Letters
LETTERS
MINI-MOTOCROSSERS
I liked your November 1979 issue because you put more little motocrossers in it. I like the 50, 80 and 100. I like to see more of the little bikes. I don't see much of the 100 and 50 and I liked your 80 test because I like to see which is better, the Yamaha, Suzuki or Kawasaki. I'm 8 years old and have an RM80.
Danny Tiliman Freehold, N.J.
My Suzuki can kick all over the YZ8O and KX8O. We have an excellent track. But now I'll tell you why my bike is a winner. It's totally trick! If you have any tests up here call on me. I am at least as good or better than the test riders.
Jim Roberts Kent. Wash.
OUTDOOR LIFE
I enjoyed your November column "Out door Life" very much. Its tone of every man to his own taste brought me out of my new bike blues of putting down my present steed and pining for something new.
I am just recovering from the trauma of ordering my first spate of aftermarket goodies and trying to make them fit or work—replacement shocks, Q-H headlight. electronic ignition, and some KREEM to keep the tank from rusting.
Two or three steps into installing each of the above, I would encounter a block—lack of the special tool, hidden complexities in the instructions, etc.
Finally it’s all coming together on my '79 RD400F—stock except for the above mods and some Euro touring bars. No rear sets, no upswept pipes, no fairing.
Eric B. Nye China Lake, Calif
EUROPEAN TESTS
Some of us are just not interested in Japanese motorcycles. We realize that these machines are the major part of today’s market and they draw the most interest for the many. Some of us are classic bike aficionados or we like European bikes. Which brings me to the dilemma.
I rely a lot on road tests before 1 even begin to make my final choice of a particular motorcycle. It's difficult to get a road test at most dealers unless you a) know them, b) show them lots of cash c) lie. So 1 depend on the road test. These days I'm in the market for a road bike. non-Japanese, 500-750cc. Not too much choice, huh. The BMW 650cc R65, the Triumph 750cc, the Laverda 500cc or the Morini 500cc. Well, the Laverda is not continued on page 16.
continued from page 10
legal in Oregon, so I’m left with 4 choices. I've been waiting for a road test all year on the Guzzi and the Morini. No luck.
So ... I discontinue my subscription but will continue to buy the odd issue of your excellent magazine, the issue that has the Euro bike road test or the classic bike pictorial.
Michael R. Rosenbaum Portland Ore.
The only people who feel worse than you do about the shortage of European tests is . . . us.
We've had standing orders for just about all Moto Guzzis and Ducatis for several years. The importer doesn 7 supply them for test. Lav er da is undergoing a change of distributor. W hen that 's complete. we 're told we'll be able to test them. but we don 7 know when that will be.
We only managed to test a Moto Morini because one was coming west and we got to borrow it.
The two most recent Bultaeos tested were borrowed from private owners.
The head man at Triumph offered a 1979 model for test. late in 1978. We never got one, so instead we 've asked for an '80.
In short. the bikes you don't see tested here are bikes we haven 7 been able to get. If anything, we try harder to mention the smaller companies than we do the big ones.
PS. Anybody within riding distance of southern California like to loan us a V-50 Guzzi?
HOLLYWOOD BAD GUYS
Whv is it that the major motorcycle manufacturers continue to let Hollywood depict motorcyclists as the bad guys? In the past month. I’ve seen eight TV programs featuring motorcyclists and in each case they were animals. Surely Hollywood is getting tired of these stereotyped characters but obviously they don't know what else to do because they think we're actually like that!
To make matters worse, when the screen credits roll by at the end. we read “Motorcycles furnished by . . .” which means the manufacturer is not only endorsing the smear but providing the tar and feathers as well.
The manufacturers are spending millions on advertising and nothing on “image" outside of our own circles. And that bad image is reallv hurting us.
Phil Philcox Tampa. Fla.
LAGUNA VINTAGE COVERAGE
I was delighted to see the coverage (excellent) of our appearance at Laguna Seca Raceway. On behalf of the riders and crews participating, thank you.
Of course I deserved the praise afforded me by organizing the event, as do a num-> ber of others. They are Mary Brooks, Mary Margaret Stanley, and Ken Lofink of Laguna Seca Raceway, Bill Boyce and Charlie Watson of the AMA, Brian Slark for his excellent tech inspection, Chris Christensen for logistics help, Henry Manney III for lunch, Glenn Zaretska for photos, and Tony Murphy, whose help and support in publicizing the “race” cannot go without mention. Thank you, one and all.
We are looking forward to returning to Laguna Seca next year as well as putting on an enlarged schedule of both riding and concours events. We welcome everyone’s participation and advice.
Michael D. Lewis 84 Ilex Street Newbury Park, Calif.
FASTEST EVER?
Having been a long time reader of your excellent publication. I’ve acquired quite a stack of CW issues dating back to 1966. Somehow I missed a couple of issues some years back so I was hoping you could provide the information I lack.
I’ve heard repeatedly that the Suzuki GS750 and Honda 750F are the fastes^ 750s ever produced, but being the proud owner of a 1975 Kawasaki H2 and 1976 GT750 Suzuki I have reasons to wholeheartedly disagree. Both my bikes are stock (except for some carb and gearing changes to the Kawasaki) and I’ve never had the opportunity to partake upon the tail end styling of either a GS or 750F when throttle hand was so inclined.
My question then is: What were the best quarter mile times gotten from the H2 and GT750D?
Chris Folk Akron. Ohio
Superbikes of the recent past w ere quick, and they were good machines . . . for their day But motorcycles get better every year:
