Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Finer 999'er
It's clear where Pierre Terblanche got his inspiration for the Ducati 999: Lego Bionicles. My 8-year-old son pointed this out as soon as he saw the cover of the January issue. Mark Panarusky Raleigh, North Carolina
I had the opportunity to see the Ducati 999 at my local dealer. Great-looking bike! Wait to see it in person before passing judgement. Scott Maytield Colorado Springs, Colorado
Remember this: The only person who likes change is a baby with a wet dia per. I think that the new Ducati is a step forward in motorcycle design. Once it gets mainstream, watch all the other makes emulate the styling. Spencer Branting Renton, Washington
"Shoot Terbianche and his dog?" It's unbelievable, the reactions people are having to this motorcycle. A while back, I was overly critical of the 999's styling. But Cycle World has a neat way of making the bike look some how beautiful. . .weird. The bike is, as the cliché goes, Thanks for letting growing on me. me apologize. Elton AIwine Baltimore, Maryland
Don't kill his dog, just hold it hostage `til Terbianche goes back to designing toasters. Stuart Povick New Egypt, New Jersey
Yes, the new Ducati 999 is quite a stunner in person, but call a spade a spade. Terbianche may have created a "masterwork," but it has mirrors just as useless as its predecessor's, it vi brates enough at speed to warrant safety wire, the tractor-style seat with accompanying ass-roaster is not exact ly a design coup and how about the loss of Ohlins suspension (except on the unobtainable Corse model)? These are all points of contention, especially for a $17,695 bike. Robert Haas Salinas, California
I usually expect nothing but the best from you guys, but the January issue exceeded even my lofty expectations. As a product designer, it's always re freshing to see the occasional concept rendering, but an actual interview with a designer? Awesome! Brian Catter son's "A Matter of Style" was superbly written and the supplemental sketches and photos of the 999 were icing on the cake! I especially like the objective nature of the article, and the explana tion of some of the compromises that are an integral part of the design process. Nice job, Brian. Jesse Cotterman Brook Stevens Design Milwaukee, Wisconsin
That Pierre Terbianche's design influ ences come from beyond the realm of motorcycling is clear, but trains, planes and proj ectors? Nonsense! The new Ducati 999 is most influenced by the human female torso-the plunging neckline, the thin waist, the buxom hips and upper legs are obvious de sign elements. Little wonder it's vis cerally compelling and attractive. Michael S. Abraham Blacksburg, Virginia
So, the designer of the 999 thinks the RC5 1 looks like an oil tanker and the GSX-R1000 looks like a pregnant cow compared to his new Duck? In the interest of fairness, reciprocity and international goodwill, I think Honda and Suzuki should be able to reply with what they think of the new Ducati! Charles M. Dawson Bentonville, Arkansas
I have seen the 999, and I believe it is one of the most stylish, interesting designs in a decade. Sure, I had an adverse reaction to it in promo shots, but you have to see it in person. Some things just don't translate into a single dimension, you have to ex perience them. So all you whiners out there, go take a good long look, then tell me honestly if Terblanche and Pippo should be shot. I think not. It is said, "Lead, follow or get out of the way." This design leads. David Carter Round Rock, Texas
Great Guzzi
A couple of issues ago, I remember someone saying that Italian design will forever keep sending the competition back to the drawing board. Moto Guzzi's MGS/Ol prototype is a perpetuating testi mony to that statement. I have never seen anything as beautiful and clean as that motorcycle. If they ever release it as a production bike, I am buying it. Daniel Mendonca Blossburg, Pennsylvania
Hey, Moto Guzzi, the new con cept bikes you have been using for bait are beautiful, but it seems you have forgotten what you do best. Let your new owners at Aprilia concentrate on the sporty stuff, and please turn your efforts toward satisfying the M-G hardcore fan. Give us a new SP sport-tourer or a touring-cruiser 1100T. Better yet, give me two weeks in your parts bins. Kelly Ray Caton Tulsa, Oklahoma
It looks like Guzzi has a fresh outlook on life these days. If new owners Aprilia can wean Moto Guzzi off the nipple this year, do they have any plans for resurrecting Laverda? Bill Blydenburgh Anchorage, Arkansas
Already in motion, Bill. Check out this month s lead Roundup story for a report on the new SFC 1000.
Monster BMW
I just saw the new Beemer R1200CL tourer (“BMW Pacific Railroad,” December, 2002). Bags look great; seat looks great; dash, stereo, windshield, spoton. Just what I’m looking for. But I think the stylist who concocted the quadheadlight arrangement maybe watched the movie Monsters, Inc. too many times. Dwight Nevins Holbrook, Massachusetts
Speaking as someone whose only real cultural shock upon moving to Hollywood-from the Carolina mountains where John Burns’ “PacifH ic Railroad” junket started-was the dearth of quality music programming, I wanted to tell him not to fret too much about the inability of the Beemer’s radio to find more than two FM stations in L.A. That’s two more than necessary. David Windhorst Los Angeles, California
Happy 100th, H-D!
Can I stop my subscription and have you start it again in one year? I am already filled up to here with Harley-Davidson at 100 (“Harleys through the Heartland,” November, 2002). I don’t know what is worse, all the advertising about how wonderful they are, the crap that every two-bit writer feels he has to dump on us, or the self-serving attitude that every owner regales you with! They think that just because they are up to their whazoos in aftermarket chrome debt, they bought part of the Liberty Bell! Please wake me in a year! Matteo Augugliaro Smiths Creek, Michigan
While I enjoyed “Harleys through the Heartland,” if author D. Price really wanted to feel the modern Harley ownership experience, he should have saddled-up a $200,000 motor coach with an enclosed trailer containing two Road Kings. There were so many motor homes at the Atlanta Open Road Tour, Harley should encourage membership in the Good Sam Club, not H.O.G. I guess The Motor Company unloaded Holiday Rambler too soon. Scott Holzwarth Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Is it just me or does the Cycle World Project 100 Harley look like a scaled-up Honda 250 Rebel? Hans Rasmussen Prince George, BC, Canada
So, to honor Harley’s 100th birthday, you’re going to build a Harleywannabe clone. What are you thinking? The logic eludes me. Phil Stewart Sunnyvale, California
Have you no respect? The least you could do is buy some parts from the people you claim to worship. You even have the balls to mention Willie G., and then you you ^ buy many pounds of aftermarket parts. Do you think Willie bought a Paucho frame in ’58? Where did you get that crate motor? Don’t forget to crap on the H-D logo next time you’re in Milwaukee. Kent Fager Lunenburg, Massachusetts
The elusive logic, as explained in the “Project 100, Part 1 ” text, was to honor Harley’s centenary by mixing old with new, taking cues from 1960s customizers-just as Willie G. did with his seminal 1971 FXSuper Glide. We ’re using an aftermarket Duo-Glide frame because Harley’s otherwise prolific accessories division, Screamin ’ Eagle, does not sell such an item. But our crate motor, a Twin Cam 88B, comes straight from the company catalog, as does the gearbox, the Sportster fork and triple-clamps, the Dyna swingarm, the handlebar controls, etc. Stay tuned for Part 2, Kent and Phil, there ’ll be a test afterwards
On the road
Dear U.S. motorcyclists, thank you for being so generous during the American leg of my round-the-world charity ride (www.millennium-ride.com). We have now raised $100,000. Many of you, your organizations, clubs and businesses made donations to the Flores Project, which uses small motorcycles for delivering children’s health services to poor, rural areas across Asia. The fleet of 12 bikes is bringing help to 55 villages where the yearly health expenditure per person is just $4.40. The head of the Ministry of Health in one area calls our efforts “like an angel from heaven.”
I am now leaving for Mexico, South America and Africa before returning home to England in 2004. To join this unique adventure, send a check to “Motorcycle Outreach” c/o Tim Owens, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147 (it’s tax deductible). Get a pin, en route e-mail updates and a warm fuzzy feeling. We need an extra $60,000 to run the pilot project for three years. It’s motorcycles saving lives. Great, eh? Thanks again. Simon Milward
On the road
Egan, the book
After six years of vacations all centered around motorcycle trips, my wife won out and planned a week without any motorized recreation. Man, what to do, how do I survive? Luckily, I went to the local bookstore and found Peter Egan’s new book Leanings. Simply put, Egan’s work is heartfelt and an absolute joy to read. Very quickly I found myself with a Guinness and the book, frequently laughing out loud. Thanks, Mr. Egan, great read!
Now, to plant the seed of Peter’s principle about every man needing five bikes to cover all situations... Bill Cress Phoenix, Arizona Peter s book is on sale at bookstores or direct from Cycle World, autographed by the man himself if you d like. See the ad elsewhere in this issue.
Hooligals unite!
I’m reading November’s “Cheap Thrills” article on new bikes under $5000, and perhaps you can tell me why CW seems to think women are only interested in cruisers or half-displacement bikes. I test rode a Buell Blast (“Your wife/girlfriend will love you for buying one.”) and I can assure you it is nothing this 5-foot, 2-inch Hooligal gets excited about. Your average subscriber may have “2.3 bikes in the garage,” but that doesn’t mean her name is Dave! Laura Fuentes
Santa Fe, New Mexico
CIV on the tube
I sure enjoyed watching The History Channel’s two-hour show about motorcycles in December. Good for them for recognizing the importance of “Boys’ Toys” in this world. And good for them, too, in choosing you knowledgeable gentlemen to interview. Editor Edwards, straddling an Indian, comes off as the all-knowing Yoda of motorcycling. Peter Egan was just what I expected, one of the good guys, filled with information. Also liked Allan Girdler and his amusing stories about Harleys. After years of enjoying your written work, it was nice to see your “live” side.
Dave Knoetgen Broomfield, Colorado
The program drew about 3.5 million viewers. Good, we’re told, for a cable network documentary. And no, we had nothing to do with the “Boys ’ Toys ” title, we swear. Hooligals, direct all complaints c/o The History Channel.
Jesus rocks!
In response to the current “What Would Jesus Drive?” promotional campaign, I say, “Heck, he’d ride!” And I bet it would be a Triumph Speed Triple-for the Father, Son & Holy Ghost, baby!
Paul Sotrop Alpharetta, Georgia
Maybe, but God rides, too, and She apparently is aboard something other than a Buell Blast...
