Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
What’s a Real Biker?
I hope you can handle another letter about the “real biker” issue. When I read the letters from all those guys ripping David Edwards for his “Trouble by the Beach” column, I had to write.
I have been riding motorcycles since my early teens, and since I now have more gray hair than I care to think about, I feel I can comment on who is a real biker. Alas, the only person who can say if you are a real biker is you, but here are some guidelines:
I A real biker loves to ride anything with two wheels. It doesn’t matter in what country it was built, how many strokes or cylinders, streetbike or dirtbike, dual-sport or moped.
2. A real biker is someone who rides for the love of riding. The rush of hard acceleration, the feeling of leaning into that corner, the aroma of tree blossoms on a calm mid-June evening, the first bone-chilling ride of spring and the last finger-numbing ride of late autumn.
3. A real biker never lets trends or fashion dictate what he rides. He wouldn’t think of buying a big, heavy roadbike if he is just riding around the neighborhood, nor would he buy a European sportbike to cruise up and down Main Street. A real biker assesses his skills and his needs honestly, and buys the appropriate machine. If impressing others is important to you, you’re probably not a real biker.
4. A real biker doesn’t change his persona to ride his bike. He is not an accountant dressed as a 1-percenter, nor a computer geek dressed as a roadracer. A real biker wears the proper clothing to protect himself while riding, because if you are a real biker you have probably sometime, someplace become acquainted with the pavement. And you picked up your bike, and you rode on, a little sore, a little scraped, a little more humble and a lot wiser.
5. Finally, a real biker has or has had buddies, who for one reason or another, cannot take up their bikes and ride...and when you think about them, you remember the love they had for our sport. A real biker rides!
Drew Povlock Trail Creek, Indiana
I am on this Dave Edwards guy’s side 100 percent. Yuppie bikers make me sick! Twenty years ago, these pencilpushing, buttery-skinned she-men were calling us “biker trash,” and now suddenly because the Harley is a status symbol, these counterfeits want to jump on the bandwagon. They do not have the true grit and spirit that makes up a genuine motorcyclist. It’s about freedom, not capitalism and greed. They ride to glorify themselves and announce their “wealth.” All they do is drive up the prices of machinery with their penchant for techno-gimmickery and social status. Die yuppie bikers!!!
Tim Hunter
Folsom, California
Pipe down
Just saw the new Yamaha Road Star Warrior. I’ve got just one word for it: Fugly ! ! ! I mean, where did they get that tailpipe? Looks like they took it from one of those lowered cars that 17-year-old kids drive. Daryel Brown
Posted on ^ \ www.cycleworld.com The sportbike-style exhaust on the Yamaha Road Warrior, sadly, will stay on for about 10 minutes before it’s replaced by a set of aftermarket staggered duals. Never mind what Kevin Cameron says about small mufflers, or what Paul Dean says about open drag pipes in the Service section. Never mind that the bike won’t run right and will be louder than hell; ya gotta have the right image! Pathetic dweebs.
Steve Wassenich Kettering, Ohio
It’s not right to pick on the “oddity” of the exhaust system, because it’s part of the theme of the whole bike-the Warrior really is some kind of morphed cruiser/sport machine. To really advance the performance of cruisers, it will take adopting some of the things that are regular features on sportbikes. The gas tank, stepped seat, rear fender brace, etc. all say classic American custom; the wheels, brakes, swingarm, low-profile tires (and, yes, exhaust) all say modern repli-racer.
OldGuy
Posted on www.cycleworld.com
I really enjoyed Steve Anderson’s article on the Yamaha Road Star Warrior. Looks like Japan is finally listening to cruiser riders in the USA. About time!
Doug Beaty
Albuquerque, New Mexico >
Okay, then, how about moribund?
Fred Fischer Glen Burnie, Maryland
Not by am chance a fan of Monty Python classic "Dead Parrot" sketch, are ya Fred? Trust us, Excelsior-Hen derson is bleedin `deceased.
Mitchell the man
In reading John Stein's August article on GM's colorful design VP, Bill Mitchell, I experienced a flood of memories. During the Seventies, I worked at GM Design in Warren, Michigan, and on several occasions was involved with Mitchell's passion for motorcycles.
One day, I screwed up my courage and asked Mitchell if I could ride one of his custom bikes. He agreed. The plan was for me to ride his special Ducati (shown in your article) for the Memorial Day weekend.
Long story short, I was letting the bike warm-up before a ride when I heard the sickening sound of crashing metal and fiberglass. Parked pointed to ward the curb on a crowned road, the Duc simply vibrated off its spring loaded sidestand.
It was a dreadful weekend. All I did was try desperately to find replacement parts. I was able to repair everything ex cept some hairline stress cracks in the clearcoat of his custom red-pearl paint job. I dreaded telling him about what happened, but figured his infa mous temper and the possible consequences of deceiving him weren't worth the risk-he had fired several people for less dur ing my 10 years there.
When I told him, he brushed it off, not even looking at the bike, say ing, "Hell, I dropped my Gold Wing this weekend. I'd still be in the ditch under the goddamn thing, if two kids in a Camaro hadn't stopped to help."
Mitchell lived large and liked to put on a show, but he was genuinely pas sionate about design, cars and motorcy cles. Although he was a difficult person, he could be generous and genuine. Thanks to Cycle World and John Stein for the reminder. Sheldon Payne Escondido, California
Shove it
Okay, guys, 1 just can't let this one go, yer killin' me. In the article about GM car designer and closet bike freak Bill Mitchell, the caption under the picture of the `Vette and the Harley reads .the thunderous persona of the big Harley Shovelhead." Sorry, but it's a Sportster, not a Shoveihead. At least you got the brand right. The picture isn’t good enough for me to tell if the Sportster motor has Shovel cylinder heads on it or not (that would make it a “Shovester”), but the illustration is clearly all-Sportster.
Harold Bragg Augusta, Georgia
Cure for the Blues
Is there a “Blue Book” on motorcycles as cars have? If so, how do I find it? I saw a used bike for sale by owner and want to check it out before I talk with the owner.
Peg O’Donnell
Posted on www.cycleworld.com
The National Automobile Dealers ’ Association publishes two motorcycle price guides; one for 1986-2000 models and one for 1905-85 models, each priced at $9.95. NADA can be reached by phone at 888/232-6232 or online at ven www.nadaguides.com
Bullpoop?
So, I open the September issue and there it is, the bike of my dreams, Yamaha’s BT1100 Bulldog. But wait, say it isn’t so! “Don 't look for it stateside!“ This can’t be. Yamaha, my old XS650 probably could go another decade, but I’m getting older. The kids are gone. I’ve got money to spend. Come on, it’s a parts-bin bike-low cost, high profit. I’ve tried to be loyal to ya, but a guy can only take so much rejection. You’ll miss me when I’m gone.
Ray Dent Cincinnati, Ohio
I couldn’t help but notice the Bulldog 1100 in Roundup, especially when Yamaha’s own spokesman referred to it as “boooring.“ Sure, it’s not an Rl, but then I’m no Dennis Rodman, either. My hair is the same color it’s always been, and at last count I still have zero body piercings, no tattoos, and Newport Beach’s Finest don’t visit my home on a regular basis.
I live a “boooring“ life, I do “boooring” things like go to work, pay the mortgage, work on my bike and take a sport-tour or two a year. Sure, having shaftdrive is “boooring" compared to lubing a chain on a centerstand-less bike in a motel parking lot 800 miles from home. Just as I’m sure that with only 64 bhp on tap, I’d only get written up for a “boooring ” 120 mph instead of an exciting, go-directly-to-jail 150 mph-plus.
Chris Roy Laguna Hills, California
The Bulldog may be heavy, but it’s also gorgeous. Power output is right where I like it. If Buell made it, I’d already have traded my Blast for one.
David Florida Posted on www.cycleworld.com
There once was a man from Nantucket...
The Rain in Spain-type “limerick” Brian Catterson was looking for in August’s Triumph Daytona 955i impression is, “The precipitation in Portugal pelts principally on the plateau.”
By the way, he sure hates BMWs, doesn’t he? Mark S. Bohn
Golden, Colorado
It s not that Brian hates Beemers Some he thinks are real screamers But when it comes to linked brakes Power ABS gives him the shakes So lighten up on Caiman s demeanor
You may already be a loser
The only reason I have subscribed to this magazine in the past (besides the great writing and content) was to receive the neat gifts enticing me to renew. Last year, I never received the gearbag offered, and now you are threatening me with a great new windbreaker. How can I be sure to get one this time without being suckered out of my money? Do I check the “Bill Me Later” box and put up with just the magazine in the meantime? Nick Raffa Somerset, Massachusetts
Sorry, Nick, but you may have to make do with that pesky great writing and content.. .plus the limericks are free! □
