Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Unboxed Aprilia
After all the backlash you guys took for ranking the Aprilia Tuono #1 in the “Modern Immaturity” naked-bike shootout (Hotshots, July, 2003), I thought you might like to hear from someone who agrees with you. I am a recovering spec-sheet junkie. For years, like many people, I thought that if a bike won the Numbers War it must be the best. That was before I had actually ridden the motorcycles I was reading about.
“Specifications addiction” is understandable since motorcycle dealers, for obvious reasons, can’t let everyone test ride every bike in their showrooms. However, most manufacturers have traveling demo-ride programs that can be found at major motorcycle races, rallies and events. For instance, at the 2003 Honda Hoot in Knoxville, Tennessee, this past June, anyone with a motorcycle license could have ridden six of the nine bikes compared in “Modern Immaturity.” This included the Tuono-with which I was so impressed I had to sign up for a second ride just to be sure I was not imagining how unbelievably great it was. While I still love to read and compare specifications, I have come to understand, like CW, that there is a lot more to any given motorcycle than the sum of its numbers. Andrew Black
Knoxville, Tennessee
It seems many infidels disagree with CWs crowning of the Tuono. They should try riding one first-then try to stop grinning like the village idiot. Wheelie on! Mike Madigan
Deland, Florida
I was blown away at the number of whiners about the winning Tuono. “It wasn’t the quickest,” “It didn’t cut the quickest lap times,” “The ZRX1200 has a higher top speed,” blah, blah, blah. I guess that all the other magazines that tested the Aprilia were wrong for heaping praise on it, too.
Gotta tell ya, I love my Tuono! I ride all types of venues (street, dual-sport, flattrack, etc.), own 12 motorcycles, race competitively, and the Aprilia is the most fun motorcycle I have ever owned. Isn’t that what your shootout was all about? Nekkid bikes forever!
Eric Bickel
Grass Valley, California
I can’t believe you guys at Cycle Worldl Here I am reading another shootout that my bike didn’t win! In fact, my Buell XB9R wasn’t even mentioned! I only read your magazine so you can tell me how great my motorcycle is. I think I’ll start my own magazine in which every article is about the same bike-ray bike-the greatest motorcycle ever. (Keep up the good work, you guys kick ass!)
Dan Gillis Rocklin, California
I cannot believe the beat-down that you boys took over your “Modern Immaturity” piece. I didn’t realize that so many of your readers wear their hearts on their sleeves, and are offended anytime their bike doesn’t win a shootout! Not to mention the comments regarding author John Burns’ “junior high school language” and “vulgar expletives.” Everyone is sooo sensitive! People need to lighten up and take the shootout for what it’s worth, instead of whining that their horse didn’t win.
Ron Failing Phillipsburg, New Jersey
I have just one request after reading June’s nine-machine naked-bike ride. Please, please let Mr. Burns write more articles. I hate going into my lexicon to use complicated phraseology to describe my feelings of joy reading his articles, but here goes: He’s as funny as I was reading the mag at work and grinning like an idiot the whole time. Please, can we have some more?
Anthony Duncan
Brooklyn, New York
I write for a living and it’s nice to be able to write (and read) outside the box. If you want dry prose, get Reader’s Digest or Business World.
Harl Hoppler Fort Collins, Colorado
Next complaint...
The Sportster range is Harley-Davidson’s largest seller, but it is completely ignored by the mainstream motorcycle press be( cause of its dated design and slow per formance, and by Harley magazines because it is not “big” enough.
Sportsters represent great value for the money, have high re-
sale value, are fast enough and a blast , to own and ride. You editors are missing the boat here. Why? Michael Boatner Lafayette, Louisiana
When better Sportsters are built, Michael, we’re
there to do better Sportster stories. The fun begins on page 36.
Issue No. 500
After reading Editor Edwards’ “Issue No. 500” editorial in the August issue, it was difficult for me to believe that CW has printed 500 issues! Cycle World is a great magazine, and it always has been; founder Joe Parkhurst was a true visionary. But I still couldn’t believe there are 500 CWs out there.
So, I visited my personal library downstairs to count them myself. Sure enough, I have 500 issues, just like you do. So, to all the writers, living and gone, whose words I have read and enjoyed all these years, I can say that I was there in January, 1962, and I’m still here today with August, 2003. I’m a reader from No.’s 1-500.
Congratulations and best wishes for 500 more. Ben Schenk
Sumner, Washington
A few words about two of CW staffers not around to celebrate Issue No. 500: For those unfamiliar with Henry N. Manney Ill-funny, articulate, a friend and confidant of drivers and riders-his work is yet to be surpassed. Kudos also to “Flash” Gordon Jennings for regaling us with sometimes wacky, but usually cool, ideas. Two greats, sorely missed, and Godspeed to all. John Mannix Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Edwards’ statement about making sure to put a little Parkhurst in every issue really shows, and is much appreciated!
Ken Newton
Newhall, California
Fast Masters
Wow! Maybe your “Master Bike” shootout (CW, September) should have been titled “Apprentice Bike?” Your topspeed figures seem awfully low for the liter-bike class. I thought for sure something like the Suzuki GSX-R1000 would approach at least 170 mph.
Barry Nikrad Golden Valley, Minnesota
The numbers given were the top speeds reached at the Jerez circuit during timed laps, not outright numbers achieved after a straight run of a mile or more. In regular topspeed testing, the GSX-R does 177 mph.
In “Master Bike” and in general, why is the Honda CBR954RR so unnoticed? It was second in lap times to the GSXR1000 in this year’s test, and right behind the GSX-R750/ 1000 last year. Furthermore, when it does get
a mention, it is frequently put down as, “underpowered,” but as Don Canet noted, it’s perhaps the best choice for the street. Has it just become typical to overlook the Honda as the “given?”
Chris Shealy Auburn, Georgia
Beyond help
I need a turbo for my 2003 Gixxer 1000. Help! Neil Jones
Gainesville, Florida
South of the Border
Enjoyed Peter Egan’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends” Baja trek in the August CW. Please ask Mr. Egan to let me know the next time he goes down Baja to Catavina, as I would like to buy him a shot of Don Julio, the world’s best tequila. They have a functioning gas station in town now, so one doesn’t have to buy hand-siphoned Pemex out of a 1974 Ford F100. Tom Murphy
Gardnerville, Nevada
While reading Egan’s article, I began to daydream about a Baja trip of my own. This led me to wonder how I would finance such a trip, which in turn led me to wonder how Mr. Egan financed such a trip, which caused me to realize that Mr. Egan got paid to ride motorcycles in Baja, which prompted me to reflect upon the fundamental unfairness of the universe. Forrest Reynolds
Boulder, Colorado
And now the lucky S.O.B. even has tequila sponsorship...
Iraq-and-rollers
My husband and all of his friends are deployed in Iraq, so I’d like to give a shout-out to the 112th Infantry out of Ft. Carson, Colorado. They all love Cycle World magazine and it is sent to them religiously. He always wants to know how his Kawasaki 900 is doing, and if I am washing and protecting it! I don’t know which of us he will hug first when he returns. Take care guys, we are all really > proud of you. Teresa Rivera
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Trust us, Teresa, that Kawi doesn’t stand a chance.
Right now I’m in Mosul, Iraq, reading through the June, 2003, issue of Cycle World. I’m wondering why I can’t find a single ad or article pertaining to that little hardcharging rocket more commonly known as the Kawasaki Ninja 25OR. This bike has a hardcore underground following for a number of
and foremost, it’s cheap. The bike, as you know, retails for a little over $3000, which is a pretty sweet deal for the working-class wallet. Plus, it’s ridiculously good-handling, partly due to its small size. However, don’t let the little 250’s dimensions fool you-in the right hands, the Ninja is a corner-speed demon and an implement of pure minimalist enjoyment. Please give a little more recognition to the 250cc class. (I’ve greatly enjoyed your magazine throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom. Thanks a lot.) Cpt. Scott Godfroy
101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles”
Crock pot
Your article on engine braking (CW, August) was such a crock! A Harley VTwin has near the same engine braking as a Yamaha RZ?! Well, let’s see... To begin with, I don’t ride around in first or second gear at near-redline rpm, and if I were to do so, I don’t think I would slam the throttle shut at 13,500 rpm. Maybe this is how you ride.
Oh, by the way, I’m never going to let any of you ride my bikes. Marlon Cook
Pearsall, Texas
Letter of the Month
Wow! Did you guys just feel like printing a bunch of your “I hate you” mail for the August Hotshots, or is that all that came in? Man, what a bunch of whiners, snivelers and crybabies! I’ve been a two-wheeled gearhead riding and wrenching on motorcycles for over 35 years, and yours is the only magazine that has ever been worth my subscription money! You put out a highquality rag that nicely covers all of the bases, and I usually find quite a few things of interest in every issue. I wish those nit-pickers would just give up and spend their four bucks at the liquor counter instead of dirtying up your great mag with their eyeballs!
Detroit Dave Detroit, Michigan
Amazingly, DD, by our count yours is the millionth letter to be published in Cycle World! Your gift pack, including Tshirts, CW memorabilia, signed books, complimentary subscription renewal and a pair of passes to the magazine ’s swank hospitality suite at the event of your choosing, is in the mail. Er, sorry, Cook, missed it by that much... □
