Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Rush-reading
Cycle World has been my favorite bike magazine for 10 years now, but Brian Catterson’s “Ghost Rider” (CW, February) has ensured at least one copy of the magazine will accompany me when I pass on, my fleshy remains returning to the earthen crust whence they came—CW by my side, guiding my spirit through the world beyond.
Karl Ochoa El Paso, Texas
Not only is Rush’s Neil Peart a great percussionist, but obviously a true motorcyclist, as well. “Ghost Rider” has galvanized my opinion that no matter what make or type of bike we ride, we all share common ground. When this world of troubles gets to be too much, we can always rely on our trusty steeds to take us away from it all and perhaps help us gain a fresh perspective. Les Murray Savannah, Georgia
Are you kiddin’ me? “Ghost Rider” was the best story I’ve ever read! It combines my two loves, riding and playing. I would give a kidney to be in Catterson’s shoes! Neil friggin’ Peart! Well done! Bravo!
Patrick Bowen Dickson, Tennessee
Thank you, Brian, thank you, new subscription coming. And thank you, Neil Peart, for not only providing the impetus it took to get me to buy a set of drums, but also to reaffirm my love of bikes. I found motorcycles in ’67 at age 12, and Rush some years later when stationed overseas in the service. I haven’t lost my love of either.
Ivan Tuttle Indianapolis, Indiana
Kudos to Catterson. “Ghost Rider” is a fine reading experience. The editorial staff could really put readers on the spot by having us pick the best CW stories of all time, though it would force you to reprint Hunter S. Thompson’s “Song of the Sausage Creature,” and a few of the “Best of Peter Egan” collection for comparison.
Yes, Brian, you just moved into that select company. Frank Snively
Buena Vista, Colorado I’m logging on to Amazon.com to buy Peart’s Ghost Rider book and my first Rush CD. Keep up the great work, Brian. Ty Atherholt
New Fairfield, Connecticut
Excellent article! “Ghost Rider” was one of the best I’ve read in any motorcycle magazine-shoot, any magazine for that matter! Steve Barlow
Tucson, Arizona
If Neil ever finds himself in east Tennessee and needs a good tour guide...
John Vincent Bristol, Tennessee
It’s pretty cool to know that if I ran into Neil out on the road, we would probably get on real well. We both like motorcycles, music, good food and Kevin Cameron! Andy Pichón
Silver Springs, Nevada
Being a huge lifetime Rush fan and motorcycle rider, I just wanted to say Brian Catterson, you suck! As if it weren’t enough to ride and break bread with the “Prince of Pound,” it seems as though you befriended him. All it took was a common interest in motorcycles, and a journalist who didn’t have to ask if his past few tragic years had been hard. Great piece of work!
Mark Annen
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Hi, Brian. First of all, thanks very much for the first-bound copy of February’s CW, and may I say, the “Ghost Rider” article is beautifully done. You did a great job of assembling the elements, and telling the story of our two days together in a generous and entertaining way, as well as providing enough of the necessary “back story,” yours and mine, to give it all resonance.
All the best to you in the new year, and I hope you will keep in touch. It would be great to get together again sometime, and I would truly love to be a spectator at one of Cycle World's, track days or comparison tests. Neil Peart Santa Monica, California
Mystery Man
By all accounts, the late Trev Deeley (Up Front, January) was quite a character. At his funeral, several thousand motorcyclists turned up to pay their respects, including sizeable numbers of outlaws and a large contingent of the local HarleyDavidson-riding police. And while he may have been a “jet-setting playboy,” etc., in his will he bequeathed the sum of $5 million to the Vancouver Cancer institute. Sam Jowett
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
The fact that a dozen or more HarleyDavidson executives came to pay tribute to Deeley at his memorial service
speaks volumes. The speeches, some fimny, some sad, some thankful, some thoughtful, all noted his contribution to the business and sport of motorcycling. His sponsorship of young talented riders produced some great champions, Yvon Duhamel among them.
Very much against his father’s wishes, > young Trevor began a collection of motorcycles, hiding them in neighbors’ basements in the early days. This passion grew to become his pride and joy, the Trev Deeley Motorcycle Museum in Richmond, B.C., Canada. Admission has always been free, and a couple of years before his death, Trev set up a perpetual trust to ensure that it will remain so. I know that he would feel honored to have every motorcycle rider come and enjoy it, too.
Gordon E. Swanson South Surrey, B.C., Canada
The Trev Deeley museum contains 300 motorcycles, 90 of which are included in a new travelling exhibition titled “Mystique of the Motorcycle,’’ slated for 10 venues in the U.S. and Canada over the next three years. For more information about the museum or the tour, phone 604/273-5421 or log on to www. trevdeely. com
Question: Who the hell was Trev Deeley? Answer: a) One hell of a motorcyclist, b) one of the most knowledgeable and influential people in the world about motorcycles and the motorcycle industry, and c) someone with the smarts, enthusi-
asm and drive to convert that knowledge into business success.
To boot, Trev was a consistent, and persistent, help to Harley-Davidson in countless ways-as a distributor, corporate director (1986-1990), friend and, most important, as an advocate for better quality, better products and better customer service.
Thanks for telling Trev’s story to your readers. He was, and remains, an outstanding role model to all those he touched. Vaughn Beals
Chairman Emeritus Harley-Davidson, Inc.
The rapid Mr. Rossi
The article on Rossi’s Honda RC211V (“Superpower,” February) is an instant literary classic. Being a motorhead who also likes numbers, however, I also noticed a typo. On page 37,1 believe 140 kilograms equals 308 pounds, not 380 as stated. But hey, unless some nitpicky geek points out a small miscue, can the article really be called a classic? I think not. Again, great stuff, and God bless the intelligent minds that give us this type of obscene horsepower!
Jason Greenfield Austin, Minnesota
Kevin Cameron has scored again with an in-depth but concise explanation of how and why the new Honda MotoGP bike is so dominating. His piece, combined with Michael Scott’s talk with Valentino Rossi and Steve Anderson’s musings about potential V-Five streetbikes, is just what we were waiting for.
Doug Teague Warrenton, Virginia
What a grand day! I get the latest Cycle World, and there on the cover is a Honda Rossi Replica V-Five. Oh, be still my heart! Does it have 170 bhp-plus? Will it do 9-second quarter-miles? I rip into the magazine to find out. What’s this? A computer-generated fantasy? Not real? Say it ain’t so. Shame on you Cycle World! How can you sleep at night knowing you have dashed the hopes of so many on the rocks of disappointment?
Jason Wilkerson
Indianapolis, Indiana
No offense to Rossi, but he thinks riding is as good as sex? No wonder he’s so fast; he’s not thinking about women!
Erwin Jands Bon Accord, Alberta, Canada
Rock-crusher
Why is it that all motorcycles are designed to smash my “twins?” The seat/tank design is just horrible. I live in Naples, Florida, and can’t ride my Yamaha R6 to Miami or Palm Beach without stopping multiple times. I don’t have anything wrong with me; I’ve talked to a doctor. Lukus Harvey
Naples, Florida
Er, maybe adopt the Valentino Rossi riding mindset?
Texas Tornado
An open letter to Honda: You guys blew it big time! I own three Honda motorcycles, two Honda cars and even a Honda outboard. I first started riding Hondas when Mike Hailwood was winning Grand Prix races for you. That’s over 35 years of loyalty. But you didn’t give Colin Edwards the GP break he had earned, forcing him onto an Aprilia (“Never Give Up,” Race Watch, January). I swear I’m going out to buy a Yamaha and a Toyota! Edwards first gave you a World Superbike Championship in 2000 with the new RC51. Then in 2002, he saved your bacon when it didn’t look like anyone could stop Troy Bayliss from repeating on the Ducati. Colin wowed us all by taking back the championship and doing it almost single-handedly! Where is the appreciation, fellows? Nicky Hayden over Edwards? Give me a break!
Paul Glassen
Nanaimo, B.C., Canada
Valve job
I always look forward to Kevin Cameron’s column each month. His recent technical discussion on valves was superb (“Spring Fever,” TDC, February). However, I was taken aback by some of his comments. He stated that, “Honda dominated the 2002 (MotoGP) championship with metal (valve) springs” and that Aprilia’s bike utilizing pneumatic valves did not demonstrate “visible advantage over those who remain with metal springs.” Of the latter statement, I presume his assertion is based on the overall MotoGP results, as he didn’t offer engine performance figures. If so, I think Mr. Cameron was being a little loose with his words. Honda won the championship because it had the best overall combination of bike, rider and supporting cast. Clearly, hustling a bike around a track consistently better than anyone else is a complex interplay of a staggering number of variables and can’t be solely attributed to the type of valves on a bike; Mr. Cameron knows this all too well since these variables are frequently the subjects of his outstanding column.
Art Forral San Antonio, Texas
Getting lucky
After reading the letter posted by Mr. Zekas {Hotshots, February) in response to David Edwards’ “Beginner’s Luck” editorial, I feel compelled to say something. The loss of his son, though tragic, is the inevitable consequence of inexperience and poor judgment. Transferring the blame to motorcycles is like blaming guns for crime. Neither is inherently dangerous, but in the wrong hands both can be deadly. The solution to this problem lies in education, not restriction. Richard Warner Woodbury, New Jersey
I write in regard to Jeffrey Zekas’ letter. I am sorry for his loss, but I must say that he represents an attitude that is common in this country, but very wrong. Too many people seem to believe that all danger can be eradicated by legislation, regulation and litigation. No matter what restrictions we put in place to protect them, young men and their egos will always find ways to injure and kill themselves. Just because Mr. Zekas cannot accept that his son’s own recklessness led to his untimely demise doesn’t mean the rights and freedoms of others should be taken away or limited. Many sports are dangerous, such as mountain biking, snow skiing, bungee jumping, etc., but each of us has the right to pursue these interests to our heart’s desire, because doing the things we have a passion for is one of the reasons we live.
Alan S. Griffith Hollister, Missouri
Spitting mad
So, reader Joe Bloggs {Hotshots, February) wants to spit on the first neo-Vincent he sees? Hey Joe, the day you spit on my bike is the day you eat your lunch through a straw. Show some respect.
Dave Decker Saratoga Springs, New York
Joe, thanks for offering to spit-polish all those new Vincents. What’s the address again? Marc Brooks
St. Louis, Missouri
Substantially stylish
I can’t tell you how glad I am to see that you’ve managed to get the semi-annual Ducati issue out of the way. Hopefully, this means that those of us who are not in the market for an $ 18K short-ride can now look forward to a few months of reading about motorcycles intended to address more basic needs than the trendy jewelry that seems to fascinate journalists.
Eve become tired of reading about how exceedingly wonderful Ducatis are-when, around here at least, they seem to spend most of their time parked outside of this week’s nifty little bar/cafe or tied-down to trailers on the way to track days. All of this is a bit effete for my Midwestern palate, particularly when there are other Italian makes that offer more substance with less sauce. Give me a Guzzi any day; a man can understand a Guzzi! Pat Fitzgerald
Chicago, Illinois
Duck-Hog doings?
As a Ducati owner and enthusiast, I see just one flaw in the whole February issue. I’m speaking of the obvious mistake in reporting that Harley could possibly buy out Ducati. Just think of the ramifications. How embarrassing if at future track days I have to replace my knee pucks with leather tassels! Say it ain’t so. David Taylor
Kernersville, North Carolina
Yeah, but just think of the style points parked outside of this week’s nifty little bar/cafe...
True value
Love your mag! You could charge a lot more for it, you know. Rick Kallenberg
Houston, Texas
Gonna have to, Rick, just to pay for all the Ducati 999s, tasseled leathers and café au laits.
