Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
The King B
I really need a Suzuki B-King (“Supercharged,” CW, February, 2002). How much more American can you get? Too much power, too much rubber, too many gadgets. Mahlon Pitt Tulsa, Oklahoma
Other than Yamaha’s MT-01 concept bike, there haven’t been many motorcycles I would classify as a must-have. Suzuki (or is it “Kawazuki”) changed that with the B-King. This is one of those special moments in time when one can truly say, “I don’t care what the price is, what the insurance costs or what the wife thinks.”
All I know is that I want one...bad! I’ll even sell my overpriced, over-accessorized Harley to help pay for it. Suzuki should take a tip from Chrysler and produce a product that closely mirrors a concept vehicle.
Deric Stewart Prairie Village, Kansas
I have a Hayabusa, I need a B-King! I’ll be the first in line to buy one.
Kyle R. Parkhill Mansfield, Texas
Suzuki’s B-King should definitely be built. This thing is striking! The mix of black, silver and carbon-fiber makes it look incredible, even with the awkward tailsection. All the fancy electronic features are handy but not needed, especially the mobile phone link (there are enough distractions when carving up a backroad; no need having my helmet ring when I should be concentrating). It’s a shame the insurance-nazis won’t touch it with that supercharger. Build
it without the blower, keep it under $ 10K and it’ll sell. Gary Richey Wilmington, Deleware
Hey guys, here’s the plan: First, we swipe the B-King and haul it over to the good folks at Yamaha. In transit we lose the inline-Four, the supercharger and all the whiz-bang gadgetry. We order up the installation of Yamaha’s awesome V-Boosted VFour, and there we have it. The new VMax! Air scoops and attitude. I want one...now! Bruce Noakes Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
I don't know how many of your reviews contain comments like, “Any porch monkey can twist a throttle,
but where this bike is different is the way it rails around corners...only serious riders need apply.” Well, I hate to disappoint you, but many of your readers, myself included, are the aforementioned porch monkeys. I love straight-line acceleration, and my 1980 Zl-R has all the handling I need. I live to hit the throttle on the straightaways.
I’ve been waiting for someone to update the Yamaha V-Max. Too bad Suzuki got there first (and with functional intake scoops). Build the King at less than $11,000, tune it for 100 foot-pounds of torque all the way across the rev range, and I will buy it.
Brian Politis Chamblee, Georgia
Drag coefficient
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the February, 2002, issue, and the coverage of drag racing in particular. Angelle Savoie has been profiled before, but your under-the-skin look at her “Georgia Rocket” Suzuki Pro Stocker was a different take. The story on NXT Level Racing and their turbo “Hayaboostas” was a bonus. I also enjoyed the bit on the evil old Vance & Hines Top Fueler. Anyway, just wanted to let C IT know there is a market for stories like the ones in the February issue. More coverage on motorcycle drag racing, please. Jack Learment London, Ontario, Canada
Hey, guys, great job on the February issue! If there are two things I can’t get enough
of, it’s dragbikes and hot streetbikes. The article on Angelle’s bike was awsome, as was the Hayabusa Street Shootout bike. Keep up the good work.
Chuck Wilburn Tupelo, Mississippi
It’s about time that motorcycle drag racing got some press. Loved the sidebar on Terry Vance. How about more of the same once in a while? There are a lot of us motorcycle drag racers out here who would really appreciate it.
Jim Bulgey Saranac Lake, New York
The recent attention Cycle World has given to dragbikes is very much appre-
ciated! I hope this is a sign of things to come. The “Georgia Rocket” article was great. I have had the pleasure of knowing and following the Star Racing family for years, and it’s a class operation. Thank you for putting a much-deserved spotlight on George Bryce and his creation, as well as the sport in general. Garry Parrish Painesville, Ohio
Great coverage! I always go to the newsstand and do a quick browse of Cycle World to see if there is anything on drag racing. Ninety-nine percent of the time, there isn’t, so I put it back on the shelf. Your February issue was a keeper.
Josh Helvie Indianapolis, Indiana
320,000 happy readers, three old sourpusses
About the February issue, I thought I was reading a Suzuki journal! Every story was about Suzukis-all of them, the best bikes ever created-until next month, when whoever you kiss up to will have the best bikes ever made. What a waste of time and money.
The Schoeneman Family Salt Lake City, Utah
If I wanted articles about drag racers, I would subscribe to the NHRA Times! Keep this crap up, and I will buy the magazine from the supermarket on a case-by-case basis, rather than pay for a subscription. Cliff Babcock Benicia, California
Your February magazine was the worst I’ve seen. Thanks for nothing.
David W. Morgan Emory, Texas
Ridin' with Wes
Wow! First, your January issue has a ride with Freddie Spencer, my favorite GP rider ever. Then, the February issue features Wes Cooley, one of the most under-appreciated roadracers of all
time. I had the pleasure of meeting Wes at Road America in the summer of 1983. He was lying down after a race, yet still got up to talk with me and signed an autograph. A class act all the way-just like Cycle World.
Dave Chapman Round Rock, Texas
I just finished reading Brian Catterson’s “Time Machines.” It’s good to see that Wes Cooley is doing well, but I can’t believe he doesn’t have a bike! Tell him I have a few GS1000E project bikes sitting downstairs, and he’s welcome to one! I’ll even arrange delivery if he’ll trade me for an autograph on my Wes Cooley replica helmet! Dennis Roy Milford, Connecticut
Two-stroke of genius
In the January issue, Kevin Cameron inferred that the 1950s MZ 125 and 250cc racers were the first successful twostrokes on the Grand Prix scene. Cameron needs to dig a little deeper into the history books.
The German DKW factory began contesting the Grand Prix series in 1934 with a 250cc two-stroke “Twingle” that featured a piston-type supercharger and liquid-cooling. DKW riders won the Grand Prix d’Europe in 1934 and ’35, after which Ewald Kluge dominated the 250cc European Championship in 1938 and ’39. DKW also fielded a 350cc version, with Heiner Fleischmann edging out the Velocette riders for the Junior class championship in 1939.
During these last two years, the DKWs used an eccentric vane supercharger for even more power, the 250 capable of 110-112 mph and the 350 running 117122. Heavy and extremely loud, the DKWs were also known for their fierce acceleration and suspect handling.
After World War II, the FIM outlawed the use of superchargers, so the unique DKWs became museum pieces. I have enclosed a picture of Fleischmann racing in the 1939 Junior Isle of Man TT.
Richard C. Renstrom Caldwell, Idaho
Supercross Wars
The news of the upcoming “Supercross Divorce” is very disturbing. The AMA and Clear Channel running opposing series will do nothing to help the sport and everything to hurt it. In open-wheel car racing, a similar split of the IRL and CART has diluted fan following and just about killed both of those series. It would be a shame for this to happen to Supercross.
Anthony Butera Mena, Arizona
Cooked Goose
As a Canadian citizen, I should like to register a complaint regarding the Slipstream photo in your February, 2002, issue. Those geese represented the finest Canada had available for Daytona last year, and “Francois” (third from the left) was National 600 Supersport Champion in 1999 and 2000. You are not likely to see such as him again, as his poor performance for 2001 has resulted in his being served up at the Honda Canada Christmas dinner... C. Skonberg Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Test-Mex
Why do all of your editors eat Mexican food and drink margaritas after a ride to hash over test notes? Do me a favor and mix it up a bit. How about sushi or Thai or even a cheeseburger.
Travis Stidham Seattle, Washington
We 're thinking goose... if Honda Canada will pass along its recipe.
Hard sell
FYI from The Oregonian newspaper:
Sales of that model have been really soft lately. The competition must be stiff!
Patrick A. Reagan Portland, Oregon
Nevera "Dole" moment, eh Patrick?
