Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127977
Voices America.s weekly motorcycle newspaper. Volume XXXVI Sharon Oayton, President Michael Klinger, Publisher Editorial Paul Carruthers, Editor Kit Palmer, Associate Editor Scott Rousseau, Associate Editor Mark Hoyer, Managing Editor Keith Bush, Assistant Editor/Copy Editor Matt Freen",n, Assistant Editor Alan Cathcart, European Editor David R. Holther, Copy Editor Advertising Westenr States (714) 751-7433 Terry Pratt, National Accounls Manager Mark Thome, Westi!/'II Sales Manager Forrest Hayashi, Western Sales Mallagi!/' Rhonda Crawford, Ad Coordinator Bridgett Bobro.fsky, Assistant Advertising Eastem States (770) 934-7850 Greg Mitchell, Eastern Accounts Manager Jim Oark, Eastern Sales Manager Carla Alien, Ad Coordinator Marketing & Promotion Mark Thome, Director Forrest Hayashi, Mallager Kory Klinger, Dealer Representative New Media Development Rick Matheny, Webmaster Classified Ads Melissa Alvarado Graphics and Production Mandy Loa, Art Director Dennis Greene, Lab. Tech. Amanda Wollny, Lead GraphiC Artist Sancli Gettys, Graphic Art;st Paul Fisher, Graphic Artist Administration Judy Klinger, Coordinator Pam Klein, Administrative Assistanl AccountinglData Processing Donna Bryan-Diamond, A/R Coordinator Geneva Repass, Assistant Theresa Milburn, Credit Circulation Alma Anguiano, Circulation Manager Carol Maggio, Processing Coordinator Joy Lau, Dealer Coordinator Service and Support Shannon Oark, Receptionist Jim Olson, Service and Support National Headq-uarters 3505-M Cadillac Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5084 (714) 751-7433 FAX (714) 751-6685 Eastern Office 4188 First Ave., Tucker, GA 30084 P.O. Box 805, Tucker, GA 30085-0805 (770) 934-7850 FAX (770) 934-3112 e-mail editor@cye1enews.com subscribe@cydenews.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Not a drag Here's my take on people who dump on drag racing and Pro Stock bikes in particular: Why don't you make a pass . down the strip at 188-plus mph in less than 7.5 seconds and then explain your monkey theory to me again? It just isn't so. The bottom line is: If you don't like the discipline, quit whining and change the damn channel M.W. Malumphy Pittsfield, MA Thanking Georgie I wanted to let you know why I think the Mid-Atlantic area is the hotbed of future dirt trackers. After the thrilling finals at the Timonium Indoor Short Track in December, I was in the pits, loading up with my nephew (who h'\d just won the 50cc final) and his friends, when Expert National #71 Georgie Price came over and handed out some of his old trophies to the kids. These weren't ju t trophies, but huge trophies. He then autographed KTM posters for everyone in the area. The excitement and happiness he gave to these kids can not be described. Thank you, Georgie, for not only the clinic you put on in the 250cc Pro final, but also for being a positive role model for these future racers. . Jock Weir Parkton, MD Wise guy I just read the race report from the Silver City Motocross (Issue #1, January 13). After looking at the photo of Branson Lacey, I bet he would have lapped the field if his front end didn't wash out every lime he fanned the clutch. Inverted number plates? What will they think of next? Mark Strassner Rochester, NY You caught us. Our photo of Branson Lacey was inadvertently flopped during scanning for production ... Editor AII-encompassing With all the silly things that readers have had to say lately, I felt it wa~ finally lime to speak up. First to Jay Ingersol: It's obvious that you have never slid your leg over a serious drag'-racing motorcycle. If you had, then you would kn0W that there is a lot .more to drag Matt Hines· 1998 NHRA Pro Stock Champion racing than "liming the lights..." There's weight trans.fer, steering a bike that responds to body English and not normal steering, shilling, working the throttle to control wheelspin and wheelies, intense physical g-forces, and more. Sure, it may last only six or seven seconds, but those .seconds are more intense. and demanding than you cOu1d believe. I used to chuckle to myself when 1 would watch a drag-racing finish-line interview, car or bike, and see the driver sweating up a storm - "what a bunch of out-of-shape non-athletes," I thought. Then I had the opportunity to do the quarter-mile in seven seconds at close to 200 mph. Until you've been there, don't be so quick to judge. Further, I believe that a rider of Matt Hines' caliber could hold his own in any di cipline of the sport. To all those with a comment about nipple rings, tattoos, etc.: None of tho e things have anything to do with being a good or bad role model. What comes out of one's mouth and the manner in which one conducts oneself determines the ability to be a good role model. The rest is just personal expression. The world would be awfully boring if it weren't for expression and individuality . Jeremy McGra th is a perfect role model. Anthony Gobert is not. Doug Henry is not only a good role model but a poster child for overcoming adversity. But that has nothing to do with his marital status, piercing or ink. And to those who have an ax to grind with the Yamaha four-stroke: Open your minds and see that the advertising@cyclenews.com Internet http://www.cyclenews.com Cycle News (USPS 141-340) is published weekly except the last two weeks of the calendar year for $50.00 per year by Cycle News, lnc., 3505-M Cadillac.,A.venue, Costa M~, CA 92626. Pcnodicals Postage Paid at Costa Mesa. CA and al additional maiJingof6ce. Canada Post International Publicatiorul Mail N546615. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Cycle ews, P.O. Box 5084, Costa Mesa, CA 92628--5034. To determine the expiration date of yoursubsc:ription, check the four numbers on the first line of your address label The firsllwo digits indicate the last issue number you'U re<:eive and the last two chancters indicate the year of the lasl issue. Subscription rales: Rates for the United States and its p0ssessions for one year (SO issues), $50.00; two years (100 issues.), 595.00; six months (25 issues), $26.00; tTialsub 05 issues), 519.00. C1.nada and Foreign, one year (SO issues), 590.00; two years 000 issues), $175.00; six months (25 issues), $45.00; trial sub (15 issucs), $38.00. Cycle News welcomes unsolicited editorial material induding stories, cartoons, photos, etc. Such material~ if published, becomes the exdusive property of Cyde News. Reprinting in whole or part only by permission of the publisher. Advertising rales and circulation informntion will be sent upon request. See S.R.D.S. W/BDA V AUDITED -m!"~ ClRCULATION Printed in U.S.A. 4 Co~yrigh CydeNews, Inc. 1999. Trademuk Cycle News regIStered U.S. Palent Office. All rights reserved. INSIDE: ISSUE #3 JANUARY 27. 1999 FEATURES DEPARTMENTS SUPERCROSS Round 2 - AMA U.S. Supercross Series from San Diego, California 6 LONG-TERM REVIEW 26 QUICK AX 26 EVENTS SHOOTOUT 1999 middleweight sportbike comparison TEAM TEST AMA road race teams visit Laguna Seca RESULTS _ : 27 34 CALENDAR 18 ARENACROSS ROWlds 13 & 14 - AMA/PIl National Arenacros Series from Uniondale, ew York 24 36 WANT ADS 42 . IN THE PADDOCK 12 60 ON THE COVER We gathered up the best Middleweigh t Supersport bikes we could get our hands on and headed for Las Vegas Motor Speedway to see which one was best. The results are on page 12. Photos by Frank Hoppen. equivalency is fair. Sure, it has a bigger motor. It also weighs more, is much harder to start, and doesn't make its power as quick. Until you go out and wrestle one o.f these beasts around, learn to shut up, listen, learn and then make a judgement. Otherwi e, you're just showing your ignorance. I hope to see more big thumpers from KTM, Husaberg and Honda before long. It will make the class more interesting. I will never forget riding wide open on an Open-e1ass two-stroke and being passed by a works BSA B-50 500cc four-stroke on an uphill at Carlsbad. The thunder was unbelievable. On to Alan Cathcart: He may not be a rider the caliber of Doohan or Foggy, . but he is a damn sight better than 99.9 percent of the readers and gives us an unbiased insight into the machines that these and other heroes ride that we wou1d never otherwi e get. If you don't really like his stuff. then don't read it. One last thing: I really enjoy the "Time Remembered" and "Looking Back" .features. I have noticed the name Larry Bergquist comes up repeatedly. How about a "Time Remembered" with Larry? I understand he lives in the Apple Valley area. After all, this is the guy who won the Baja 1000 on a Honda 350 and returned to ride it on the Harley-Davidson. I feel better now. Hopefully, some of your readers will think be.fore they write with such a poison pen in the future. Don Lindfors los Angeles, CA