Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Cool cruzin'
I just had to write about May’s Honda VTX 1800 test. I don’t think you quite realize the importance of the beautiful, powerful beast Honda has treated us to. What I see is art, art that rumbles and hauls butt. The sound, the seat-ofthe-pants feel-a lot of soul and passion went into this bike. To sell it short with a reference to the Yamaha V-Max is unfortunate, don’t ya think? The point is, the VTX stands on its own, awe-inspiring, needing no manufactured praise or sales babble. I don’t think Honda will be able to make enough, do you? Sure, most of us hope the V-Max resurrects itself like a Phoenix, but give credit where it’s due-all tire-howling 1795cc of it!
Richard Wilkes Yucaipa, California
I am 56 years old, been riding 34 years. I’ve owned 35 motorcycles, and have the AMA Longrider Award (250,000 miles). I’ve also ridden all the fast bikes and currently own a 2000 Valkyrie, plus I’ve already put a deposit down on the 2002 VTX 1800. In his “Editors’ Notes” about the bike, though, David Edwards says nothing but the truth-the V-Max is still the king among my 34 bikes (in fact,
three of them were Mr. Maxs). I am sure the VTX is a fine bike also, but the V-Max puts up numbers that no upright-handlebar bike can touch. Shoot, I may just go back, buy another Max, and be done with it.
John Whaley Statesboro, Georgia
Thanks to Cycle World for a great magazine, thanks to Honda for the new VTX 1800, which appears to be a great motorcycle, and thanks to David Edwards for reminding me why I still ride my ’85 V-Max. I can now make it through another riding season without feeling ashamed of my loyalty to the king. Ed DeVault Jonesborough, Tennessee
The new VTX looks like a great bike with enough power to satisfy. I’m glad someone finally made a real V-Twin power cruiser. Now the question is, when will Yamaha remake the V-Max with a 2000cc engine, lower seat and 17-inch rims with modern tires?
Rod Heilfron
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Once again, Honda misses the mark with their latest big-twin cruiser. They get it right with the concept bike (the Zodia), but can’t seem to make production bikes that even come close. The Zodia was sleek, innovative and original. Build the Zodia, Honda, and you won’t be able to keep them on the showroom floor. Try putting some of that engineering originality into a production bike. Matt Sheffield
Windsor, California
I was wondering if Honda got some of its VTX design ideas from the four Honda ACE models that Cobra Engineering designed a few years ago. The VTX 1800 looks a lot like the Cobra “Hot-Rod.” Both have strong motors, inverted forks and similar lines.
Kris Bearson Scottsdale, Arizona
I like the idea that Honda’s new VTX 1800 makes 90 rear-wheel horsepower, although that still seems a little weak. It should be putting out more like 200 bhp for that big of a motor. My 1995 Honda Magna, which was only a 750, put out 81 bhp.
If they can put enough horsepower in a 600cc crotch rocket for 160 mph, then why can’t they put big ponies in a cruiser? Alan Szymanski
Cleveland, Ohio
I was anxiously trying to decide whether or not to put a deposit on a new Honda VTX1800, but I needed more information to base my decision on. When I read your review, I was terribly disappointed. Your choice of words baffled me. I could not understand exactly what you were saying. I wanted to read things like, “This bike is undoubtedly the best value for your buck; its acceleration, comfort, braking, suspension, ergonomics are second to none.” But all you wanted to talk about was burning rubber. Erna responsible rider, not a hooligan.
I was so disgusted with your analysis.
James Duggan Miami Beach, Florida
Hey, wait ’til we throw a leg over Szymanski s 200-horsepower beast. That should really make ya hurl...
Of being bad-ass
What Editor-in-Chief Edwards wrote in his May “American Iron” column is music to my ears! It’s nice to know that hot-rod bikes are coming back. And I’m not talking about the “I look baaad but a moped could beat me to the next stoplight” type of cruisers that have been churned out by the manufacturers in past years.
Sure, I like the performance of a sportbike, but don’t care for the whole pretty-boy image that comes with it. Cruisers have the look, but until now lacked the power I really wanted. I am happy to see that the manufacturers are finally figuring it out.
Mark Vogt Shelby, Ohio
Usually, I enjoy reading Edwards’ column, but this thing about hot-rod bikes and how “bad-ass” they are? He says sportbikes aren’t bad-ass, calls ’em “egg bikes” and even says they’re “effete.” Yeah, well you can putt around looking all bad-ass but not backing up the image with any real performance, or you can ride an egg bike and run rings around any > other vehicle on the road.
Forget hot-rod bikes, I’ll stick to my effete, two-wheeled equivalent of a Ferrari. I’ll put it up against Dave and his BSA Gold Star any day. There’s a good reason why there aren’t very many of those left, you know. Don Greyer
Alden, New York
In “American Iron,” you say, “Forget Formula One, we are a NASCAR nation.” How true. How sad. A. Jollimore
Nova Scotia, Canada
H-D name game
So we need to come up with a name for the new liquid-cooled Harley Supercruiser, as seen in April’s Roundup? Okay, let the fun begin. “Wethead” is obvious. How about “Harley-Liquidson,” or “Harleyquid,” or “LiqHead” (maybe not). Given its final drive, and if it really has some horsepower, maybe “BeltBuster” would work. Steve Anderson probably had it best with “H20 Revolution.” Just had to try though!
Steve Baumann St. Joseph, Missouri
Note to Willie G.
I just finished reading May’s Racewatch on the “new” Harley VR1000 racebike, and I have a suggestion for H-D: Don’t waste your time with the current VR1000, scrap the whole project. Throwing money into R&D of the existing platform and expecting to gain miraculous insight is ridiculous. Instead, take the gobs of cash that you have at your disposal and buy John Britten Motorcycles in New Zealand. Britten was a design genius, his V-Tw'in racebike is testament to that. The Britten is still considered one of, if not the best V-Twin racebike ever made.
Harley could take the Britten, make it their own and undoubtedly win some races.
Dustin Reed Reno, Nevada
Dan the Man
Terrific article by Nick Ienatsch on riding Kenny Roberts’ world championship 500cc Grand Prix Suzuki. Not many people can go there.. .well done.
Dan Gurney All American Racers Santa Ana, California
The Mythical Egans
If Peter Egan does, in fact, exist, what are the chances of him doing an article on the motorcycles he has owned in the past 10 years? It seems that every other month he is buying, selling or trading. I’ve decided that he is not a real person, but a composite of the daydreams of all motorcyclists. “Gee, do I keep the Vincent and sell the Ducati to buy the F4? Do I still own a Ducati? What is that BMW doing there?” Barb, his equally mythical and long-suffering wife, deserves something for his indulgences over the years. I suggest the esteemed Mr. Egan present his wife with that 7carat diamond-and-jade ring that complements her eyes, plus a Toyota Sequoia in her favorite color. He can present the gifts on the Egan yacht, while enjoying the festivities of the Monaco Grand Prix. Jeff Hurst
Tampa, Florida
Sears & Roebike
Wow! On viewing the black-and-chrome Sears Allstate in Wendy Black’s “Catalog Bikes” article (CW, April), I exclaimed aloud, “Now that’s a beautiful motorcycle!” Fd never seen one, at least didn’t recall doing so, until I realized that the beauty in the eye of this beholder was caught in a near déjà vu experience with my 1972 Moto Guzzi Ambassador, or even better the ’74 Eldorado. Now those were beautiful bikes, not, alas, available from Sears or Wards. Had I seen that little lovely back in the Sixties, Fd have
willingly maxed out my Sears card. Good article.
Fred Pittsley
El Paso, Texas
“Catalog Bikes” made me wish 1 hadn’t swapped my two Riverside 350s in for BSA and Triumph parts at the local salvage yard. Maybe I’ll go back and see if they’re still there.
Mac McGuire Okemos, Michigan ;
I’ll take ‘Star Bikers’ for $500, Alex
I just finished watching “Jeopardy!” where one of the questions stated that Steve McQueen did all of his own bike stunts in The Great Escape. I guess Alex Trebek never heard of Bud Ekins, or Cycle World for that matter. Joel Greene
Dunedin, Florida
It was indeed Ekins who doubled for McQueen in the famous leap over barbed wire, though had the film’s insurance policy permitted it, McQueen (shown above at the 1964 ISDT) might have given it a go.
Free used bikes
Dear Don Canet, good job with the magazine, it’s never been better. I do have one request, though: Since I am a struggling 20-year-old student on an outdated bike (CBR600F3), may I have the bikes that you “lay down” in road tests?
Patrick McGregor Tampa, Florida
You ’re outta luck, there, Pat. As you can see on page 46, Canet has perfected the art of crashing without laying the bike down.
