We welcome your comments and criticisms. Send them to Motorcycle Cruiser, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515, or cruiser@primedia.com. All materials sent to the editors will become the property of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine and cannot be returned.
We have to "judge" while we ride; also known as the Search, Evaluate, Execute (SEE) rule I learned in my motorcycle safety class. I predict that guys in old beater pickups with the Calvin sticker peeing on Chevy or Ford logos are usually full of attitude and aggression. I've also become good at identifying the girl in the new-from-daddy sports car with a cheerleader sticker on her window-she's the erratic diva applying lip gloss or checking her hair in the rearview while weaving through lanes.
Dave Hilligoss
Lincoln, NE
Great read on your "Judge Away" article. Even though I've only been riding for four years, I too am always scanning- trying to judge and decipher who's riding around me. I'm familiar with every subject you've described in your article. Like my MSF instructor once said, "The throttle is your best friend out there." And, "keep a big buffer of air around you at all times." It's the only way to arrive safely to your destination.
I was nodding my head in agreement as I read "Judge Away" in the October 2007 issue. While it may offend the "politically correct" mainstream media, I avoid the groups you listed, as well as teenage and elderly drivers. While young drivers don't have the experience to understand the consequences of their negligence, elderly drivers don't possess the reaction times and judgment they once did. I witnessed this a few weeks ago, when an elderly driver in an opposing lane drove around stopped cars in the turn lane at a light and turned left in front of the motorcyclist ahead of me. The rider swerved to avoid the car and low-sided. When the elderly driver came back 10 minutes later, he was confused. If not for the quick reflexes of the biker, the outcome could have been much worse. So, if I avoid teenagers, the elderly, import tuners, soccer moms in minivans and all distracted drivers-what's left? Not much. I ride like I am invisible.
Joshua Spain
Washington, IL
Whoa! Saying that the Victory Vision puts Sports Illustrated swimsuit models to shame is a little over the top. However, the further into the article I got, the more I started to buy in. Describing the Vision with phrases like "slippery curves" and "sculpted bodywork" got me started. Furthering my excitement was the "generously sized top case" and "extraordinarily long floorboards." Unfortunately, there were also comments about "acres of plastic" and "low seat height" that caused my enthusiasm to wane. But talking about lingerie on Dr. Ruth brought me back to earth. And have you ever heard anyone say, "love it or hate it" about swimsuit models? Me neither.
Re: the October issue of Cruiser, "Future Shock, Riding Victory's Bold New Vision," how can you review a touring motorcycle without mentioning the capacity, shape and usability of the saddlebags? I assume from the specifications the saddlebags have a combined capacity of 9 gallons, but not to show a single picture of them open seems a bit remiss, especially for the Street Vision for which the saddlebags represent the only storage.
Randall Davison
Via e-mail
As Homer Simpson would say, "D'OH!" In our haste to highlight the Vision's capacious top case, we deleted the standard bags. The integrated bags come standard on both the Street and Tour versions and hold 7.3 gallons each. In our short time with the Vision, we found saddlebag capacity less than optimal; a series of gaskets and internal compartments diminish the usable space within. Here's a shot of the open saddlebag; we'll have more info when we get a long-term unit for a full test in the near future. -Ed.
I stopped by the local scooter shop with my wife to take a look at the Kawasaki 900. The salesman asked if we would like to sit on the bike to see if it fits. To my surprise, when my wife got on and put her foot on the passenger pegs, the heel of her right foot was on the exhaust pipe. All the salesman could say was "maybe you want to get floorboards." Motorcycle Cruiser did an in-depth test of the 900 and never found this problem. I realize it's more fun to drive the bikes, but you may wish to hire professional passengers to get their perspective. Can you say design change?!
Ron Rickers
Elk River, MN
I just finished reading "Discordance in America." What in the world is Joshua Placa thinking? Joshua is blaming everyone except the loud riders for anti-noise legislation. Get real! It is the guys who ride with loud pipes that are causing the problems for the rest of us. I can't stand the excessive noise that some guys feel it is their right to shed upon my ears. I don't like the thought of anti-noise legislation, but I can certainly understand why a town would do it. Most riders are responsible, but there is a small, loud minority that is forcing this issue.