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/128379
Leffers 10 the edilor should be sent 10 Voices, Cycle News, PO Box 5084, Cosio Meso, CA 92628-5084; foxed 10 714·751-6685 or emoiled to edilorilcyclenews,com. Published letters do not necessarily reRect the position of Cycle News, Inc. letters should not exceed 200 words, and all ore subject to editing. Anonymous letters will nol be considered for publication. AU letters should contain the writer's nome, address and daytime phone number... Editor. Holden Court I've subscribed to Cycle News for years and I enjoy your thorough coverage of racing and the motorcycle industry. My family and I ride and race motorcycles, so it's nice to have a weekly magazine as dedicated to the sport as you are. In reference, to your recent guest editorial by Randy Holden, my response would be titled "State of Stupidity." I'll try to keep it short for Mr. Holden's sake. He starts with generalizations and statements that are arguable, but bases his position on them as being accepted fact. The concerns over the environment, greenhouse gases and oil supply are all serious and are complex problems that can't be completely illustrated by analogies with football fields and chalk lines, not to diminish Michael Crichton's fine works of fiction, many of which I've enjoyed. I'm not sure what other environmental "scams" Mr. Holden is referring to, but considering his inability to separate fact from fiction, I wouldn't rush to accept any of his conclusions. Frank Rounds vio the Internet An Alternate Universe I find it ironic that Eric Maurer's letter in your May I I edition opens with a request for logic in your "Guest Editorial" column and then wanders off into whatever universe he now occupies. Point by point: Every one of the people that I know who attended Daytona this year expressed an interest in the new format as a reason for going. In the recent past, Superbike tires were good for one fast lap (the second lap out on a new rear tire) followed by a long stint at ever-slower speeds as the tire continued to "go off." In the 200, this resulted in three or four fast laps mixed in with SO-some laps of hanging on at reduced pace. Contrast this with Miguel's Victory lane report this year of being able to race deep into each stint on the lighter 600. Mr. Maurer mentions the Indy SOD in 1973 when Bobby Unser (not Mark Donohue) flirted with the 200-mph barrier. Sadly, that race cost the lives of drivers Art Pollard, Swede Savage and crewman Armondo Tehran, as well as terrible burns to dozens of front-straight spectators. But at least Eric knows how to spell "Indy." The real problem at Daytona is tire failure, and it was tire failure that took the life of Mark Donohue in Austria, so think what he might say if he were with us today. The problem with this year's [Daytona] 200 is not that Honda was in it, but that Mladin, Suzuki, Yamaha, et al. were not in it. Superbike and Formula Xtreme were made for factory teams and established satellites plus larger dealer-supported teams, while Supersport and Superstock are for privateers. The factory advantage in the stock classes is too great for most private teams 6 MAY 25, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS "The problem with this year's [Daytona] 200 is not that Honda was in it, but that Mladin, Suzuki, Yamaha, et al. were not in it." to overcome (Vincent Haskovec excluded, somebody please sign this man). When the factories compete in these classes, the only people that they beat are their own customers. Mr. Maurer then goes off on NASCAR, but I'm not going to follow him there. Finally, he claims to hold the truth to "universal opinion," but Msrs. McLaughlin and Duhamel have already proven him wrong. If there is a solution to this situation it is that the factories should concentrate on the "Pro" classes with no more than support or junior teams in the "stock" classes. Then just sit back and enjoy the racing. Gerald P. Kelly Lititz, PA Killing the Messenger In response to Duffy Collin's letter regarding my Multistarada letter, my intention was never to rain on his or anyone's parade. (I did own a Schwinn and was also a pacifist.) The real gist of my letter was really more about the journalistic responSibility due the readers of our beloved Cycle News, rather than unresolved childhood issues that we all have. I'm glad you love your Multistrada, and I'm convinced it's probably the best overall real world street bike they've ever made. It's just not for me, nor are people knocking down the doors to buy them. Ducati is currently offering special financing to help dealers move 2004 Multistradas. The people have spoken, and the numbers tell the real story. As far as a chip on my shoulder, it's more like a bug up my ass about life with my Ducati Monster and Ducati in general. Over the last four years, I've watched two Ducati dealers go out of business and two dealers drop the brand in my area. My own dealer cited intolerable service issues with fourvalve motors. The result is I have been forced to become my own mechanic, having come to the conclusion that there is no competent servicing dealer near me. I've done all my own maintenance and service (carb adjustments, valve adjustments, fork seals, etc.). How many people are Willing to devote this much energy to owning a particular motorbike? If Ducati spent as much time in strengthening their dealer network and service as on their hype machine, I would not be writing this letter. All this has only strengthened the bond between me and the Monster. I still get a rush when I fire it up and hear that unmistakable rumble coming from the Termignonis, or throw it into a turn trying to get rid of that last quarter-inch of chicken strip on the rear tire. I've got other bikes with way more motor and better suspension, yet the Monster still stirs my soul. I still find myself just looking at it, admiring Galluzzi's inspired vision that changed the face of motorcycling with a stroke of his pen. Would Ducati even be in business today had they passed on the Monster? I can't imagine ever getting rid of it and have promised it to my daughter (keep it in the family). If I am not a true certified Ducatisti, who is? Igor A, Pelse via the Internet Scott Rousseau replies: "So, let me get this straight, Mr. Pelse: Since you are too much of a wuss to stand up to Mr. Collin. all that's left for you is to berate my evaluation of a model you don't like, built by a company that you obViously feel has wronged you, and then to claim that I am incapable of objectivity (insert forting noise here)? At least. unlike you, I stand behind my words. Yes. the Multistrodo 620's power is enough for the platform. Colling it adequate when compared to a 135horsepower sportbike is something that only someone with the intellect ofa garden-variety ball bearing would attempt. And no, I never said in my story that the Multistrada was well-received, just that I enjoyed the bike for the hour or so that I spent with it. If that somehow puts me on Ducati's payroll, then could you please alert them to the fact that my checks have been arriving late?"... Editor Brett Downey Safety News On May 2, 200S, the Brett Downey Safety Foundation held a roundtable meeting that could very well change the safety standards at motorcycle racetracks in Southern California and throughout the nation. Starting with their concentrated focus on motocross tracks in Southern California, the Foundation sent out invitations to the following track owners: Malcolm McCassy of Starwest, Freddie amd Donna Edwards of Perris, Bud Feldkamp of Glen Helen, Randy and Lorie Hiner of lake Elsinore, and Colleen and Dan Harvell of Cahuilla Creek. The agenda for the meeting was to present a set of track safety gUidelines to the track owners they could easily implement at their facilities. The Foundation would like track safety guidelines to be standardized at every track throughout the nation as well as every AMA-sanctioned event. The meeting was held at the Troy Lee Designs facility in Corona, California, with factory representatives from Suzuki and Kawasaki on hand, as well as National Champions Jeff Emig and Jeff Ward. The Foundation's mission, goals and track safety guidelines were presented, with every track represented asked to implement these guidelines and become a "Safety First Facility," Furthermore, the Brett Downey Safety Foundation is offering incentives for tracks implementing these guidelines in the form of a free starter kit. Said kit includes, yellow caution flags, safety vests, a set of two-way radios, and enter and exit track signs. As this snowball of safety gains speed and more tracks come on board, we'll keep you updated. For more information please go to mxsafety38.org. You owe it to your families and loved ones. They deserve the best possible effort in safety from everyone involved. Jamey Blunt via the Internet