Intake

Intake

GROM -> INDIAN -> ORIGIN OF THE STREETS -> LITTLE HONDAS

KICKSTART THE CONVERSATION

AT 28, I MIGHT BE ONE OF THE FEW YOUNGER GROM REAPERS, BUT I LOVE IT! IT'S THE FOURTH (SHETLAND?) PONY IN MY GARAGE, BUT I CAN'T STOP SMILING WHENEVER I GET ON IT. ONE OF MY FRIENDS WENT OUT AND BOUGHT HIS FIRST MOTORCYCLE AFTER A COUPLE DAYS ON MY GROM. GATEWAY BII(E, FOR SURE! CRAIG GARY CHARLESTON, SC

GROM

I have absolutely no issue with the Grom itself ("First Ride," Dec. 2013). Certainly, Honda does its homework when identifying a target market; "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" is still indelibly etched in my memory.

But why hasn't Honda (or the other big three) learned the lesson that "segment retreat" is a mistake?

There are baby boomers who are retired, have free time, discretionary income, and want a motorcycle reminiscent of those from our youth. Honda could easily produce a CL90 scrambler or an S90 supersport using the Grom engine.

Come on, Honda, make a 125 scrambler! You could call it "Sidewalk Surfer 125!"

MICHAEL HOPKINS ROHNERT PARK, CA

KTM

Just warming up to your new format, though Fve been reading CW since the '60s. Really enjoyed Blake Conner's "First Ride" of the KTM 1190 Adventure R in the December issue. I just picked up a 2010 BMW R1200GS, and now I know what my next bike will be.

My only problem seems to be lack of local KTM dealers. One is in an area where I wouldn't ride a motorcycle (homicidal drivers), and the other is just too far away to be practical.

If the price quoted in your article ($16,799) is, in fact, inclusive of all the technology, this new KTM 1190 Adventure R will be a world-beater.

I am sincerely hoping that in a couple of years KTMs will not be made of unobtanium.

IERRYBLOCH COCONUT CREEK, FL

INDIAN UPRISING

Mr. Grib, just how much have you read about the development of the new Indian and its 111 Thunder Stroke engine (Intake, Dec. 2013)? Do you just look at the pictures and base your opinions from there? Keep looking at the same design year after year from H-D and enjoy the Kool-Aid, my friend. As for you, Mr. Matlock, just how would you recommend a multibillion-dollar American company bring this iconic brand back? Please submit your new design to Indian. I'm sure it will look just like a Road King or a Street Glide. Indian is everything we want it to be today, an improvement of a timeless design. Just like H-D has been trying for these last hundred years. Yes, you hit a sore spot in this old biker. Bunch of keyboard ninjas.

OINO BERTOLOTI WEST PALM BEACH, FL

TAKE IT OUT IN THE STREET

Even though Harley-Davidson's new Street 500 and 750 haven't yet hit the street, lots of silly reaction is already rolling 'round the Internet. Here's a false analogy: How many bikers, if faced with a cancer diagnosis for themselves or a loved one, would reject a possible treatment because it was conceived of or made in another country? When I worked at a Harley dealership in the '70s and '80s, I had to explain to riders that, yes, many of their Harleys' parts did, indeed, come from Canada, Japan, or Germany. Many H-Ds from that era are nonetheless revered and collectible now. I don't know if the Street will turn out to be a good motorcycle or not, but I'm sure going to try one out when test rides are possible.

J.D. WHITNEY NORMAN, 0I(

LITTLE HONDAS

Try to convince Honda to continue the winning streak with the 250s. I own a CBR250R and a CRF250F. Bring over the VTR250 from Japan—the Monster lookalike. It gets raves on the Internet in countries where it's sold. Also the NX250 from '88-'90. Great bike. I had one and stupidly sold it. Now I am doing an Egan, looking to repurchase one. I have been up and down the displacement

scale in almost 40 years of riding and have just as much fun on a 250 as on an 1100. Cheaper insurance, better mileage, parts last forever, and smiles every time I touch the start button.

BOB VAVRINA BINGHAMTON, NY

BIRD BUYER

Just received my December issue and noticed the comments about Peter Egan's "Rare Birds" story in October. As a follow-up, I purchased the 1932 Vincent HRD PS shortly after Peter wrote the article. The bike won Best of Show over 140 other great bikes at the Del Mar Concours in September. At this point, the Rare Bird is as good as advertised.

GENE BROWN DENVER, CO

GOODWOOD

Fantastic article by Freddie Spencer on the Goodwood Festival ("It's Good to be at Goodwood," Dec. 2013) But I gotta ask: What was Bobby Unser's wife doing in the locker room?

ANDY PANGUITCH STAGECOACH, NV

In his first draft, Freddie called it a "drivers' lounge." Must have gained new meaning in the editorial process.

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