Intake

Intake

MOTOAMERICA -> INSPIRATION -> HEAVYWEIGHTS -> MATH VS. READING RETENTION

HÊEHSTHHT THE EOfíVEHSHTÈOn

I just have to comment on the Mule Motorcycles TZ750-inspired R1 (“Ground Zero,” January). Finally, a custom motorcycle builder who has captured the true spirit of American top-tier hot-rodding. Massaged period bodywork, modern chassis, and suspension that hints toward the original, a thoroughly current engine, all intended to perform like a modern machine. This is, in my view, the best custom motorcycle I have laid eyes on. Way to go!

DAYN MANSFIELD

CYCLEWORLD.COM

LIKED THEM SO MUCH, HE BOUGHT BOTH

You can’t imagine my shock after all these years of reading the magazine to see a comparison test and I own both bikes! Spot-on evaluation (“Spice vs. Nice,” January), except my Diavel and Valky mileage numbers are opposite yours. If the deceptive smoothness of the Valley doesn’t get you, the Devil surely will.

DON KELLY CYCLEWORLD.COM

WANTS CENTERFOLDS

You did it again. The last two issues of your magazine featured stunningly beautiful motorcycles: the Kawasaki H2 in December 2014 and the MotoAmerica Ri Custom in January. But in both lavishly photographed stories, the most beautiful shots of these bikes laid bare (so we can see the underlying hardware) happen to be one page off of the centerfold, which can never stay stapled in place for more than two days. Put those pictures in the centerfold and

they will hang in shops and garages of enthusiasts everywhere.

CARL MALATIN CANTWELL, Ak

INDIANS AND BOOMERS

In January’s Intake, self-described boomer David Parson’s assertion that the styling of the new Indian motorcycles is “for old men” ironically sounds like something a grumpy old man would say. Perhaps not too surprising, given that the youngest baby boomers just turned 50 this year

and the oldest ones will be 70 next year.

News flash, David: The world doesn’t revolve around baby boomers anymore. Not every manufacturer is out there catering to the tastes and desires of our narcissistic, self-absorbed, elderrejecting “me” generation. There’s a strong retro vibe going on among the millennial crowd, and their interest in vintage technologies stretches back at least to the Victorian era. They dig the honest simplicity of very old bikes like the original Indians; Polaris and others marketing retro bikes are smart to pick up on the Zeitgeist of these young trendsetters.

HENRY MENKE CYCLEWORLD.COM

Henry, thanks for making us edit out the double spaces after your periods while having an open mind.

BUT WEIGHT...

Amazing! The Can-Am Spyder (Ignition, January), one wheel short of being a car, is still about too pounds lighter than the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra.

PETER FREI BERCER LOS ANCELES, CA

The Harley is a claimed wet weight, while the Can-Am Spyder Fß’s is claimed dry. But,yeah...

MATHEMATRICIAN

Mark Hoyer: You are obviously a bike tester and magazine editor and not a mathematician! A pack of too Scotchlok connectors (Up Front, January) that cost $9.95 calculates to 10 cents each, not 19. Nineteen cents each would equal $18.95 for a pack of 100! I still enjoy your magazine.

JIM OSBORN

ASTORIA, OR

Hoyer freely admits to being neither an electrician nor mathematician, but he sure

knows a bargain: The story saidyou could buy them for “19 cents each or $9.95 for a pack of too,” reflecting a bulk discount.

RACING INSPIRATION

“Ground Zero” was a breath of fresh as well as historic air. That TZ750-inspired Ri remake is stunning. Hell, it almost makes me want to take it and try my hand at racing it myself. I’m too old for that anymore.

The bike inspires older racers and younger prospects. With Wayne

Rainey’s great experience and enthusiasm, I feel that more American racers will graduate to international competition, as it was back in the day.

As always, success depends not only on sculpting new and upcoming racers but also on audience participation and ticket sales. Successful events breed more and different venues. So let’s all help to spread the word. Advertising and promotion are key. The more that happens, the more successful this effort will be.

BRAD TAYLOR

SANTA CRUZ, CA

FROM FLAT TRACK TO STREET

I enjoyed Cory Texter’s “Chasing Milwaukee Iron” (January) about his impression of four foreign brands at the August 2014 Springfield Mile. Now, which manufacturer (besides Triumph, hopefully) will actually build one for the street? Harley’s Street 750 (will race in 2015), Kawasaki’s Ninja 650 (dominating the Mile/Half Miles), and Yamaha’s

FZ-07 (very light, good torque) are good choices. Please keep the articles coming, as they may serve to prompt manufacturers to take a closer look at street trackers.

I/. SMITH CYCLEWORLD.COM

See page 24 for a sneak peek of Triumph’s Street Tracker and Street Tracker R.

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