We welcome your comments and criticisms. Send them to Motorcycle Cruiser, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515, or cruiser@sorc.com. All materials sent to the editors will become the property of Motorcycle Cruiser and cannot be returned.
SCRAPIN' IS RIDIN'
Hello, I'm sort of new to the cruiser thing. I learned on and have been riding sportbikes. Now I have an '02 Kawasaki Drifter and I love it...I just have a hard time riding it. I scrape my floorboards at just about every corner. Can you offer me any advice on how to turn a cruiser better to keep me from scraping boards all of the time?
Bob D
Southgate, MI
The physics of riding leaves you two alternatives to scrape less when rounding corners: 1) Slow down, or 2) tap into your inner squid and hang off (lean more). Two basic characteristics of cruisers conspire to reduce lean angle: low pegs/boards, and long wheelbases. The longer the wheelbase of a bike the more lean is required to complete the same turn as a shorter bike. But more weight on the inside of the centerline of the bike will dramatically alter the required lean angle to complete a turn at a given speed. So whether you hang a cheek off the seat or simply lean your upper body into corners more (or some combination of the two), the more you get weight to the lowside, the faster you can round a corner. -BB
CHICKS DIG US
I am all of 5'4," 119 lbs. enjoying my commute on an '05 750 Shadow Spirit with punched out baffles, spiked accessories, barbed wire paint job, surprising everyone on the road that girls open the throttle... all the way. The Joe Rocket reflective vest for women is awesome, and the Icon Bombshell boots are protective and work well to operate the bike safely.
Keep on keepin on Cruiser writers, I love you guys!??
Sarah
Texas
...AND SO DO GUYS (NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT)
Your comment "The end of the displacement wars is now" (MC June '09) won me over and I subscribed to your magazine! When a person buys a bike, they go in with a budgeted dollar amount and they want the best bang for the buck! What your readers need to know is how the bikes in that price range stack up against their personal riding style and you are smart enough to realize that the bike that is right for one person may not fit the next at all! Well done!
Carter Frazier
Bountiful, Utah
DECISIONS, DECISIONS!
In October 2007, I signed the dotted line for an '07 Royal Star Tour Deluxe. Before I did, I debated between that and a Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 LT. To this day I still ask myself if I made the right choice.
Don't misunderstand me, the Star is a fine ride, but the thought of all the extra power that would've been there is the real issue that makes me wonder.
When I bought the RSTD, there was a measley $100 difference in the price my dealer had on them. The 5 year warranty, electronic cruise control, and most importantly, locking side cases won out. Last year, I discovered the hidden power lurking underneath all the touring gear. In 3rd gear, in town, I was nearly the next statistic courtesy of an inattentive car driver. My instant reaction was to twist the tail and go. Imagine my surprise when this bike took off like a jet!
Now I wonder if I'd have sprinted into the next county on the Kawi? As I said, decisions, decisions...
W. K. Latham
Naylor, MO.
BIKER VS MOTORCYCLIST
The author of "Following the Dotted Green Lines" (MC May'09) mentioned discussing the "philosophical difference between motorcyclists and bikers." OK, now I'm confused. Is there a difference, and if there is, just what is it? I'm a relatively new rider, having purchased my first bike just two years ago. I'm still riding that old Honda GL500 SilverWing, but I ride over 12,000 miles a year commuting to and from work and weekend jaunts around northern Utah. If it's not raining or snowing I'm riding. I ride about 300 days a year. I don't belong to any club or organization except the Patriot Guard Riders and except for a few charity rides every year I ride alone. I don't go on overnighters and have never ridden over 400 miles in one day, but it is not unusual for me to ride 200 miles a day. So, I ask you, what is the difference between a motorcyclist and a biker and which one am I? Keep putting out a quality magazine and I'll keep subscribing and reading.
Jon Higginbotham,
Salt Lake City, UT.
Not that we really mind stirring up a hornet's nest of debate, but this is a loaded question by anyone's standards. To play to typical stereotypes, a motorcyclist would say the difference is that bikers are more concerned about image than riding, opting for leather vests and chaps, with as little helmet and exhaust baffling as the law will allow. A biker would basically call most motorcyclists "geeks," or not real bikers. Naturally, there is a wide gulf of people between the stereotypes, as there are some "bikers" (even recognized by bikers as such) who throw down big mileage days, understand the importance of wearing the proper gear, understand that the bikes made in other countries are still motorcycles and actually know how to use their front brake. On the other side, there are folks who adopt all of the accoutrements of a hardcore motorcyclist, but would never travel more than 100 miles at a clip or go out when its raining. Ps: You're a motorcyclist. -BB
APE HANGER HATER
What is with the ape hanger thing? If you are going to take a perfectly good cruiser and add ape hangers, then why not just add loud pipes and maybe a Harley engine. I sold my Kaw. 1600 classic but always continue to enjoy this mag. The Furry [sic] is a joke, and now you take a metric cruiser and add ape hangers. If things don't take a better direction then I will let the subscription expire and not renew.
Dean Buhle
Via Email
Here's the deal, Dean: Last year in Cruiser there were two long-term bikes that had similar modifications to both each other and every other long-termer Cruiser has ever had. This year, we're doing more and different stuff to four very different machines. Variety, and appealing to more riders, is a bad thing to you? How exactly are you getting ripped off when three of our long term bikes are getting the mods you'd expect (only more of them) while the fourth is going a new direction? -BB
AN INDIAN SKEPTIC
When I heard Indian was making another comeback I was hoping this time would be different. After seeing the price tag of over $30,999 for an entry level Chief I know this will be another short-lived comeback. Your article says why Indian failed last time with S&S motors and a big price tag. Most people I talked to said the big drawback last time was the price staring at $23,000. Now we're in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the big sellers are scooters and 800cc motorcycles and showrooms are filled with big-inch motorcycles that aren't moving. So Indian is making a big comeback with a line of motorcycles that ranges from $30,000 to $35,999. What customers do they plan on finding? AIG executives?
When Triumph made their comeback in 1991 they brought out a whole list of new models to attract a whole new base of customers and waited about 8 years before they redid old classics like the Bonneville. Why should rich people buy into the new Indians either when they can buy a high-priced Harley for significantly less by a reputable manufacturer who can provide parts and service worldwide?
Brian Smith
Bath, PA
DANGER WILL ROBINSON
I am an avid reader of your magazine and have been for some time. I believe the magazine is at risk of becoming a little 'bitty'. In the May '09 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser advertising represented a massive 27% of the total pages-a marked increase over previous months and certainly over previous years. The magazine also runs the risk of becoming devoid of variety. Whilst there is no question that the two feature stories in May-the muscle bike shootout and the theft prevention article-appealed to many, they comprise no less than 26 pages-28% of the total magazine. I realize a magazine has to stay afloat somehow but it is vital advertising does not dictate content.
And it is with some interest I note that the new editor is appearing in the magazine more often in the capacity of author, photographer & editor. Is the magazine simply becoming the Billy Bartels show?
Ian Read
Via email
While your observation of our comparative ad pages certainly is valid, you're comparing apples and oranges. In the winter months, ads slow down, in the riding season they pick up. If our publishers had their druthers we'd have both more ads and more editorial. For sake of comparison, our sister publication Sport Rider has about a 50% ad/edit ratio, but is also a far thicker magazine. So, really we're lucky we get to get away with just 27%. As far as the Billy Show goes, I like wearing lots of hats. Just as with ads, we operate under limited budgets, and the fact that I'm a competent photographer and contribute to the graphical efforts of the magazine actually helps us spend money on more contributing editors. -BB
STAY THE COURSE
I've been reading your rag for quite a few years. It has always had something to teach me or enlighten me on. When the sub came due, I had to consider whether to continue on with MC or take a break. Well when I first saw the pic of that Honda Fury and the possibility of an affordable chopper for the working dog, man I had to re-up. I can't wait to read about the shakedown on that new OEM hot rod. Hats off to Honda.
Second, even though I can't get into the go-fast bike crowd, I understand why you have to cover all the angles. I remain comfortable and dedicated to my Kawasaki Nomad, which originally drew me to this magazine. As the new editor, I admire your writing and ask that remain true to the concept and objective of this great magazine. I don't buy this magazine for powdered sugar coatings.
Lastly, please don't cave into special interest groups as I have seen most recently in Rumblings, such as helmet nazis and overzealous religious folks. While we all have different views on issues, the last time I checked, I believe DOT certified half helmets on blonde Victory riders, was quite acceptable...and...since when did you or anyone on the staff, show any disrespect for the Lord, for crissakes! Geez, some folks live in a friggin' bubble.
T. Cole
Syracuse, NY