Letters

LETTERS

Old women

I'm not trying to be intentionally rude, but I'm beginning to wonder if all your test riders have the endurance of a 90-year-old woman. All I ever hear about the Yamaha FZR1000 (“Superbike Shootout,” CW, Sept. 88) is how uncomfortable it is. I agree it’s no La-Z-Boy recliner, but it sure isn’t the bed of nails you make it out to be. My 1988 FZR1000 is three months old and it just rolled over 12,000 miles, and aside from the occasional sore butt, Fve never had a problem.

Jason Cay

Seattle, Washington

Careful, Jason, averaging 4000 miles a month on an FZR1000 will make you old before your time.

Missing FJ1200

While I enjoyed your Superbike shootout in the September issue, I was a little disappointed not to see the Yamaha FJ1200 included. I realize the bike does not exactly represent a pinnacle of technology, but this hardly merits that the bike be excluded from your comparison tests.

Rod Oritz

Bethesda, Maryland

Only one small detail prevented us from including a 1988 FJ1200 in our comparison test: There was no 1988 FJ1200 in the U.S. market. The bike is back for 1989, however, as you can see in the Yamaha section of this month 's new-model preview.

Helpful hints

I would like to know if a 1961 Parilia is worth anything at all. I would also like to know if there are any modifications that could be made to it.

K.C. Small

Montrose, Pennsylvania

No. How about a nice bonfire?

Wave bye-bye

To Reid Duncan, who complained that Harley-Davidson riders don’t wave back (Letters, August 1988): We’re sorry, Reid, if we don’t return your friendly gesture as we pass by. You see, we’re too busy enjoying ourselves. Also, if you’re so lonely you feel you need to ride to get companionship, try Foto-Date.

Biker Bob

Tacoma, Washington

On target

Please send me another picture of Brian O’Neill, president of the

Insurance Institiute of Highway Safety (“The 10 Heaviest Hitters,” CW, Oct. ’88). The one that came with the article is almost worn out. And can you make this one a bit bigger? It makes a direct hit between the eyes with a dart a lot easier.

Tim Potter,

Lawton, Oklahoma

Short subjects

The Honda Gold Wing Six as the best touring bike of 1988 (“The 10 Best,” CW, Oct. ’88)? C’mon, what marina would rent you berthing space for that thing?

Mike Moore Columbus, Ohio

I may be looking for a job in midApril. Does a test rider also have to be a test writter?

Dave Coleman FPO Miami, Florida

No, but the ability to spell one's own profession comes in mighty handy.

I never knew how easy it was to write letters until now.

Phil Sterns Columbus, Ohio

Tell that to Coleman.

How about a T-shirt or something?

Shawn Luby Lakewood, Colorado

Your something is in the mail. 0

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