Hotshots
HOTSHOTS
Crabapples and Oranges
Regarding your recent “2x2” test of the Triumph Thruxton 900 and HarleyDavidson Sportster 1200 (CW, November), why compare apples to oranges? Harley makes an apple to be compared to Triumph’s orange; perhaps you’ve heard of the Sportster 883? Yet even when compared to the Harley with its 300cc-larger engine, the Triumph was less than a half a second and half a mile per hour slower. The better rider will win that race every time, not the bigger bike.
Matthew Cook Cedar Rapids, Iowa
You’re pushing the limits on my charitable nature. I’m fine with the tiny blip of coverage that was given to Triumph’s 100th anniversary while Harley’s centennial (CW, October, 2003) took up almost a whole issue. I’m fine with the fact that you had “Mr. Sportster” himself, Allan Girdler, write a comparison between a Thruxton and an XLR. I’m even fine with the fact that you had to put a 1200cc Harley up against a 900cc Bonnie to make the test halfway fair. Yep, I’m fine with all that, as long as in the coming months you do a head-tohead, apples-to-apples, ultimate shootout between a standard T100 Bonneville and an 883 Sportster. Include the history of both, famous models of both, do a basic hop-up on both, test them on the strip, track and street, and take them on a 1000-mile ovemighter-twoup if you can find someone who will put up with it. Do that-which is what I’ve been waiting for since the Bonnie came out-and I’ll forgive the rest. Don’t do it, and I'll steal the oil pads from under your BSAs. Please don’t make me do it... Mike Stackhouse
Mason Township, Maine
Like most readers, I am somewhat amazed by the things people feel they must complain about in your magazine. For the first time, however, I feel it necessary to join in. Why would you compare an 865cc Triumph to a 1200cc Harley, when it seems very obvious that the Sportster 883R is the direct competitor to the Thruxton? This would be an apples-to-apples comparison, and I believe the results would be a bit more interesting. While not trying to trash one or the other, I have owned one 883 and two 1200 Sportsters...but there’s a Triumph in my garage now!
Peter Hampton Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Why not compare the Sportster to the regular Bonneville (less money but standard riding position) or-and I’m dying to know how this would come out-to the Thunderbird Sport? You keep harping on the Thruxton’s lack of comfort. Did you use it for the comparison so you would have something to criticize? Charles Pofahl
Waynesville, North Carolina
2 x Blues
I love your comparisons, and I was ecstatic to see the “2x2s” in the November issue. As a middleweight rider, I especially pay close attention to your 600cc comparisons. So what do I get? Suzuki GSXR600 vs. Suzuki SV650S? What kind of a comparison is that?! Not only are these bikes too different to deserve a fair headto-head contest, not only are they both Suzukis, but author Mark Hoyer’s conclusions couldn’t be more inane.
He basically told us that the Gixxer is fast and intense while the SV is forgiving and fun. I haven’t ridden either of these bikes and I could have told you that!
Dustin Zubert Grayslake, Illinois
An-s A
Comparison tests are always fun to read; however, I question the criteria for your match-ups. Everyone has his own perceived likes and desires, but price is probably right near the top of the list. On that basis, the Suzuki SV650 is faster, lighter, better-handling and, all around, a better bike than a Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200, and it
costs a couple of thousand dollars less! George lUff Port Saint Lucie, Florida
The “2x2 Grudge Match” between the BMW Rockster and Moto Guzzi Coppa Italia was a delight to read. Especially Peter Wylie’s comment about the Guzzi: “There’s no logic to it, but every time I start the Goose, it talks to me. It’s a keeper; they’ll bury me with that bike.” Peter, as a fellow Guzzi owner, I couldn’t have said it any better!
Pat Manning
Flomer Glen, Illinois >
I just took time out from my busy schedule of smoking crack and worshipping Satan to make a comment about your recent “2x2” comparison of the Victory Vegas and the Yamaha Midnight Warrior. During the test, did anyone notice that some vandals had attached what appears to be a huge, black hot-water heater to the rear of the Yamaha? It also appears that they attached the bike’s exhaust system to this monstrosity. How could the motorcycle run with this grotesque protuberance? I suggest immediate prosecution for all involved. Douglas Daniels
El Paso, Texas
Your November issue worked like a spoton Mikuni, complex but definitely worth all the fine-tuning it took to get it right. I particularly enjoyed Allan Girdler’s apples-and-oranges comparison of the Sportster and Thruxton and Peter Egan’s understandably mixed feelings about loud pipes (“KTM Unplugged”). Throw in the unexpected surprise of James R. Petersen’s lyrical ode to asphalt (“The Why of Roads”), and you have my vote for this year’s best issue.
I’m probably going over the top when I add this next bit, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn someday that the spirit of CW founder Joe Parkhurst himself, sitting up there somewhere on his TT 500 cloud bike, was smiling benignly over all this fine writing and editing.
You know, sometimes, on a good day at sea level, a Mikuni can work even better than fuel-injection.
Paul Kleinpoppen
St. Augustine, Florida
The where of roads
It was simply cruel of you to publish James Petersen’s “The Why of Roads” (CW, November) without captions identifying the roads in the photos. I am particularly interested in finding out where the lead picture was taken. Chip Colwell Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
We d tell you, but then we d have to kill you. Seriously, the photos were sourced from various agencies and the CW archives, and were cryptically identified as having been shot in Iceland, the Alps, the Arizona desert and Southern Cali-
fiornia. Guess you ’ll just have to find them on your own...
Great sidebar, “5 Favorite Roads.” I’m lucky to have been in all five areas. However, there is no Durango River along CO 145. It’s the Dolores River.
Eric Pangman Madison, Wisconsin
Fixxer-uppers
Kevin Cameron never ceases to amaze me. His well-written articles explaining motorcycle technology in terms every> one can understand are my favorite part of Cycle World.
Kevin set a new standard with his TDC column “Fixing Things” (CW, October). I’m a Toshiba network copier technician, avid motorcyclist and former Air Force aircraft crew chief, so his article spoke to me on several levels. I, too, was a kid who tore apart and “fixed things,” and my wife thinks I’m a “wizard.”
Unfortunately, Kevin’s topic is a sad commentary on this nation’s state of affairs. There was not one thing that my father didn’t tackle (often with my help) around our house, whether it was welding up a shed, fixing an old welder, pouring concrete or home-brewing a HAM radio. It was obvious to me as a child that my dad was the exception rather than the rule. And this was 30 years ago.
Our nation is losing its mechanical aptitude at an alarming rate, and it affects everyone in one way or another.
David Sutton Mission Viejo, California
Kevin Cameron hit the nail right on the head with his October TDC. People are being specialized right out of their own ingenuity and creativity, but what’s worse is that doing so is rewarded by our society. There is little room for a jackof-all-trades today, however useful his knowledge might be. Adam M. Wade Author, The Motorcycle Fuel Injection
Flandbook La Mesa, California
I just finished reading “Fixing Things.” I, too, spend a lot of my time trying to figure out how things work and have since I was a child. (I was also an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force.) I think Kevin Cameron is absolutely correct: Too many people take for granted the technology today and don’t take the time to see the bigger picture. If they have a problem, they contact the warranty department and don’t take a deeper look at it. Understanding is the true key to enjoyment and knowledge.
I personally take pride every time I start up my motorcycle, because I know I was the one who performed its last tune-up, and if something goes wrong, I can fix it.
Juston Harris Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
F’ed One
I was elated to read the news that BMW is going to enter MotoGP racing (Roundup, CW November). However, BMW is not teamed with McLaren as mentioned. BMW provides engines for the Williams Formula One team and Mercedes (formerly Illmor) provides engines for McLaren. John Chay
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Stop it, you ’re making us Illmor.
Buellishness
I was just reading “Hotshots” in the November issue when I stumbled upon Cory Bartholomew’s letter wanting to know why the Buell XB12R Firebolt wasn’t included in “The Great ZX-10R Challenge” (CW, September).
Unfortunately, I was just taking a sip of coffee as I read this, and snorted some of the foresaid substance up my nose in my struggle to control my laughter. Please, please test these two head-tohead, please. Just warn me first so I don’t have any more accidents with my coffee!
Also, if memory serves me correctly, Triumph claims its new Rocket III is the quickest production motorcycle made. If you could test it against a Suzuki Hayabusa, that would be great. Oh, and for the record, I don’t own a ZX-10R or a Hayabusa. Les Thickett
Russell, Manitoba, Canada
Mystery Vee
Okay, I’ll bite. What’s the story behind the October Slipstream photo? John Deere’s ill-fated entry into motorcycling? Two-stroke from hell? Cold War mindcontrol experiment? Inquiring minds demand to know. John Burden
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Actually, it’s Triumph’s new Sportster 1200 killer, the Thruxton 9000. □
