Intake

Intake

NAKEDSS R US -> IN PRAISE OF FREDDIE -> DOUBTING DARYL -> BRING BACK THE SUPER CUB

KICKSTART THE CONVERSATION

I was wondering when you’d review the BMW S1000R with the Aprilia Tuono V4 and the KTM1290 Super Duke (“ShirtsOff Smackdown,” August). I had ridden all three, and, for me, the Tuono was a bit too raw and the 1290 too much like my five years on a 990. The S1000R, though, felt right at home. My blue S1000R is sitting in the garage now, still amazing me after four weeks and 3,000 miles. When I do opt for a change, I take out my bright-red six-week-old FZ-09! What a great year for new bikes!

W. GRANT NORMAN MORGANTOWN, WV

VOCAB LESSON

I must take exception to something Don Canet wrote about the Tuono in the August test of naked bikes: "Its soul-stirring exhaust note and slick quickshift action rival the exhilaration of squeezing off a clip of M16 rounds."

Impossible. M16 rounds must be removed from the clip and inserted into a magazine. Only then can the exhilaration of squeezing off a magazine load of Mi6 rounds be felt. August was another wonderful and informative issue of your clip. Uh, I mean magazine.

MIKEDINAUER MINDEN, NV

ENTRY-LEVEL? FOR WHOM?

The “Year of the Naked” issue was an enjoyable read. It’s amazing the amount of technology that manufacturers have been able to bake into these bikes and yet sell them at very affordable prices. That being said, I wonder if the companies hurt their cause by continually referring to bikes like the FZ-09 and FZ-07 and

NC700X as “entry-level.” Really? It would seem these are best suited to a rider with a year or two of experience.

JOHNS. LOWE FREELAND, Ml

FREDDIE FOR PRESIDENT!

Wow! Fast Freddie’s “In The Moment” column in the August issue gives me goose bumps every time I read it. To be at one with yourself and the machine, that is why we ride.

BARRY BITSCH MARYHILL, ONTARIO, CANADA

Spencer just nails it. I never raced, but I know what he’s talking about. Knowing your ride, feeling it! Great stuff.

PAUL LANDAU HOOD RIVER, OR

A SIMPLE EXPLANATION, REALLY

Your magazine, my favorite source of motorcycle news and info, is now concerning me. The specs posted for the Ducati Monster 1200 in August seem to

come out of left field. Its dry weight is 401 pounds, not 446 as you listed. The horsepower is 145, not 130.3. And the torque is 91.8 pound-feet, not 83.4.

Even the wheelbase and seat heights don’t match what my manual and Ducati’s website say. If you’re so far off on this bike, how are you faring with all of those others?

DARYL ADAMSON PORTLAND, OR

Daryl, don’t doubt us—thank us. Unlike many other publications, we actually measure the dimensions and performance oftestbikes, which is why our numbers frequently don’t agree with manufacturer-supplied specs. As for horsepower and torque, we measure it at the rear wheel, not the crankshaft.

SUPERLEGGERA

Wow! The Ducati Superleggera looks even sexier with the bodywork off.

These are the days of heaven on earth.

CLIFF DAVIS CYCLEWORLD.COM

THE BEE’S KNEES

Since Honda has decided to go the route of bringing pure economy to motorcycles (the NC700), economy dosed with some fun (the new 500s and 300s, CBR650F), and economy with some strangeness (NM4), maybe the company can do one more in the name of fuel savings and bring the old Super Cub back to America. My 1981C70 Passport is getting tired, and while it would run forever, a new Cub would be the bee’s knees. After all,

“You meet the nicest people on a Honda.”

GREG SENDER CLARION, IA

Comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Write us at intake@cycleworld.com.