Hot Shots

HOT SHOTS

Characters

I appreciate the wide variety of bikes you chose for “Characters” (July) and their broad range of appeal. I realized, however, that most any motorcycle can move the soul if you get out and experience it. Neither my Versys 650 nor ZX-10R move much of anything while parked in my garage. I test rode a friend’s Victory Vision recently and came away with an appreciation for how balanced and ridable a big touring bike can be; seeing him ride it smoother and more confidently than he ever did his Road King moved my soul. Years ago, I borrowed a friend’s beat-up old Honda CB350 that we called “the pig.” In a lapse of judgment, I rode the pig onto the Interstate, where the non-suspension and Gumby frame had me bouncing and squirming along, tapped out at 67 mph. I coaxed it to the first available exit, laughing and shaking from a soulmoving experience. Riding and sliding through a wet, muddy mess on an RM125 moved my soul. Watching (and hearing and smelling) an RC212V win a MotoGP race with my kids moved my soul. Drag racing opposite my dad on his V-Max moved my soul. When I’m not reading Cycle World, my soul seeks a physical, visceral experience: Any chance I can get a ride on that X132 Hellcat? Jason Bragg Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Unfortunately, you `d have to ll your soul to ride a Confederate.

I had to write in to let you know I really liked the latest issue about bikes with character. I liked the style of writing, the bike selection was right up my alley and the test format on "The Unusual Suspects" was great. That's exactly the kind of review I like to read; I personally don't care for specs and lap times. I like the feel and personality that different bikes have and the way they transform my surroundings. Good photography, too. Hell, I enjoyed all of it! This one’s staying on the coffee table for the foreseeable future. David Magallon Coquitlam, British Columbia

What have I done to deserve Cycle World's ire? I’ve been a silent and faithful reader since 1987, but after I read “Characters,” I had to write. Eight of the 10 bikes were on my “possible buy” list last spring, and you mock me by rubbing my face in “what coulda beens.” I let practicality, legroom, price, dealer network, performance and reliability lead me to the Triumph Sprint ST instead of any of the character bikes.

Had the KTM dealerships in SoCal been willing to deal and provide hard prices over the phone, I would’ve bought one of those amazing bikes (and to hell with the horror stories of outrageous dealer setup fees and crazy KTM parts and service). The Confederate’s price would not fly with my very understanding wife. The Misfit was not for sale yet (still haven’t seen one on the road). I don’t remember seeing the Triumph Scrambler at the dealerships. The lack of a Moto Guzzi dealer nearby ensured I didn’t see the V7 Racer. The Royal Enfield would scare the hell out of me on the 405. The Ural’s maligned mechanical, electronic and network problems along with its inability to keep up with traffic dropped it from serious running. Finally, the Diavel was not yet out, and its price tag is still too rich for my blood.

Yet each bike looks amazing and incredible in doing what it’s designed and priced to do. What I took from the article is that “character” definitely gets your attention and keeps it for years, despite any shortcomings. Merk Sí aben Long Beach, California

More Characters

I immensely enjoyed your article on motorcycles with character. Several years ago, I was riding an FZ1 set up for touring with hard bags, touring windscreen, etc. The bike was so good that it was boring. Then, I remembered the bike that had always put a smile on my face was a Royal Enfield 500 I’d sold about 15 years before. I needed a little more capability, so I bought an ’07 H-D Dyna Glide. I haven’t been sorry since. There is a lot more to riding than outright performance.

I do take issue, however, with Hoyer’s comment about the motorcycle market being driven by technology and high performance. In light of the fact that H-D owns about 50 percent of the market and metric cruisers probably account for another 25 percent, that leaves about 25 percent that’s technology-driven high performance—not the whole market by a long shot. Joel Widman Corrales, New Mexico

Captain Dan Franken wrote about his riding adventures in China Lake, California (Hotshots, June), a letter that could have been reprinted in response to “Characters.” The bikes he described, as well as his fellow Naval Aviator riders, were all true characters. I was one of the faithful followers of Captain Dan who tried to keep up with the pace of his ’72 Guzzi V7 Sport. Dan was a rider’s rider. You knew you were hanging in there when you could see the sparks from his footpegs. I loved his Sport and knew that if I only had one, too, I could have caught him. My “Snortin’” Norton had boatloads of character but it never sounded as cool as the Guzzi at idle. Capt. Dan could never have kept up with a few of us on the dirt, but he definitely ruled the road. Rumor is that he now rides a ’Wing. Too bad, but then again, he is getting fairly old. Commander Marc Phillips, USNR Ret. Durango, Colorado

We have afeeling this isn`t over...

End the exile

Mark Hoyer’s Up Front, “Characters,” in July was right on target. My wife recently was longing for the old Kawasaki KZ650 she rode back in ’79, a simple, easily maintained, unfaired bike that displayed a handsome, air-cooled engine. When Kawasaki announced the W800, she was excited enough to fire off some e-mails to Kawasaki stating her interest in buying a W800 if they would bring it to the U.S. Kawasaki lost at least one sale when it didn’t answer; she purchased a 2012 Bonneville SE last month and loves it. There is a growing desire for retro-styled bikes. The interest people show when they see her new Bonneville is proof enough. Steven Hudson Patterson, Georgia

There is something about the lure of traveling on two wheels that has never left me, but being a girl, I thought I was limited to bicycles. Someone was always there saying, “You can’t” or “You don’t want that.” Well, after 57 years, I decided I was old enough to make that decision myself and took the motorcycle safety course, got my Ml license and ordered a brand-new Vespa LXV 150. It only took about three months to realize I clearly needed something a little bigger.

My sister e-mailed me a photo of a Kawasaki W650 she’d found, and it was love at first sight. I showed the photo to my husband, who was unaware of my intentions. His response: “That’s nice, honey, but I don’t think I am interested in it.” I looked this sweet man in the eye and said, “Honey, I was not looking at this bike for you.”

We made all the necessary arrangements, and about a week later, this beautiful machine was sitting in my driveway. Six months after that, my husband was hooked, and we bought one for him, too. We are constantly tickled when other riders come over to check out the bikes, then look up surprised, calling out, “Hey, it’s a Kawasaki!” Sandra Souza-Desimone Modesto, California

I enjoyed Mark Hoyer’s musings on unobtainable great bikes, especially the “W” model Kawasakis. I happen to own an ’01 W650, purchased new as a substantially discounted non-current. What a bike—great around town and in the twisties, and amazingly enough, cruises at 80-90 mph effortlessly. Throw in 55 to nearly 70 mpg, and you’d have a winner in today’s market. Rob Pflug Spartanburg, South Carolina

I currently own a 2002 Bonneville T100 [pictured above] and have had many bikes of its ilk before: ’74 CB360, ’82 CB750K, ’75 CB750. At a time when all the Japanese companies’ focus on cruisers and sportbikes has become so boring that I rarely even stop by the dealerships anymore, retro bikes offer the look and joy of old with the modernity that takes away the headaches. Every brand from BMW to Yamaha has a few classics people would love to see again in modern form. This issue was by far my favorite in some time. Maybe your writing on the subject will encourage a return of some of the other greats. If they build them, I and many others will start hitting the Japanese showrooms again for some shop talk and maybe even to add one of these wonderful-looking bikes to the stable. Harold Newbill Sacramento, California

Character, unquestioned

Reading Peter Egan’s “A Question of Character” piece about the Ducati 900SS in the July issue reminded me of Cook Neilson’s test of the 900SS, wherein he wrote, “Hey you in the helmet, stop that laughing!” Sometime in ’81 after I’d moved from New York to California, a friend let me ride his ’77 SS up Route 74 from Temecula to

Mountain Center. About halfway up, I found myself laughing inside my helmet. I immediately went on the hunt for one, and in May of ’82 I met Dan Kyle and bought his ’78 900SS. I still have the bike, Dan remains a good friend and I recall another line Egan once penned: “You don’t sell Ducatis, you buy them.” I’ll hang onto my SS forever. I’ve yet to ride a bike that puts a bigger smile on my face or causes me to break out in laughter in my helmet. Craig Stein Redondo Beach, California

Letters to Peter

I read Peter Egan’s last two Leanings columns with great interest. Thank you for not café-ing your CB550.1 took my 1976 CB550F out of the crate when I worked for a Honda dealer and have owned it ever since. As for your “Range Anxiety,” (Leanings, July), a few years ago, I discovered http://forwns.sohc4.net/, and my education on the old single-overheadcam Fours truly began. People from all over the world really know and love these bikes and are willing to share all their knowledge. Check out the FAQ section and look for the thread “The Thoughts of Hondaman.” Following his advice, I’m getting 45 to 48 mpg. Ken Monnin Marblehead, Ohio

Oh, Peter! I can only guess how many Air Force pilots will express their surprise that Misty Squadron vet Dick Rutan flew for the Navy (Leanings, July). Oops... Bill Schafer Boulder, Colorado

Dick Rutan is a highly decorated pilot who spent two decades in the United States Air Force. Hopefully, he doesn `t have our coordinates...

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