Letter of the Month

Blue Hose Campaign Confusing

In your January 2021 issue, you state in the “Blue Hose Campaign Promotes E15 Fuel” article that you should avoid the blue-handle pump nozzles in Colorado. This is not always the case.

Maverick service stations also have blue nozzles, but theirs are clearly marked, “Clear Gas Ethanol Free.”

It costs more, but is great for the older bikes, especially the ones you don’t take out a lot. Also, great for the lawn equipment.

Dennis W. Oberwetter | Colorado Springs, Colo.

South Carolina, Utah Fuel Pump Labels Differ

Here in South Carolina, the blue pumps are for ethanol-free gasoline.

Last year, while traveling through Utah, we saw about five different colors [of fuel hoses]. Two were not even labeled as to what octane they were or if they had ethanol in them.

There should be a federal standard for colors on all pumps to prevent confusion.

Robert Boothe | Myrtle Beach S.C.

Nevada “Blue” Means Ethanol-Free

In reference to the article in the January issue regarding E15 [fuel], please note that blue hoses—here in Nevada, at least—are used for non-ethanol fuel. This makes the chances of a mistake even more possible.

Somebody is clearly not paying attention and is adding to the confusion.

Wayne Gilmore | Reno, Nev.

Prioritize Lane-Splitting Laws

I enjoy American Motorcyclist. I have been an AMA member for many years.

In my 50-plus years of riding, as well as caring for riders in emergency rooms, I have come to a realization that I wish [the AMA] would focus on, instead of opening more trails for dirt-bike and off-roading use.

While the leading cause of motorcycle injuries may result from rider “mistakes,” such as following too closely or excessive speed, I think a close second is simply riding with drivers, especially in the era of cell phone use.

I attribute my safety to my policy of rarely riding [while] surrounded by drivers. I live in California, where after many years of being silent on filtering and lane-splitting, the legislature listened to science and expressly legalized both life-saving practices.

I think that one of the main ways of improving riding safety is to lobby state legislatures to legalize both filtering at red lights (which permits riders to get ahead of the mob of cars) and sane lane-splitting.

I support the AMA doing everything it can to push legislation in all 50 states that permits these life-saving activities.

To me, this should be a higher priority than fighting with environmentalists over opening up protected environments for off-road-vehicle use. But it’s probably of comparable priority with ensuring adequate warnings about E15.

David B. Karpf, MD | Mountain View, Calif.

Recalling The Pridmore Class

I read my issue of American Motorcyclist from cover to cover, pretty much.

I enjoyed the article about the BMW boxer [“Boxer Brigade,” January 2021], especially when I got to Reg [Pridmore]. I took his class twice at Willow Springs, once on my own motorcycle, a 1989 Harley-Davidson Springer.

Reg knew I was crazy, because I wore leather motocross pants and boots.

I had never been so high before (no alcohol or drugs involved). So, I talked four of my riding buddies into taking it, as well.

Reg would offer people to ride on the back of his motorcycle, and one of my friends did that. When my friend got off the bike, he said he closed his eyes going into Turn 1 and never opened them.

Jerry Murphey | Bell Canyon, Calif.