Intake

Intake

KICKSTART THE CONVERSATION

The July CW cover shows El Solitario with face shield completely mudded over, yet mud flying from rear wheel indicates he’s still attempting to “ride.” He just might be “crazy,” but no one is crazy enough to ride blind! This nicely staged photo-op looks crazy-cool though.

KEITH J. MAXWELL

BRADFORD, RI

Keith, everybody knows you can’t cover the sponsor logo with mud.

WEIGHING HIS OPTIONS

Harley’s new Street Rod (“Hitting a Mark,” July) is a nice-looking bike, kind of the new incarnation of the XR1200. And like the XR1200, it’s at least too pounds too heavy. Harley really needs to put its bikes on a diet if it expects to be competitive. I liked my 2009 XR well enough, but in the mountains I could feel every ounce of its 564 pounds. I happily traded it for a 2016 Triumph Thruxton R (469 pounds), and I’m happy to be on the right side of the scales again.

TED COSTANTINO BOULDER, CO

SOLD TWO!

As with the “Sold One” reader (Intake,

July) I also enjoyed the Ducati SuperSport review. I sold my 2015 Raven YZF-Ri and ordered the Silk White SuperSport S from my dealer (opposites attract). I am also 63 and just could not handle the position required of the Yamaha superbike, and I am too percent a street rider, which did not allow me to take full advantage of the Ri. It was my first bike to have electronics, and I wanted to try the technology. The Ri is a phenomenal machine, but time to chill and get back to comfortable riding. Ducati absolutely hit my demographic sweet spot.

Also, I’m a longtime reader and think Peter Jones has been an excellent addition. Was blown away by the Fuller Moto build of the Motus. “Sweet geezes, my shins are on fire!” is a fine article.

FREDMOTNEY ALLEN, TX

DEATH OF SPORTBIKE EXAGGERATED

As a former owner/operator of a Yamaha dealership, an ex-roadracer, and still a motorcycle enthusiast, I don’t think sportbikes are dead, just out of reach financially for the target demographic of 20to 30-year-old people (Bike Life, May). Most of my riding acquaintances in this age group love sportbikes but can’t or won’t purchase a new unit because of the price.

And if you get approved for financing, then you’ll be required to get full-coverage insurance. A new 600 will be close to $15,000 out the door and an open-class sportbike close to or over $20,000 out the door. My first new sportbike was a 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550—took it home for under $3,000. Most of my riding acquaintances own used sportbikes only a few years old, most bought outright, some claim at half the price of a new one. Surveys don’t show how many used sportbikes are out there being sold and bought.

GAINESVILLE, TX

FAKE NEWS VS. REAL NEWS

I just read your review of the Kawasaki Z900 versus Triumph Street Triple R versus Yamaha FZ-09. The horsepower you listed for the Z900 is 111.8.1 have seen other sites and magazines report the Zqoo’s horsepower at 126. Was there a mistake on your part or theirs? That’s quite a difference in power.

JOE ROGERS CYCLEWORLD.COM

The difference is we put our testbike on our own Dynojet rear-wheel dynamometer and measure actual output in horsepower and torque. Kawasaki’s claimed peak output is 126 hp. So our number is real, the rest are not.

GAME TIME

John Stein suggests making each street ride a game (Ride Smart, July). I totally agree. On my commute or other street rides I will often try to ride mildly spirited but as perfectly within the law as I can using all proper signaling, clutch manipulations, gear-shift revs, body/ lane position, etc. It is a challenge to ride perfectly within the law, and it keeps the ride interesting. Besides, no cop can pull you over for being too perfect!

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