Intake

Intake

SHOT OUT OF A CANNON? → FZ-07 FLAT-TRACKER → BROKE BUT HAPPY

KICKSTART THE CONVERSATION

Don Canet needs to go back about 30 years and study some of those great metaphors that CW used to use when describing fast bikes. “Feels like you’ve been let fly from God’s own slingshot,” or, “Feels like you’ve been shot out of a cannon,” and, “It accelerates so hard I thought my hands would be torn from the grips,” are among my favorites. I was pretty disappointed that he used what seemed to be a scientific tone. I mean, you are riding the H2R! Let someone impressionable ride it. SCOTT POLEY

CYCLEWORLD.COM

We rely on our road test editor to come back with the truth that an “impressionable” test rider might not have the talent or experience to find when faced with a monstrously fast supercharged sportbike. Oh, and please go back to read about the “hated-breath cannon shot out of the final corner,” etc. Canet nailed it.

THE NEW DIRT TRACKER

Seeing the Yamaha FZ-07 flat-tracker (June) makes me say that H-D better get that Street 750 into a racing frame ASAP or they’ll be shut out of dirt track for the first time in the sport’s history. Or maybe the AMA will change the rules in their favor again.

LENNY CEHLHAUS

TOMS RIVER, NJ

SIGNALING THE BLIND

Nick Ienatsch’s Ride Craft piece about blind spots was very insightful (June).

But I must, respectfully, disagree with one of his observations. He indicated people who use their horns must be riding in blind spots. I use my horn quite frequently and never ride in traditional blind spots. Yet my horn has saved my bacon many times because of the blind spot Nick didn’t mention. That is the blind spot in which cage drivers can easily see you and not realize you are there.

I’m sure of this because of the times when a cage driver has looked me right in the eye, but it wasn’t until they heard my horn that a look of recognition appeared on their face. And instead of turning left or pulling out of a side street in front of me they either seemed frustrated or at least didn’t move until I passed.

RON GARRETT LAS VEGAS, NV

BROKE BUT HAPPY

Wanted to drop you a quick word of praise. After a long hiatus I’m a subscriber again and thoroughly enjoy the mag yet again. I started reading my older brother’s mags in the early ’80s as a tyke and became a subscriber in the late ’90s as a new college grad. Being frugally minded (and broke) I ended up with my cousin’s lightly used ’89 Sportster. With a four-speed gearbox and no such rubbermount refinements as the newer bikes, it was nonetheless a wheelying blast with its hopped-up plug-fouling carb and SuperTrapp exhaust.

Fast-forward 20-plus years and although that bike got traded for three kids and a camper, I supported the daughter’s magazine sale with a scrip to CW. Imagine my surprise to find Egan still cranking out good yarns and Cameron blowing my mind and making me feel dumb at the same time!

I really enjoy the throwback/ budget rides. Next thing you know, I have a mint (to me anyhow) ’72 Suzuki 125 Prospector in my kiddie-toy-filled garage.

Keep the budget stuff coming (I’m still broke) along with the stories on unobtainium bikes and I’ll keep subscribing.

MARK VOGT SHELBY, OH

Comments? Suggestions? Criticisms? Writs us at intal(e@cycleworld.com.