Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Road Rocket
When I saw the new Triumph Rocket III(CW, August), my jaw hit the floor and I started to drool. This is one badass bike! I live in the Land of Harley, where we believe you need a big V-Twin to deliver awesome horsepower and torque. Leave it to the Brits to turn everyone on their ears. Just try to stop me from getting to my Triumph dealer. Matthew Scott Sturtevant, Wisconsin
Do Americans really want a 700-pluspounder just to cruise around town? Maybe living in New Zealand my tastes are different, but if this is what America wants you are welcome to it. Bigger is not always better. Allan Bultitude Christchurch, New Zealand
The Rocket III was made for Americans. Why do we need a bike this big? Why do you ask? We like big bikes, that's why. The Rocket III has nice lines, a different motor and will draw people like bees to honey. Joe Shatter Valley Center, Kansas
My tired old eyes read with great interest your article on the Triumph Rocket III. They closed slightly while pondering an engine speed of only 1000 rpm at 60 mph, then crossed completely when I considered your claim of triple that rpm at 80 mph. Backtracking to fourth-grade math class and rc-armcd with good oT ’rithmatic, I divined a discrepancy.
Seems to me the speed at 3000 rpm should have been 180 mph, or else Triumph is still installing those keystone-shaped replaceable cork inserts in their clutches (designed by Merlin while on vacation from Camelot.) Other possibilities: 1) Reiteration of the GM’s Fluid Drive coupling; 2) not cruising in top gear; or 3) proof-reader didn't... Dave Hawkins
Cincinnati, Ohio
Okay, so is it 180 mph at 3000 rpm, clutch slippage, bad bifocals or just a brain fart? Phil Mortello
Tucson, Arizona
Blame it on flatulence of the cranium.
Or maybe Triumph snuck an old-time Smiths Chronometrie tach onto our preproduction prototype? In reality, the Rocket III turns 2250 rpm at 60 mph.
I absolutely love the new Rocket III (and Honda Rune, Yamaha Warrior, etc.), but it would be nice if motorcycle manufacturers took into account the large number of female riders who are attracted to this style of bike. Although some women can handle these big machines, the vast majority cannot. A “sister" bike with equal style in a 1000 to 12()0cc size would be well received by men and women alike.
Shannon Credit Plainfield, Connecticut I
I agree that the Rocket III is dang cool, but us Boss Hoss riders have to disagree with your cover blurb calling the Triumph the “World’s Biggest Bike.” And as for the claimed 145-horsepower output, not bad, but wake me up when you have a bike that gets close to the Boss’ 355 bhp, so I have time to bump up to the optional 502-cube VEight, and add a turbo and nitrous.
Knute Hammer I La Cescent, Minnesota I
Techno Freaks
I just got my August issue of Cycle World, and all I can say is, Holy Crap!" If Hon da makes that VTX Techno Cruiser, it will be my new bike, even if! have to sleep on the couch for a year. Nels Erickson St. Louis Park, Minnesota
The Honda Techno Cruiser looks like a three-way crash between a VTX, a Rune and a CBR1000RR. Someone picked up the pieces and put ’em back together the best they could. And I want one! Honda, build it! John McHan
Dallas, Georgia
Just do it! I'll talk to the wife.
Don Watt
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
I’m not much of a letter writer, but if this will contribute to convincing Honda to build the Techno Cruiser, then so be it. In a vast sea of mundane fishbikes, the Techno Cruiser would likely reign supreme as the apex-predator to which all subspecies of cruiser would fall prey!
While I love my H-D for
its nostalgic B-l7 sound and long-range cruising capabilities, it would be nice to fly bomber escort every now and then (an abil ity factory H-Ds lack, V-Rod excepted). Aftermarket American V-Twins are too unreliable and are for weekend posers with expendable incomes. Chopper this, chopper that from the 0CC retards. Who cares! Give me a reliable fighting machine that has its own identity and> can pull the poorly applied $10K paint jobs oft' of these penile extensions with Dragon’s Tail cornering capabilities (try that on a chopper). Give me the Honda Techno Cruiser! Just keep it affordable and as close to its conceptual form as possible, and you will have another Honda customer to add to your registry!
HOTSHOTS CONTINUED
Andre Bernard Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Harley, Schmarley.. .gimme the Techno.
Peter Kiemele St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
This VTX Techno is whispering to me like a Britney Spears video. Midlife crisis, here 1 come! Mike Miller Santa Barbara, California
Put me down for one. Honda. You need American Express or Mastercard?
Robert Brinson
Haleyville, Alabama
Build the bitch! And keep the price down for us Joe Blows. Joe Palen
Canfield, Ohio
Honda's answer to the Harley V-Rod, only cooler. Not to mention it would fit perfectly between my H2 Hummers. Can I get an Amen?! Gerald Condon Beaumont, Texas
Honda had better hang on to whoever penned the new VTX 1800 design. 1 liked the Rune okay, but never being a fan of Corvair engines, I find a big VTwin with paint-can pistons much more appealing-that and the fact that the Techno Cruiser isn’t some tacky knockoff of a Harley. Dudes, we’re like gagging on Harleys, so thanks for a refreshing original design. Doug BoughtOfl Sand Lake, New York
Okay, just what is going on? First 1 catch a glimpse of the teaser shot of the Techno Cruiser on the cover. Then I get
a better look inside-tasty billet rear wheel, crisp bodylines, an aggressive stance. Next thing I know, Editor Edwards drops a line about the Techno being targeted at graying sport riders with an aversion to fringe and chaps.
I am led to three conclusions: 1) Something very Orwellian is going on, because both Honda and CW seem to have gotten inside my head. 2) It must be true; I really am getting older! 3) Build it! " "Jim Fallow
Batavia, Illinois
If the concept VTX is the future of cruisers, consider my knee pucks retired. Mike Ward
Fishers, Indiana
I have seen concept bikes come and go, some snapping my head to attention like a 70-mph interstate pile-up, but nothing has thrown me through the windshield like Honda’s Techno Cruiser. I am the proud owner of a 2002 Yamaha R1, yet I would abandon my current love like the plague if the Techno hits showroom floors! Consider me the first buyer.
Jeffrey Milletary McMurray, Pennsylvania
Hey, Honda, build the VTX Techno Cruiser, please! If you do, it'll be parked in the garage next to my old Superhawk, pinky swear... Mike Tice
Des Moines, Iowa
Gorgeous bike. If it beats Barney Li's neo-Vincent Black Lightning S to market, I’ll buy. And, yes, 1 do suffer from multiple personalities, thanks for asking!
Doug Jackson Lakewood, Colorado
Techno Cruiser combines the elements of a V-Twin (still a visually satisfying motor) with truly modern and fresh styling. The design is so unified that nothing looks bolted on. Honda has, again, hit a home run. David Kaplan
Greensboro, North Carolina
Move over Yamaha V-Max, a new king has been crowned as ruler of the blacktop.
Jason Bartholomew Gouverneur, New York
Yes, Honda should build the Techno Cruiser. I think the Harley-lookalike days are done. There hasn't been a good power-cruiser since the V-Max, and it's
about time for another one-as long as it looks like the showbike and has enough power to turn asphalt into lava.
Chris Biancanieilo Chapel Hill,
North Carolina
I've been trying decide which way to go with my next bike: ' p
Sportbike or cruiser, VFR à or V-Rod? Now, you guys have almost solved my dilemma. Except for that pesky notavailable-to-the-public part, the si VTX Techno Cruiser is the bike I didn't even know I wanted.
I'm in awe of this machine. Hopefully. Honda will add a passenger seat and sticker it somewhere south of $20,000. Build it! David Kelley
Lawrenceburg, Indiana
I have ridden countless cruisers, yet this is the first time I've said, ‘‘That, 1 want!" Honey, start buying the generic cat food... Richard C. Snyder
Catskill, New York
The Techno Cruiser looks like the bike I’ve been dreaming of. Honda, please build one for me before Jay Leno gets his!
Don Knoch Saxonburg, Pennsylvania
Finally, American Honda has it figured out! Harley-esque Japanese cruisers just don't cut it anymore. The VTX J r-Techno is a must-build. Where can . 1 send my deposit? Dave Gross
Seattle, Washington
The Techno Cruiser is doomed. Nothing I like this much could ever make production. 1 am the designers’ target audience (38, recently sold CBR1000) and these guys have me pegged! Maybe, just maybe, since it is from the Rune crew, theTC can squeeze through unmolested. Please stay true to the concept, guys, no glitz, just machinery and function. I will show Honda my appreciation with my checkbook. Jeff Kiestler
Cordova, Tennessee
Wow! Wicked! I want one! Make that two (one for my husband since the passenger > accommodations look a little sparse). I love the sharp edges and lines. It looks low, meaty and muscular. I really hope Honda builds this bike!
HOTSHOTS CONTINUED
Kristi Hoff Rochester, New York
Absolutely, Honda should build that new VTX. While the Italians are busy making bikes uglier by the release (except Guzzi), and everyone else is into retro junk and Milwaukee knockoffs, Honda proves (as it did with the Rune) that it thinks forward instead of backward. Peter Arthur
Burbank, California
One too many mufflers and an overwrought headlight (less is more), but I dig the angular styling, concave radiator and the uncluttered drag bars. Hell, even the trailing-link front suspension is starting to make sense. Put it up for $15,999 and watch the Techno Cruiser sprout wings. Angus Tungsten
San Elijo, California
I'm 24 years old and I just purchased an '03 VFR, but God knows it would have
a “For Sale” sign on it faster than you could say “Attention Deficit Disorder” if Honda sold that Techno bike.
Anders Gilbertson Silver Spring, Maryland
The Honda VTX Techno Cruiser looks like something from a Harley V-Rod’s nightmare. Big Red may be having Campbell’s “Bars and Shields” soup for lunch. Lucas Battani
South Bend, Indiana
I am a long-time, diehard Harley owner, so you can imagine what the guys at the office said when I told them that Honda had a prototype bike that 1 wanted, a motorcycle so beautiful that I couldn't take my eyes off it. So, I dropped my
Cycle World on the table, and all they could say was, “Wow!” The only thing that would • keep me from buying this bike is if Honda puts a Harley price tag on it. Keep it reasonable and sign me up!
Lambert Cantu El Paso, Texas
To molest a phrase, if you build the Techno Cruiser, they will come. Oops, that was a bit premature. Allan Thunes Apex, North Carolina
Join the club...
Squirt...spurt... shiver... squirt... twitch., spurt, shiver...dribble...twitch...drip... drip...smile... Donald Watkins
Buffalo, New York
Ah, jeez, was that really necessary? Actually, Cycle World received more than 400 letters in regard to the Techno Cruiser, 99 percent of them favorable, though none more blatantly so than Mr. Watkins, obviously a man of few> words. As we promised, all comments-even his-have been delivered to American Honda. E2
