Intake

Intake

MMMM, BEEF DUDE, WHERE’S MY DEALER? SHOCKING REVELATION THE FUTURE

HÊEHSTHHT THE EOfíVEHSHTÈOn

I’ve determined I need/want a longdistance touring bike, with more modern features than my vintage Beemers. I’ve looked at Harley,

Victory, BMW, and now the big Indian Roadmaster. After sitting on the Roadmaster at the bike show and then reading the superb comparison of three of the four bikes I’ve been considering, you folks have inspired my purchase of the Indian. I’ll always enjoy my airhead BMWs, but the Indian Roadmaster is a super-fine piece of touring hardware, and it’s brutally gorgeous!

]. AARON CUNDALL DENTON, TX

A BEEF WITH DEALER DENSITY

I read with some interest your “American Beef” V-twin tourer comparison in the April issue. Late last fall, I was in the process of buying another touring bike. My wife and I regularly ride in excess of 20,000 miles a year and desire a bike that is not only smooth, practical, and economical but also, and maybe most important, serviceable. I checked out the local Indian dealer and examined a Roadmaster. Nice bike, lots of engine, blah, blah. But when asked about dealer availability I got the usual, “We’re adding new dealerships each week.” Well, that is not reassuring. When inquiring about dealers in Canada, no one knows. At the time, I had a 2012 Harley Ultra with 35,000-plus miles and was offered substantially less than I had expected on a trade. Needless to say, I went back to my friendly Harley dealer and got a 2015 Ultra Limited Low

for a great price and trade. With this I got dealer support across the nation and Canada. If one of those unnerving sounds or vibrations occurs, I’m not too far from help, which is priceless.

MONTY MCINTYRE RAVENSWOOD, WV

ANOTHER BEEF

In “American Beef,” Andrew Bornhop writes that all three bikes employ a single rear shock with adjustable air pressure. The Harley definitely does not have a single rear shock. It is air adjustable so I’ll give you that. If you wanted the heated hand grips, you should have gotten the Ultra Limited, and it would still be $1,000 less than the Indian. Good article but someone should be proofreading.

CREO FERRIS BATAVIA, NY

We’ll tell Bornhop. We’ll also tell him the Roadmaster doesn’t have linked brakes.

GOLD WINGS WERE A KICK

Great story (“40 Years of Gold Wings”) in April. You do know that for a couple of years Gold Wings carried a kickstarter under their side cover?

DAVID BLOCK CYCLEWORLD.COM

If a kickstarter falls under a side cover and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

LIKES DIRTY TRAINING

Enjoyed your Ride Craft article (“BikeControl Skills,” April). I did some of what you suggested when I first started to ride, but it really came home when I switched from street to dirt. It cost me a few broken bones, but I mostly kept my skin. Dirt is hard, but so far I have not tested how hard pavement is. I’m glad I did my skills practice on a dirt bike.

JOHN AYERS TOPEKA, KS

BIKE OF THE FUTURE

With electronic suspension becoming the norm, do you think the future might hold electronically adjustable ride height? Or even better, dynamically adjustable and customizable ride height? What a great feature for those like me who can’t get their feet down comfortably on many bikes. Come to a stop, the bike lowers, and vice versa. For that matter, along the same lines as our cars: electrically adjustable seat, bars, and, what the hell, pegs too. Over the top or realistic?

DANSTARCATT WILMINGTON, DE

Dan, it won’t be long.

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