Hotshots

HOTSHOTS

Crooked Road

In “Ride a Crooked Road” (CW, April), Peter Egan flawlessly captured the unique culture and beauty of my former home. The endless curves, beautiful surroundings and light traffic of southwestern Virginia are a biker’s dream. The history, culture and friendliness of the region make it irresistible. I now ride the canyons of Colorado on a new GSX-R. After reading your story, however, my heart aches to be back home. Thank you for capturing the region so completely. Eric Lucy

Denver, Colorado

Wow! It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a story that made me want to be there as much as “Ride a Crooked Road.” With any luck my FJR will make that trip this summer. I’m saving the issue as a guide. Tony Kryst

Jackson, Michigan

Great story, great review on the Buell Ulysses. We were going to Deal’s Gap this year, but Mr. Egan has changed our minds. William Hayles

Morgan City, Louisiana

Open-class raspberries to Peter Egan. An otherwise wonderful travelogue involving country music, backroads and a Harley-powered adventure bike was marred by his foray into political diatribe. I felt like I was riding along with him, enjoying every coffee shop, bluegrass tune and throbbing pulse of the Buell’s V-Twin. Then my escape was ruined when Egan wrote, “.. .meanwhile, American oil companies raked in billions of dollars in profits from high fuel prices after Katrina and got an enormous tax break from our government.” Just as I don’t read National Review

for motorcycle road tests, I don’t expect to read Cycle World for insightful political opinion. Don McGregor Garden Grove, California

I’m very worried for Egan. He mentioned watching the new Dukes ofHazzard movie but didn’t sing the praises of one of the most beautiful women ever, Jessica Simpson. Get him help!

Richard F. DiLorenzo Deltona, Florida

Consider it a political protest...

Gut-wrenching

Thanks for the great story on the old Houston Astrodome short-track and TT races (Up Front, April). It brought back great memories of going with my dad to see some really great racing. Kenny Roberts was the high point for me. Jeff Hornickel

Houston, Texas

I was surprised to read about the FIM’s “abdominal safety record” in David Edwards’ excellent “No Place like ’Dome” column. I always thought the FIM’s early safety record was abominable. Could that other kind of six-pack have had any involvement here? Richard Burmeister

Fairfield, Iowa

Was the FIM’s problem ulcers, gastritis or just poorly developed abs? Allan Shukle

Deland, Florida

David, I really enjoyed the interconnection between the Astrodome, motorcycling and your journalism career. The editing of the article was, however, “abdominal.” Laughed so hard my belly hurt! Marty East

Bedford, Indiana

Okay, I confess, the first thing I read every month is Peter Egan. But Mr. Edwards, you have outdone yourself. Your editorial about Houston and its history of racing was awesome. Egan, watch your back, Edwards is gaining on ya!

Ron Gandy Crockett, Texas

Back?! All these years, Edwards has been telling Egan to watch his bake! Randy’s dandies

I really enjoyed “Super Novas” (Racewatch, April). It’s nice to get an unbiased perspective on MotoGP bikes, giving us mortals an idea what their riders have to overcome. Now I know why Suzuki’s Hopkins isn’t up front and Rossi is. Well, at least one of the reasons.

Jayson Waiford Lingle, Wyoming

Having read Randy Mamola’s feature, I wonder why it is that Suzuki dominates AMA Superbike and competes very well at the World Superbike level but seems to be a perennial backmarker in MotoGP. Mamola had many criticisms of the GSVR, which the race results confirm. Is the Suzuki V-Four engine a mistake in architecture that the company does not want to face? Is the difference in the level of competition; the amount of resources allocated to the different series; the riders; Yoshimura preparation; all of these things? It would be great if Kevin Cameron could weigh in on this; I would appreciate the enlightenment. James Eng

Trenton, New Jersey

Kevin says, “AU I can do is theorize about this, for I have no direct knowledge. It seems to me that there is probably an industry-wide agreement of some kind in Japan that obliges the manufacturers to compete in MotoGP for a few years. Suzuki, with limited resources, may have decided to cash-in where their credit is good-namely in World and AMA Superbike. Their MotoGP bike is therefore mainly useful to them as a means of testing things like anti-spin technology. We do know that the GSV-R s technology as of two years ago was pretty much of Superbike level.

“Suzuki have always kept to their own knitting and have used their development resources carefully-mainly to develop things they can sell, like GSX-Rs. It would therefore be consistent with this if thev spent relatively little on the MotoGP bike.’’

Red noses required?

Well, Daytona Bike Week is over and again the AMA is the biggest clown at the circus. The 200 was a joke, from the pace-car incident to the fact that the best bikes and all the best riders were not even in the race! I wish these Bozos would pull their heads out. RUSS Owen

Valley of Enchantment, California

Outlaw Buell?

I think it is horrible that CW would put up $10,000 for the highest-placing “illegal” motorcycle in the Daytona 200. The Buell XBRR is not legal, and to call the cash prize the Cal Rayborn Award is a disgrace to a great racer who did not cheat. Jerry McDonald

Corpus Christi, Texas

Actually, the Buells were legal at Daytona and remain so despite threats of protest (see Racewatch, this issue). For the record, the Rayborn Award is given to the top-finishing rider aboard a Harley-Davidson, Buell or other Harley-Davidson-powered motorcycle. It is co-sponsored by Q¿cleWor¡d and Drag Specialties, and is meant to encourage diversity in the class and hopefully bring in a few more of the 500,000 Bike Week attendees who generally never see the insides of the International Speedway.

Speedy Indian

I got a chance to go and see the movie The World s Fastest Indian, and you were right (Up Front, February), it is a good movie. Even my wife liked it. Sometimes I might not agree with your motorcycle choices, but your movie selections are right on. Thanks again. Greg Simmons

Boaz, Kentucky

Great column from David Edwards. I took his advice, found an independent movie house and saw the film. Just outstanding! I’m 50 years old now and have been involved with motorcycles most of my life. This movie inspired me to enjoy what I’m doing more than ever. I recommend that everyone see this movie or buy it on DVD to encourage more of these kinds of films. Steve Romaniw

Mason, Ohio

Two weeks ago, I discovered The World’s Fastest Indian playing at a theater 30 miles away. I went to a 10 o’clock show with a friend, and I am sure the other five people in the theater enjoyed it as much as I did. I went back a week later with my wife and two young daughters, excited that here was a film that I could watch with my entire family, one that inspired and raised the spirits of the audience. But it was not to be. For as quietly as WFI arrived, it had quickly left. We could have stayed and watched Brokeback Mountain or Transamerica, but we didn’t. Will Limehouse Summerville, South Carolina

Moto hype

Whatever you do, don’t let Ducati not build the concept Hypermotard (CIV, April). That is, without a doubt, the coolest-looking bike I have ever seen! I’ll bet they could sell tickets just to hear that sweet exhaust note!

Mike McNevin Denver, Colorado

Oh, my God! This is the motorcycle that dreams are made of, back to the basics with what a motorcycle needs and nothing else. Looks awesome and 100 horsepower! How do I make sure Ducati builds me one? Where do I send the check?

Maurice Marks Colorado Springs, Colorado

Chardonnay World?

I love your magazine, but could you guys maybe back off on the white wine a bit? It seems to be finding its way into too many of your writers’ pens.

Damon Heim

San Rafael, California

That’s a ruby red Napa Valley Cabernet, bub, gently uncorked and left undisturbed at room temperature for one hour. White wine...the very idea!

There’s something else?

I’ve been subscribing to Psycho World for some time now and have not seen one article about mental health. Come on, when are you going to give us something other than motorcycles? Sky Allen

Munster, Indiana

Take your meds, Sky, the whole mag is about mental health. Ask Cernick)’...