I always enjoy Eric Trow’s Stayin’ Safe articles and have learned a lot from them. I wanted to comment on November’s “Wheel He or Won’t He?” tip. I’ve used this technique for several years as it’s a much safer way to judge a driver’s intention, rather than hoping eye contact is enough. Meanwhile, here in the Northeast it seems drivers in their big SUVs have adopted a “right of weight” method of approaching intersections rather than the legally accepted right of way. A recent incident brought both of these concepts together. While approaching the traffic circle on the Bronx River Parkway in a northerly direction one morning, I slowed, downshifted and covered the brakes as you never know what to expect. A driver had stopped at the yield sign but had a set of those “spinner” hubcaps mounted. While she was stopped as required, the “spinners” tricked my brain into a false survival reaction, and I began braking even though she was not in motion. I quickly recovered when I realized what was happening and proceeded smoothly through, but I guess the point is, nothing is 100 percent foolproof. Situational awareness is truly the only thing we can all rely on to get us through our daily rides!

Bob Fattizzi, Scarsdale, New York

 

I’m a little behind in my magazine reading, so I was catching up a bit one day not too long ago. When I read Mark Tuttle’s editorial in the April 2018 issue (“The Ones That Got Away”), I felt compelled to write my first letter to the editor. I, too, miss just about every motorcycle I’ve owned and sold. The Honda VTX1800 and Shadow 1100, the Harley-Davidson V-Rod…even the dirt bikes that have tried to kill me. But when I came to the point where he mentioned the one he missed the most (a 1980 Kawasaki KZ650), it really resonated with me. My first brand new street bike was a 1978 KZ650C. I dreamed about owning that bike from the first time I saw it. I was a senior in high school and had a poster on my bedroom wall of that bike heeled over into a curve (showing off those nice mag wheels), and every night before I went to bed I imagined myself on it. Yeah, I had the Farrah Fawcett poster too, but knew I would never have her! Finally I figured I could swing payments with my part-time job and living at home, so I bought it. I took it with me to college where it met its fate…and I almost met mine, as we collided with the right side of the big ol’ Buick that decided to turn left in front of me. I was really lucky that day because I didn’t have a stitch of safety gear on (I was twenty-something and bulletproof!), but the bike…not so much. Decided I had probably used up my luck and, since it was almost winter, I took the insurance money and bought a car.

Fast-forward 40 years, and one day as I drank my coffee, just for giggles, I typed KZ650 into Google. Bam. Up comes its brother, the 1978 KZ650SR, which was the bike my best friend bought shortly after I bought mine. It’s for sale and a day’s drive from me. Now it sits in my garage with the rest of the bikes and gets ridden fairly regularly. It’s not as fast as it seemed back then and it always has a mechanical issue or two (heck, it’s 40 years old!), but it sure feels good to have one again. Like seeing an old friend after many years and bringing him home to meet the family.

Ron Dickerson, via email

 

Clement’s December 2018 Road Tales sent me back to 1971 and a modest Kawasaki dealership in Jacksonville, Illinois. With cash in pocket, I entered the showroom and focused my gaze for the first time on a line of newly-minted 125E Enduros. Whoever designed the paint scheme for that motorcycle must have been an intuitive artist, as the gold on red on burnt orange of the tank and fenders got branded into my brain so deeply that I can clearly see them still today. The visual appeal was so overpowering that I offered up my hard-earned money without a peep of negotiation. Forty-seven years later I now better understand my weakness for a good-looking machine and make sure to leave the credit card behind when I enter a motorcycle showroom.

Jim Luken, Conway, South Carolina

 

I very much enjoyed reading “Not So Saddle-Sore” (One-Track Mind, December 2018). My friends and I have been riding the Pacific Northwest and Canada for several years. This summer one leg of our ride took us from Anacortes to Winthrop, Washington, then across the Canadian border up to some impressive wine country. Our first leg up the coast to the Olympic Peninsula finished with a ferry crossing across Puget Sound, where we visited with a few riders on new Indian motorcycles. We talked about the impressive details of those bikes on our Sena Bluetooth headsets as we enjoyed riding over the North Cascade Highway. Reading Mark’s article was like enjoying that ride all over again. Thanks for all the great ride articles, safety tips and new gear info. It all adds up to great memories and fuel for future adventures.

Bob Warsaw, Bend, Oregon

 

Reading “Laing’s Journey” by Trevor Marc Hughes in the December 2018 issue was awesome. No, today’s motorcycle travel cannot compare to the harshness of his journey, but in many ways my experience has been the same: avoiding cities, camping to get a real feel of the land (I still like it at 70) and meeting people from so many walks of life. As he said, traveling by two wheels is so different than by four. It felt good hearing that from a guy traveling by motorcycle 100-plus years ago, when even traveling by car was an adventure. When on a motorcycle I am part of the place I am traveling through, not just a passer-by.

Jerry Stevens, Flower Mound, Texas

 

After reading Eric Trow’s article, “Gold Rush!” (Riding Well, December 2018), I had to write. Five years ago two buddies and I accidentally ended up on the Tail of the Dragon. Although it was the middle of the week, it seemed like there were 1,000 riders on that short stretch of road. We sat for more than two hours on the downhill side of the mountain due to a head-on motorcycle crash where one rider crossed the centerline and hit the oncoming bike. Eric’s article was a good reminder of why it can be best to be especially careful on popular motorcycle destinations.

Rick Close, Newburg, Pennsylvania

 

When I read the letter from Mr. Kunkel (Response, December 2018), I was reminded of the rides I used to take with my mom. When I first started riding 48 years ago, she wanted nothing to do with it! As a widow with four kids, she didn’t want her only son killed on a motorcycle. She would often watch me race off-road in a motocross or ice race, but didn’t like me on the street. After a few years she consented to a ride on the back of my dual-sport bike. And just like that, she caught the bug! The next year I bought a full-fledged street machine so I could take her along easier.

When we celebrated her 90th birthday recently, her twin sister showed up in a wheelchair and a van, while my Ma arrived on the back of a KTM 950!

We just said a final goodbye to her last year, at 101 years young.  She spent her last ten years in a home suffering from Alzheimer’s. In her early 90s, after weeks of her begging for rides all winter I picked her up and we wandered around the neighborhood for about an hour. The attendants weren’t happy about that but she didn’t care. She couldn’t remember things for more than 15-20 minutes at that point, but she talked about that ride for a week! One comment stays with me yet today: “People who don’t do this don’t know what they’re missing!” Amen, Mom, amen!

Gary Nelson, Muskegon, Michigan

 

Like every month, when my December issue arrived I quickly turned to Road Tales to see what words of wisdom Clement had for me. Although it is rare, I believe I’ve detected a minor error. As the proud owner of my second 1968 Norton Commando Fastback, I believe Clem erred when he referred to a 1967 Norton Commando. Although it was 1967 when the Commando was unveiled at Earl’s Court, it was a 1968 model. The one I owned in 1971 was reduced to molten rubble after a fire caused by a failed theft attempt. After completing some tweaks this fall, I believe the replacement is ready to roll–once the snow melts!

Steve Herberg, Plattsburgh, New York

Steven, thanks for pointing out my clumsy mistake. The Commando was first seen at

the Earl’s Court show in September of 1967, but the first production version was not sold until May of 1968. Trust your ‘68 Fastback will take you down to Americade next year. – Clement

 

I enjoyed Bill Stermer’s “Alps the Easy Way” (December 2018), particularly his observation that after reaching the pass at Cime de la Bonette (9,193 feet), his sense of accomplishment was gently placed in context when he “met a bicyclist from Chicago who had pedaled his way to the top.” After many years as a touring cyclist, including a 17-month, 22,000-mile ride as a somewhat younger man, I returned to motorcycling in 2014 and have enjoyed it immensely. But now, when I see a license plate frame proclaiming “Iron Butt Association: World’s Toughest Riders,” I tend to think of those, including a few friends and acquaintances, who have competed in RAAM, the Race Across America: coast-to-coast in 8-10 days, pedaling all the way.

Bill Harlan, Rochester Hills, Michigan

Source: RiderMagazine.com

So I’m pedaling away recently on my turbo trainer and reading through old issues, Rider magazine and others. I notice in reviews of jackets and pants one feature mentioned is pockets, both the number and capacity. This is sometimes followed by what item(s) might fit. Things like cell phones, keys, pocketknives, multi-tools or tools in general, cameras, tire pressure gauges, etc. My thought is that any of these items could cause harm in the event of an accident. Keys could puncture the skin, folded multi-tools or cell phones could break a rib. Maybe pockets are best used for softer items like hand wipes, bandanas or shop rags. What do you think?

John Sullivan, Woburn, Massachusetts

 

Just got done reading Sibling Rivalry (November 2018) and found myself getting frustrated all over again. As the owner of a 2015 Versys 650 I am a big believer in smaller bikes, but manufacturers seem to follow the same pattern: give the small bikes second-rate brakes and suspension. Why do they do this? I ride around 15k miles per year and tend to…how shall I put this…engage in “speed touring.” I would love my 650 even more if the suspension was more comfortable for those long days and handled bumps a bit better, and if it had better brakes for when the road gets twisty. I hate the idea that I have to buy a “big” bike to get those things. I have had bikes with more than 100 horsepower in the past and simply prefer smaller versions. (Plus, as noted, I’m not to be trusted with the extra potential on long straights.)

Dear manufacturers: riders on smaller bikes don’t necessarily ride slowly or fewer miles. Give us the same quality bike, just in the smaller engine configurations.

Chris Shockley, via email

 

In your October 2018 issue, Clement Salvadori attempts to take on the problem that has plagued riders for a century in his article “How Many Motorcycles are Too Many?” (Road Tales). The group I have been riding with for years has also wrestled with this seemingly unanswerable question. Our answers range from “one” (Road King, “Why would you need anything else?”) to “at last count, seven” (Ducati to go fast, Victory to ride his mother around, etc.). Many nights we have spent pondering this in establishments of low repute full of moral turpitude. We studied it from all aspects yet still could not come to a satisfactory conclusion. Finally, one afternoon a member bumbled onto the answer while drinking $1.25 Hamm’s at the Coleman Service Bar in Harper, Oregon.

Mr. Salvadori’s answer was, “As many as you want. And can afford. And have room for.” However, we argue that “want” has nothing to do with it; when you get to the point we are at, it’s called addiction. “Afford” is irrelevant, that’s why credit cards were invented. “Room for”—come on, I know two Beemers will fit in my den. So we assert the correct answer to the question of how many motorcycles you should own is: one more than you have right now.

Jim Kochenderfer, Klamath Falls, Oregon

 

Clement’s Road Tales in the November issue (“Off to See the Elephant”) resonated with me for a couple of reasons. After almost two years of planning, in 1999-2000 my wife and I did a 15,000-mile ride around the outer boundaries of the U.S. that took two months to complete. Our mount was a 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale, which carried us the whole trip without any problem. Starting in St. Paul, Minnesota, we rode north to International Falls, then west to the Pacific coast. Considering the long trip ahead, I was a bit apprehensive the first day, but after that each new day was an adventure that I eagerly looked forward to. Each day we checked off points of interest, national parks and monuments, ferries and roadside attractions that I had found during the months of planning. Our plan of riding the edges of the country naturally led us to the “four corners,” of which Key West was the most interesting. And we did see an elephant. In Margate, New Jersey, we stopped to see Lucy, the six-story-high “elephant” that town is famous for. It was the trip of a lifetime for us and I often enjoy looking at our pictures and reliving the ride.

Earl Morneau, Sun City, Arizona

 

Eric Trow’s warning about rider complacency on familiar roads (Riding Well, November 2018) was convincing, particularly for those of us who ride back and forth to work on a daily basis. He makes the case for rider mindfulness (RM). And of course RM comes into play before the engine is even started. Numerous times I have suited up ATGATT and walked out to my Kawasaki KLR 650 only to return inside and get the car keys. The reason: my mind was not in tune for the ride. It could be the result of a bad night of sleep, a nagging problem at work or just general stress. Regardless, doing a mind check before every ride is good practice and can be accomplished by asking yourself the simple question: am I alert and ready to ride?

Jim Luken, Conway, South Carolina

 

Inspired by Eric Trow’s Stayin’ Safe column (“Wheel He Or Won’t He?,” November 2018), I had to write and share a story. One clear, sunny day I was going down a wide city street with no parked cars on the sides. I noticed a vehicle pulling out of a business parking lot about 75 yards ahead on my right and the driver was paying more attention to something on the seat beside her than driving. I was going the speed limit of 30 mph and started to slow. As I approached the critical go/stop point I had slowed to maybe 10 mph. When I saw the wheels start to turn, I stopped about 30 feet away as she pulled out in front of me. Here’s the kicker: I was in a white full-size pickup! Defensive driving habits learned from many motorcycle miles pay dividends! And aren’t we all glad the “spinner” hubcaps seem to have gone away?

Mike Haines, Alamogordo, New Mexico

 

Eleven years ago, my wife and I encountered a situation exactly as described in Eric’s Stayin’ Safe column, albeit with a disastrous outcome. Although I emerged with only bruises, my wife broke her shoulder and my Gold Wing was deemed a total loss. While we followed the same procedure that was suggested to avoid an accident, just one little added step could have prevented this from happening: don’t take your eyes off the vehicle!

When we first spotted the vehicle it was stopped at end of the road. As we approached, the driver started to move forward, looked me right in the eye and then braked. We could see the nose of the vehicle slightly dive so we knew that the brakes had been reapplied. I then made the mistake of turning my head to the left to say something to my wife and, when I turned back around, the car was blocking the road. The bottom line is, keep the danger in sight until it has passed!

Brian Riley, via email

 

In regards to Jerry Smith’s October 2018 Tips, Tricks & Answers article, “Toolkits & Emergency Equipment,” his advice is spot-on about having a basic, good quality tool kit tailored to your bike and riding style. Of particular note was his comment about first aid kits and knowing how to use them. I suggest going a step further than standard first aid and consider taking a two-day Wilderness First Aid course, which are offered all over the country. This course goes into more depth than basic first aid, mostly by teaching proper patient evaluation and stabilization. If you frequently ride into remote areas where professional help may be several hours away, you owe it to yourself and your riding companions to have the tools and skills to cope with serious injuries.

Jesse Pacht, Thetford, Vermont

 

Like anybody with two brain cells to rub together, I love your magazine. Your writers and staff are top notch. In Mark Tuttle’s article, “New York Minute” (One-Track Mind, November 2018), he mentioned how his wife mounts and dismounts his motorcycle. I have a 2015 Gold Wing, a big, heavy bike that I love and that suits my needs perfectly. To have my wife get on, I sit on it but keep the kickstand down. She puts her left foot on the left rear peg, and lifts her right leg over the seat to settle in. To dismount, I put the kickstand down then I get off first. She slides down to my seat and therefore can slip off the left side easily and without obstruction. We’ve been doing it this way because of a former knee issue of hers, but I think it’s the best way regardless.

I have several fellow rider friends who get on then lift their kickstands, holding the bike in place, while their passengers get on or off. I have watched them fighting the bike to keep it upright, and watched as they struggle to do so. Now, ultimately, it’s their choice, but I feel it’s safer to have the kickstand down while a passenger mounts or dismounts.

William Rogers, Mesa, Arizona

 

I just received the November issue and I just want to say that I agree that the letter from “Nomad Max” was a good choice for “Letter of the Month.” I especially liked his sharing the phrase, “A mirror can only tell you no, it can never tell you yes.” Great words to ride by.

Lastly, in the “Re-Cycling” article (Tips, Tricks & Answers) you highlighted the 2001-2011 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing. I just thought I’d remind you that there was not a 2011 model. Honda spent that year moving its U.S. plant back to Japan.

Eddie Roberts, Granbury, Texas

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Seems that Clem Salvadori’s columns are always so timely that his current subject matches what’s going on in my motorcycle life at the time. I always want to respond but never have until now. The day of my return from Bigfork, Montana, to Monterey, California, Rider was in my mailbox and I immediately read “How Many Motorcycles are Too Many?”. I had just arrived on my newly purchased 2012 Harley—the same modeI as my 2010 and 2013. Now I have three of the same but different color combinations. The Motor Company made these excellent Ultra Limiteds from 2010 through 2013 with the 103 ci motor, so I just had to have one more! I’m a long-distance solo rider and these models serve me well. I guess I’m a nut of a different sort. If I’m lucky enough I’ll also find a 2011 of the same model, different color—then I’ll have one of each year. Total bikes in my garage now: five. Thanks for sharing, Clem!

Bob Lawson, Monterey, California

 

Some years ago, I parked my bike on its center stand, parallel to traffic, on a highly crowned road. Later, when I wanted to leave, I rolled the bike off the center stand, but since it was already “slanted” when the wheels touched down, it kept going down on the low side. The bike wound up landing on my foot, breaking four bones. I have never fully recovered. The lesson is to never park on the center stand parallel to traffic on a crowned road.

I call this my crowning deficiency.

Randy, via email

 

Your latest issue (Oct 2018) just gave me the kick-start I needed to get riding again. Each column, review and touring article was a great motivator after a frustrating summer consumed with looking after my elderly mother who, approaching 95, was on the decline. My 2002 Suzuki Intruder 800 sat neglected under a tarp throughout some good summer riding months while I drove a four-wheeler with supplies to the rehab wing of her retirement center daily, trying to be an upbeat cheerleader. I just did not feel like riding. I think other aging baby boomers like me can relate to this particular rite of passage.

Two weeks ago, she decided it was time to reunite with her husband, our Dad, who was buried at Arlington three years ago. We will miss her, but I think she is now looking down and telling me to get riding again, so we can both be happy. Your magazine has helped me do just that.

Karl Kunkel, High Point, North Carolina

 

I’m a big fan of Rider and look forward to each issue. I was especially interested in the article “Full Circle: Reflections on the Moonshine Lunch Run” in the Riding Around section of the October issue. I’m proud to say that I was one of those that made the trek to Casey, Illinois, in 2012, traveling almost 2,200 miles on my 2007 ST1300 from Fremont, California, and I was awarded third place in the longest distance covered at the evening dinner at Richard’s Farm Restaurant. It was almost a rite of passage among the long distance riders to say, “I’ve been to Moonshine.”

I camped out at the Hammond farm along with about a hundred fellow riders. Needless to say, the weather wasn’t the best with intermittent rain and cold temperatures at night. The Hammond family was kind enough to have a cord of wood brought in for the evening campfires and it was much appreciated. During the day some made the pilgrimage out to Terry’s gravesite, where he was buried on the farm he so loved. By Saturday morning we were all ready for our Moonburger. The weather kept the attendance down a bit, and if I remember correctly, about 1,300 were served.

Edgar Matlock, Dayton, Nevada

 

I am sorry to read that the Moonshine Lunch Run is ending. I have been to the Moonshine many times, but never on the Lunch Run. Living only 70 miles away I would have felt like a poser. One question: was this the same writer that wrote about the Lunch Run several years back? In that article I enjoyed the response he gave to a woman who asked him while at a fuel stop in Massachusetts where he was headed. His reply was to get a hamburger in Illinois. Classic!

Joe Marriott, Saint Joseph, Illinois

 

I read every issue virtually cover-to-cover as Rideris my favorite magazine. While a big BMW is not in my future, I was surprised to see that the new Grand America was governed to 101 mph. There are many places where speeds in excess of 101, while not encouraged, are not unusual. What a shame to have 1,649cc limited that much.

Tony Yeley, Mountain Iron, Minnesota

 

Hats off to Clement Salvadori for hitting the nail square on the head. As the current owner of five functioning and registered bikes, I can attest that Clement perfectly expressed what I feel about my collection. I don’t love a particular brand of motorcycle, I love motorcycles. It would feel so limiting to just own one bike. Of the 11 bikes I have owned in my 51 years of riding, only one (1977 Suzuki TS185) was purchased new. My current stable covers a wide range of riding styles: a 2009 Yamaha R6 (other than electronics and graphics, the same as the current model), a 2008 Ducati Hypermotard (more fun than a barrel of monkeys), a 2007 Triumph Bonneville T100 (all my mods have been to make it look even more like it came from 1967), a 2002 Harley 883 Sportster (destined for a 1250 kit) and a 1997 BMW R850R (one of BMW’s best and little-known masterpieces). Yes, motorcycling is something of a drug addiction but only in a good way.

Rick Averill, via email

 

Isn’t it amazing how different the “DKW” shown in the October Retrospective looks from the DKW shown in the September issue? Even though they were both made during the same span, 1949-1957. Not sure what I’m referring to? In the October issue’s Table of Contents, Retrospective is listed as featuring a DKW RT125. Actually you feature a Vincent Rapide in an Egli frame.

Were you just checking to see if any of us readers were paying attention? Thanks for keeping us on our toes!

Ken Jones, Oakdale, California

 

It seems Mr. S. and I began riding about the same time, and may have exchanged waves on Boston area pavement in the early sixties, for all I know. So we’ve both owned and ridden literally scores of bikes and, as his most recent column suggests, have had to address the question of how many is too many to own at one time. Like Clement, I have acquaintances that own so many bikes (and parts of bikes) that they lose count and can’t answer when asked the question. Tired of trying to keep my meager current “collection” of three bikes in A-1 ready-to-go running order, I recently donated my oldest, a relatively rare 1983 model, to an eminent motorcycle museum. I do not choose to name said museum only because there are several worthy collections held in other museums throughout North America, and all probably consider donations. I suggest you include an article on the donation process in a future issue. Given changes in tax laws, I likely cannot benefit in the form of a tax deduction but your mileage may vary, as they say. Plus I have the satisfaction of knowing that a “special interest” bike I once owned will not be trashed, neglected or even just out of sight in the years to come.

Pat Halstead, via email

 

Enjoyable as always, but to answer the question Clem posed at the close regarding, I believe Einstein covered that for us. I may not be the math whiz others are, but I always felt that E=mc² works out as: enough (E) motorcycles equals the square (²) of the number of motorcycle (mc) riders in the home. However if we apply the inverse cosine of the Duhamel Theorem, the answer is always: “One more than you currently have.”

Benjamin Getz, Moses Lake, Washington

 

As a smaller rider (5-feet, 5-inches) I have been looking for a lightweight sport-touring bike. I saw on the cover of my latest (October) Rider magazine “Light Sport-Touring Triple” and flipped immediately to the article on the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT. As usual I scanned the specs section to find the seat height: 33.5 inches! Seriously? I know I am not the only small rider out here. Who do the manufacturers think are looking at smaller displacement bikes? So why not offer bikes with a 30- to 31-inch seat height? I did notice that the BMW K 1600 Grand America has a 30.7-inch seat but I am not interested in an 800-lb bike either. I currently ride a 1985 Yamaha Vmax that I bought new and installed shorter rear shocks. Guess I will continue to throw the saddlebags on and use it as my sport-touring bike until the manufacturers figure out that everyone is not 6 feet tall.

Robert Copeland, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee

 

As a former TV news reporter, I’ve covered too many accidents resulting in death or long term injuries so easily prevented with a helmet. I have eight helmets hanging in my garage. One is burned and the others broken. I shudder at the thought of the damage had I not been wearing them. I always thought the only thing dumber than a helmet law is not wearing one.

Keith Ingram, via email

 

I’m not a doctor and I don’t play one on TV but I am an advocate of AATGATT. AA…? Yes, Almost All The Gear All The Time. When we trade four wheels for two, we assume a certain amount of additional risk. And so when I choose to wear jeans instead of my ‘stich pants or low cut shoes rather than over-the-ankle boots, I knowingly assume additional risk. And though I’ve ridden in all 49 continental states, my three incidents of note came within 100 miles of home each time (the deer strike was less than 10). Also, my choice of bike influences my choice of gear The Vespa means half helmet and low shoes, the FJR a modular helmet and road boots, and the DR200, a full-face helmet and dual-sport boots. A short ride on any of them, jeans rather than dedicated motorcycle pants. Not that the risk is any less on the scooter than it is on either of the others, it is a risk that I’m willing to assume. So as a retired MSF Instructor/Rider Coach, I urge everyone to go ATGATT…but I don’t practice what I preach!

Russ Locke, Lakehills, Texas

 

Well, October’s Favorite Ride (“Bay Area Peaks Trifecta”) was a blast from the past! Back in the ‘90s when I worked at Dudley Perkins (a former H-D dealer in San Francisco), we put on this same ride for a few years. I’d set it up, pre-ride it for time, gas and food stops, and arrange for staff to be at the top of the mountains to hand out run pins. The day of the ride we’d have a hundred or more riders from the local HOG chapter (the Fog Hogs), the SFMC and others show up…some ready for a long day’s ride, others unsuspecting. It’s a glorious ride, and I miss it, especially the jump from Mount Diablo out to Livermore and down Mines Road to the backside of Mount Hamilton. Thanks for the memory.

Scott Barber, Bend, Oregon

 

To Eric Trow: I would like to thank you for your contributions to my enjoyment of riding.  As a mostly recreational and weekend rider I am always looking for ways to even the odds. Over the years your tips and suggestions in your articles have contributed to my level of confidence as well as my situational awareness while riding. There is no better example than the September 2018 Stayin’ Safe article about the proper positioning of my mirrors (“Mirror, Mirror, on the Bar”). Why didn’t I think of that? I have incorporated many of your other tips into my riding and feel that you have helped make my experiences safer and more enjoyable. Keep up the great service to your readers and congratulations on your “birthday.”

Luis Rosa, Coventry, Rhode Island

 

Mark: your editorial (One-Track Mind, September 2018) on perfection being overrated was entertaining, but I’d like to offer a complementary point, please. In the beginning of my motorcycle touring days, I treated the hobby like I do my day-to-day life. Every day planned to the last detail. The route, the sights, the accommodations, everything. Like my everyday life, I figured that information was paramount, and the more planning the better.

Then about seven years ago, I had a revelation. Planning is highly overrated. Basic situational awareness is OK, but there is nothing like finding that uncharted road that leads you to something really special. Touring without a plan brings the adventure to a higher level. Your mind is free to fully enjoy the ride because you aren’t preoccupied with a schedule and the plan. Do it this way a few times and then you realize that you aren’t missing a thing because it’s all good. Every single mile on the motorcycle is good and it really doesn’t matter where you go, what you see or when you get there. It’s all perfect.

So maybe perfection isn’t overrated. Planning is overrated. Motorcycle touring is perfection.

Joey Pons, via email

 

The September 2018 issue arrived just days before I headed from Missouri to the East Coast for a motorcycle ride. I was planning to ride through part of West Virginia, so when I saw your timely article about a route past Blackwater Falls and Seneca Rocks (Favorite Ride, “West Virginia’s Country Roads”) I knew I had a destination. I stopped at the Front Porch Restaurant and had a tasty meatball sub. The server didn’t know that you had mentioned their restaurant in an article. The place must be popular for motorcyclists and they had several framed motorcycle magazines on the walls. Not to fear, when I got home I sent them my copy of your magazine to hopefully be enshrined on their walls.

Keep up the great work–I use heavy doses of your magazine and Butler maps when planning routes in my continual quest to ride new roads.

Brian Gleason, O’Fallon, Missouri

 

On the subject of Justin P. Chapman’s wondering about Carson City being the nation’s smallest capital (Response, October 2018), here in Nevada we were always told that Carson City was the smallest. Was it really? I don’t know. It certainly was small population-wise, but like everywhere else it has grown in population over the years. Also, many years back Carson City was in Ormsby County. They did away with Ormsby County in 1969, merging it with Carson City so the city is now the size of the old county. So now it’s probably not the smallest anything.

Ken Shelley, Sparks, Nevada

Source: RiderMagazine.com

I have been riding motorcycles for over 40 years and and have seen incredible advances in technology. I recall the days of air-cooled carbureted motors and development of inline-4 configurations. I have seen the improvement of frame technology, suspension, ABS, traction control, slipper clutches, quick shifters, ride by wire, electronic controlled riding modes and suspension.

With all of these advances, new capabilities and options, it astounds me that something as basic as adjustable ergonomics has largely been ignored. Automobile ergonomic adjustment has been available for a long time. The concept of a one-size-fits-all car would be unthinkable. Why hasn’t the motorcycle industry followed suit?

It would seem that given that human beings come in all sizes, it would be logical to offer some adjustability to fit riders of different sizes. It would make sense and be in the manufacturers’ interest to broaden the appeal to different riders and significantly expand the potential customer base.

There are many bikes I considered buying but didn’t because of this lack of adjustablity. I wonder how many sales have been lost based on the fact that a particular model just didn’t fit. Presently, we have expensive and at times detrimental choices such as, changing suspension, seat heights, bar risers and different sole thicknesses of boots. I think adjustable ergonomics of handle bars, seat heights and pegs would be fairly simple. I am sure that this would be easily achievable.

I hope for the day my choices are not limited to a few bikes that might fit and I can buy the bike that I really want which can be adjusted to fit me.

Steve Parenteau, via email

 

I might be in the minority, but I have seen over the last few short years a huge trend in the design and look of new motorcycles coming into the marketplace. I certainly can’t argue with the majority of the technological advances that has accelerated rapidly of recent years. Particular the areas of ABS, new tire compound formulas, etc.

But has anyone really looked at a new motorcycle and said, Wow that is a beautiful piece of Art? It seems every new machine that comes to the market comes out in Flat Black with little or no Chrome. Where did the beautiful lustrous colors and the magnificent shiny chrome disappear go to that made a motorcycle make a statement not only to the rider but anyone else that saw it?

When I look through any new motorcycle manufacturers lineup of models they don’t seem to offer any models that even make an appearance statement or a Wow factor. Even the big H/D brand isn’t offering much. (And they wonder way their sales continue to decline).

I’m certainly not saying there isn’t a market for blacked out non chrome motorcycles, but as expensive as many models have risen in cost and it seems like the demographics that can afford or willing to lay down the expenditure for machines that cost easily 10,000 to 30,000 apiece mostly ridden for pleasure aren’t being attracted to this newer trend. I know for one, I’m certainly not purchasing or even looking for something that isn’t exquisite in beauty along with performance, safety, technology.

There certainly is more than just the ride to a motorcycle.

Don Stewart, Taylor Mill, Kentucky

 

In Clement Salvadori’s “Watch Out for the Other Guy” column he mentions doing a cross country on route 10, but having to take side trips to maintain his sanity.  It reminded me of a few years ago when I decided to do a solo cross country.  I talked to several friends and fellow bikers and they all said “jump on route 10 and go.”  Not wanting to go almost 3,000 miles on a super highway, accompanied by a bunch of eighteen wheelers, I pulled out a map of the US and discovered route 82.  Route 82 goes from Jacksonville, Florida to Alamogorda, New Mexico, is two lane, scenic, and there is almost no traffic.  The only time I used route 10 was from the Colorado River at the Arizona – California border to Palm Springs and it lived up to my expectations of being boring and busy.  My wife flew into Palm Springs and we rode the PCH from there to Seattle, Washington, where she flew home and I continued my trip.

Jim Rich, Jupiter, Florida

 

Just finished your “Power Tools” comparo  in the September issue.

Wouldn’t the KTM be a lot lighter if they didn’t use a “seat made of stone”?

Keep up the good work!

Scott Poley, via email

 

Enjoyed reading the article West Virginia’s Country Roads by Mario Orsini in the September 2018 issue of Rider.  My son and I traveled many of those same roads (June 29 – July 02, 2018).  We were riding a 1999 Honda Gold Wing and a 2009 Kawasaki Concours 14.   About 12 miles west of Winchester, Virginia on route 50, we turned left on Carpers Pike (route 259) and traveled through Yellow Springs to Wardensville, West Virginia.  We take route 48 (Corridor H) to Moorefield then route 220 to Petersburg.  Portions of route 220 parallel the South Branch of the Potomac River.  Route 28 takes us to Seneca Rocks and a rest stop at Yokum’s Vacationland.  We continue on route 28/33 to Judy Gap and route 28 to Bartow.  Route 28/92 takes us to Green Bank then route 66 to Cass, West Virginia our final destination.  While in the area, we took a side trip on route 92 to White Sulphur Springs.  Returning, we traveled the same roads back to Moorefield and stopped for the night.  The following day we returned on routes 48, 259 and 50 to Winchester, Virginia.  As Mario indicated this is a very scenic area to ride.

Dave Bohrer, Silver Spring, MD

 

Coincidence – I just rode a significant portion of Mr. Orsini’s route last weekend and while he rode the new alignment of “Corridor H” between Wardensville and Moorefield, the old road Is still in use and is signed at both ends as “Old 55”. This road runs along the valleys, beside streams and plays tag with the new alignment. For those of us who prefer 2 lane blacktop it’s a much nicer ride. As a bonus, all of the traffic is using the new road.

Michael Jordan, Sterling, Virginia

 

Just got the September issue out of the mailbox and of course read your column first. As usual loved your column, but this one really struck home. Next year will be 50 years of riding for me and I’ve always had two rules, 1) Nobody can see me, 2) If the could they’d want to hit me. Number One is always true and makes riding much simpler. Number Two was proven to me when a guy looked me right in the eye from the left hand turn lane and turned right proving Number Two. Great column.

Dan Oates, Palm Desert, CA

 

I finally got around to reading “Triumph and The Taco”.

I am impressed with Jenny Smith’s writing.  She stands out as not merely being well spoken, but she also stands out because here articles are lacking spelling and grammatical errors.  In your world, she is a treasure, and a rarity.  And, incidentally, she is also an outstanding photographer.

Randy D.

 

As many motorcycle magazines have now cut back to quarterly publication. I’ve just finished reading my 9/18 Rider. I believe this edition has been the best work from the editorial staff. Keep up the great work. Thanks for providing me with a monthly edition that I enjoy reading.

JP Jones, Gallipolis, OH

 

How ironic to come home to Rider Magazine`s Esmeralda County,story by Mr.Salvadori.(Aug.2018) My wife and are are from Ontario,Canada and had just finished an amazing 8,000 mile tour of the USA.The Nevada area Clem writes about,we had recently been through.Even seeing the Brothel,he mentions.

We ended up in Mesquite Nevada,after a very long,hot ride on 95 south,from Bishop California.My `05 FLHTC was very noisy and did not sound good at all.I thought it might be the extreme heat and or something serious.(it had 130,000 miles on it).We booked a room (Best Western,great hotels) and had a much deserved rest and beer.

Unfortunately,the next day,”The Harley” still sounded bad.Real bad.But at least we were safe and not stranded out on the Interstate,being buzzard food. Hog Roadside (Any Time Towing ,I believe,thanks Seth!) trucked the bike to Zion Harley-Davidson in Washington ,UT. They took the bike in that afternoon and said they`d be on it first thing,the next day.A good Hotel and bar were next door. Perfect.

“The Harley” had crapped a bearing in the cam plate.Almost destroying the engine,if we had kept on riding.A few dollars later,Zion had the bike back up and running.Great people! We ended up staying another day,it was late in the afternoon,while they sorted things all out,and made sure all was well.

Now,while we sat in the pool ,enjoying adult beverages,I started thinking.If “The Harley” had not been repairable,what would we do? Many,many miles from home? It`s a trusted friend,we can`t leave it.Trailer? Truck it,ship it? What about us and our gear? In all the years of touring,the thought has crossed my mind,but I`ve never been so close to “What would I do” as that day.

“The Harley” was fixed and we continued on through Utah,Colorado,etc. and safely home.Thanks to everyone at Zion HD. But,if it had been different,has anyone ever had to get their disabled bike home? What did you do?

Tom Anguish.St.Thomas ,Ont.Canada.

 

Jenny I was glad to see a review of the Can Am.  It is my current ride, the RTS.  After 2 wheels for 62 years the Can Am was really different.  You may be wondering if age played a role in the move to the Can Am.  The answer is yes and no.  I really miss a 2 wheel motorcycle, but I ride mainly 2 up and 2 of us on the Goldwing was too heavy going slow and the BMW RT did not make the pinon rider happy.

The comment about the “darting” grabbed my interest.  I experienced that also and was told by the dealers that was how they handled.  I rode a number Can Am and they all felt the same.  Could not hold a line through a corner.  Darn right scary.  Some of the blogs were saying that you will get use to it.  No Way!  Having a back ground in motorcycle and auto repair I knew something was wrong.  Dealerships that service a wide variety of equipment seldom have an expert on one machine.  A couple of after market shops are saying the front wheel alignment is off.  The toe is the only alignment adjustment that can be made.  Without special equipment it is a difficult task to get correct.  The darting is very similar to riding a snowmobile with the skies out of alignment.   The Can Am is a lot like riding a snowmobile.  After having the front wheels laser aligned, the Can Am rails around corners and has more relaxed ride.  There are a lot of Can Ams out there, I was glad to see the review.

Joe Laconic, via email

 

Happy Birthday to you and your time with Rider Magazine.  You’re doing what Larry would have wanted and you’re doing it well.  I just finished the latest issue and wanted to add a couple tips to the mirror positioning article.

In hilly southern Ohio it’s advantageous to position the mirrors as you said but also to position one low and one high.  This allows you to see vehicles behind you near and far as well as vehicles who may be above or below your rearward line of sight going up or down hill.

Second, something I tell people all the time;

“A mirror can only tell you no, it can never tell you yes.  Only a head check can tell you yes”.

Keep up the good work,

“Nomadmax,” via email

 

I really enjoyed reading “You Never Ride Alone” by Eric Trow in the August issue. My wife and I use an app on our phones to track where our teenagers are when they aren’t home. One of the features of the app is it will show top speed for your trip. I have it turned off on my phone so nobody can track me. The main reason, I don’t want my wife to know how fast I ride, as I have a tendency to ride fast and take more risks than I probably should. After reading Eric’s column, it really made me think when he says “bring those who care about you on your next ride”. Now, I still may not enable the app on my phone, but I will most certainly think about this on my rides from here on out, and ride more responsibly as if my wife or kids were on the pillion.

I’ve been a subscriber to Rider for a while, and enjoy when I see it in the mailbox. What you guys and gals are doing to create this great magazine, keep it up.

James Hooton, Highland, Illinois

 

ATG ATT, “All the gear, all the time.” I’ve often read this mantra in Rider Magazine, and I’ve come to follow it. I have ridden more than 50 years without a serious incident. Then it happened.  In early June 2018, I was returning from a  50-mile morning ride through the beautiful Wildcat Hills and prairie grasslands of Western Nebraska. I was going about 60 mph when a pickup truck going quite a bit faster struck my bike from behind. Thankfully, I was able to keep the bike upright in the ditch beside the highway until I got it slowed to about 20 mph. Then the front wheel hit an obstruction, and I was slammed into the ground. Although I had broken ribs and other injuries, I’m recovering to ride another day.  One of the ambulance personnel was heard to say, “If he hadn’t been wearing that gear, it would have been a different story.” Thank you, Rider Magazine, for keeping ATG ATT as a constant reminder in your pages.

Dennis M. Gingrich, Gering, Nebraska

 

Just finished reading Mark’s great piece on riding and camping off road. He shared about a young man he met in the middle of nowhere riding a pieced together KLR650 and encouraged us to follow him on Instagram. I did immediately and was amazed at the young man’s courage to ride that bike anywhere, any distance. I like long trips on my bike but it’s a 2015 Indian Chieftain. I must however disagree with Mark. Maybe it’s my 65 years, but I’ll take perfection any day to the uncertainty of a breakdown in the middle of nowhere.

Elver Mendenhall, Alta Loma, CA

 

Hi All at Rider, thanks for being a holdout in what riders really need in a magazine. Jenny Smith it was so good to meet you at MotoTalbott last week. Thanks for your good writing and encouraging young women in the sport. Our daughter loves her new Ninja 400 and it was your article that helped her make her choice.

Bruce Kochsmeier, Carson City, Nevada

 

I’m sure you have noticed that some of your competitors have adopted, for lack of a better description, an “upscale” look:  black-and-white and soft-focus photos, a lot of white space, trendy fonts.  I keep looking for the Rolex ads and the coupons for Tiffany’s.  The only problem is that they do not look like motorcycle magazines.  They induce mild nausea.

Please don’t go there.  A motorcycle magazine should look like one, not a catalog from MOMA.

Mike Christie, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

 

People come in all sizes, skill levels, wants, and needs. I own 34 bikes, from a 650 Versus to an H-D XR1000 roadrace bike, to KTM520EXC and 450EXC, Honda XR200, Penton 125, CRF230F, etc. etc. H-D is absolutely finally going in the right directions here. The Pan American looks too big and heavy? Buy a Royal Enfield Himalayan (my latest new bike). Light, handles great, and what a fun adventure bike both on the trail as well as the backroads and even highways. My KTM520 will eat it up on the trails. So what, on the Himalayan (or my WR250R or my DR650) I can still ride in comfort and have a great time visiting local points of interest, out of the way cafes, and enjoy the scenery. Their move to electrics is also well timed. I was part of the H-D engineering team that started looking at electric back in 2005. I’m retired from H-D now but the Live Wire will be a culmination of what I and others started and have refined. I’m especially excited about the comments about smaller electrics, especially knowing of their new partnership with Alta. Great things are happening at H-D as we speak. The naysayers about H-D will be proven very wrong over the coming years. Me, hopefully H-D will come out with something to compete with the KTM690 enduro or even a 500 version. My stable will then go to 35.

Alexander Bub, from ridermagazine.com

Source: RiderMagazine.com