Hotshots

HOTSHOTS

Danger Zone

As a newspaper reporter for 20 years, and a sportbike rider of more recent vintage, I can assure Mr. Editor Edwards that the Los Angeles Times piece he complained of (“Armed and Dangerous,” Up Front, September) was not the “hatchet job” on motorcycling he accused it of being. In the parlance of the trade, it was a “trend piece,” which is arguably even worse.

I don’t think reporter Christine Hanley harbored any secret desires to make sportbikers look maniacal, and she’d probably be shocked at the accusation. Based on my experience, I imagine this is what happened: Her editor heard something somewhere that flashy speed demons were running amok on pocket rockets. The publisher may have heard it at a cocktail party. A dim light bulb sputters on. Hey, could this be a Dangerous New Trend? Let’s get someone on it. (This is the way newspapers really work, honest.) Ms. Hanley draws the assignment, and soon discovers what every motorcyclist knows: There are some real nuts out there, and some truly imaginative ones, too. Unfortunately, this is not a Dangerous New Trend by any stretch. Indeed, a nitpicker could argue that it isn’t even news.

But when you are in the position of being assigned a trend piece, you find said trend or you don’t get in the paper. And if Ms. Hanley is like most reporters striving to get out of the Times' suburban outposts, the latter course is inadvisable.

Et voila, “Death Racer Epidemic Menaces L.A. and Environs!” Read all about it! A certified Dangerous New Trend. Dim light bulbs start flickering on at assignment desks all over the country. Jeez, death cycles in California. Is it happening here? Let’s get someone on it.

So, while I agree with Edwards that the Times story was an absurd and fanciful tale, there’s no reason for him to get huffy or defensive about it. It’s infotainment, baby. Wise up. What’s truth got to do with it? Gary Webb Sacramento, California

That article (and, no doubt, many others like it) is the type of sensationalist crap that gives the rest of us, who haven’t crashed every bike we’ve owned, a bad name. Unfortunately, as with anything in life, there are a few lumpy-headed mutants that do their best to muck things up. Scott McKee Portland, Oregon

Kudos. Edwards did the right thing in taking a swing at irresponsible journalism and the bottom-feeders that sustain it with colorful (and unverifiable) tales of macho, sociopathic behavior. I guess we all know by now that some of motorcycling’s worst enemies are Among Us.

Also, bonus points for the slap across EA Sports’ muzzle. That damn “Freekstyle” ad had been pissing me off, as well. Dave Burns

New Hill, North Carolina

Dear Ms. Hanley, I am tremendously disappointed by the way your article depicted motorcycling. You reduced the whole, huge biking community to speed freaks and aging Harley riders. The vast majority of us are neither.

Giulio Ongaro Tujunga, California

Inappropriate behavior by a very small minority (the Testosterone Squad) was, of course, used to portray (smear) the entire group. The public is more in danger from their elevated cholesterol levels than from our riding habits. It’s sad to see members of the media resort to half-truths and fabrication to create a story. Matt Smith Orlando, Florida

If we don’t get sophomoric bilge about speed-freak stunt riders, we get silly articles about the “New American Biker” being a 35-year-old dentist. Come on, that guy’s not a biker; he’s a dentist who owns a motorcycle. Owning a set of golf clubs doesn’t make you a golfer. Dick Watson Riverside, California

Nein, nein, nein?

Pierre Terblanche should be fired from his position at Ducati. The man would have to look up the word “style” in a dictionary. The exhaust on his new 999 (CW, October) looks like a saltine can that the UPS truck ran over. I mean, please, there is nothing fluid or graceful about any of the 999’s “design.” I wouldn’t have this thing as a gift. Guess I’ll go clean up the old Duc and go riding. Phil Filante

Eureka, Illinois

Okay, okay, joke’s over. Now, where’s the real 999? Mike Martin

Mission Viejo, California

What were they smoking? The new Ducati 999 is ugly, ugly, ugly. When Massimo Tamburini left, I knew there’d be trouble. Now I need to call my dealer and cancel my deposit. Thanks, Ducati, for screwing it up. Ed Choe San Jose, California

There have been numerous negative comments regarding the styling of the new Ducati 999. Are you the ones who park your motorcycles in conspicuous places on Saturday so they can be looked at? Looks aren’t everything. I say, let the ride decide!

Bob Weston West Jordan, Utah

Ducati, please, it is not too late to take the 999 back. Change the Dodge-trucklooking front fairing and bring back your artistic styling. Don’t let the Japanese have all the sales. This is one ugly bike.

Jamie Lemke Glens Falls, New York

I can’t seem to find any negatives. The 999’s awesome and daring new styling screams, “I’m going to eat you!” From what I understand, the bike will basically out-carve anything.

Schwerkraft Totugen New Braunfels, Texas

The 999’s release harks back to the days of “New Coke.” Some folks liked the sweeter-tasting cola, just like some will like Pierre’s unique red bike. In both cases, it’s immaterial-you don’t mess with a proven formula. Ducati’s done well with a minimalist, derived-from-racebike theme, from the old Mach I Singles to the 998. Functional, timeless works of art. Terblanche’s whacko styling treatments are inconsistent with that theme. People say, “The 999 will grow on you.” If it does, pass the Compound W, please.

Ironically, it’s Ducati that presents us with the best case against the 999 by showing us the superb Desmosedici MotoGP racer. When the 999 fails to meet sales targets, it will provide the impetus Bologna needs to bring us a streetgoing V-Four replica. In that light, perhaps, Pierre’s 999 concoction will finally be appreciated. Dean Pepperine Rochester, New York

Negative comments must be taken with a grain of salt. Replace the motorcycle that has been the standard for sportbike aesthetics for the last 10 years, you must expect some bad reactions. The 999 may just need some time to grow on people As for my humble opinion, I am disappointed. Especially after seeing pictures of the Desmosedici MotoGP bike. The GP is all business, function before fashion. It has the same raw attraction that the 916 had when it was introduced. It’s lithe, lusty and absolutely gorgeous. The 999 falls short of this mark. Oh, what could have been...

J. Seth Wood Lakeland, Florida

I personally love the new Duc. I am ecstatic to see a new design from the pasta-burners. While the 916/996/998 was one of the most beautiful bikes in history, I am happy to see a radical change. I like the looks a lot, but really love the technology. I plan on having a new bike this year. Rev. Michel J. Nantel

Boston, Massachusetts

I have long thought that Ducati produced some of the most beautiful motorcycles in the industry...until I saw the new 999. I am sure that it outperforms its predecessors in many respects, but it is a hideously ugly machine. The 998 is a gorgeous work of art that inspires an almost lustful desire. The 999 looks as if it came from an entirely different manufacturer. It looks piecedtogether, and has none of the beautiful lines that I have always admired in Ducati motorcycles. If this is the best that they can come up with, then it is a sad day indeed. Steve Morgan

Morgantown, West Virginia

Well, the bike is out, and everyone is passing judgement despite not having seen one in person. For all the grief Ducati is receiving, you’d think they counterbalanced a Softail!

Larry Friedman Atlanta, Georgia

My 18-year-old son says the new 999 looks “totally cool.” Something to think about, considering the source.

Steve Farson

Bailey, Colorado

The 999 is a good-news/bad-news situation, so let’s get the bad out of the way first. The 999 is the latest example of Pierre Terblanche’s typically edgy styling ideas. It’s just too busy, especially the tank and seat. The beauty of the 916 series is the simplicity and clean lines that they present, without the need of any splashy graphics or other embellishments. With all its little lumps and slats and gaps and such, the 999 looks baroque in comparison-or is that ba-roke?

The good news is that the 999 addresses all the ergonomic problems of its predecessor. The adjustable seat, tank and footpegs, along with the higher handlebars, should make the 999 much easier to live with. Paul Massie

Houston, Texas

I’m too young to have paid attention when the 916 came out, but I bet the reaction was mixed. After people get over the initial shock of its uniqueness, the 999 probably will be considered beautiful, too.

Besides, you can’t look at much of it when you’re riding, right? As long as it runs like hell and wails like a banshee, it looks good to me. James R Karst New Orleans, Louisiana

I have been in love, or perhaps lust is a better word, with Ducatis from the first time I saw one back in the early Seventies, a 450 Single with a chrome tank. But with the 999 and the Multistrada, the love affair is over. These are the ugliest Ducatis since the awful “square-tank” 860 of the late Seventies. I know it will look better when I get used to it, but the point is, it should look beautiful now!

Terblanche has made a mighty effort, and created little more than a dubious styling exercise. In the process he has, by default, passed the leading edge in sporting V-Twin design to companies like Aprilia, Buell and soon KTM.

When the next round of books are written, when the museum curators of the future make their choices, it will not be the 999 that gets a chapter of its own, or a place on the podium. The 916 is already a legend, and the 999 will always be only the son of a legend. Steve Kranksy

Miles City, Montana

The 999 has lots of neat details, but details never photograph well. I predict that after the bike hits showrooms there will be a lot of people saying how they “always thought it was really good looking.” These will be the same folks who are slagging it now. (Of course, no bike looks good when it passes you on the inside.)

Larry Friedman Atlanta, Georgia

We may get used to the styling in time, but we shouldn’t have to. Terblanche’s gone in the wrong direction in my opinion, and you can’t go back. Supermono? Gorgeous. Desmosedici? Gorgeous. 900SS? Gorgeous. 999? Just plain wrong.

Graham Lee Perth, Western Australia

I am neither appalled by the 999’s looks nor captivated by them. To me, it’s just another motorcycle. If it performs better and is more comfortable, then great for those who will actually buy one. But, like the majority of riders out there, I am a mere 999 voyeur, left limp looking for a new object of affection.

Phil Lopez

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dat bike ain’t gots enough hog fleck knot binders, and da cob isn’t nearly trout enough as its former shingle foam does. Gimme da knob cheese idlers instead of dem fez cam links. Dat’s my two steg’s wurth. May the lemon pants not sizzle on your nibble nuts.

Andy Slaperaski Coal Cracker, Pennsylvania

Couldn’t have said it any better, Andrew, whatever it is that you said.