Letters
LETTERS
Sensational stoppie
After scrutinizing your September cover and its nose-wheeling KTM Duke, I've concluded: a) The Duke must have some kind of secret, new anti-gravity device that hoists the rear wheel for easy parking in tight spaces; b) squeezing the clutch lever engages a reverse gear, i.e. the rider was performing a "reverse wheelie;" c) the rider was actually attempting to "break" the bucking Duke, rodeo-style; or d) the rider was demonstrating the KTM's versatile, "head's-up" riding position. Are any of these scenarios correct?
Jeffrey 1. Stone Pomona, California
Egan is golden
Peter Egan is almost too good to be writing for a motorcycle magazine. I buy your magazine because of him, save your magazine because of him and will continue to buy your magazine as long as he writes for you. With a good cigar and a few of Egan’s columns in hand, life doesn’t seem so bad after all. Matt Carroll
La Jolla, California
I agree with Peter Egan’s “Good company” column in the August issue: No book affected my approach to things mechanical more than Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
Jim Stines Fort Worth, Texas
At first 1 was alarmed, but I’ve read enough Peter Egan to know he would never waste his time-or a good Ducati-riding the shore road around Lake Como (see Leanings, September). Even though CW has not reviewed my guide to the roads of the Alps, 1 suspect it is available to you. So, take Trip 31, the high road between
Garda and Como. There are some newly paved roads, too, if you’re interested. Corsica is a must.
John Hermann
Coronado, California
Farewell Kevin
The article on Kevin Schwantz by Michael Scott (“End of an Era,” CW, September) was excellent. Schwantz has always been my favorite rider. It’s hard to see a man of his ability and stature quit. Good luck to him and to his Lucky Strike Suzuki replacement, Scott Russell. Harley Nohre
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
Please thank Michael Scott for his wonderful article, “End of an Era.” It was a great tribute to a true hero of the sport. Also, the photo of Schwantz at his farewell press conference should win an award. You can literally feel the weight of his decision to retire and his subsequent sorrow in those mistedover blue eyes. Made mine misty, too.
Adam Sturgill Tukwila, Washington
Proof positive
Anyone searching for proof as to why Harley-Davidson must jealously protect its trademark, styling, sound, etc. should look no farther than Yamaha’s new Royal Star (“Mr. Max Goes Nostalgic,” Roundup, September). Perhaps you should have called it, “Japan Shamelessly Copies Harley Style.”
In any passionate sport, there will be disparate views. But the whining in regards to Harley-Davidson’s commercial success has reached a new level. The sniping at dealers and company management is, in many cases, unwarranted. These people put their time, money and reputation into a company that a little more than a decade ago many thought was on its deathbed. It’s tough to turn a company around and, at the same time, keep the best interests of the customers, dealers and stockholders in mind. I think Harley has done an admirable job. Since then, the company has given us motorcycles that are beautiful, reliable and hold their value like none other. It has attracted hordes of new riders to the sport; men and women of different ages, colors and occupations. They’ve raised the status of motorcycling just as surely as they’ve raised the value of H-D stock.
To company executives like Willie G., thanks for more than 100,000 smiles since I bought my first Softail in 1984. And to most of the dealers I’ve dealt with, thanks for treating me not only as a valued customer, but also as a friend. Charles G. Merlo
Littleton, Massachusetts
I’ve been a licensed motorcyclist since 1966. Over 29 years, I’ve owned many new Hondas, Kawasakis, Yamahas and Suzukis. Right now, I’m waiting for a 1996 Harley-Davidson. Why the change? Three reasons: First, the new breed of Harley rider (myself included) looks, dresses and acts respectably and responsibly; second, the resale value and trade-in value for a Harley makes for an intelligent purchase; finally, I feel the Motor Company now makes a dependable product that can actually be ridden, rather than trucked, to events.
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Daniel J. Legault Queensbury, New York
Comparos-R-Us
Motorcycle magazines are forever testing the latest, greatest sportbikes, performing yet another 600 shootout or profiling the lowest, meanest customs. How about testing riding gear, too? Sure, bikes like the Event Technology 955 (see “Main Event!” CW, September) are exciting, but they also cost an obscene amount of money. On the other hand, most of us do buy a new helmet or jacket now and then. In the future, I’d like to see shootouts between jackets, gloves, rain gear, etc.
Bruce Clarke Victoria, British Columbia Canada
Perhaps you overlooked our twopiece leather riding suit shootout in the December, 1994, issue. A non-leather jacket comparison is in the works.
Bummed by bag
A word of caution regarding the Marsee Seat Bag evaluated in the September issue: I agree that the bag is of high quality, is easy to attach and offers lots of storage space. However, the white reflective material that coats the rear pocket looks like an approaching headlight to following vehicles. White reflectors were banned from the rear of bicycles for this very reason: In the future, I suggest that Marsee change the color, create a pattern or reduce the size of the reflective material.
Jim Schnute LaGrange, Illinois
Stickers, please
I have a Suzuki GSX-R750 with lots of stickers on it. Unfortunately, I don’t have any Cycle World stickers! Please send me a few for my bike.
Drew Pearson Bedford, Texas
You 'll have to ask Kevin Cameron. He doles out the stickers around here. □
