Transmissions - updated 10/08/04

In the July/August issue, we had a feature on Michelle Reiser, and despite the fact that she is waaay faster than you, many readers had a hard time getting past her stunning good looks. Plus we got some more mail, too. Start your engines, it's time for Reader Mail!

My Michelle

I am a faithful reader of your magazine ATV Rider. I just bought the Aug edition and can't get enough of Michelle Reiser. I was wondering if you would be able to e-mail me the picture of her on page 49. I would just scan it but I am currently in the Army deployed in Iraq right now so my resources are limited right now. I would be very grateful if you could do that for me.

Sincerely,

Reader and quad racer,
Tony Heimpel
via atvrider email

I am writing you in reference to your magazine. I am a SGT in the Army and ever since I got back from Iraq there are very few things that I can do to relax. Riding being one of them, reading your magazine another. That is until my 7 & 9 year old sons hijacked it from me. Normally I can swipe it back with a little effort and some creativity but thanks to your recent issue, (August 2004) I am having a hard time getting it back. Mostly thanks to your article on Michelle Reiser. My boys say that they have found the perfect woman and wont even take a bribe to give it back. Actually to quote them, "Dad, your kidding, she's hot and rides a YFZ." I guess I could just go out and buy another issue but where's the fun in that. So I'm asking, no pleading would it be at all possible to get 2 autographed pictures of her for them. Their names are Darian and Kody. Please give me some bargaining power and bring some peace to our home.

Thanks,

Matt Fillnow
Fort Sill, OK
via ATV Rider email

Out of all the requests for Michelle pictures, stats and phone numbers, we really wanted to help Tony and Matt out the most because (a) they are serving in the military and we support that and (b) they don't sound like potential stalkers. Here's a thought for the rest of you - if you had Michelle's phone number, would you give it to us? That's my point!

Unfortunately, the corporate higher ups get really freaky about us sending out large email files that relate to magazine content, so instead we are granting you with some Michelle Reiser Wallpapers! See how much we love you guys. Michelle is also going to be at the ATV Rider 12 Hour in Rausch Creek, where we hear she is waiting to humble the ATV Rider staff.

Thanks to the folks at Maxxis, you can order your own Michelle Reiser poster, just send a severed limb, or ice-packed internal organ to... Oh wait, this just came in. You can go to www.maxxis.com and click on "Contact Us" to beg and plead for your very own poster.

Stick It To Me

I was wondering if you could send me some ATV Rider Magazine Stickers.

Thanks,

Harry Miller
via ATV Rider email

No problem Harry, we'll hook you up. Now, for the rest of you who want stickers, send a SASE (self addressed, and importantly STAMPED envelope) to us at: ATV Rider Stickers, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. They can deal with letting us sling free stickers, but if there's no stamp, apparently it's a deal-breaker.

I Want You to Want Me

Hi my name is Nicholas Hickey and I want to know how to be a test rider for you guys. I am 6 feet and I'm 16 years old and a pro racer Down in Texas. I have been riding dirt bikes and 4 wheelers for 5 years now. I got this Idea from my parents, who say that I would be a good test rider because I can jump from bike to bike and in an instant I can ride it like I do my bike. I have a Yamaha YFZ 450 that has been modified for racing. Dirt Wheels told me that they wanted me to be there on a short notice and I told them all I would need is one day advance notice and I would be there.

Thank You,

Nicholas Hickey #82
via ATV Rider Mail

Well Nicholas, I'll dispense some valuable magazine inside info today, because you sound earnest and I'd hate to see you derailed down the path of debauchery that is magazine-making. It's going to be tough for you to be a test rider at 16, because guest testing is one of those things that needs to make life easier, not harder for whoever you are working for. Many people are going to be leary about your young age, because they don't want to be responsible for you legally and practically. Which brings us to the point, just who the heck are these "guest testers"? Typically, they are either fabulously gifted pro racers who make the story more interesting merely by their presence, really fast guys who live in the testing locale that have an existing relationship with the editors, or cronies.

Cronies? Yes, cronies? Why, because a certain amount of trust and understanding is involved in testing. You have to trust that someone has reliable and consistent feedback, so that you can trust their opinion of the relative merits and drawbacks of whatever is being tested. Since people tend to use cronies, you are likely to fall into one group or another, as most people don't want anything to do with someone that works for/with/near/next door to or even in the same zip code as another magazine.

It does sound like you are off to a good start by being able to adapt to different bikes quickly, but feedback is more important than outright speed. We've met some really fast people, but they can't necessarily tell you what the heck is going on, they just adapt.

Let me wrap up really quickly by saying that most guest testers don't get paid (heck magazine guys hardly get paid) and you can't crash - that's what staffers are for.

Suzuki vs. Predator

I'm interested in purchasing either a KFX 400 or a Predator 500. Do you have any advice on these two machines?

Todd Largent
via ATV Rider email

Yes.

Oh, you want specifics. Okay, well what do you want to do with it? What's important to you? We say plenty in both the Middleweight Sport Shootout (April 2004 ATVR) and the 2004 Open Sport Shootout (even though the Kawasaki didn't make the trip) (ATVR May 2004).

Can't get enough? Read past Transmissions.