Hotshots

HOTSHOTS

One-Bike Solution? Really?

The January “One-Bike Solution Shootout” was almost a waste of ink. Why do practical, everyday bikes have to be so damn ugly? What the heck is with these goofy-looking headlights mounted above those bird-beak front ends? You’ve got front fenders that hug the tire, but the back fender is way up in the air? Then, there’s all that laughablelooking angular, knife-edge plastic. I’d be embarrassed to ride any of these mechanical freaks down the road. But back up to page 10 in Roundup, and your eyes are graced with real beauty! A motorcycle with graceful lines and nice shapes: the Honda CB1100. Denis Matuszak Menasha, Wisconsin

Your January cover story boils down to $8000-$ 10,000 for a bike with the performance of a 1982 GPz550. Oooh, bonus, it looks like a Transformer. I can’t even imagine a reason to own one. Brian Thieme North Lauderdale, Florida

Because 1982 was 31 years ago and most dealers are clean out of GPz550s?

“The One-Bike Solution” issue was great. Good topic, good segment, good review, and I even agree with the result, despite owning a Versys. Most folks will probably be happier with the ’Strom, but some like me will prefer the Versys for the fun it provides. For what it would have cost me to buy an R1200GS, I was able to buy one Versys and ship it to Europe to ride there when I’m able and buy another for here as my daily rider. That’s a pretty good argument. Kurt Sunderbruch El Sobrante, California

Stupid is as stupid does?

Regarding the “Stupid Stunts?” XDL article in January: I was there when they said motocross would never last, then the same thing about Supercross. I suspect that the basis of the prejudice toward XDL by other bikers is envy both of skill and guts. And possibly because the XDLer is more of an “outlaw” than the outlaw cruiser set. I’m a 70-yearold motorcyclist who discovered early on that racing motorcycles is not only cheaper but more fun than racing cars! And to Peter Egan, welcome home and thank you for serving in the military. Glenn Sell Hastings, Minnesota

Observed Trials in flat, urban parking lots? Sadly, it seems, the popularity of this activity has risen inversely proportionate to the decline of my sport: trials. But I’d wager that the best of these guys could work magic with a 150-pound Gas Gas. Bill Stuart Saint Augustine, Florida

CB1100F lust...

Ever since I saw the first pictures of the new Honda CB1100 several years ago, I have been lusting in my heart for one. I’m 65 years old and still have the 1976 CB550F I bought new. I’m sure there will be many people my age looking at this bike and yearning for the good old days, but most of us also have wives who enjoy riding on the pillion. When you do your road test on the CB1100, please have a passenger along to give us his/her impressions. If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Ken Monnin Marblehead, Ohio

Wow! The new Honda CB1100. Now if we can convince Craig Vetter to fire up his Windjammer factory again, all will be right with the world. Ken Phipps Yakima, Washington

While I respect the level of skill that stunt riders possess and can see how many might find their exhibitions entertaining to watch, their “activity” is trying to pass itself off as a “sport.” Here is my simple litmus test: If a competition requires a panel of judges to award points to determine a winner, then it is an activity. Bruce Dalgleish Germantown, Tennessee

"Turning Cards”

Editor Hoyer’s January Up Front illustrates the relationship of skill, risk, reward and the value of preparation. In addition to being a motorcyclist, I have been a whitewater-rafting guide and a long-time volunteer firefighter, currently serving as chief of our rural department. When you volunteer for emergency services, you may act carefully and within the limits of your training, experience and equipment, but you have a compact with victims, colleagues and other agencies that you will act. In highrisk volunteer activities, you’re playing that hand of cards on behalf of others. There’s a special something about driving to an event that everybody else is fleeing. Charles A. McLaren Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Is water cooler?

Reading the article on the water-cooled boxer R1200GS (“A Cooler Boxer,” January), I was struck with this question: “When is good, good enough?” I ride a Harley but have always been a fan of the 1200GS (maybe it’s the romantic idea of traveling the globe on a motorcycle), but I don’t see how adding the complexity of water-cooling, radiators and associated piping makes it a better bike. Am I missing something? Is BMW making concessions due to emissions requirements? They take a relatively simple design that is proven and rugged, then complicate it with more components that can fail for an additional 15 hp. The GS created the adventure-touring genre of motorcycles. It doesn’t have to pretend to be a 150-hp Multistrada. Orely Morales Miami Beach, Florida

Onward and upward, Orely. Think of all the lightly used air-cooled GSs that’ll be available on the used market.

I much enjoyed Mr. Cameron’s article on the development of the new boxer engine (nice diagrams). What are they going to do about the name, though? “Waterhead” just does not sound very marketable. Donan Klooz Mobile, Alabama

VW called the engine in its watercooled Vanagon the wasserboxer, you may recall. Or you may not...

Norton memories, continued...

Mark, I bought a new Norton Commando Fastback in 1969 that I truly enjoyed, regret having sold and continue to be reminded about by stories like yours. In 1970, my friend Skip Eaken and I ran my Commando in the 24 Hours of Nelson Ledges and finished third. First place went to the Phil Schilling-organized, four-rider Triumph Trident effort. While our Norton preparation amounted to stand removal, safety wiring, oil change, numberplates, fresh Dunlops and a Dunstall front fender, the Triumph was fully blueprinted before coming to the track. A few weeks after the race, my girlfriend Joan and I rode the Commando to Colorado for two weeks of camping in the mountains. In 1971, we rode the bike to San Francisco, where we were married. I may no longer have that beautiful bike but I’m lucky enough to still be married to the same beautiful girl. On a sad note, Eaken passed away in September and will be greatly missed. Here’s a post-race photo of a young Skip and me (Norton shirt) along with Phil Schilling’s Triumph team and the second-place Harley team. Rowland Kanner Guntersville, Alabama

Latin lesson for Egan

Peter, the Latin translation of “Without motion, nothing,” is “Sine motu, nihil.” Mark Bobroff Danvers, Massachusetts

Also not Burns

I never slid a Chevelle into a tree backward (“Star Stryker,” November, 2012). But my name is Jon, and I did ram a Malibu into a telephone pole frontward. Jonathan, D. Sumerfield Allentown, Pennsylvania

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