Letters
LETTERS
HELMET COMMENTS
I’d like to thank you for your article on helmets in the September, 1982 issue. It helped me when I recently chose my first full-face style that later saved my head and face when a semi ran me off the road. Fortunately, all I suffered was a broken collar bone.
The helmet doesn’t look so new anymore but my brains are in one piece and I’m looking forward to riding next spring.
Mark Stewart Columbus, Ohio
I have had personal long term experience with three of the helmet manufacturers mentioned in your September article on new helmets. My experience has been with a Nava 2, Arai X-7, and a Shoei S-20. I’m writing in the hopes that some of my observations concerning these helmets will be of use to your readers who are shopping for new helmets.
First the Nava. The Nava has an expensive face shield, $9 last time I checked. Compared with under $5 for most other helmets. The shield also scratches easily. One trip to Phoenix and back always does it in. The helmet lining started falling out after six months and the chinstrap frayed to the point of concern after less than a year. Aftermarket face shields, like the ones offered by Hydron are unavailable at this time.
The Shoei saved my life when I went from the outside of the car to the inside via the windshield. The face shield didn’t scratch easily but was hard to use and the shield retaining frolts were constantly stripping of breaking off.
The Arai is my favorite helmet so far. My only complaint about it is that the face shield won’t stay open above 30 mph. The face shield seems to last forever and the helmet lining and chinstrap are holding up fine after almost two years of constant use. I would definitely buy another Arai helmet.
Selecting a helmet for initial comfort and fit is definitely an important consideration but living with a helmet for two years really shows up any hidden flaws that exist.
Richard A. Mayers Tucson, Ariz.
Inside New Helmets came at a time when I was looking for a replacement for my trusty Bell Super Magnum. The Shoei is especially interesting with its light weight, generous room, clean styling and moderate price.
One thing that struck me though, is none of these helmets can be bought in International Safety Orange. I’m convinced of the safety offered by this color in terms of visibility. Why have helmet manufacturers chosen to ignore this aspect of safety after its popularity of a few years ago and its proven track record?
John Korenjak Chicago, Ilk
Before a helmet can do its job, it has to be sold, so the helmet makers offer colors that sell. Bell, for instance, used to have a safety orange option for the original Star, but not enough people were interested. In reverse, none of the helmet people really believed in black, because it’s so hot in the summer but buyers love black and so, it’s an option from several manufacturers.
If you really want orange, the fiberglass helmets and some plastic ones can be safely painted; check with the maker first because some materials deteriorate under some paints,
If you want visibility, there are bright yellow, red and even reflective helmets and decals available.
TEN BEST BIKES
When reading a magazine article, I always read the words first and then look at the photos. While reading the touring selection in your Ten Best Bikes of 1982 I came upon the words, “Touring bikes are for going where you want, with everything you need, as fast as you can get away with. When you get there, you should be as eager for the ride back.” I thought to myself, they could only be talking about one motorcycle, my BMW R100RS.
I looked at the photo and was shocked. Did your staff make a mistake and insert the wrong photo with the correct story?
Margie Knox Charlotte, N.C.
I was astounded to see that the top honors in the 651-800cc class was awarded to the Honda V45 Sabre. Your own test summary shows that the GPz750 not only beats the Sabre by a near one quarter second in the quartermile but it also weighs less, has a faster top end speed and gets better mileage.
My GPz looks and handles better than the Sabre and if it sounds like I love my bike, you’re right.
Kirk Miles Knoxville, Tenn.
MISSISSIPPI LEVEE
This letter is to encourage Mississippi motorcyclists to write their state legislature because their license tags are not deductible on the state income tax. During this time when we are encouraging people to save gasoline, the state lawmakers should provide incentives to promote gas-saving transportation.
Cliff St. John Raymond, Miss.
HACKETT REBUTTALS
I could not agree more with the published response to Dan Hackett’s letter in the October, 1982 issue. I’ve been in enough public kitchens to say firsthand that dishes cleaned in a three sink set up are no better than in a two. The problem, more often than not, is the lazy dishwasher who won’t change the water. *
As for the idiocy of the 55 mph speech law, the only thing that it does is make it safer for the habitual drunk drivers that flood the nation’s highways and streets* It is my observation that a drunk at 75 mph is a threat, and a sober, competent driver at 75 mph is less dangerous than*, any 55 mph drunk.
As for states with no helmet laws showing dramatic increases in bike fatalities, you must look a little closer and sees that there are more bikes on the road every year and thus, more accidents. Statistics have revealed that on a percentage, basis the fatalities generally have ref mained the same and in some instances reduced.
There’s always some busybody trying^ to make life miserable for everyone else. Mr. Hackett... we don’t want to hear it.
Brad Finch
Tennessee Colony, Tex. i
A quick look at Mr. Hackett’s first two topics: food poisoning and the 55^ mph speed limit. Food poisoning almost exclusively happens from improper cooking and inadequate food storage, not the plate it’s served on.
I must agree with Mr. Hackett’s statement on the 55 mph speed limit. “It did not much deter any desire you might have had to exceed it.” It doesn’t.
On to the helmet law facts. The real facts are: In Maryland within the first six months of helmet law repeal, motorcycle fatalities decreased 30 percent. In Rhode Island when helmet laws went into effect in 1971, a 166.7 percent increase was reported yet when the law was repealed, a 40 percent reduction followed. Finally New York and New Jersey. Both have maintained their helmet laws. In New Jersey, fatalities have increased 340 percent, New York’s increased 41 percent.
If Mr. Hackett’s concern is for “citizens too dumb to protect themselves without coercion,” he would naturally support a mandatory seat belt use law. In the United States approximately 28 percent of all auto fatalities are the result of head injuries while only 26 percent of motorcycle deaths are the result of head injuries. In terms of body count this translates into 15,000 dead auto drivers but only 520 motorcyclists per year.
Who should be protected from themselves, Mr. Hackett?
William Budlong Whitesboro, N.Y.
CLUB UPDATE
With 20,000 Viragos on the road, a Yamaha-sanctioned Virago Owners Club has been long overdue. We’re looking for membership ($10) and regional club coordinators who, of course, own Viragos. If your last name begins with A-K write to Richard Horan, 346 Washington Ave., Cedarhurst, N.Y. 11516. If your last name begins with LZ write to me at 1842 E. 138th Avenue, Tampa, Fla. 33612.
Lawrence Knight Tampa, Fla.
We are pleased to announce the formation of the Benelli Owners Club of America. The club is dedicated to the history, racing heritage and contributions to motorcycle technology made under the Benelli marque. Technical support for Benelli models which are no longer manufactured or imported is also a prime function of this club.
Membership is open to anyone who presently owns, has previously owned, or wishes they owned a Benelli motorcycle. Dues are $10 and benefits include the club newsletter, free advertising in the newsletter, club insignia and listing in the Benelli register. News items covered will include technical tips, news of Benelli factory activities and a reader exchange column. We’re planning our first national meeting for 1983.
Dennis McGuire 3215 W. 25th St. Erie, Pa. 16506
I’m interested in starting a non-profit CBX Owners Organization to share common interests, technical problems and other experiences.
Drop me a line with your ideas.
Steve Anderson 315 Hawthorne Ave. Haddonfield, N.J. 08033
For all the folks who are interested in forming a club for Honda XL100-250 owners, please write me and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Tim Kimble
Route 2 Box 123
Mt. Pleasant, N.C. 28124
SECOND IN LINE
Why are we second in line when it comes to getting new bikes from Japan? It seems that Europe gets a lot of the really great bikes first (CB1100R, CBX550, etc.). Sure we have great bikes here but it seems theirs are a little better. With our buying market, why wouldn’t we be first in line for some of these bikes?
Dave Speikers
Elko, Minn.
Sometimes the American importing division of the big motorcycle manufacturers don’t bring in all the new models available. Most of the companies offer many new models each year and there are problems deciding which are the right bikes for the market. Not all the European markets get the bikes they want, either, and it’s not unusual to read about the special American models when they finally arrive for the European press. Of course the way to convince a maker to bring in a model is to buy a competing brand’s bike that’s like the model you want. E3
