Letters
LETTERS
Letters to David E.
David Edwards’ “Letter to Willie G.” (see Up Front, Cycle World, November, 1992) hit like a rock in a still pond. H-D has indeed made a miraculous recovery during the past 10 years. They have the large-displacement market segment covered, save for one class. The sportbike segment is a big one, and I’m surprised that Milwaukee hasn’t made inroads yet.
If Harley-Davidson really wants to be known as America’s Bike, then Willie G. and the crowd on Juneau Avenue need to get busy. American riders need a real sportbike born in the USA. B.G. Schenk
Sumner, Washington
After reading “Letter to Willie G.” I had to write and say I feel the same way. I’m 57 years old and have ridden since I was 14. My first bike was a Harley 125. Mostly, I’ve ridden BSAs and Triumphs; in all, I have owned 57 motorcycles. Right now, I have a Honda CBR900RR. I’ve always loved café racers and sportbikes, and sure wish Harley would get with it. Jack Alder Marshfield, Wisconsin
Add my name to the list of people who would line up for a modern Harley XLCR Cafe Racer. There’s something special about big Twins, and since I’m partial to GT-type motorcycles, I ride a BMW R100RS. I would love to buy an American sport-touring motorcycle with eight valves, great brakes and cutting-edge looks. Instead, I’ll end up paying serious money for the next-generation BMW Boxer, because Harley-Davidson will continue to build nothing but variations on the same 1950s’ theme of bulbous fenders and chrome. Matthew Benson
Mount Jewett, Pennsylvania
“Letter to Willie G.” was on target. I can appreciate Harley’s success. Harley-Davidson, however, should appreciate that I have been riding for 25 years, have owned 30 motorcycles, and not one of them has been a Harley. I am 41 years old, currently own a BMW R100GS and plan on riding into retirement, long after the current leather/biker fashion fad is over and the speculators have moved on to other things. I’m sure I’m not unique. We are hard-core riders and Harley is ignoring us. We want a comfortable, affordable, lightweight, smooth, reliable bike. We don’t want to engineer it, that’s the factory’s job. We want to buy it and enjoy it. ’Nuff said.
Donald J. Southwell Lithonia, Georgia
David Edwards’ “Letter to Willie G.” was humorous in its lack of understanding of Harley-Davidson, its riders and of business in general.
Demand for new Harleys far exceeds supply-the wait time for a new Harley here in Michigan can be three to six
months. Because Harley can sell many more motorcycles than it can produce, there is no incentive to develop new models aimed at new market segments. Lurthermore, such a move runs the risk of weakening Harley’s bond with cruiser and touring riders.
Your advice to Willie G. about building a new Harley-Davidson Cafe Racer is like telling Jay Leno you would like him more if he also sang.
Don Pisliney Traverse City, Michigan
No doubt Harley-Davidson could produce an excellent sportbike, but why should the Motor Company expend any of its precious resources trying to compete in another arena? I recommend that Willie G. and the boys stick to doing what they do better then anyone else, and not try to be all things to all riders.
Carl E. Upthegrove Santa Clarita, California
Wake up and smell the café! There is an updated American sportbike with a great frame, state-of-the-art suspension, fat tires and ultra-slick bodywork. It’s called a Buell.
John Sweeny Newton Centre, Massachusetts
I read with great interest November’s “Letter to Willie G.” and couldn’t agree with you more about the need for an updated XLCR. You’ll be pleased to know that just such a machine exists-made in America and powered by a Harley motor. It’s the Buell RS1200.
Mine has been hopped-up a bit with Branch heads, cams, carb, etc., and can hang with the best of them on a road course. George Conrades
Greenwich, Connecticut
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If you would like to ride an American motorcycle that will blow the bodywork off a highly modified Ducati 900SS and pull away from an 851, come ride my (modified) Buell RS1200. Clarke Ohrstrom
The Plains, Virginia
“Letter to Willie G.” was a welcome breath of fresh air. Current Harley cruisers may have “The Look,” but riding like a dishrag hung out on a clothesline turns me off. A few days ago, I rode a Buell RS1200. Wonderful bike. If Harley-Davidson wants to build an American sportbike, it should take some of its profits and either help Eric Buell polish his design or buy the rights to build a similar bike in mass production. The only major fault with the Buell is its high price. The bike’s other rough edges would disappear in the conversion from hand building to production-line assembly. Michael W. Lynch
Searcy, Arizona
Cruise-off commentary
In reference to “Hog Wild in the Gold Country” (CW, November, 1992), in which a Harley-Davidson FXLR Low Rider Custom beats out a Honda Shadow 1100 and a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, I can only state that I have known Harley-Davidsons, I have ridden Harley-Davidsons, and my Honda Shadow is certainly no HarleyDavidson. With liquid-cooling, shaft drive, dual-plug heads, and superior suspension and brakes, the Shadow is not an imitation, it’s an improvement.
Was your comparison to determine which of the three was the better cruiser, or which was the better Harley? Tom Hillen
St. Louis, Missouri
Couldn’t wait to read the cruiser comparison in the November issue. Disappointed it was only a fantasy advertisement for Harley-Davidson. When it comes time to lay cash on the counter for a big V-Twin, considering quality/performance/price, the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 is by far the best on the market.
Please try again, but this time leave the fiction to those who write books.
Timothy W. Tucker Grand Island, Nebraska
I would invite you to remove your Harley-colored shades, but the sunlight reflecting off the chrome of my Vulcan might hurt your eyes. For less than half the price of the Springer Softail I looked at, I got beautiful styling, plush seats, a ride like a ’53 Buick and enough power to make Ross Perot jealous. The Harley’s uncomfortable ride and the Honda’s insufficient engine pale by comparison. I did experience the lurching from the shaft-drive effect you mentioned, but with a little practice I was able to make it disappear as easily as a Low Rider or a Shadow 1100 in my rearview mirrors. Ren Doughty
Portland, Oregon
As an owner of a Honda Shadow 1100, I had to agree with the conclusions in your cruiser comparison. The Shadow does lack something for low end. Otherwise, it would truly rival the Harley in rider satisfaction. Or maybe I should just drop a Vulcan motor into the Honda frame.
Thomas A. Bird Austin, Texas □
