The Verdict is in.
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242 Posts
Someday I'll own a GSX-R. Good review. Good insight into the mixed emotions that we all have when trying to decide "what's the best bike".
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21 Posts
It's okay to have an opinion.
Oh the drama of it all!!
Sounds like the Suzuki is the best performer. You shouldn't have to justify giving it the blue ribbon if it's that's the case. I like the way you guys went about it this year (Except for the bad link from the final article to the reader feed-back for the drag strip article. I'm still willing to be your proof reader if you let me ride the bikes;-)...
Oh the drama of it all!!
Sounds like the Suzuki is the best performer. You shouldn't have to justify giving it the blue ribbon if it's that's the case. I like the way you guys went about it this year (Except for the bad link from the final article to the reader feed-back for the drag strip article. I'm still willing to be your proof reader if you let me ride the bikes;-)...
Sounds like for street riders, the Hondas the one to have
I am not clear on what basis you give equal weight in the final scoring to the street, track, and drag strip. The way you have it set up right now, you're saying that a good showing at the drag strip is just as important as street usability. And that seems to me to be utter hooey.
I am not in the market for any of these bikes. I am not even a buyer of replica racer type motorcycles. Rather, I am addressing the structure of the comparison test itself.
I am not clear on what basis you give equal weight in the final scoring to the street, track, and drag strip. The way you have it set up right now, you're saying that a good showing at the drag strip is just as important as street usability. And that seems to me to be utter hooey.
I am not in the market for any of these bikes. I am not even a buyer of replica racer type motorcycles. Rather, I am addressing the structure of the comparison test itself.
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780 Posts
Way to go!
Test them with a range of non-pro riders under a range of riding conditions. Allow responses after each post. Then publish just the personal feelings of the riders.
You all said the Honda was easiest to ride and it was just as fast as the Yamaha. I like easy and fast.
Thank you!
Test them with a range of non-pro riders under a range of riding conditions. Allow responses after each post. Then publish just the personal feelings of the riders.
You all said the Honda was easiest to ride and it was just as fast as the Yamaha. I like easy and fast.
Thank you!
Re: Sounds like for street riders, the Hondas the one to have
For performance motorcycles such as these where their sole existence IS performance? It is my opinion that equally weighting the performance criteria IS equally just as important as street usuability.
For performance motorcycles such as these where their sole existence IS performance? It is my opinion that equally weighting the performance criteria IS equally just as important as street usuability.
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17,449 Posts
Re: Sounds like for street riders, the Hondas the one to have
Yeah well, never mind. No matter what you guys do you're not going to make some people happy. Myself, I think you should have added some dirt track and supercross venues to the test. That would make as much sense as some of the comments here.
At least by giving number one to the Suzie you avoid the charges that you are part of the zionist/illuminati/Big4 conspiracy to give the top rating to the newest bike. Lots of people are jealous of all that free bonus cash you guys get, under the table.
Yeah well, never mind. No matter what you guys do you're not going to make some people happy. Myself, I think you should have added some dirt track and supercross venues to the test. That would make as much sense as some of the comments here.
At least by giving number one to the Suzie you avoid the charges that you are part of the zionist/illuminati/Big4 conspiracy to give the top rating to the newest bike. Lots of people are jealous of all that free bonus cash you guys get, under the table.
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729 Posts
Great work, I enjoyed this piece immensely. Not just in terms of the writing, but in terms of the piecewise manner in which you released the information. It gave me time to absorb one bit before going on to the next. Just like a gourmet. Very cool.
Personally I'd would have quantified a bias towards the street riding segment because I think that track and dragstip tests, albeit informative (in context) and fun, are largely irrelavent to most of us. Hardly anyone takes their sportbike to the dragstrip. And one of the first lessons that a discerning new racer learns is the value in having a dedicated race bike that doesn't cost 10k to purchase and another 10k to repair after a crash. (it is also less embarassing getting lapped by skilled riders on Honda Ascots on your nondescript racer than it is on your new Gixxer 1k). But all of that is just my 2 cents. I think that you were as fair as possible and very informative. Any meticulous reader should come away with the impression that all of these motorcycles are phemomenal (which they are) and that it basically comes down to a matter of personal choice.
To all of you squidly flamethrowers I say this: motorcycles are not about facts and stats (try baseball or accounting if that is your bag), but rather about passion. Bikes are not about anything practical - they are a big raspberry in the face of blandness and conformitism: downright, unrequited, unapologetic fun. So you should ride what you want. The best bike for you is the bike that puts the biggest smile on your face (it's a bonus if, as a by product, it pisses off your in-laws). As much as I enjoyed this article and agree with it's conclusions I still bought a CBR954 for my new street bike because it is what I like. And I'm enjoying the heck out of it. It's a screaming machine.
So thanks MO for the information. See you on the street.
Personally I'd would have quantified a bias towards the street riding segment because I think that track and dragstip tests, albeit informative (in context) and fun, are largely irrelavent to most of us. Hardly anyone takes their sportbike to the dragstrip. And one of the first lessons that a discerning new racer learns is the value in having a dedicated race bike that doesn't cost 10k to purchase and another 10k to repair after a crash. (it is also less embarassing getting lapped by skilled riders on Honda Ascots on your nondescript racer than it is on your new Gixxer 1k). But all of that is just my 2 cents. I think that you were as fair as possible and very informative. Any meticulous reader should come away with the impression that all of these motorcycles are phemomenal (which they are) and that it basically comes down to a matter of personal choice.
To all of you squidly flamethrowers I say this: motorcycles are not about facts and stats (try baseball or accounting if that is your bag), but rather about passion. Bikes are not about anything practical - they are a big raspberry in the face of blandness and conformitism: downright, unrequited, unapologetic fun. So you should ride what you want. The best bike for you is the bike that puts the biggest smile on your face (it's a bonus if, as a by product, it pisses off your in-laws). As much as I enjoyed this article and agree with it's conclusions I still bought a CBR954 for my new street bike because it is what I like. And I'm enjoying the heck out of it. It's a screaming machine.
So thanks MO for the information. See you on the street.
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780 Posts
Let us do the weighting
If performance is the sole reason for the existence of these bikes why did you choose the Yamaha? Because it fit you. Good reason.
I don't think you should assign weights at all. Let us do it according to our requirements:
Provide an active page where subscribers can enter their own weighting factors, click on Calculate, and come up with their own personal winners.
If performance is the sole reason for the existence of these bikes why did you choose the Yamaha? Because it fit you. Good reason.
I don't think you should assign weights at all. Let us do it according to our requirements:
Provide an active page where subscribers can enter their own weighting factors, click on Calculate, and come up with their own personal winners.
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21 Posts
Re: Sounds like for street riders, the Hondas the one to have
The basis is subjective (I think they've said so themselves). To them, performance bikes are measured by how well they do just that... That being said, I think there is more than enough info in the articles to come to your own conclusion about which bike would be best for you based on your own standards. Like you, I don't race or drag, nor am I in the market for one of these bikes. I also, like you, would have a different subjective standard on which would be the best bike for me; "D", none of the above. That doesn't invalidate their method or conclusion. For someone wanting a performance bike for performance sake, I think the Suzuki is the choice.
The basis is subjective (I think they've said so themselves). To them, performance bikes are measured by how well they do just that... That being said, I think there is more than enough info in the articles to come to your own conclusion about which bike would be best for you based on your own standards. Like you, I don't race or drag, nor am I in the market for one of these bikes. I also, like you, would have a different subjective standard on which would be the best bike for me; "D", none of the above. That doesn't invalidate their method or conclusion. For someone wanting a performance bike for performance sake, I think the Suzuki is the choice.
Justice is done.
(If only I could have felt this way after the Simpson verdict .. hehe)
Regarding the testing format .... I'd say rather than giving double to street points, give half as much for dragstrip points. Either way, I salute you for judging these bikes on the merits for which they were designed and built.
They are all excellent bikes ... but nice to see the Suzi get what it deserved.
(If only I could have felt this way after the Simpson verdict .. hehe)
Regarding the testing format .... I'd say rather than giving double to street points, give half as much for dragstrip points. Either way, I salute you for judging these bikes on the merits for which they were designed and built.
They are all excellent bikes ... but nice to see the Suzi get what it deserved.
...and my personal verdict is in too. Saturday I went and bought the Honda. Why? Because *I* heard the message between the lines. Best on the street...comfortable...confidence inspiring. Yeah...I'd say that was enough to sway me. All the squids can buy the Suzi and be faster then me...that's fine. When all is said and done, the Honda will probably still be running long after the Suzi's are all wadded.
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80 Posts
Re: Let us do the weighting
now that's a good idea if I've ever heard one!! Hackfu, Minime....get on it like a handful of Zook throttle!
now that's a good idea if I've ever heard one!! Hackfu, Minime....get on it like a handful of Zook throttle!
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173 Posts
Loved the comparo! Great objectivity with a good dose of subjectivity. I'm in the market for a new open-class bike this year. I do track days, but put more emphasis civilized manner. The big Gixxer is out - that leaves the Honda and Yamaha. I really hate to say this, because it seems so idiotic - but although it seems the Honda may be better for me overall, I'm heavily leaning towards the R1 because it just looks so COOL (silver/black of course). Jeez, did I just admit that?
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9 Posts
Had the bike less than a week and you are bitter and rationalizing already?
MO is drinking again
Blah, you guys suck. You didn't pick the Yamaha!
Actually, good pick this year. While you can't make everyone happy, it seems like you gave the bike with the most nutts the prize, which is what open class is all about. Even though I like the Yamaha, the Suzuki deserves it. I wonder how much power the next bike that wins it will have. 160 at the rear wheel? ridiculous.
Blah, you guys suck. You didn't pick the Yamaha!
Actually, good pick this year. While you can't make everyone happy, it seems like you gave the bike with the most nutts the prize, which is what open class is all about. Even though I like the Yamaha, the Suzuki deserves it. I wonder how much power the next bike that wins it will have. 160 at the rear wheel? ridiculous.
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