Hotshots

HOTSHOTS

Best of Buell

The new Buell XB12? Sign me up. After a test ride of last year’s XB9, I was only left with the need for more power. If Buell keeps this up, along with its progress in warranty claims, I may have to finally part with my hard-earned cash. James Gee East Hampton, New York

Besides the new hideous red/orange paint scheme and the joke that it has now closed the gap on the 600cc supersports, how many rebuilds will be required to reach Buell’s 100,000mile durability target? Phillip Meier Jamesburg, New Jersey

Read with great interest your preview and riding impression of the new Buell, as this machine is on the outer edge of my short list of new bikes. (The only Harley I ever owned was made in Italy, but that’s another story). Not really impressed with the 9, but with the 12 pumped up to 100 horses or close to that after the usual addons, it may be perfect for my kind of riding-goofing in the midrange. However, I take some umbrage with the, “...it doesn’t shift very well unless you use the clutch” comments. Well, DUH! I know Canet was talking about track use, but look, 99 percent of us use the clutch most all the time. It is something of importance to me that my $10-13,000 toy doubles for transportation that will last. (“Really guys, the bike’s okay, but at 5:30 in the morning on the way to work the clutchless upshifts are a bit rough...”) Enjoy the rag, just a reality check. Steve Barton Maple Falls, Washington.

I must admit I was intrigued by September’s preview of the 1200 Buell. Does anyone know where I can get chaps with knee-sliders? Brad Moberg Des Moines, Iowa

Burg, man!

Suzuki’s 650 Burgman (C W, September) is everything you said it is and more. I’ve been riding for 40 years and have several motorcycles, but it’s the Burgman that I take out of the garage every day. Tori Kavach Aberdeen, Washington

Just rode the awesome Beartooth Pass twoup with my wife on our new Burgman 650. It’s replaced our BMW Kl 100LT and we loved that bike. The Suzuki is easier to ride, more comfortable and more economical. It is truly the best kept secret in the motorcycle world. Keep up the good work and spread the word. Gary Smith Billings, Montana

Glad to finally see a “real motorcycle” magazine secure enough with itself to give a proper evaluation to a scooter. No one seems to have any trouble picturing cruisers, sportbikes, tourers and the like as real motorcycles, but a scooter...the image seems to embarrass most magazine writers. As an owner of a Burgman, I say thank you for your appraisal of what I think is the best motorcycle I’ve ever owned. Bruce Woodburn Rock Island, Illinois

Enjoyed your positive review of the new Suzuki Burgman 650. I had a chance to ride one at the Honda Hoot and was hooked. So much so that I traded my “real motorcycle,” an oilleaking, backfiring, vibrating ’03 Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster, for a Burgman. It is amazing how quiet and smooth it is; my wife says the passenger seat is way more comfortable; the handling is great. I’m probably the only scooter geek who regularly rides the “Dragon” at Deal’s Gap (318 curves in 11 miles). Although it probably won’t sell in great numbers-because of that

“real-motorcycle” ego thing-kudos to Suzuki for bringing it stateside. Norman Ballard Knoxville, Tennessee

My wife tells me our Burgman’s passenger seat is larger than the one on the Gold Wing 1800. Only problem with the Suzuki? She may never let me trade it in for anything else! Dennis Petrinic Port Saint Lucie, Florida

If more people understand that this is really a motorcycle, and a great one, perhaps we can influence more such products for North America. Before my Burger, I owned 15 motorcycles, and I would not go back to any of them. The only sadness is that nothing like it is made in America. H-D, take note. Lewis Tagliaferre Springfield, Virginia

John Burns managed to keep me glued to his article on the Burgman scooter. Quite an accomplishment, since I care nothing about scooters and have the attention span of a turnip. He continues to be a wise addition to your publication, despite the fact that he is a James Dean wannabe. Brad Nash Clermont, Georgia

Glad to see Burns finally found a “bike” he didn’t crash! Leslie D’Amico Syracuse, New York

Sure, it’s convenient and can hold two tacos in its dashboard, but it has all the sex appeal of minivan. Oh, and methinks Mr. Burns needs to revisit his 0100 mph expectations. By your own stats, that time would be...umm, never. Scott McKee Portland, Oregon

Why is CW covering this Burgman thing? Isn’t the target audience reading Better Homes and Gardens? William Bleazard Salt Lake City, Utah

Thanks for the great article about Suzuki’s Burger King. 1 realize that many CW readers may not appreciate the real-world riding advantages of scooters, but how many more articles do we really need stating that the GSX-R1000 is the fastest streetbike going? Ted Lattig San Francisco, California

So, Burns likes the scooter?! I hope CW has good health insurance coverage, because I think John is due for a sexchange operation! Give me a break, a scooter?! If you need to pick up groceries, make your wife do it. Seriously though, Burns really should make a doctor’s appointment and have the old testosterone level checked; I think he’s at least a quart low. Tom Martino Montoursville, Pennsylvania

Are you guys on drugs?! Why give a scooter all those pages, editors’ notes and a spec sheet? What’s next...a Cushman review? Rolando Galvan Aurora, Colorado

David Edwards asks, “What attire is appropriate for the long-distance scooter geek?” It would have to be, as Mr. Bums suggested, the kilt. Just remember to take lots of sunscreen. Lynn Snider Boise, Idaho

Rune reviewed

The Honda Rune is clearly the world’s first two-wheeled SUV, seating for one, front end by Edvard (“The Scream”) Munch. John JOSS Los Altos, California

If the Rune and the Burgman are the future of motorcycling, I just found more love for my 1981 Suzuki GS750E. It may be heavy and buzzy, but it doesn’t look like a cheap sci-fi film prop. Is Arnold going to ride a Rune into Sacramento as the “Govemator?” John Hila Keansburg, New Jersey

Brian Blades’ photos of Contributing Editor Steve Anderson tooling along on the Honda Rune in the September issue say it all. Check out the leftand right-side shots of Anderson on the Rune, and you’ll see that neither of his engineer boots are fully strapped on and buckled up. It's obvious that the Rune was screaming, "Ride me!" to Ander son and he was in such j a hurry to climb on board that he forgot mundane details like fastening boots.

I don’t blame him. This is one exciting, ground-breaking bike, and Honda is to be applauded for having the cojones to build it. John Bollig Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Ducati exposed!

Really enjoyed the September issue, especially the “Underdog, Overdog” look into the Ducati MotoGP team by Kevin Cameron. He should be reminded, however, that Troy Bayliss is not the “reigning World Superbike Champion” as a caption stated. That distinction goes to fellow Texan Colin Edwards.

Now, what I really want to know is where can I get a copy of the “test-tube babies” poster in that article? Karen Steed San Antonio, Texas

Was Mr. Editor Edwards out of the office when “Underdog, Overdog” slipped past his desk? What’s with the naked guys? I see one every day in the mirror and don’t feel the need to see more. Stuart Ross Springfield, Pennsylvania

It seems like the Ducati technician on the right has a thing for Bayliss, while the other two are staring at the wall as hard as they can, silently repeating in their minds, “I am not gay...I am not gay...” David Ainley Newtown, Connecticut

Strada-varius

With 4000 miles on my Ducati Multistrada, I am enjoying the “slam letters” more and more each day. It means fewer people out there cluttering up my favorite backroads. For me, the bike rocks! So, go ahead and miss out on the fun. Don Pussehl Annapolis, Marylant

Tomb Rider

Does anyone have any information on the motorcycle ridden by the character Lara Croft in the first Tomb Raider movie? It appears to be a custom supermoto Twin with a trellis frame and solid aluminum wheels. Mark McQueen Los Gatos, California

The anatomically improbable archeologist ’s ride in her first flick was a tarted-up Yamaha TDM850. In Tomb Raider II. Croft saves the world from the saddle of a CCM supermotard. Apparently, Burns and the Burgman were up for the part, but didn’t make the callbacks. Something to do with low testosterone levels... □