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/581686
CN III VOICES L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R "It would not look good to have the support class, on singles, turning faster lap times than the premier class." GNC Las Vegas Final I was somewhat disappointed to see that the GNC Dirt Track Championship is going to be decided on a 1/10-mile indoor track in Las Vegas. On 450s no less! I am all for the race, (the series needs all it can get) and the Superprestigio, as well, but it just seems right to have the title decided with a pack of twins drafting to the finish line on a mile. On a related note, my opinion (for what it's worth) is that the short tracks should stick with the smaller bikes. Could you imagine the twins on a 1/10-mile track? It would not look good to have the support class, on singles, turning faster lap times than the premier class. However, I am all for running the twins at Peoria; that is a 5/8-mile. Gary Smith Get In The Game When is somebody going to promote an AMA rider to the World Superbike? I thought maybe Yamaha would give the recently crowned AMA Superbike Champion a shot. We have nothing in World Superbike and Nicky Hayden is in MotoGP as a back marker. We need to get in the game! Jim Clausen Naked Bike Shootout Kudos on your naked bike shootout. Too bad you didn't have a factory Tuono to test. Having waited years for Aprilia to build a "factory" ver- sion of the RSV4 Tuono, I lost patience and on November 14, after reading/viewing all the current naked bike shootouts, I bought a BMW S1000R. Two weeks later, Aprilia announced the Factory would be available in May 15 (Arggghhh!!). After eight months of owner- ship, I dumped the BMW at a significant dollar loss. I could never come to grips with the semi-active suspension. Like your testers, I felt it was too harsh and stiff in compression. With no way to adjust the three modes, I didn't like the action of any of the modes. I could never trust the bike pushing it into a corner because it would stiffen up. I had to stretch my expenses to the limit, but I just purchased a Tuono Factory. Man, what a difference! My confidence is back. On the ride home from the dealer, I took a road I have ridden several times on the BMW but could never go quick- ly because most of the corners are rippled with bumps. On the Tuono, on my first ride on the bike, I rode that section like I have on my other Aprilia ('03 Tuono Racing) about twice as fast as I could ride it on the BMW. Keep your electronic suspension. I'll take a conven- tional Ohlins suspension over anything else. And the mirrors work at all speeds (the BMW mirrors were worthless at any speed over 50 mph (due to excessive engine vibration— I expected BMW to build a better-balanced engine). The only things I will miss on the BMW—heated grips and cruise control. Will Mansfield Letters to the editor can be sent to voices@cyclenews.com. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the position of Cycle News. Letters should not exceed 150 words and are subject to editing. Anonymous letters won't be considered for publication and each letter should contain the writer's name, address and daytime phone number… Editor P16 Got An Opinion? If you've got an opinion on something you've read in Cycle News. Or an opinion on something you'd like to read in Cycle News… or an opinion on anything motorcycle related, send it in. We want to know what our readers think. Email correspondence to Voices@cyclenews.com. Make sure to include your name and a daytime phone number.