Intake

Intake

KICKSTART THE CONVERSATION

HIPSTERTOY? -> PIPE DOWN -> VEGAN ADVICE -> CAR VS. MOTORCYCLE

The October issue reopened the wound. When I first saw the BMW R nineT, I wanted it. Modern retro cool to the max. But when I saw that the out-thedoor price was close to $17K, I sadly realized that BMW did not build it for me. With one kid still in college at four times the price of the BMW per year, I settled on a Yamaha FZ-09. Perhaps in a couple of years when the pipeline is full, I will own an R nineT.

THE ART OF COOL

The new BMW R nineT is a beautiful bike—maybe the most beautiful for sale today. But it’s no R90S. I can get over BMW’s Back to the Future approach of ditching the Telelever front suspension. But no options for a half fairing or hard bags? That makes this BMW nothing more than another toy for hipsters who don’t ride anyway!

CHRIS GEUTING

DURHAM, CA

Want a stunning retro bike? Go see the Honda CB1100 Deluxe: refined motorcycle jewelry at its best without the need for mods.

S. SINEX EVERETT, WA

It’s immensely satisfying to see somebody from a large company “get it.” The interview in the October issue with BMW’s Ola Stenegard showed me that he knew what we younger guys (I’m 21) like. More and more of my friends are not going to the local dealer

IGOR A. PELSE CYCLEWORLD.COM

and walking out with a brand-new bike and finance plan. Most of my friends’ bikes are older vintage models that need to be fixed up to ride. Stenegard acknowledged this; he knows what’s going on. And thanks to Brian Catterson for his excellent article on the R nineT!

GARRICK CLACK COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

So the BMW’s exhaust baffles are “easily removable”? Great. Now even the more respectable among motorcycling subgroups will be tempted to mimic the metric cruiser crowd that takes a can opener to their muffler trying to make it sound like, um, a motorcycle. Where is it written that motorcycles have to be loud to be authentic or groovy? Pipe the hell down.

PETE TAMBLYN ALTO, GA

WEIGHTY MATTERS

I’ve got to weigh in on Mark Hoyer’s October column “Sit down. Sit up.” Since meeting my vegan love of my life, she has

made me see the light. I lost 20 pounds. Eating meat is not only unsustainable environmentally, but it isn’t good for you.

KENT GALL AWAY

GREENVILLE, Wl

Hoy er says if bourbon is vegan, he’s in.

I’ve been thinking for years that if I were to lose a few pounds, my bikes would go faster. So far, it hasn’t happened. Best of luck to you.

MIKELAYDEN

CYCLEWORLD.COM

In his latest column, Hoyer writes of an “icy cold, frothy, delicious IPA with the perfect balance of bitterness and piney undertones.” If he does indeed serve his IPA “icy cold,” he’ll be missing almost all of the aforementioned undertones. Cellar temp for IPAs, my friend. Never icy cold. That’s for cheap swill with little flavor.

RANDLAMPARD CANTON, OH

Rand, you’re not helping.

THE SLINGSHOT

Call the three-wheeled Polaris Slingshot (October) what you want, but it’s not a motorcycle any more than the T-Rex is a motorcycle because it has a Yamaha engine. If anything, it’s more akin to an Edsel, considering the way the front end looks.

VIC "DOC" MOSS LAS VEGAS, NV

Comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Write us at intake@cycleworld.com.