Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Get real
Now don’t get me wrong, I love every picture and article in the January issue, but what gives with these prices?
Victory V92SC: $14,399.
Cobra Titan: a “heart-stopping” $48,250 (your words, not mine).
Yamaha “Rogue Star” custom: “30 large” (large to me is $100, but I’m sure it’s $1000).
“Canadian Contraband” Kawasaki custom: $40,000.
Yaffe “Sterling Sliver” Harley custom: $70,000 (sorry, my heart stopped again).
Yamaha “XS-sive 650” chopper: a measly $8,000.
“Bauhaus Bobber” Harley: $20,000. New Indian Chief: $24,000. Magni Guzzi Australia: $25,000.
Even the supermotard Singles are around $8000!
The riders in my little group generally have only one motorcycle, and nothing newer than a ’94 BMW. I’m the rich guy with two FT500 Hondas (1982 and ’83 models that together haven’t cost me $3000.. .excuse me, 3 large). I can relate to Kevin Cameron’s “Monastery” column (mine is an unheated barn), and Peter Egan’s $600 CB550 hits me where I live. I just can’t seem to relate to David Edwards’ buddies with their Kenny Dreer Commandos and garages filled with MZ Skorpions and a Ducati or six. Maybe the motorcycle industry is killing itself with high prices. Maybe I’m jealous. Maybe you guys should get real and do an article on used bikes.
Ron Flory Elgin, Texas
Point taken. We trust Phil Schillings ode to a Honda CB350 in the February issue was real enough?
Gixxer to the rescue
I’ve never been as depressed about selling my old CB350F four-banger as after reading Peter Egan’s January column, “Old bikes.” Thank God I’ve got an ’86 Suzuki GSX-R that’s falling apart and needs attention. Richard T. Chun
Laguna Niguel, California
Funky monk
Regarding Kevin Cameron’s editorial in the January issue, “Monastery”: What a perfect title! Whenever I foolishly believe that Kevin’s column can’t get any better, it does. This one should be saved, framed and mounted on the garage/shop/shed wall of every gearhead who ever appreciated the simple, solitary pleasure of watching something take shape in his/her own hands. I do differ with Kevin on the subject of musical accompaniment, however-blues make a pretty good backdrop for recalcitrant metal.
Incidentally, I highly recommend Kevin’s book, Sportbike Performance Handbook, to any of your readers who are looking to get the best out of their road rocket. A tremendously informative and enjoyable read, and cheap at twice the price. John Eckhardt
Lake Waukomis, Missouri
Kevin 's book is currently on the Classic Motorbooks best-seller list. Contributing Editor Allan Girdler’s latest work, Harley-Davidson, is about to be released. Both books can be ordered from CMB at 800/826-6600.
Have a nice day
Just a few musings on your January, 2000, issue:
From the Just-When-You-ThoughtThey-Couldn’t-Make-Them-Any-Uglier Dept, comes Yamaha’s MT-01 V-Twin showbike. What were they thinking, anyway?
The Honda X-Wing sport-tourer. What the hell was that thing? Call me crazy, but I thought the “bodybike” stuff went away years ago.
The Victory V92C is a nice-looking bike, but what gives with that enormous muffler? Does it double as a reserve fuel tank, toolbox and spare-parts storage?
The “new” Indian. Aw, geez, where do I begin?
Finally, from the Eve-Got-WaaayMore-Money-Than-Brains Dept., Advanced Division, comes a $40,000 custom based on a Kawasaki Vulcan. Can you say “a complete waste of time?” C’mon, I know you can. Larry Deleski Phoenix, Arizona
Sleepless in Tampa
Wait a minute, back up a bit, hold the presses! “Canadian Contraband: The Unexpected Hot-Rod” in your January issue? Did my eyes deceive me, or was that not the coolest Kawasaki Vulcan on the planet?
I own a Vulcan, but trust me; mine doesn’t look like that! Please, sir, may I have some more-íike a full story on how our Canadian friend, Cliff Randall, conceived this masterpiece, and how he achieved such amazing performance figures. More pictures as well. What does the exhaust system
this monster? Can a mere mortal, like me, get the parts turn a Vulcan into a freakin’ dragster? Who is this guy Randall, anyway? Does he build bikes for the masses, and if so, give me his number, please. Eve already talked to my parents about the school fund.
This story has me totally freaked out. I’m afraid I won’t sleep until I see more.
Steve Mason Tampa, Florida
ST1100 Mk.II
I’ve eagerly awaited Honda’s successor to the STI 100 sport-tourer since my purchase of one in 1991. The X-Wing prototype shown in your January issue certainly was different, but isn’t what I’m looking for in a sport-tourer. I don’t really need the complexity and weight of six cylinders, and I certainly do not want anything resembling an automatic gearbox or a navigation system-I can still use a clutch and read a map, thank you. I’m not sure the Terminator 2-inspired styling turns my crank, either.
If Honda really is interested in consumer feedback, here’s my two-bits: Utilize all of the weight-saving techniques employed on the new breed of sportbikes and get the total package down to around 500 pounds while retaining similar ergonomics to the old ST. If possible, up the chassis rigidity and handling prowess (don’t be afraid to build an aluminum frame). For power, why not use the bulletproof old
STI 100 V-Four mill, but goodies as fuel-injection and variable valve timing? The old gal should be good for at least 10 more ponies and a wide, strong torque curve. Throw in a dab of Italian-inspired styling and keep the detachable bags. The only additional electronic gadgets I’d really like to see are a full-function cruise control for those long interstate blasts and a I2v power outlet. That’s it. As long as the beast handles better, pulls harder and is every bit as comfortable and reliable as my old STI 100, I’ll be happy. John D. Leosco Rock Springs, Wyoming
Max on gas
Okay, okay. So I ride a V-Max, and I do have a mohawk. But, guess what!?
I’m a structural engineer, not a mechanical engineer, as Peter Egan asserts about Max men in his December column, “What your bike says about you.” So, there, Mr. Smart Guy! And if you’re so bright, how come you didn't mention the two 10pound nitrous bottles on the seat rail? Ha! Yours in velocity, Kevin “Lefty” Wright Society for the Advancement of Acceleration, Terminally Frenzied Dept. St. Louis, Missouri
The NRA is coming!
I would like to commend Allan Girdler on his article, “Parlez-Vous Mikuni?” I was enthralled that Mr. Girdler correctly recounted the story of William Dawes and Paul Revere. Dawes and Revere did indeed ride to warn the Colonists that the Redcoats were coming. Not for our taxes, but for our firearms!
Unfortunately, today many writers would not present the story of Dawes and Revere, for fear of offending misinformed readers. I commend Mr. Girdler for not using a sanitized version. It is especially heartwarming to see those words penned, not for an article in a firearms magazine where you’d expect to see them, but in a magazine like Cycle World.
I look forward to future exercises of our first amendment by Mr. Girdler!
James S. Nyffeler Lincoln, Nebraska
Rip Van Winkle wakes!
So, were you guys singing The Wizard of Oz tune, ‘Tf I Only Had a Brain,” while comparing the Suzuki RE5, BMW R90/6 and Kawasaki Z-l in your February, 1975, issue, or what?
Your top-ranked bike, the R90 Beemer, cost 30 percent more than the others, had too-soft suspension, unsatisfactory footpeg location, poor turnsignal-switch placement and carburetors that encroached upon the rider’s right leg.
On the plus side, the Beemer traveled 6 more miles to the gallon (ooohhh), had a great toolkit (whoopee), a bright headlight (whoopee x 2), and doddering along in fifth gear, could outrun the
Z-1 in a throttle roll-on, but only if the Kawasaki rider agreed to play that silly game and not downshift.
Time for a rematch. By the way, sorry I was a little late getting this letter out...
Bill Evans Sierra Vista, Arizona
No trouble, Bill. One letter every quarter-century is quite enough, thanks. Come 2025, let us know what you think of this issue ’s Buell Blast, will y a?
