Hotshots

HOTSHOTS

Up to Speed?

You guys crack me up! I was excited to read the "Speed Wagons" article (CW, November), but you had me rolling on the floor with your total of 2000 miles in six weeks of riding. Sport-touring? I'd say your test was more like sissytouring! Come on, my last six-week ride (on a BMW) covered three times that distance! What are you guys, chicken to use sport-tourers as intended?

Gage Wagoner Seattle, Washington

If y’all don’t consider the Kawasaki ZX-12R a GT bike, why include it in the “Speed Wagons” test? “It’s not a sport-tourer, it isn’t available with bags,” you wrote. Well, neither is the Suzuki Hayabugly! I’ve ridden both, and prefer the rush of acceleration that the 12 gives me on the upper end of the tach. Next time, don’t include a bike that y’all don’t feel meets the criteria of the category, and than trash it if it is included! Bill Keenan

Lamed, Kansas

Very well-written article; crisp, clear photography; good commentary-but (you knew there had to be a but) where was the Ducati ST3 or ST4S?

Ken Wynne Denair, California

Your article on the Speed Wagons was great, except how did you rate these bikes? Somehow, the Aprilia Futura scored three first-place votes, while the winner, the Yamaha FJR 1300, managed to score only two first-place votes, the same as the Hayabusa. How many votes are we talking? It would be nice to get a breakdown.

Or I could wait for the real winner, the new Kawasaki ZX-14-unless the Hayabusa can somehow one-up it next year. Doubtful. Steve Dargei

Detroit, Michigan

I’m too old for a ’Busa and too young for a Wing. Love the pace, grace and space of my ’94 Kawasaki Concours. Too many years spent on the same bike? Nay, it’s not as outdated as I am!

Joe Jozefczyk Somerset, Pennsylvania

November was an exceptional issue, especially the “Speed Wagons” story, and I’m not just saying that because a CW staffer could be one of my illegitimate children. J. Niemier

San Francisco, California

Imagine my delight arriving home from that once-a-year, 1500-mile road trip on my Yamaha FJR 1300 only to find your “Speed Wagons” feature. With a Givi trunk, 21-liter tankbag, heated grips and five days’ gear for two, my wife and I blasted across South Dakota both ways on a fall trip to the Black Hills, home to the Sturgis Rally every August.

This may be Mecca for Harley riders, but there is no better-suited place for the Yamaha. Fast sweepers, tight

mountain roads and long straights were gobbled up without pause. It is our longest trip to date, but not the last aboard this bike. Great job on the article. You nailed it. Joe Helm

St. Joseph, Minnesota

As noted in the test, strictly speaking this wasn ’/ a sport-touring comparison. We picked the fastest, most comfortable bikes from each manufacturer and lived with them for six weeks as an owner would—commuting, Sundaymorning blasts and a fast three days in sport-touring mode. Also as noted in the test, Ducati was invited to participate but declined, citing discontinuation of the ST4S and lack of a newfor-2006 ST3S-we 'll be testing that bike soon. As for the voting, while the Aprilia received three first-place votes, it got no second-place votes. Besides its two first-place votes, the Yamaha got a plethora of second-place tallies and was the bike of choice for our Official Passenger, all of which-you guessed it-was noted in the test.

That's hot

1 agree wholeheartedly with Paul Dean on the high “fricassee factor” of three of the tested Speed Wagons (“Heat Wagons,” CW, November). I am no novice. At last count, I’ve owned more than 30 bikes in my 43 years, but I have never ridden a bike that puts off as much radiated heat as my 2005 Yamaha FJR 1300.

Thanks, Mr. Dean, for addressing some real-world issues. Not everyone rides motorcycles in an asbestos suit.

Victor Ray Wise, Virginia

Regarding the FJR 1300 winning CWs recent “Speed Wagons” GT shootout, it’s always gratifying when the bike you own is chosen as the best. For me it’s not so much that I need to be told how good my bike is (I know already; I ride the

firmation that I’m not missing out on much better bike. I have finite resources, and want to get the most out of my motorcycling dollars and ride time. Cycle World helps me do that.

As CW mentioned, FJR engine heat is significant issue in hot weather (supposedly addressed in the ’06 model), but where I live in the Pacific Northwest an extra source of heat is a good thing at least nine months out of the year. Bring it on! James Baker

Seattle, Washington

With regard to “Heat Wagons,” I ride a 2004 Honda ST 1300 in Houston, where summer days are seriously hot (high 90s and humid). In my opinion, the bike does not make an unusual amount of heat or feel hot to the touch while riding. I don’t know why your knees are fricasseed, but mine are not, and I’m not particularly heat-resistant. For this ST enthusiast, there is no heat problem-the bike is comfortable, fast and performs exactly as expected. Gil Hillman Houston, Texas

Glad you ’re happy with the bike, Gil. How ’s that asbestos riding suit working out?

Now I know why I’m so hooked on reading your testbike write-ups: They often reveal new, and important, information that I don’t catch anywhere else. More than performance numbers on a spec chart, there is great rider feedback based on real-world experiences.

What really pleased me in reading the “Heat Wagons” sidebar is that apparently Yamaha not only reads your reports, but is actually responding to them by making changes, in this case routing hot air away from riders on the ’06 F JR.

What a novel concept, to give buyers what they want! Doug Pence Northbrook, Illinois

Iced T’Egan

Howdy Peter! I was bom in your home state of Wisconsin but was fortunate enough to be quickly transplanted to Texas. I regularly ride across the state in 100-degree-plus temps. I don’t enjoy my toasticles burning up, either (Leanings, October). As for advice on keeping cool in the saddle, your “Crud Brother” is on the right track suggesting a wet T-shirt beneath an Aerostich suit. An even better deal is to wear a wicking type shirt underneath the ’Stich. Then, when you stop for gas, fill the four front pockets with the long-lasting convenience-store ice that usually goes in your Coke. It will be downright nipply cold for two or more hours. When it melts, you get a bottom bonus cheek freeze. Talk to a Texan when you want to play in the fire. Dan Cohen Austin, Texas

Ah, now we know Hillman’s secret to keeping cool on his ST. Tricky, you Texans.

Another fine Ness

Arien “Mess” is at it again (“Two Bad,” CW, November). There are only three ways to improve one of his bikes: 1) Drag it behind my tmck down a gravel road; 2) push it out the back of a C130 at 10,000 feet; or 3) use at least 12 feet of detcord.

Pat Walker Tallahassee, Florida

I have to admit that I was puzzled about the coverage of that Arlen Ness creation until I realized that because it has two wheels it falls under CWs definition of a motorcycle. My gas barbeque has two wheels. Would you like to do an article on it? Monte Phoenix

Winnemucca, Nevada

Maybe, Monte. What will she do in the quarter-mile? >

Flip, flip, flip, screech! Oh my Gawd, it’s “Two Bad!” I’ll never forget the first time I saw Mr. Ness’ creation, many years ago. Although I lean more toward the sporting end of the bike spectrum, “Two Bad” was a revelation. Mr. Cameron’s prose does it yet again, putting into words what I’m sure many of us felt when first setting eyes on this amazing blend of art, machine and a dash of madness. Timeless, indeed. Marc Gravel Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I’m very grateful that you chose to feature my favorite of Arlen Ness’ amazing customs, “Two Bad.” Since its creation in the 1980s, I’ve only seen one small photograph of the bike. Your pictorial was excellent, and allowed me to see it in close detail. Martin J. Filiatrault

Anderson, California

For the definitive photo book on Arlen Ness and his bikes, pick up the justreleased, Arlen Ness. Kin2 of Choppers by Michael Lichter, available at bookstores or directly from the author/photographer at www. lichterphoto. com.

My compliments to Kevin Cameron on his article about an early Arlen Ness masterpiece. He brings a perspective to the chopper debate that has been sorely lacking.

I’m one of those weenies who waves to all other riders, regardless of make. We all need to recognize our commonalities before we descend into the partisan bickering that is crippling the rest of the country. Kevin’s clarity and experience provide such recognition and deserve to be heeded. Dave Diehl

San Jose, California

Morini-meenie-miny-mo

You spent five pages in the November issue on a Moto Morini that is not available in the U.S.-space that would be better spent on almost anything else.

James Cox

Austin, Texas

That new Moto Morini has got to be one of the cleanest-looking liquid-cooled bikes around. Based on looks and performance

specs alone, a red-and-silver Corsaro with an aftermarket exhaust system would cinch the deal over a red-and-silver MV Agusta Brutale. Wouldn’t that be a fun comparison test? Let me know if you need additional rider input. DOUQ Staab Seattle, Washington

Brits a hit!

I really enjoyed the article by Jason Kerrigan on the old Britbikes in New York City (“Sixth Street Specials,” CW, November). I was thinking, every few months you could focus on other areas in the country that have a large contingency of dedicated Brit-Twin riders. Here in Peter Egan’s home state, we have the British Biker Cooperative (-www. britishbiker, net), with a membership of approximately 100. Our home base is the Milwaukee area, smack dab in the middle of Harley Country! Founded in 1977, the BBC provides an opportunity for the British faithful to gather, ride, party, wrench, tech talk and commiserate. In my opinion, you still can’t beat the sound of a large-displacement British parallel-Twin!

Richard Reed Colgate, Wisconsin

Thanks so much for Jason Kerrigan’s piece, “Sixth Street Specials.” It’s great to see our local vintage scene given some exposure. Hugh Mackie is a gentleman and a pleasure to do business with. I’d just like to add two things: First, in addition to Sixth Street Specials, John’s Motorcycle Shop in Woodside, New York (www.johnscyclecenter.com), has been selling and servicing British bikes since 1959. The original owners, brothers John and Bob, continue to run a thriving shop that keeps a lot of British iron on the road. Secondly, Steve McQueen might have started the East Village’s love affair with Britbikes but Bob Dylan continued it by riding a Triumph and further solidifying the motorcycle as the hippie/rebel vehicle of choice. John Glauda

Flushing, New York

Twenty-five years since Steve McQueen’s passing, I for one am glad his memory is not forgotten within the motorcycling fraternity.

Some points need some mentioning about his death from cancer. McQueen worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard while not acting, early in his career, as a bumer/welder. Poor work conditions, bad ventilation and minimal asbestos abatement were borderline negligent. In fact, workers handled asbestos with only a wet bandana over their nose and mouth. Many >

shipyard workers befell the same fate as McQueen, including my own family members.

Another, lighter point: McQueen’s Six Days race number, 278? The BrooklynQueens Expressway-the road going past the Brooklyn Navy Yard-is 1-278. Coincidence? Tom Brizzi

Lindenhurst, New York

Nick the Quick

Rarely is the raw emotion and excitement of motorcycle drag racing conveyed as well as in “Quick Study” (Race Watch, November). My hat is off to CWs Nick Ienatsch. Riding a 500-hp dragbike without a wheelie bar will test the limits of a rider’s talent. Mr. Ienatsch is indeed a very talented rider. From a former Pro drag racer, thanks for a great story.

Ed “Black Cat” Killar Earlton, New York

Pete and Re-Pete

I’m a gent (benefit of the doubt, please) of a “certain age” and share a fair amount of the adventures that Peter Egan has written about over the years. We both did our post-grad work in Southeast Asia, for instance, and I share with Peter a lack of coloration in my hair and beard.

So what, you ask? Good question.

Please ask Mr. Egan if I can charge for autographs when folks request them. Last weekend, at the Slimey Crud Run outside Madison, Wisconsin, a number of folks approached me, confessed to admiring my work, and requested autographs.

Being a quick study, by the third such request, I realized these poor souls thought that I was Egan. I am not, although I’ve got nothing against someone being Peter Egan. It just ain’t me!

There’s gotta be a way I can turn this strange coincidence into a revenue stream, no matter how trifling. At the same time,

I have no desire to cause Peter any difficulties down the road.

Looking forward to your wise and gracious council. John Rosberg

Middle-Aged, Gray-Haired Guy.

Peter says, “The best way to handle this situation is to avoid it entirely by riding your newly acquired 1969 Triumph to the Crud Run. The bike will stop running as you coast into the outskirts of Pine Bluff, our traditional gathering point, and you ’ll get to spend the entire morning by the roadside trying to find out what’s wrong, thereby missing out on all contact with Cycle World readers, your riding buddies, old friends, etc. It’s a strategy that never fails.” □