2002 Openclass Shootout, Part I

rsalas has a valid point up top in his post, but he is assuming 2 things. One, is that the rider can actually turn a wrench to make the upgrades cheaply, and two that said rider can actually use the performance available. Knowledgable and skilled riders and wrenches are like hens teeth these days. I bet one out of 50 guys that post here even know where the tool kit on their bike is, much less how to use it. It is so much easier to run down to the local bike shop and plunk down your dollars on this years wonderbike rather than upgrade your riding skills or actually learn how to maintain your own motorcycle. Race replica motorcycles surpassed the average riders' skill to pilot them about 15 years ago. Which one wins this year matters not as next year it will be 3 lbs lighter and 2 mph faster. At that time squidly must run, not walk, to the dealer and get the "new and improved" model, even though he couldn't ride the last one very well. The funny part is all the screaming and crying about which bike "won" and why. About 99% of you will never see the upper performance limits of these bikes anyway, but knowing your buddy, who can't ride very well either, has this years "winner" is just too much to bear at the bar scene. I believe MO said as much last year when they named the R1 the winner.

Longride sure hit the nail on the head here.



99% of us can't reach these bikes performance potentials - absolutely true.



Using that same logic, close to the same number can't reach the performance level of the 600's either.



There's just no logical reason why we should even have this test at all. Leave them fancy race bikes to the racers.



The Kawi EX500 has more than enough power for passing (sensible) cars on the freeway, will exceed the 70 speed limit, and it's race inspired looks should be more than enough for you squids at the bar to pose on. Maybe if we could get Suzuki to detune the SV650 that might be a contender too.



You hear that MO .... by nature, anyone who even wants one of these bikes is a squid. Forget technology, who needs evolution .. Lets get back to the crusier tests !

jmeyn makes an excellent point.



You gents at MO are generally very good about explaining your reasoning and your scoring when you do these shootouts. (Personally I value this type of info very highly.) How about explaining how you define "Open Class"?



And if the ZX9R fits this definition, you definitely should have waited "a couple of days" in order to include it in the competition. Your readers are all whining about having to wait for the next installment anyway. Another couple of days wouldn't have hurt... and the quality of the shoot-out would have been better.



If the ZX9R meets your "Open Class" requirements, you do your readers a disservice by leaving it out... Just like when you compared the Yamaha after the fact in your Power Cruiser shootout. That was very anticlimactic.