Hotshots

HOTSHOTS

The Sizzler

I want to thank Cycle World for taking my MotoCzysz Cl seriously (“Secret Superbike,” January). However, there is some confusion over a few items that I would like to clear up.

The reason the Cl’s cranks are placed longitudinally as opposed to the more traditional transverse orientation found in most inline-Fours is not to produce a narrow engine. A narrow engine is a significant benefit, but the primary reason for the MotoCzysz engine layout is to reduce the gyroscopic forces that are inherent to a transverse crank. The dynamics of a crossways rotating mass (i.e. the crank) actually work to inhibit the motorcycle from rolling over, or turningin. In the ever-increasing search for more horsepower, rpm will continue to rise and this force will increase. With the crank orientated longitudinally, the motorcycle is free to roll from side to side and actually resists pitching (wheelies and stoppies). This makes the bike very easy and light to steer, an important factor in going faster. The twin cranks counter-rotate to cancel out the torque effect that would otherwise be more noticeable in this orientation. So it really is a simple engine considering it is doing more-or actually, less.

We have just finished our second full test with a revised firing order, and the bike sounds and works even better. The American MotoGP Project has exceeded everyone’s expectations for this early stage in its development. We

will keep doing our best and try our hardest to bring a U.S.-made machine to the highest level of motorcycle performance-and yes, ultimately to the street. Stay up to date on the latest information at www.motoczysz.com.

Michael Czysz MotoCzysz Portland, Oregon

America’s racebike?

Wow! I haven’t been this excited about a motorcycle for a long time. The MotoCzysz Cl is an incredible machine. The man sounds brilliant. Hopefully, proof will be the bike making it to a Grand Prix starting line, and then eventually a mass-produced manufacturing line.

Here’s to Mr. Czysz and his creation, hoping that all goes well and that we’ll see him at the Laguna Seca USGP in 2005. It would be extraordinary to see a real American motorcycle in MotoGP. Elton Alwine

Baltimore, Maryland

Okay, guys, that new American Superbike in your January issue is awesome. But how do you pronounce the name? MotoCzysz? Yeah, I know, I ask a dumb-ass question, I’m gonna get a smart-ass answer. Shoot away.

Nathan Hein Mulvane, Kansas

No such thing, Nathan, though you might want work on your reading retention. As it says in the article ’s second paragraph, the name is pronounced “sizz, as in sizzle.”

If any company deserves financial backing, MotoCzysz is it. At one time, I believed Erik Buell had the answer to producing an American sportbike. Now we have a truly worthy prototype capable of taking on the world. It’s fresh, innovative and unique. Michael Czysz’s inspiration and admiration for John Britten shows that his heart and mind are in the right place.

William Aguillon Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Michael Czysz and his C1 racer are what the American entrepreneurial spirit is all about. His can-do attitude (okay, and a trainload of money) just may make him this decade’s John Britten. Assuming all Czysz’s ideas pan out, Erik Buell may have just been served notice: This is an American sportbike with “czysz-le” (sorry), not chained to the boat anchor of tradition. I can’t wait to see it race. Nataraj Hauser Madison, Wisconsin

Careful, Nat, last time we looked, one of those ‘‘boat anchors” was making 135 horsepower and pushing 171 mph. See Racewatch this issue.

Buells are cool, but the MotoCzysz has the potential to make a statement like “It’s American” carry the same level of passion and pride as “It’s Italian” when describing a motorcycle’s origin, style and performance-but in a whole new fresh way. Doug Staat)

Seattle, Washington

always questioned why U.S. companies seem to think a V-Twin engine is the only way to go. Then along comes Michael Czysz and this narrow-angle VFour and I think, finally! Kudos to newthink. Stan Howes

Ithaca, Michigan

Thanks for the great scoop. It’s in the tradition of your Harley VR1000 and Britten VI000 exclusive coverage.

Randall Leonard Watsonville, California

Mark Hoyer’s article on the MotoCzysz is an excellent piece of work. It reminds me (geezer alert!) of similar whole-bike dissections done by Cook Neilson et al at Cycle magazine in the 1970s-clear explanations, sufficient technical detail and fine photography. Do more like this, please. David Brick Santa Cruz, California

So, that’s what this guy Czysz spends his time and money on? Suddenly, I feel very unaccomplished. Good luck, see you at Laguna, hopefully on the podium. Michael James

Chandler, Arizona

I’ve always considered John Britten one of the greatest innovators in motorcycle design, creating a mechanical work of art with his VI000 racebike. To have created such a masterpiece with limited resources and facilities, then take on the world’s motorcycle giants with their unlimited resources only magnified Britten’s achievements. Sadly, he was taken from us much too soon, leaving us to wonder what could have been if he had lived.

Perhaps Britten’s legacy will be to inspire individuals like Michael Czysz. His Cl racebike is a fascinating example of that possibility. What greater legacy could there be? Joe Vasconcelos Attleboro, Massachusetts

Upright thinking

Hey Egan, I just read your “Ever more upright” Leanings column in the January issue. I don’t think age has anything to do with you wanting a sensible, “dirtbike” seating position. I think that you and your friends have just discovered what I have always known, that it’s the most comfortable position for most situations. It’s (I’m going to use a bad word now) practical. It works. Period.

GSXCBRINinjabusas are great on the racetrack, but nowhere else. Cruisers are good for barhopping, but nothing else. Hondabagos are great on the highway, but nowhere else. Choppers are great in bike shows, but nowhere else.

You’ve discovered that for all-around utility and fun, you still can’t beat the good oT “standard” riding position, which was so well defined by the British and Japanese bikes of the ’60s. It seems that the industry is also re-discovering this phenomenon. Welcome back to the future. Lane Pipkin

Goose Creek, South Carolina

Peter Egan struck a chord with those of us d’un certain age. My rule has long been “sit on the seat, get settled, put your feet on the pegs, and (no hands) stand up.” If you can, then you can ride the thing for a jillion miles (if the seat is firm) and not lock up. Charlie Mitchell

Florence, Oregon

Apparently, Peter Egan has discovered what a lot of, urn, “mature” street riders already know: Racetrack ergos are useful for exactly one thing, flat-out at the track. Same goes for hanging off and kneedragging. If you’re going fast enough on the street to require hanging off, you’re an idiot. Murphy’s Law will weed you out of the gene pool, sooner or later.

John Eckhardt Lake Waukomis, Missouri

Welcome to the club, Egan. Now you know what some of us have known for years. After a series of sport and loosely defined sport-touring mounts, I sold the CBR1100XX a couple of years ago and bought an old Yamaha Seca 900. With a

couple of suspension mods, it works as well as any bike, and I am pain-free at last.

It does pay to grow old painlessly. When I was your age, I was riding a 900 Ninja. I just turned 63. John Salsbury Ocean Park, Washington

Italian lessons

Peter Egan thinks Multistradi is the plural when referring to two or more of Ducati’s all-purpose streetbike? Nope, it’s Multistrade. In Italian, both strada (street) and motocicleta, or moto for short, are feminine and therefore whether you focus on the beast or the path it follows, the plural ends in e, not i.

Which is why if you are seriously impressed by a musical performance, bravo is only appropriate for a single male. For a female, it’s brava. For men, or men and women together, it’s bravi. And for distaff plural, it’s-you guessed it-brave.

Terence Geoghegan Westlake Village, California

Ha sbagliato. “Multistrada ” e una parola feminile, e il plurale sarebbe “Multistrade.” Clemente Salvadori

Atascadero, California

Nobody likes a smart-ass, Clem.

Real roadracing

I thoroughly enjoyed Gary Inman’s article “Pluck of the Irish” in your December issue. I have followed the Isle of Man TT races since the late ’50s, but learned about the Irish “Real Road” racing series only two years ago on the Internet. Having become somewhat bored with World Superbike and even MotoGP, I knew after looking at photos of riders going flat-out over narrow country roads that this was the real thing.

Incidentally, what I believe to be the definitive website on Irish roadracing is www.realroadracing.com. It contains articles, photos and race reports. For a subscription fee, you can also participate in forums, a chat room and a fantasy real roadracing league. Terry Denton Sebastopol, California

Safe and sane

I have not written to a bike magazine since former Editor Allan Girdler got me to buy a screaming-red BMW R100S back in 1977. But the January issue is just awesome! The MotoCzysz Cl...knowing that T.C. Christenson’s old Snortin’ Norton “Hogslayer” is still around...the Salt Flats write-up...man, you guys packed a half-year’s worth of stuif in one issue. The safety articles on “Picking Up the Pieces” and “Better Riding” were well done, and covering a subject that needs more addressing these days when motorcycle dealers are eager to sell 19-year-old kids liter-bikes as long as the financing goes through.

Richard W. Kayser Nampa, Idaho

I very much appreciated and enjoyed Steve Anderson’s article on motorcycle accidents, and I especially liked the sidebar, “Better Riding.” I am an 18-year-old Suzuki SV650 rider, and having taken both the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginner and advanced courses, I was thankful to see mainstream exposure of the techniques that every motorcyclist should learn.

However, there is one thing I’d like to point out: While it’s true that all motorcycles can be hard to see in traffic, it’s the sportbikes that weave in and out at alarming speeds that are almost invisible. I think a quote from a family member sums it up best: “I see them coming, but I’ll look again and they’re gone!” It’s simply a dangerous way to ride, but it can be cured very easily with a little bit of common sense and responsibility. Please be careful out there everyone, and help give our sport a good name.

Ian Brekke Crestón, Iowa

I’m a CW subscriber and a police motorcycle rider. I ride a YZF600 off-duty and a police-model H-D as much as possible while on duty. In his critically important “Picking Up The Pieces,” Steve Anderson managed to pack a pile of good advice into an article that could have occupied the entire issue! His sidebar, “Better Riding,” was truly outstanding. What a powerful summary. Never “lectury,” just sound advice from start to finish. Sgt. Robert Paterson

Ontario Proviciai Police Caledon, Ontario, Canada

Two fingers on the brake lever to reduce reaction time does not go against MSF curricula, as Anderson states. Two-fingered “normal” braking is the no-no. That ancient Greek dude Archimedes taught us that. Phil Sause

Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program Glen Burnie, Maryland

Right. Did he ride for Repsol or Team Marlboro...?