Intake

Intake

TT TRACKSIDE OPINION

You caught the essence and character of what is the most challenging roadrace in the world better than anything I have previously read (Race Watch, Sept.).

I experienced the TT as the race mechanic for English rider Rod Gould in the 1968,1969, and 1970 races. For the 1968 Grand Prix races we were sponsored by Cycle World magazine, and at the TT we finished in fourth place in the 25OCC race behind the works Yamahas and MZ. I have the fourth-place Silver Winged Mercury that Rod gave me on display at my home.

A special honor of the 1968 race was Rod and I having lunch with Joe Parkhurst, Ivan Wager, and Isle of Man legend Geoff Duke. A fuel issue kept us from finishing the 1969 race, but in 1970, now as the factory Yamaha team, Rod finished in second place behind Kel Carruthers in the 25OCC class. I was fortunate to be invited to attend the 100th anniversary of the TT race in 2007 and watch John McGuinness be the first rider to exceed a 130-mph lap.

If you are a lover of real motorcycle roadracing, you owe it to yourself to visit the Isle of Man at least once in your life and experience by riding or driving around the course what a challenge this unique race is. Experiencing the excitement and action of the Isle of Man and the TT races is an experience not to be missed.

I’ve been an avid follower of the Isle of Man TT races for several years, have read innumerable articles and recaps about each season, and watched every TT video I’ve come across. But I’ve never read an article that puts it all into perspective as well as Mark Hoyer did. Gee, wonder how he got to be editor?

TOM DIXON

MILWAUKEE, Wl

RANDY HALL CYCLEWORLD.COM

NEVER LIKED YOU EITHER

Hey, Mark, I have been a subscriber to your magazine on and off for 20 years. Never liked you but you have ToTally changed my mind with your Isle of Man TT article. You ToTally deserve to be at the helm, and please continue publishing one of my favorite magazines.

CAPT. )0E BAIRIAN NEWPORT BEACH, CA

We ToTally see what you did there.

STROKE OF GENIUS

I sure hope KTM is successful in bringing back the two-stroke. However, I think they are missing the mark a little. A 25OCC dirt bike would be fun, but a 147-hp two-stroke triple “Streetfighter” would be just right. Now if I still have a half bottle of Klotz bean oil?

TOM MIX CYCLEWORLD.COM

SHY PEE?

Thanks for the Peter Jones article on balance. I’ve had that issue for the 37 years I’ve been riding, and discovering that others have the problem—especially someone with your level of expertise—was as consoling as finding out there are others with shy pee! The issue surely hasn’t gotten any better since I’ve gotten older, and I’ve had to gradually go to smaller and lighter bikes.

Still, it’s important to keep riding, and if I have to put my feet down, I just do it and suppress the shame. But misery loves company.

RUSCALISCH SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

THE INSURANCE QUESTION

I hear a lot about the decline of sportbike sales. One factor I never hear talked about is cost of insurance. That is what keeps me away from the Ducati Panigale 959.1 am a late-30s male with 20 years of car driving experience and two years riding experience with no at-fault accidents. I was quoted by two insurance companies about $4,300 per year for a sportbike. The idea of spending one-third of the cost of a bike a year to just insure it steers me in the direction of other types of bikes. Naked bikes have almost or the same power and riding experience as sportbikes. A liter naked bike is only $1,400 per year to insure. So the sale of the Panigale isn't in the picture but a Monster 1200 S is. Just my thoughts from a new rider with many future possible bike purchases.

LINO FERREIRA

LINCOLN, CA

Lino, shhhh, keep it down about naked bikes, man...

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