Letters

LETTERS

Jay's okay

Congratulations on the great Jay Leno, Vincent Black Shadow cover of the May issue: A pair of classics. The article was interesting, too. Motorcycling sure has its share of fascinating characters.

What a pleasant change it was to pick up a magazine that didn’t have on its cover a trick, day-glo bike seemingly bent out of shape, while its rider did strange things, in strange clothes, in the process of getting around a simple bend. Remember that we’re not all 19year-olds yearning for a first look at the month’s latest repli-racer and the chance to check out its 0-to-150-mph time. There’s a lot more—a whole lot more—to motorcycling than that.

Sam Jowett Vancouver, B.C. Canada

What a refreshing and beautiful balance of reporting you did in the May issue. You wisely showed that Hollywood motorcycling is made up of more than low-grade morons. I cannot say enough about Jay Leno as a representative for American motorcycling; please tell him how much we appreciate the good image he gives our sport.

Randy Vena Oak Creek, Wisconsin

I really enjoyed your nostalgic look back at some of Jay Leno’s motorcycles in the May issue, especially his 1951 Vincent Black Shadow. I, too, own a Shadow and share many of Jay’s feelings about motorcycling. I agree with him that what is missing in today’s motorcycling is a sense of accomplishment, but I disagree with the notion that you can only obtain it with older machines of bygone eras.

I propose that every bike is a classic in its own way. Treat it like that: Get every ounce of enjoyment out of it. And let me fill you in on my classic, black Shadow. It’s a 700cc V-Twin. Built in 1984. By Honda.

Brian Geer Hollywood, California

Jay Leno’s garage is what mine wants to be when it grows up. And I would encourage Jay to run for national office. We seem to have an abundance of comedy in Washington, anyway. We might as well have a guy who is good at it. My vote, however, would be contingent upon the retraction of his reference to the 650 Yamaha Twin as “junk.”

I suggest that “junk” is an inappropriate description for a bike that has inspired an international owners club. The Yamaha 650 Society, comprised of over 700 active members. This motorcycle, despite being out of production since 1983, continues to generate a degree of owner enthusiasm and loyalty rarely seen among Japanese marques.

So please tell Jay that we Yamaha 650ers are on his side: Our bikes’ country of origin may not have the necessary boulevard cachet, and the cylinders may be configured differently, but there are, indeed, two of them. The music they make vibrates the seat, the handlebar, the footpegs, and some very satisfying places in the soul.

Garth Haubner St. Peters, Missouri

Helmet views

Are you aware that in your May Ups and Downs section, the piece on Patrick Swayze should be a DOWN instead of an UP?

I thought we of the motorcycling fraternity were in agreement with the “It’s up to the individual to decide for himself” concept in regards to helmet use. But here you are applauding some dude who approves of wearing a helmet, citing some B.S. about “being cool vs. staying alive.”

Frank Antonowitz Point Mugu, California

It's always been Cycle World's view that common sense rather than a government agency should be the guideline for helmet use. Swayze was just expressing his opinion, one we happen to agree with.

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