Letters
LETTERS
Equal rides
I couldn't help but be amazed by the vile comments some readers had about your June, 1991. “American Power” issue. I think Cycle World does a fine job of evenly distributing ink on foreign-made and domestic bikes. I own three Kawasakis, but I think Harleys are fine machines. Arlen Ness’ Ness Cafe, which drew some criticism, may not suit the tastes of everyone, but it was fresh and different, to say the least. Keep up the fine work for all of us who appreciate your diverse publication. A.R. Smith Millington, Tennessee
After reading some of the antiHarley letters in the August issue, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Come on everybody, the best motorcycle is the one you happen to be riding at the moment. Motorcycles may be different, but the thrill of motorcycling is the same—no matter what you ride.
Douglas C. Searcy Fayetteville, North Carolina
1 w;as quite pleased to see that Cycle World had devoted nearly an entire issue to American-made motorcycles. However, I was not pleased to see how bigoted some of your readers can be.
I’ve been riding since childhood. 1 started on the ubiquitous Honda frail 90, bought a Kawasaki, then a Suzuki. Now. I ride a 1987 HarleyDavidson Softail, and will be a loyal Harley rider 'til the day 1 die.
But you won't find me snubbing other riders not on American mounts. Hey folks, let's remember it’s us against them. Them being the anti-freedom safety-crats trying to legislate motorcyclists out of existence.
United we stand, divided we fall.
David J. Weber Ventura, California
Knots notes
Associate Editor and ZX-1 1 pilot Don Canet gets washed out for his use of the term “knots per hour” in his “Editors' Notes” comments about the Kawasaki (see CW, August. 1991). Additional groundschooling will teach him that the term “knot” is defined as one nautical mile (6076.10 feet) per hour. It is redundant to say “knots per hour.”
Sam Harris Englewood. Florida
Your story on the Kawasaki ZX-
1 1 incorrectly attributes the term “Ram Air” to Suzuki. T his term actually refers to the flexible-wing concept invented by Domina Jalbert in the early '60s, and used in modern parachute construction. Shame on your researchers!
Joel C. Shively Mission Viejo, California
Sorry, we were much too busy trying to calculate the ZX-1J 's top speed in nautical miles per hour per hour.
Italian bashing?
I see you have finally reviewed a Moto Cuzzi in the August, 1991, issue. But why only riding impressions of the 1000S and SPIN? Perhaps more Guzzis would be sold in the U.S. if Cycle World would present a balanced, thorough road test on them, as was done in the same issue on the Kawasaki ZX-1 1 (for the 12th or 13th time, huh?).
Does a bike ever grace your cover and gain a comprehensive test without going 1 70 mph or having Japanese nameplates?
Matthew Musgrave Oxford. Wisconsin
Careful, Musgrave, your bias is showing. Co back and read the August issue. Six pages were devoted to Moto Guzzis; the ZX/ / road test (our second on the model in two years) took up five pages.
Why no road tests of the Guzzis?
Our offices are on the West Coast, where we're set up to do the weighing, > measuring, studio photography and performance evaluations that make up a typical road test. The I000SP and SP/ll, the very first examples in the country, were on the East Coast. We felt the hikes were newsworthy enough that rather than wait for them to come to us, we went to them, even if that meant doing riding impressions instead of full-on road tests.
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And, no, a motorcycle doesn't have to he Japanese or go l 70 mph to he our coverb ike. Had you seen this year's January cover (Arten Ness' Big Red showhike). May cover ( Bi mot a íes il Died), June cover (Ness Cafe Sportster), July cover (Ducali 900SS) or this month's Harley-Davidson Dvna Daytona cover, you V/ have known that.
Tale of two champs
I enjoyed Allan Girdler's profile of Carroll Resweber (“Still the Man to Beat") in the February issue. As everyone is aware, it is probable that Scott Parker will win his fourth straight national championship this year, a record held by Resweber for 29 years. Not wishing to denigrate Scott's considerable talent and accomplishments, I feel it's worthwhile to note that he will be setting a new record in a new era. and let’s not forget the differences of the two eras.
As Girdler stated, to win his four championships, Resweber had to compete successfully against the roadracing specialists, the midwest dirt-track racers, the Ascot half-mile stars and the TT specialists in Peoria and the Northwest. Back then, the Springfield Mile was a 50-mile race with so many entries that 50 percent were left sitting on the fence after time trials.
Having pointed that out. let me also wish the best of luck to Scott Parker in the quest for his fourth straight championship.
Kay C. Mann Richmond, California
Kav Mann is the wife of a fellow named Dick Mann, someone who knows a thing or two about winning national championships. S
