Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Big Easy Rider
I just finished reading Peter Egan’s “A Triumph in the Crescent City”
(CW, July) and I noticed one disparity. Having spent the first 26 years growing up in the Big Easy, unless they moved after Katrina, Liuzza’s was always on Bienville and N. Telemachus, the 3500 block, if memory serves. Great po-boys and onion rings, and some of the best red beans and rice you’ll find north of Buster Holmes’ on Burgundy in the Quarter (not sure if it’s still there, postKatrina). Let me know when you’re going again, Peter. I know where the curvy road is! Phil Martin
St. Louis, Missouri
I looked forward to reading about the new Triumph Bonneville SE. But Peter Egan spent most of his space writing about New Orleans. In future issues, I am hopeful that your authors stick more to the subject at hand, not to those things irrelevant to motorcycle evaluations. William R. Endsley St. George, Utah
I enjoyed Peter Egan's article. For any one who hasn't been to New Orleans in a while-or ever, for that matter-I urge you to go and enjoy the hospitality and unique cuisine. I have walked every French Quarter location mentioned or photographed in the article. Riding a Bonnie could only make it better. Mark Blasingame Huntsville, Alabama
Short subjects
John Burns' writing: I hate talented people! Mike Cayse Ocala, Florida
The new Kawasaki Voyager (CW, July) has Sixties "muscle-car-inspired" styling? Really? What muscle car would that be? An AMC Rambler? Dan Boren Bay City, Texas
I just read Cycle World's 1963 test of the Junak 350 scrambler and I am trying to find any information that is relevant. Tom Siembab Posted on www.cycleworld.com
You already have, Tom...
Sirs, I wouldn't ride another Harley if you gave it to me. Randall Thomasson Enumclaw, Washington
Okay then, how about a Junak 350 scrambler?
Why doesn't Suzuki make an 5V750 and simply blow all competition out of the scene? Dayn Mansfield Posted on www.cycleworld.com
Same reason Junak never made a 450?
2x2 trouble
I noticed a discrepancy between CW's July 2x2 of the Ducati 848 vs. Triumph Daytona 675 and the specifications on Triumph's website. The 2009 Daytona has a dry weight of 356 pounds according to Triumph, but 400 pounds as specified in Cycle World. What's the truth? John Schettler Memphis, Tennessee
Who ya gonna believe, John, Triumph `s brochure or CW's cert~f led scales? Also, our dry weight is measured with gas tank empty but the bike other wise road-ready. To manufacturers, "dry" often means allfluids removed and usually the bat tery and any tools, too.
I will jump on the bandwagon and join what I am sure are many others in correcting a couple of things in the Triumph 675/Ducati 848 comparo. First, the Ducati comes in
both red and white, not white only as you said. Second, the 848 does not have a steering damper like its larger Ducati Superbike siblings. I love both bikes but I think that the huge price difference puts them in different classes. The Triumph is a bargain for an elite sportbike. The 848 is a bargain for a piece of rolling sculpture that is a pretty good sportbike in its own right. I want the Triumph. I need the Due.
Rod Reichardt
Austin, Texas
Just got the 2x2 issue and I must say that the Ducati Sport 1000 always looks like it’s going downhill-low tank, high tail. You could drive a semi through the gap between the rear wheel and fender. Hey, if you’re going to do retro, do it right or don’t bother. Take a look at the new Moto Guzzi V7; now that’s retro belissimo\
On a more positive note, Egan and Cameron rule! They are the two main reasons I buy your magazine.. .just another two examples of retro done right! Sam Longo
Toronto, Canada
The P.C. Patrol
I have been very happy with CW for many years. I have ridden motorcycles since 1966, and have been a
member of the AMA for 15 years. I know your magazine supports the AMA in many ways. I agree with the July Service column advice on the ape-hanger handlebars. I last rode a motorcycle with those bars in 1968, and that will be the last time.
In addition to the above, I am a life-member of the National Rifle Association. I feel ,,p the cartoon in the Service section is out of line on the part of artist Hector Cademartori and CW's editors for allowing him to insult the NRA by showing a Neanderthal-type on a crashed-out sportbike.
You owe an apology to all NRA members
and to the NRA organization. I do realize the cartoon is satirical, but if you cannot support the NRA, don’t use the NRA name in a way that is not positive.
I am looking forward to future issues of your excellent magazine, with a written apology and no future negative content towards the NRA.
Terrell McGath Purmela, Texas
We ’re only sorry you didn’t get the humor, Terrell. More contemplation and less knee-jerk might be helpful. The Service illustration was a parody of the movie Planet of the Apes, and that “Neanderthal-type,” as you put it, is a scruffy Charlton Heston, star of same. As you know, Mr. Heston was president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003, hence his “I’m the NRA ” T-shirt in the illustration. Any negativity here is in your imagination only, not on our pages.
Regarding Mark Hoyer’s 2x2 article comparing the Honda Fury to the Star Raider S in the July issue: Maybe I’m being a bit picky but what the hell? Even Webster ’s agrees that “stabilifying” is not actually a word. Have the lean economic times required layoffs at CW, and now George W’s former speech writers are picking up some lowdollar piecework? Come on guys, it’s the details that make you better than the other bike rags! Keep up the good work and maybe spring for a dictionary.
Zak Zache Joe City, Arizona
You're doing a heck ofajob, Zakky. To quote Mr. Bush, "I promise you I will listen to what has been said here, I \ even though I wasn here."
Loud & proud
In Ups & Downs (May), you Downed loud pipes. Well, Down to you! Motorcycles are musical instruments that make beautiful music. When you hear a song that you like on the radio, do you turn the volume up or down? You turn it up!
Sometimes it’s hard to see bikes; all the more reason to hear them. So, Up to loud pipes!
Mike Stasio Peabody, Massachusetts
Up to UPS
Just wanted to make a clarification concerning the June issue. In the Roundup piece titled “UPS delivers safer riding,” it sounds like you give UPS credit for the idea of those five safe-driving methods. In fact, they are from the Smith System of driving skills. This basic driving concept (www.smith-system.com) has been taught to over-the-road truck drivers for years. It was also used in some very early motorcycle training classes. Great advice, no matter who thought of it.
Dennis Ramer Sycamore, Illinois
Bluff called
A while ago, I sent you a letter complaining that the HarleyDavidson XR1200 was only being released in Europe. I told you and Harley that I had the money ready and I wanted an XR. Well, they called my bluff. I picked up my orange XR1200 last week, and you can’t get the grin off my face. The bike handles better than I expected, the power is great and it just plain feels good.
Back in 1970, my college graduation gift from me to me was a brand-new XLCH Sportster. They told me then that the CH stood for “Competition Hot.” If they only could have seen what would be released 39 years later. Thanks, Harley! Don Kathke
Appleton, New York
American Ducati?
What were they thinking? Forget years of World Superbike championships. Forget an elite handful of the world’s brightest and most talented engine and chassis engineers working decades developing racetrack-driven perfection. Forget Massimo Tamburini’s insightful and gorgeous design, and the genius of Claudio Domincali. Forget the use of lightweight, durable and exotic materials, and the cuttingedge form-follows-function offspring they inspire-carbon-fiber bodywork, titanium and magnesium engine components, desmodromic valves. Forget the young, ambitious, athletic and driven young men who risked it all, the Paul Smarts, the Mike Hailwoods, the Carl Fogartys, the Troy Baylisses, and the heritage of all the warriors who laid the foundation for Ducati’s long record of success. Forget the homage of thousands of Ducatis ti racing fans who camp out at racetracks just to witness this culmination of history and perfection.
Ducati has found a new secret to success: the Teutul family of Orange County Choppers!
The new line of Ducatis will be showcased in a section of floor space next to the OCC-themed apparel. They will feature gas tanks hammered out of sheets of heavy steel finished off with gallons of polyester body filler, frames constructed of schedule 40 waterpipe, and wheels made of recycled Budweiser cans inspired by dysfunctional imaginations.
Move over Nicky Hayden, Mikey Teutul is on the way!
Marian L. Rockwell
Posted on www.cycleworld.com
Apparently, the Junak franchise was already spoken for. □
