A PIRFfCT PAIR

After reviewing the last Honda Red Rider issue, I had to reaffirm the visual accura- cy of the cover, showing perfection with a dynamic duo consisting of a VTRlOOO Super Hawk and a CBR600F4. I own a red F4 and my husband has a red Super Hawk. On the freeway, in the canyons or cruising down Pacific Coast Highway, there is not a better duo to be paired up with. In the canyons the F4's nimbleness outsmarts the torque-monster V-twin. In a straight line the VTR strides ahead with its low-end power. We researched models for months before taking the Honda plunge, and to this day cannot find a pair of bikes happier together. The best marriage counseling for motorcy- cling couples is easily obtained with a pair of these incredible bikes and a nar- row road with blind curves. That will make you forget about who didn't do the dishes earlier!

-Angela Deam, Moorpark, CA

If there is a Long-Distance Ride Club for kids, I'd like to nominate my 7 -year- old son Nathaniel. This last summer my husband John decided he and Nathaniel were going on vacation together, just the two of them, and they would ride a motorcycle. I want you to know they made it all the way to Colorado Springs and back here to south Texas in 10 days for a total of 3000 miles. Nathaniel had the trip of a lifetime and was the envy of friends and family alike.

His daddy said Nathaniel never com- plained and rode like a veteran, as well he should, since he's been on motorcycles

since before birth, and already has his own motorcycle. If you ask him which is the best motorcycle, he'll tell you, "A Honda." We're real proud of him, and his love of motorcycles is shared by the whole family, including his 4-year-old sister Rachel.

-Dina Tunberg, McAllen, TX

On September 1, the start of Labor Day weekend, my wife and I decided to take our first big trip on our Nighthawk 750 to the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, a round trip of about 130 miles. After a leisurely lunch at Faneuil Hall we began the trip home at the height of the after- noon rush hour, and promptly broke down in the middle of the largest road construction project in the country, the famous Big Dig. Frantic and panic- stricken do not even come close to describing our feelings.

Cynically, I suggested my wife call the HRCA 800 number and perhaps they would come help us. My cynicism was undeserved and short-lived, when in an amazingly short time help did arrive, in the form of Tom Calantropo of Iron Horse Transport. In the heart of

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a gridlocked, construction-tom city, he loaded our crippled ride and assured us he had made arrangements for our bike to be looked at as soon as we arrived at the dealer.

Upon arrival at Parkway Cycle we and our bike were whisked into a com- fortable, clean and vety busy dealership, and work started immediately. After a short time the technician had discovered the problem, a faulty fuel petcock, which he repaired and we were on our way.

My first reaction was disbelief. As total strangers, we had been treated as if we were long lost friends. Then the real- ization came that, as riders, we were.

This is the spirit of riding that is so important to us. Thank you, Tom, Chris and the rest of the staff at Parkway Cycle, and of course the HRCA, for reaffirming our faith in this wonderful sport of motorcycle riding!

-Carl Winnett, New Bedford, MA

As a longtime Red Rider (before they were red), I purchased my first brand- new Honda, a 1974 XL350. That was a long time ago.

Well, I am a little older now, and after a little break in my riding career my love for Hondas has grown even more. Left to right in the photo: 1980 CR80R, 1976 XL175, 1983 XR350R, 1983 XR500R, 1981 XR500R, 1982

XL500, 1982 CB750, and, last but not least, a 1987 GL1200 with 108,000 miles on it and still running great. We have a Weekend Warrior trailer, and now the whole family goes riding.

I would also like to thank the great folks in the parts department at HAHM Motorsports in Anaheim, California, for their great help and support when we take a little spill and need to replace