Hotshots

HOTSHOTS

Too-tall tales

In "When the Going Gets Tough" (September), Peter Egan asks, "Why are adventure bikes so tall?" He need only look at the TR650 Terra six pages later for the answer in "Remaking Husqvarna": "... at the insistence of the American Husqvarna distributor, 21-inch front and 18-in. rear wheels [were demanded]..."

If manufacturers want to sell lighter 650cc adventure bikes, all they have to do is look at their potential customers. We're not dirtbike riders! We're weekend warriors who'd love to rip up some fireroads, not qualify for a Supercross. As a "normal" American male, I can tell you that my KTM Adventure 640's 37-in. seat height was not ideal. Neither was the 34-in. seat on my KTM Adventure 950 when the "road" got dicey. For these reasons, kudos to Husqvarna's Raffaele Zaccagnini for designing the Strada, with its 19and 17-in. wheels. Outstanding!

John Lockwood Blairsville, Georgia

Too heavy, too

I read with some disgust that the concept of "Adventure-Touring" bikes includes four machines that weigh from 517 to 651 lb. with full tanks. The real adventure will be righting one of these monsters if it ever falls over. This is absurd. Cortes Pauls Richmond, Virginia

Liking the NC700X

I loved Peter Egan's essay, "When the Going Gets Tough." He got it exactly right when he said, ".. .few human dreams are more potent than the belief that we might go anywhere." I was still contemplating this thought when I turned to the two-page ad for the new Honda NC700X. Wow! The NC700X is all I've been able to talk about for months. Honda reliability, 66 miles per gallon, storage, luggage and a $7000 price tag is my ticket to dream of going anywhere. Bert Asa

Berthoud, Colorado

For a full test on the Honda NC700X, see p. 38.

Somewhat pursuant to Peter Egan's September-issue "Adventures In Retro-Touring" article, a question, please: Why can't people just ride.. .a motorcycle? Why does it have to be a cruiser or a sportbike or an adventure bike or some other marketing-driven styling-niche profit-maker? I ride a

Sportster, an XL 1200 Roadster, and I am embarrassed to do so. Why? Because I don't like to be known as a "Harley type," which I most definitely am not\ I ride the Roadster because it is something of an American Vincent. It is without pretense, has a larger gas tank for distance and dual discs up front for stopping. It's as close to a "Universal American Motorcycle" as is likely to be found. Consequently, it has little resale or trade-in value; it is just a bike.

I live in a small town in Texas, and every so often I see an older Suzuki GS or a Honda CB or Kawasaki Z, and I always stop to admire it. Whatever happened to motorcycles'? You know, a seat, two wheels, an engine—oh, wait, maybe Honda just reinvented the motorcycle... again! Richard Creed

Belton, Texas

How would we perform our incredibly complex work as moto journalists if we didn '/ classify things, and when can we drop by for cheap domestic brews and a fistfight?

Peccarious situation

As you stated, "sheer insanity" is exactly what I thought of you guys riding a GSX-R750 flat-out for 24 hours the first time I read about it. I remember that story well! It etched in stone a great admiration of the GSX-R750 for, well, it appears 27

years. It was truly a great feat in 1985.

I will forgive you West Coasters, however, for thinking a j avelina is a "wild boar" or "hog," a mistake made by many. A javelina is actually a Peccary, a close relative to the hippo. Here in South Texas, javelinas are revered by the fans of the Texas A&I Javelinas, who have seven national championships in Dil football.

So, cheers to Cycle World, the GSX-R750 and the Javelinas. For 27 more years. Bruce Lambert

Alvin, Texas

Everybody's a consultant

In regard to Editor Hoyer's August, 2012, editorial, "The Power of Dreams:" When I look at the new Honda motorcycles, all I see is plastic. If the bike tips over in the parking lot 10 years from now, will I be able to fix the yards of plastic panels or be able to buy replacements? The answer is "no." How important are streamlining and aerodynamics on a 250cc bike? I looked at the Ninja 250 and CBR250R and walked away, feeling these were throwaway toys, not something I would love and keep.

If Honda wants to grow the market and attract new riders, they should return to their roots. They need to offer bikes in the 350cc range, Twins with air cooling or water cooling with a small, non-intrusive radiator. No fairings! Leave the engine out where it can be seen and spend some time making it look nice. Sidepanels should be pressed steel, along with the fenders. A flat seat that can hold two. An upright, easy riding position. Simplify, simplify, simplify! And keep the price under $5000 so that when these bikes return to the used market, they will be very affordable to teenagers and college-age adults who will then join the ranks of motorcyclists.

The Chinese and Koreans are poised to completely dominate the entry-level market with scooters and small-bore bikes, but I believe consumers trust Honda reliability over a no-name Chinese bike sold through Pep Boys. Dr. Carl Dreher Dallas, Texas

One small blow for freedom

When I saw Roundup in your June issue (been meaning to write—sorry if it's a little stale), I had to smile. I'm a California peace officer, and I agree that Section 22502 of the California Vehicle Code ("a motorcycle shall be parked with at least one wheel or fender touching the right-hand curb") is ridiculous. While I would never write a parking ticket for 22502,1 thought you'd be happy to know that I stop at least one eager in violation of Section 21654(a) CVC (driving too slowly in the fast lane) every day. It's my biggest pet peeve, and I believe violations of this law are one of the biggest causes of traffic congestion, not to mention road rage. Not only are most Californians oblivious to this law (drivers everywhere else seem to get the concept of the fast lane), but even many of my colleagues in law enforcement are unaware of the section. Hopefully, a California legislator who rides and reads Cycle World will take notice. One traffic cop can do only so much! Officer Jake Southern California

Just doing our job, sir

Your August, 2012, issue was filled with superbikes, Silver Wings, café racers,

historical accounts, dirtbikes, electric bikes, editorial pieces, racer bios and sh#*loads of advertising. The whole rag lacked such an editorial mission that, as a reader, I was bored. Being all things to all people comes off as insincere as being a used-car salesman. Possibly a complete lack of focus enables you guys to sell more ad space to a wider market, but it leaves the reader confused about what your magazine seeks to accomplish. Are you just an industry brochure for ad space? On the plus side, with so many cooks in the kitchen, out of sheer randomness, I bet you come up with a good edition before the year is out. Keeping the Faith. Sean McGllirk

Louisville, Kentucky

We seek to cover the whole world of motorcycling (hence, the title), and the ad department insists upon selling as many as possible. Really quite simple, no? O

Got something to say? Contact us at hotshots@cycleworld.com or Cycle World Hotshots, 15255 Alton Parkway, Suite 300, Irvine, CA 92618.