Intake

Intake

KICKSTART THE CONVERSATION

When I saw the Suzuki V-Strom on the cover of the May issue, I thought it was the ugliest excuse for motorcycle styling that I had ever seen. However, after seeing the MV Agusta Brutale Dragster in Ignition, I decided to give the ugly award to the MV. What in the hell has happened to eye-appealing styling? Who wants to buy an ugly motorcycle-ugly people?

JOHN GLIDE WELL FORTWALTONBEACH, FL

So you like the V-Strom, John?

GOT YOUR SINGLES CROSSED?

What's Yamaha thinking? For years, we adventure riders have been begging Yamaha to bring the Ténéré 66o single adventure-tourer to the US. Now Yamaha has brought us the SR400 retro street single (Ignition, May). You guys said, "It takes chutzpah to introduce a kickstart-only streetbike in the US market," and you're right: The word "chutzpah" is derived from a Hebrew word that means "insolence" or "audacity." In this case Yamaha has shown its insolence toward would-be Ténéré 660 buyers.

MIKE PALMER POCOLA, OK

WHICH CLASS (?) WARFARE

Hold it, hold it, hold it! You comparisontest only three of the four big-bore adventure bikes on the market and conclude by anointing the KTM 1190 Adventure as "the best all-around bike in the world" ("Class Warfare," May)? Last year's Ducati Multistrada received excellent reviews. I am reasonably sure it would leave the other three for dead

on the road, and I'd be very interested to read how it stacks up against the KTM off the pavement. Shouldn't you at least acknowledge its existence and the fact that-who knows-it might fare reasonably well in a comparison?

;UIllpdI 1SOI1~ ADRIAN CHASTER VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA

The Multistrada has proven to be a very capable all-around bike (and Ten Best winner), but its sporty, asphalt-oriented 17-inch front wheel really puts the bilce in a different category. This doesn't mean we won't compare itto the KTM, but we limited that particular test to contenders in the class with 19-inchf ront wheels.

EVERYBODY'S DOING IT

Editor-in-Chief Mark Hoyer's "How to Disappear Completely" (May) was an evocative reminder of the daily motorcycle commutes during my latter employment years. The ride ranged from 55 to 78 miles each way through two-lane country roads in Florida's Panhandle. The hours spent riding were truly periods when I would disappear,

escaping from the vicissitudes of daily life. Rain or shine, cold or hot, the world was reduced to me, the bike, the road, and the destination. Maintenance was essential and provided another opportunity to disappear, even in the midst of family and friends.

PAUL 0. BOHAC CALLAWAY, FL

Finding your true self through dis appearing on your motorcycle.. .what perfect symmetry. An editorial in which every word I agree with.

GREG TUTUNJIAN NEWTON, MA

THE ART OF TECH

"Why Desmo?" (May) by Kevin Cameron and illustrations by Jim Hatch: What a wonderful article. If you didn't read it and you love engines, go back and read it. I learned so much I feel guilty. My college classes are close to $1,000 and pale in comparison! Thanks, Kevin and Jim. JOE WAHRER FRYBURG, OH

FAH CANET, HE'S QUICK

How does Cycle World determine quarter mile times? It seems they are what a Rickey Gadson might turn and not what Joe Hotshoe could turn. BOB MARSHALL SIERRA VALLEY, CA

Bob, our Road Test Editor, Don Canet, is the best and most consistent motorcycle tester in the business. He gets the best out of every bike we test, and he does so without harming the clutches. Joe should just keep practicing.

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