Intake
Intake
WHAT’S ADVENTURE? SHOCK EGAN PISTON PROBLEMS
HÊEHSTHHT THE EOfíVEHSHTÈOn
Adventure bikes? I’m thinking about being miles from nowhere buying gas out of cans that smell of diesel and kerosene. In the 70s we had dressed-up econoboxes that looked like “sports” cars. Now, we have these sissified “adventure” bikes that won’t run without premium gas. Don’t wander too far, fellas, the SUV is in the shop having the high-performance off-road cup holders installed.
ED DRAPER CYCLEWORLD.COM
Ed, if you don’t think a spectacular touring bike with 151 hp is an adventure, we’re not sure we can help.
MASTER OF RHETORIC?
Why was the BMW R1200GS missing in “The New Superbikes” adventuretouring comparison (Nov. 2015)? It’s like trying to find the best pickup excluding the Ford F-150. For me the only real superbike is the new S1000XR. Superbike fast, all-day comfortable, and practical. Areal game changer. But I’m still missing the clean driveshaft and the anti-dive/load-separating Telelever like the GS has. Hopefully we see a 150-horse R1300XR with a 17-inch front wheel soon. I want it all.
CHRIS CEUTINC
DURHAM, CA
MISSED THE ADVENTURE
What sort of “adventures” were your ADV comparo bikes actually ridden on? I live in north central Washington where there are hundreds of miles of unpaved forest roads. I’ve been riding them for years, and the biggest bike I’ve ever run across was a Honda XR650L.
Hey, I get it. All motorcycles are about image and ego. Mine included. But occasionally you have to tip your hat to
the marketers. Water for $1.50 a bottle? Sure, we can get people to buy that. And $2OK for a huge ADV bike that rarely leaves the pavement? No problem.
Yes, I did see Mark Hoyer’s article in the same issue about his WR250R “ADV Lite.” A much better off-road choice, IMHO. And a lot cheaper.
JACK MYNAH LEAVENWORTH, WA
NOT FEELIN’ THE SQUISH
I tried to walk away, but I can’t. Up Front November: If the article is about the poor old Velocette and its pistons, at least use a picture of a vintage piston. It sounds like Hoyer might have boxes full of them. I have never had a Velo apart, but I assume it has a piston like a Gold Star, etc., with a two-valve hemi head. I find it hard to believe that a 50-year-old Velo had a modern four-valve squish piston. I feel better now.
BILL MYERS MILWAUKEE, Wl
Hoyer has plenty of Velo pistons laying around but can’t bear to look at them.
EGAN SHOCK THERAPY
Great mag. Been reading it ever since, well, shortly after Peter Egan joined. Speaking of whom, while sitting at the dentist’s the other day I noticed an article by him on the cool, new 2015 Morgan three-wheeler in Road & Track, so I suggest you put the electrodes on him until he cranks out some more columns for Cycle World.
ED SACER
COCHRANE, ALBERTA, CANADA
No electrodes required, just two of the biggest motorcycle icons of the ’70s on the road in the Midwest in “Classic Rematch” on page 38.
WHO SAID IT WAS SLOW?
It really is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slowly. I see more people recognizing this all the time.
I was thrilled to open my November issue to find two Velocette references! Mark Hoyer and Paul d’Orleans are on to something with their love of these fine machines. Like Hoyer, I ride a ’54 Velo MSS. I have bikes more than a halfcentury newer and with five times more power yet I ride the Velo for grin factor.
Of course, most aren’t interested in a daily vintage ride. That’s where the new Ducati Scrambler or other vintagethemed offerings come in.
I am encouraged to see younger riders inspired by the scrambler/café scene. Vintage and modern classic riders tend to run in the same circles and I expect today’s modern classic riders will become tomorrow’s owners of vintage bikes.
Manufacturers take note: Simple is cool.
JOEWRICHT
AMES, IA
Comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Write us at intake@cycleworld.com.
