Moped Army

To the Guinness Guru's and all their Record Wranglers,

I have been a fan of your books for many years. I buy both
paperback and hardcover special editions. I have always held your
information in the highest regard. I hope you address my concerns
seriously and in a timely fashion. Although I've always been a fan
my trust in your 'record reporting' has been severely shaken.

Recently I was examining some of the motor vehicle records. It
started with a fascination with the record for the first submarines.

I was quite let down by this error since I've given the Guinness
Book of World records to all my relatives. I did some rough
calculations and over the past 10 years I have bought over three
thousand dollars worth of your books. I have over three hundred
versions of your book in paperback and hardcover myself.

Here is the problem.

I noted that you list the world record moped journey incorrectly.

I would suggest that, after researching on your own information,
you update this entry in order to maintain the high standard I have
always enjoyed.

A moped is a motorbike with engine displacement of 50cc or less.
you could contrast this with a motorcycle.

A motorcycle has manual gears and a manual clutching system.
Gears (the ability to adjust engine rpm to speed) are what legally
seperates a 'motorcycle' from a moped in the USA and canada.

I urge you to examine the record because:

1. in the USA and in Canada a moped is a vehicle with automatic
gearing, no manual clutching and an engine size of under 50cc.
Pedals may or may not be required.

2. In both the USA and Canada a MOTORCYCLE has an engine size
above 50cc and manual clutch and gears.

3. In England 'mopeds' take many forms but ALWAYS retain the key
element of 'automatic gearing' and an engine under 50cc.

I have never found such a blatant error in your publications. With
the amount of redundant fact checking I am concerned by the lack
of accuracy and expect a reply.

As my entire family loves your work we were very concerned to see
such an obvious mistake. Perhaps clarification will rebuild my faith
in Guinness as the anchor of factual information I once thought it
was. If you ignore this request for clarification I'll have no choice
but to find another more reliable source of information for my
gifts.

1. What is the Guiness book of records definition of moped?

2. Is the Guiness definition different from the dictionary definition?

b. if your definition is different, please explain why.

3. According to "Guinness" what is the difference between a
"moped" and a "motorcycle"

Please forgive my tone- I feel as though a good friend has lied to
me. Please clarify this information for me. I have several gifts I
need to buy and I'm not so sure I should continue to give your
"record book" as a gift. I'm worried about this type of error being
an indicator of poor research that could be endemic to your
"records"

For example, one edition indicates that Robert Wadlow was the
worlds tallest human and died from complications caused by a leg
brace.

If you can confuse a motorcycle with a moped how do I know that
Robert Wadlow died from his leg brace? Perhaps he died of an
asthma attack and you just confused the dictionary definition of
"infection" with "athsma".

Perhaps he died of gout.

In this crazy world Guinness has always been something I thought I
could count on. Now I'm unsure if I will buy any more of your
material at all. I've put all of your books away until I decide if I can
trust the content.

I used to wonder how you kept track of all of the records. I
suppose it's not that hard if you just make things up.

P.S.
My son would love a Guinness T-shirt but I won't allow him to wear
one until we get this matter resolved.

I wish to remain a Guinness customer but I cannot imagine how
you can explain such an obvious error.

P.P.S. I'm certain I am your most unhappy customer in the history
of your publication. Is there any way we could put my frustration
on a scale? My wife could confirm how upset I am and we also have
a video I could send. What is the current record for your most
unhappy customer?

Also, if Robert Wadlow did die of gout you should update your
records.

Wayne Broderick
(name & address included)