me thinking that I could tolerate the 996, too. Fortunately, after riding a good friend’s 996, I learned the easy way what Peter had to experience firsthand. It is with some self-satisfaction that I see he sold the Ducati. But wait! My pal has now put a chip and pipes on the thing. Gawd! This somehow has made it much more comfortable to ride. Dan Stargatt Wilmington, Delaware
Grab bag
It disturbs me how many negative letters CW received after printing David Edwards’ “Great Clinton Land Grab” editorial in June. I guess it should not have surprised me, as even after all of Clinton’s scams, lies and “non-sexual” affairs, these people re-elected him.
I, too, would like to keep politics out of my sports and hobbies-not to mention my life in general. But when politicians overstep their authority and it affects people’s welfare and enjoyment, somebody has to let the public know. This is one of the reasons I read newspapers and magazines.
I appreciated the column. I, for one, will continue my subscription!
David V. Gonzales Albuquerque, New Mexico
Was thrilled to see somebody of stature speak out against the Clinton/Gore Land Grab. It’s about damn time. But I was shocked and disgusted by the follow-up reaction of so many riders (?) in August’s Hotshots section. Are these people so dumbed down they can’t see the goal of Environmentalism is Kontrol? The CAGs could give a (kangaroo) rat’s ass about saving the brown-nosed mudsucker or any other critter. Destroy rural lifestyles and livelihoods-timber, mining, ranching, farming, any of the “extraction” industries-and voilai Kontrol.
Anyway, Dave, I hope you don’t back down from the dummies trying to turn you into the John Rocker of motorcycling. Jim Bellach
Kerman, California
Why shouldn’t Cycle World be allowed to discuss an issue so obviously close to the hearts of many of its readers? This magazine is not only about street riders; it includes a huge dirt-riding contingent that is terrified of losing its right to ride on public lands. Do some of the street riders (siding with the environmental extremists) really believe they can stand by and watch their dirtriding brethren lose some of their rights and think the government won’t come after them next? Hello! It’s time to wake up and realize what’s happening here. Larry Engwall
Santa Ana, California
To reader Raymon Elozua, thanks for pointing out how “one-sided and slanted” David Edwards’ editorial was. I have never seen anything put out by the Sierra Club or Greenpeace that was slanted or biased. Also, Mr. Edwards’ “stubborn clinging to the rubric of individual freedom” is hopelessly outdated and not really necessary in today’s brave new world. Yeah, right...
If you “cancel-my-subscription” types would prefer living in a country run by a king, where the legislative process is eliminated in favor of rule by decree, then to paraphrase another of Mr. Edwards’ critics, get your fat asses down from your ivory towers and walk there. You see, we who stubbornly cling to the “rubric” of individual freedom got here first and we aren’t leaving. The Cold War’s over. You lost. Tim Stubbs Minneapolis, Minnesota
Keep on reporting on what the politicians are up to. Let people present their arguments for and against in a fair and honest manner just as you’ve done so far, and maybe everyone will get what they need-responsible use of a lasting environment. Don’t cancel my subscription; you’re doing okay. Mike Ward Big Valley, Alberta, Canada
The only thing wrong with David Edwards’ editorial is that it should have been printed sooner. Paul Heinemann Menlo Park, California
I appreciate the courage you showed by taking an editorial stand against the Clinton Land Grab. The real point is
that this land is owned by all of us, not just the able-bod ied souls who have the strength and desire to "get off their fat asses and walk there." We should have the right to enjoy it in any man ner we choose, as long as
we are respectful of the land and its nat ural inhabitants. Dan Savage Waco, Texas
“Environmentalists” appear to be the most intolerant people presently in the country. Any action or strategy is acceptable to them as long as it advances their goals-certainly lying and demonizing anyone not of their belief are high on the list. Observers of human nature will recognize this as a perverted religious fervor. Modern religions discount this “pantheism”-the worship of nature-as paganistic since it centers on that which was created rather than the One who did the creating.
Most of the enviros seem to get their information from very slanted publications and junk science. As a degreed engineer with a lifelong fascination with math and science, I am appalled at people who call themselves “environmental scientists” who do not even understand grade-school science. Expecting them to understand and properly apply statistical sampling and inference, or to do an honest cause/effect analysis is really asking too much.
I have to keep reminding myself that I should not let people who worship trees and rocks as deities upset me.
Larry Corbin Fort Wayne, Indiana
The sooner we realize that these radical environmentalists have deep pockets and influence all out of proportion to their numbers, the quicker we can band together and, hopefully, defeat them.
Steve Marlett Yukon, Oklahoma
I switched subscription from Motorcyclist to Cycle World a while back because I got re-interested in dirtbikes and wanted more dirt info but not more magazines. The only thing I miss from Motorcyclist is reading Gordon Jennings’ conservative viewpoint. David Edwards did himself proud with “The Great Clinton Land Grab,” though. My Gordon Jennings withdrawal is now fixed. Thanks. Chris Buckner
Asheville, North Carolina
The Phil Factor
Wish I had a dollar for every time I've started a letter to CW by writing, "Very much enjoyed...," but here we go again!
This time it’s about Phil Schilling’s “Strut of Speed” article on the 1957 Ducati 175 Sport. My thanks to Mr. Schilling for nrovokin~ some very haonv flashbacks!
John CR Morgan Los Angeles, California
How `bout let's just add Phil Schilling to your masthead and make it official?
Bill Schilling Twin Bluffs, Wisconsin
A vote for Zakopane?
Having been to both Zakopane, Poland, and Prescott, Arizona, I agree with
reader Greg Jones! Why bother riding anywhere else in the world, let alone a scenic European town like Zakopane, when I can ride out to Prescott Valley and visit the site where Patrick Swayze crash-landed his plane?
KS. Jankowicz Mesa, Arizona
Electra Snide
In reading July's "Ten Best Millennium" story, one thing puzzles me. You show a picture of a HarleyDavidson de
scribed as a 1965 Electra Glide. Who does your research? The bike pictured is a 1968 Electra Glide. Are you sure about the year the new Deuce was built?
It's very easy to see your magazine is anti-Harley. Please cancel my subscrip tion and refund the balance.
Stan Petranek Roseville, Minnesota
Reading comprehension is a bitch, am `t it, Stan? The entire Electra Glide line, not just the debut `65 model, was cho sen as the Millennium s' most significant touring bikes (an obvious example of our "anti-Harley" stance?). Anyway, consider yourself canceled.
Ten Messed
Regarding your "Ten Best Bikes," the Honda Valkyrie is 2000's Best Cruiser (not the Harley-Davidson Deuce as CW stated). But the big money at Ford/Harley wouldn't want you to state that fact. Bill Edwards
Ocean Isle, North Carolina
Anti-Harley or on the take, make up your minds...
