Letters

LETTERS

Hammer and cycle

I have read and re-read the story on the Russian motorcyclist who visited America (see “Riding with Oleg,"CW, December, 1990). As I read between the lines of what Peter Egan wrote about Oleg’s impressions of America, my heart was touched in empathy for the situation that so many people around the world live in on a daily basis. Just think, a superpower like the Soviet Union can’t even provide its citizens with a reliable supply of fruit. We are truly fortunate to live in so great a country, able to freely share our interests with.one another. I don’t even particularly like bananas, but I had a banana split the other night in honor of Oleg.

Jim Buck

Rapid City, South Dakota

Hey, Oleg, so you want to see the Mississippi, eh? Well. I’ve got a couple of CBRs and a little stretch of asphalt called “The Great River Road.” So, anytime, comrade. I’ll bring the bananas.

Lindsey Myers Rockford, Illinois

Pride and prejudice

Steven L. Thompson truly missed the boat in his story on the classicbike races at Steamboat Springs (see “The Secret Springs” CW, December 1990). Only a Californian could go to Steamboat and wish it was crowded. Next year, Steve, stay home, go for a ride during rush hour and pretend you’re in Colorado.

Jerry Anderson Provo, Utah

Steve Thompson, thank you for your refreshingly blunt and concise

appraisal of a troubling aspect of the vintage bike hobby: The prejudice against Japanese machines (see. “The heritage and the hatred.” At Large, CW, December, 1990).

While there are signs that it is diminishing, there is equal evidence that it will be with us for a Iona

O

time.

Also, it should be noted that while Kawasaki is to be justifiably praised for its support of events like Steamboat Springs, Honda is also helping. It has apparently been Honda corporate policy to supply parts for every bike it has ever sold in the U.S., all the way back to 1 959.

When you can walk into your local dealer and buy parts for your 1 962 Super Hawk, you've got outstanding evidence of supportive corporate policy.

David C. Poison

West Palm Beach, Florida

Thompson, you are a jerk! You’re so busy proclaiming every one who loves anything not Japanese as closed-minded bigots with ugly prej-

udices that you do a bad job of veiling your own anti-American prejudices and your sickening patronizing of the Japanese.

You’re at an advantage. Thompson; you can write whatever bull you want, while my letter will probably go in the trash can.

S. Kealoha Kailua, Hawaii

Consider this proof that we'll print hull from almost anyone.

Save the fools

I am writing you in hopes of obtaining information that may save the life of a close friend of mine. He and I became involved in a heated argument about the physics and proper techniques of stopping a motorcycle.

My friend’s position (which he belligerently defends) is that the front brake should only be used minimally, if at all. He contends that use of the front brake will “invariably” flip the bike.

I realize that you cannot always reply to individual letters, but considering the fact that this may save a fool’s life, 1 hope you choose to reply.

Dave Campbell Reno, Nevada

Convince your friend to either get out of motorcycling or enroll in a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (HOOI 447-4700) riding class, before he hurts himself. In a full-on braking situation, upwards of 90 percent of stopping is accomplished with the front brake. And"flipping"a motorcycle by overusing the front brake is so rare an occurrence as to not be a legitimate worry.