Letter of the Month

Three Wheeling Through Life

Nice job on the [Rob Dingman] sidecar rig (“Ukrainian Connection,” December). It looks great.

I raised my two children in our first sidecar, a Steib TR500 Spezial attached to a BMW R90S in the 1970s.

We rode from Central New Jersey to Cleveland to see my family—two kids in the hack, wife on the back, and passing cars taking pictures all along the route.

Had a Harley Ultra with factory sidecar as my second, and am on my third (Indian with a Hannigan rig). Plan for extra time when you stop to fill up, as it is always a conversation piece.
Edward O’Brien | Winter Springs, Fla.

Helmets Compared. Helmets Required?

Congratulations and thank you for the recent improvements to American Motorcyclist magazine. Because the magazine is the most tangible and frequent member benefit for most of us, it is important to keep it interesting and current.

I really enjoyed the articles on Garrett Gerloff and Josh Hayes (December) and hope you can continue to share news about American racers each month.

My only criticism is the comparison of the Arai and Shoei open-face helmets (“Panoramic Views,” December). It was a great comparison of features from their brochures, but no mention of comfort, sound, buffeting, weight, etc. In fact, it doesn’t seem like the writer has actually worn these helmets. A helmet review in the AMA magazine really should be based on wearing them.

Which brings me to the topic of helmets in general. As a 20-year AMA member, I am still amazed that you have not taken a stand supporting mandatory helmet usage.

I get the politics, but how many AMA members would reject the association if this were its position? Have you asked this question in a survey, lately?

There are so many benefits to helmets, such as protecting from bugs, rocks, rain, cold, crashing, that encouraging their use should be at the forefront of the association, in my position.

Keep fighting for our rights and sharing great stories, and I wish you success in membership growth.

Lance MacNevin | Ashburn, Va.

You are correct, Lance. There are many benefits to helmets, which is why the AMA strongly encourages the use of a properly fitted motorcycle helmet. The AMA also believes the most effective way to reduce motorcyclist injuries and fatalities is to prevent crashes from occurring. Helmets and helmet laws do not prevent crashes. Read the AMA Board statement on voluntary helmet use at americanmotorcyclist.com/voluntary-helmet-use. “Panoramic Views” described two approaches to open-face protection, in this case, the Arai Ram-X and Shoei J-Cruise II. It was not a review.

Enjoying The Magazine Changes

I am delighted to see that Matthew Miles has been added to the AMA staff and will be enhancing our magazine. Print magazines are certainly challenged these days. Just this [past] year, two of my favorite magazines, American Iron and Street Rodder, ceased publication.

Many of us AMA members join and remain for the legislative work you do on our behalf, but an enhanced magazine would be a huge plus. A few years ago, I stopped receiving both Cycle World and Road & Track, simply because the content was no longer appealing.

However, Matthew Miles’ work was outstanding and always a highlight of the issues.

Now to see Michael Lichter, Andrew Wheeler and John L. Stein contributing to American Motorcyclist is terrific. I don’t know if noncompete clauses would prohibit, but it would be great if we could see an occasional article from Alan Cathcart, Clement Salvadori, Buzz Kanter, Dain Gingerelli and Matthew’s former Cycle World colleague, Peter Egan.

Restorations, barn finds, gear reviews are always good reads, too. I look forward to seeing what is to come.

Ron Fish | Valley Forge, Pa.

Sowing Discontent

Loved Ted Freeman’s piece in the Guest Column (“Searching For The Perfect Motorcycle,” November). I currently have three motorcycles and always believed that it’s the perfect number and blend of rides.

Well, until I read ride reports on the “new” adventure bikes. Ted’s article has me thinking.

Doug Spranger | Wurtsboro, N.Y.

PennDOT Training Questioned

In the December issue’s State and Local Update, you mentioned that PennDOT [Pennsylvania Department of Transportation] has resumed motorcycle training courses. This is generally a good thing. But, overall, things have been handled horribly, and the lack of oversight is appalling.

It is the motorcycle riders’ money that pays for this program, and yet we have no voice in it.

This seems like a great opportunity for the AMA to get involved in establishing a board to manage rider education and training in Pennsylvania that includes a broad range of people who have a sincere interest in motorcycling.

Brian J. Hoffman | Port Matilda, Pa.

Late To The Track

Reading the guest column by Arthur Ranney (“Time Traveling At Speed,” December) put a smile on my face. While he was returning to the track, I had never been.

I did my first track day at Willow Springs [International Raceway] on a 2002 Kawasaki ZRX1200 back in ’08 at the age of 59.

I bought a new Ninja 1000 in 2014 and took it to the track, too. When I ran out of cornering clearance, I bought a 2005 ZX-10R and went to the track eight times in 2017.

By 2018, I was the fastest I had ever been, at the age of 69. When [Ranney] said he was the oldest guy out there, I knew what he meant. He will like that liter bike.

Bill Methvin | Redding, Calif.