Feed Back

FEED BACK

Readers, as well as those involved in the motorcycle industry, are invited to have their say about motorcycles they own or have owned. Anything is fair game: performance, handling, reliability, service, parts availability, lovability, you name it. Suggestions: be objective, be fair, no wildly emotional but ill-founded invectives; include useful facts like mileage on odometer, time owned, model year, special equipment and accessories bought, etc.

GETTING HECKELED

I have never written to a magazine before; however. I felt it was my duty to inform your readers about Heckel MX boots, manufactured by Miura Products.

1 received my boots as a Christmas present last year. 1 had picked them out because 1 felt they were superior to all the other MX boots as far as comfort and protection go. I also felt that the more expensive Heckel boots would outlast the other more cheaply priced boots. For the first month or so I really liked the boots. Whenever someone asked me about them, everything I said was complimentary. Then a funny thing happened—things started falling apart right from under me. Seems every time I looked something was missing or broken.

First, the buckles snapped off and were lost somewhere between a long moto. The one snap that holds the shin-piece popped off on both boots. The soles are completely destroyed. I’ve seen better designed sandals. My boots are covered with rips and tears and, finally, the entire hinge assembly ripped off.

I had seen the Heckel ad (the one that says they used to wear leather on their heads too). At the end of the ad it lists some features, the last one saying, “One year guarantee on sole and manufacturer defects.”

I took the boots to a shop that deals in Bultacos. I had purchased the boots there and figured I’d get them fixed free under the warranty. I explained my problem to the owner and he said that they had had a similar problem with another person. They had shipped the boots to the manufacturer. complete with sales slip, the above ad and a letter asking that the boots be fixed. The shop received a letter explaining that the ad was “not current and outdated.” They could not fix the boots.

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I did not expect this kind of treatment from a company that has a 60-day warranty on its bikes. The shop (Westfield Auto & Cycle) ottered to try to fix them and I am grateful for this. As for Heckel boots, mine are currently being used as fancy umbrella holders.

Francis Gaulin Southampton, Mass.

BUT WASN’T IT WORTH WAITING FOR?

I thought I had encountered the ultimate in aloofness and discourtesy in dealing with U.S. Postal Service employees, but they cannot compare with my dealings with Triple A Manufacturing Company.

In the latter part of March of this year. I placed an order through my dealer for a set of footboards for my Z1 from Triple A. After three weeks, I asked my dealer what he thought about delivery. He said he would call. The next day he informed me that Triple A told him the boards had been shipped. Three weeks later, I asked my dealer, “What the heck?” He said he’d call. Now. Triple A informed him that the boards would be shipped within the week—a mix-up on first shipment. Three weeks later, I asked my dealer. “What the hell?” He said he’d call. Triple A said no boards in stock yet. they were waiting for a shipment from their supplier! (1 thought they made them).

two weeks later. I dropped my change in the phone and called Triple A. I informed the person who answered that I had ordered a set of boards through my dealer and that 1 was calling to ascertain some ballpark shipping date. 1 was informed that, since I was not a dealer, they could give me no information. Again. I tried to make it clear that I did not want price information or any other super-secrets, only an idea of what I could expect as far as a shipment date, be it two weeks or six months. I was told very emphatically that since I was not a dealer, just a customer, they could give me no information regarding shipping dates or anything else. I then asked to speak to the president of the firm. He was busy. I was told, could the bookkeeper help me"? By that time, a bottle of aspirin couldn't have helped me. so I thanked the person for her time and settled back for a long winter’s wait.

Four weeks later my dealer called and jubilantly informed me that the floorboards had arrived. We both celebrated this momentous event over a cup of the dealer’s coffee (it takes a real special event to drink his stuff). Even the dealer had given up on this order.

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Now for the best part (or worst as I saw it). When I opened up the box. both ends of the board mounting frames were rusted. The brake cable retaining bracket was cracked and, unbelievably, one of the mounting holes in a floorboard was drilled a full 3/16 in. off center. This required drilling out the hole, plugging it and redrilling it properly.

This is the first of what I consider to be a very sad encounter with an accessory manufacturer that I have had. Quite possibly it will not be the last, but most possibly it will have been the worst. 1 would like to think that the folks at Triple A do not make a practice of doing business like this. All it would have taken on their part was a straight answer from the beginning. I wanted the boards and was prepared to wait for them.

Anyway, Triple A does make one beautiful product that I know of . . . their catalog is excellent.

Ransom P. Cross El Paso, Texas

PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW

I am writing to praise your subscription department, back issue service and those on your staff who perform your superb road tests.

1 started reading cycle magazines in 1965, shortly after I purchased my first motorcycle, a 55cc Yamaha. The little Yamaha was a gas for about a month and then I started to lust for a “big bike” of around 250cc. I read your test reports on bikes in the price range I could afford and finally decided to purchase a brand new Suzuki X6 Hustler. I rode that bike more than 24,000 miles with no major problems and thanked you silently every time I kicked it over. In 1968 I went on active duty in the Navy and foolishly traded my Hustler to my brother for a 1961 Morris Minor. 1 have kicked myself ever since.

Last April I decided that I had to have another motorcycle. I sold my catamaran and used the money to purchase a glorious new Yamaha RD400C. I enjoyed sailing but that Yamaha is purely addictive. I purchased the RD400 from personal experience with my brother’s RD350. That 350 was dynamite and after riding a 400 I knew that it was double dynamite. Unfortunately, I had not read your road test.

I decided to subscribe to CYCLE WORLD. With my subscription I ordered the March, 1976, issue with the RD400 test in it. Feeling sure the RD400 was the best bike that I had ever slung a leg over, I was somewhat worried that you might declare my angel a turkey. My back issue came today and I was astounded that you seemed to feel toward the RD400 as I do.

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I put Honda 400 low bars on a month ago and I certainly like the difference. The handling feels quicker and the very slight wobble I used to feel at highway speeds has disappeared completely.

I feel that the Yamaha RD400C is the best middleweight bike that has ever been produced. I used to brag about my Hustler but my 400 is superior in every way, especially the brakes. I still have a soft spot in my heart for the first six-speed middleweight superbike. I love my Yamaha, but I miss my Suzuki.

I sincerely thank you for publishing your magazine. You give more than technical data, you give the reader a feel of the cycle that is much more important than mere charts and technology.

Roy A. Olsen Jr. Indianapolis, Ind.

GETTING KEYED UP

I own a 1967 Yamaha 100YL2C Single, and am becoming somewhat disenchanted at the motorcycle dealers in the San Luis Valley—both Yamaha dealers and their competitors.

I have been trying for quite some time to get a new key for the ignition switch, as I am down to my last key and it is broken nearly all the way through at the shank. I feel this is a rather poor place for Yamaha to mount the switch in the first place, as I am constantly hitting my leg against it while mounting, dismounting and on rough roads.

At any rate, I have tried to get a new key made at various bike shops in the Valley, all to no avail. The dealers are quite willing to rip me off for an $8 ignition switch with new keys, but no key replacement. There is nothing wrong with the old switch, which is less than a year old. And, I'll be damned if I’ll pay $8 for a new ignition switch just to get a new set of keys when all I really want is a 50$ replacement. That old slogan, “Some Day You’ll Own A Yamaha,’’ is a lot of bunk if they can’t even supply me with a simple, inexpensive replacement part.

Andy R. Howe Del Norte, Colo.

A Yamaha spokesman has informed us that key blanks to fit all models have just been made available to dealers. So, Andy, if you've got enough key left to get your machine started, we suggest you gas ’er on down to a local dealer and give it another try. Yamaha assures us you won’t be disappointed this time.—Ed.

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ZOOMING IN ON YAMAHA’S XS750D

Thanks to CYCLE WORLD and several other publication reports on the Yamaha XS750D, I now own this delightful motorcycle. Having been bitten by the “road bike madness,” I've owned or been on nearly all of the middleweights and 750 to 900cc chainand shaft-driven bikes. I must admit that after much deliberation, I zoomed in on the XS750D like a homing pigeon. I can’t say enough about how far Yamaha has come with the design and engineering of this fine piece of machinery.

For openers, the XS750D is one of the most comfortable motorcycles . . . and looks it! Any passer-bv seems to stop dead in his tracks, take a look and just know what's stacked on that frame. The 750 Triple is plenty strong thanks to a clean, perfectly balanced and very smooth engine. Owner maintenance of the bike is a snap and the shaft-drive and suspension afford me one of the best rides I’ve ever had. My passenger is always amazed with how this beauty takes on any reasonable bump, rut or pothole with absolutely no problem. I really believe the “Japanese tin can” expression can be packed up. buried in England and forgotten about once and for all.

I give the all-around performance of the 750 a standing ovation. Yamaha designers gave the bike an added extra with a very well-made seat, and we all know how much that means. It’s a relief not to experience any cramps or irritation to the pressure points of your inner thighs.

I stand a tad under six feet and may be nearly the perfect height for the design of this motorcycle. I find the handling of the 750 a real treat; confidence and faith in my machine are all I feel when hitting the turns. The rightside 3-into-l exhaust system could possibly have been smaller, but unless you’re pushing your luck the clearance given you is all that’s needed. The positioning of the footpeg in relation to the shift lever is perfect, just enough not to get you jammed up when getting in and out of city traffic; and the handlebars couldn’t be better for the long rides.

I honestly believe the Yamaha XS750D rides like, performs like and is the Porsche of the 750-900 class motorcycles. Many thanks to Yamaha, CYCLE WORLD and Village Cycles.

Jerry Pagano New York. N.Y.

GESUNDHEIT!

With regard to the letter “Monumental Impressions” in the Aug., ’76 “Feedback,” I have two words of advice for John S. Somers: eschew obfuscation.

Dave Montgomery ™ Statesville. N.C.