Letters
LETTERS
AN APPRECIATIVE READER
Dear CW :
Enclosed is my subscription to CYCLE WORLD. Have been reading other so-called cycle magazines for ten years and find them getting progressively worse.
After reading my first issue of CYCLE WORLD I find it to be far superior. It contained the type of technical and detailed coverage most of us devoted cycle riders like to read. I realize it is extremely difficult to keep your standards at such a high level.
However, I am confident you will be doing your best to keep it at such a level.
GLEN A. SIMS Champaign, 111.
EDITOR: Having thoughtful and appreciative readers like yourself, Glen, makes it all worthwhile. And, thank you.
YES ON SCOOTERS
Dear CW:
Enclosed is my subscription; CYCLE WORLD is a fine magazine. I plan on enjoying it for years to come. Two months ago I bought a new Harley Topper H scooter and so far it’s a good scooter. It’s got that Harley soft ride, plenty of power and good getaway with the automatic transmission.
The only thing wrong is that it leaks gas and oil from the carburetor on the clean garage floor every single night. I disagree with Al Zuber’s letter (CW, January issue), on no scooters. They are fun, just like motorcycles, and I would like to see a scooter test along with the cycle tests in your magazine.
GUY TROTTER Charlotte, N.C.
EDITOR: Thanks Guy, I hope you will be around for years to come. We think you will be happy with this issue.
PRAISE, WITH RESERVATIONS
Dear CW:
Congratulations, your performance was everything you promised. You took the checkers the first time with a near perfect score.
You lost a few points on some wayout words, like: esoteric, detrimental and academically, and a few proof reader’s misses, though.
E. L. CIENER Huntsville, Ala.
EDITOR: What’s so esoteric about academically and detrimental?
A VERSATILE ENTHUSIAST
Dear CW:
I would like to congratulate you and the entire staff on coming up with what is definitely the finest motorcycle magazine yet published in the U.S. Ever since J started riding, I have been looking for a real motorcyclist’s publication.
As the owner of an MG-A sports car, a BSA Starfire and a 1955 BMW R-69 my interests run from flattracking to road riding. I will look forward to your technical material each month and also the fine action photos, especially the colored cover.
I have talked to several fellow riders about your magazine and we are behind you 101%. Keep up the very fine work.
HARLAN JOHNSON Duluth, Minn.
EDITOR: Thank you too, Harlan, but how did you arrive at that percentage?
WORDS FOR THE NOVICES
Dear CW:
Having been introduced to the sport of motorcycling a few years back by my brother, the ones I have admired most are the riders who finance their own equipment for racing. The guys that sacrifice all comforts in order to race are the ones, in my opinion, who are deserving of whatever credit is due to the sport. They are the true motorcyclists and sportsmen.
To me they are the body and soul of the sport, whether or not they are successful. So, I ask of you, let’s have the novices who sweat blood for the thing they love featured in each edition, or at least a small bit of recognition.
A/2c THOMAS W. HILFERTY Beale AFB, Calif.
EDITOR: CYCLE WORLD will always strive to give credit where it is due, and the novices deserve a great deal.
A SCOOTER FAN, WITH IDEAS
Dear CW:
It looks like you have gotten off to a fine start, my congratulations to you and your staff for a fine first issue.
I was glad to read your comment to Al Zuber in the letters column. In a big city, like New York, I depend upon a motor scooter to get me around quickly, and comfortably. There is no place for speed in the city streets, so a motorcycle is really not a practical thing for those short hops. Fact is, I’ve got two scooters right now. One is a ’54 Vespa 125, and the other is a new H-D Topper H.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve got my eye on a H-D Duo-Glide for this summer. Enclosed is my subcription. Once again, good luck with CYCLE WORLD, your first issue is a beaut!
DAVID S. BULKIN New York, New York
EDITOR: Thank you Mr. Bulkin, you have' cited one of the most practical uses for scooters, that of safe and dependable transportation in a large metropolitan area. I hope you like this issue as well as the first.
SENIOR CYCLIST
Dear CW:
I am more than pleased to accept your offer of a subscription. 1962 will be my 50th year with motorcycles and I can say I get more pleasure out of riding than I did in 1912 when I got my first machine.
Of course, there is a difference in highways, which in those days were more cow trails than roads. At present I am riding a BMW R-60 which I consider one of the finest machines made.
L. W. McCONAUGHEY Hay Springs, Neb.
CYCLE WORLD IN THE CYCLE SHOPS
Dear CW:
We just received our first supply of CYCLE WORLD. It is our opinion that this first issue will be sold out long before the second copy is on the counter.
Since you received our order too late to be included in the Dealer Directory, would you please stop the presses long enough to insert our ad in the Massachusetts group. Many thanks.
E. A. HOKKANEN Mohawk Cycle Sales Greenfield, Mass.
EDITOR: And many thanks to you too Mr. Hokkanen, your ad is in and I hope CYCLE WORLD sold as you anticipated. Your letter is like hundreds we have received from motorcycle dealers across the country, and I don’t have to say how much it pleases us.
SO YOU NOTICED
Dear CW:
At long last I am delighted to find a really good cycle magazine. Your first issue was so good I am subscribing. At the present time I do not own a motorcycle, but I have owned several machines including a really hot Tiger Cub.
Also, let the “product pushers” know that I would not dream of buying their products UNLESS I saw them advertised in your magazine! (I noticed that you were having trouble in that department).
Please keep up the good work because you have a great magazine; the other cycle magazines are no damn good! I also admire your courage in starting this new magazine. I noticed that a lot of your staff had experience on a rival magazine; I’m glad they left it. I’ve also enclosed a subscription for my buddy in the Army overseas.
(Continued on Page 45)
CHARLES E. WHARTON Cookville, Tenn.
EDITOR: Trouble pretty well describes what we are having in “that department.” If any other CYCLE WORLD readers feel this way we are certain that the dealers and distributors of your favorite bike would just love hearing from you. And thank you very much Mr. Wharton, we cannot fail with such zealous support as yours.
MORE TRAVEL, LESS RACING
Dear CW:
THANKS for a magazine that I hope will not be filled with races and race results. Racing is great but let’s have a magazine for the people who just ride to be riding.
Articles on Gypsy tours, plain everyday travel, etc., are very few in any motorcycle magazine I have been able to buy.
WILLIAM B WADDELL Jersey Shore, Penna.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK
Dear CW:
Thank you for the chance to be a charter subscriber to your new CYCLE WORLD. It really sounds great. I think there has been a need for another cycle magazine, American published, for a long time.
Competition makes for better mags, which is what we subscribers want.
MICHAEL W. DOYLE Oxnard, California
EDITOR: Thanks, Michael, that’s exactly why we aré here.
SEE WHAT THE BOYS WILL HAVE
Dear CW:
I hope you have a wonderful magazine,* but I hope it is not all Western coverage. What we would like to see is some good European coverage as well as Canadian, good travel stories and technical tips, etc.
Enclosed is my subscription and if ypu can put out a good mag I’ll put some on the shelf for the boys.
PAUL H. LEWIS Lewis Cycle Shop, (BMW) Dover, New Hampshire
