RIDE Power Pt 1. save your money...

SQD8R · 10-15-2004, 04:10 PM

Well I'll list the top 3 in each category, except trailies, as they appear first, before I express my opinion...

Sports-tourers

1. R1150RS (again, two years in a row)
2. 97-98 Blackbird
3. 99-present Blackbird

Tourers

1. Goldwing
2. 99-02 St1100
3. 90-98 ST1100

Budget/commuters

1. Aprilia RS125
2. VFR400
3. FZ6

All-Rounders

1. Aprilia Touno
2. Buell S/M/X models
3. CB1100 X11

(KTM in it's entirety was 24th)
(12GS wasn't mentioned in this category despite it being considered an all-rounder by most, weird)

Cruisers

1. Vmax
2. HD 1340/1450 c.c.
3. Yamaha XVS 1100/XV1100

Trailies

1. Varedero
2. 1100GS
3. 1150 Adv
4. 1150 GS
5. Vstrom 1000
6. R12GS
7. Multistrada
8. Caponard
9.Africa Twin
10. Varedero 99-02
11. Tiger (new model)
12. 600/650 Transalp
13. F650
14 DRZ400
15. Tiger (old model)
16. Dominator 650
17. F650 (old model)

Sports 600's

1. CBR600RR
2. Triumph Daytona 600
3. TT600

Superbikes

1. CBR1000RR
2.GSXR750
3.R1

all new models

but suffice to say I'm unimpressed with the survey, the categorization and the issue in general. For example the entire KTM line is in all-rounders category, yes I know most of you 950 owners consider it an all-rounder but, RIDE then says in the KTM portion that they are too focused to be true all-rounders? Then why place them there? Then in the dual-purpose category not a KTM in sight? But the Multistrada makes it? HUNH (in my best Scooby voice). I'm not one usually for surveys of this nature mainly because there are too many variables to consider but that's my opinion so...

The rest of the issue deals with beginner bikes, SV650 history, and big naked bikes, all season wear, and used big bore sportsbikes (which is another oddity since they compare the FZR1000, CBR900RR, GSXR1100 to the ZZR1100 instead of to the ZX9, weird).

The first article is the most idiotic. It's blokes v. birds. Who is the better rider men or women? They are answering IMO a question that doesn't need answering. Who's the best? Who cares. If you are thinking in terms of insurance well women since they have a better overall record than men and that's probably debateable. Race track or dragstrip. Whoever puts in the best lap times. Road riding who cares it's not a race. It was, in my opinion, a stupid article about a question that really didn't need to be answered and isn't in this aritcle. They took 2 men and two women and in the end came up with who was the best out of that 4-some, nothing more, It was the rider with the most experience, that's a surprise, one of the women, not a surprise.

I've had a 12 year old kick my ass repeatedly around his dad's farm on a dirtbike 100 c.c. less than my bike, of course he's going for a Canadian 125 c.c. off-road title. I've had a overweight 55 year old with a bum ankle who can't shift properly kick my ass @ a trackday over the years. I've had a grandmother beat my best dragstrip time on her husbands ZX12. Does that mean 12 year olds, older crippled men and octogenerian women are better riders than me... well yes in this case. WTF was my point here...I'm going to cry myself to sleep now.

Anyway if you have any questions about the article don't hesitate to ask. I'll save you a few bucks.

XT Alan · 10-15-2004, 05:28 PM

I bought the Mag. In my opinion these surveys are pretty meaningless. You get a much better idea about the relative abilities and merits of bikes by trawling around forums such as this, asking questions and reading the critical posts put up by owners.

Getting in with a dealer or an experienced dealer's mechanic also helps you find out which bikes really are good and which are not.

XPADREX · 10-16-2004, 07:48 AM

Any rag that lists the Multistrada ahead of the Caponord pretty much clues me in that they are more concerned with pose than prose.

Look at that list. Opinions are like poopchutes, and some magazine writers are like opinions.

Jurgen · 10-16-2004, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SQD8R

Well I'll list the top 3 in each category, except trailies, as they appear first, before I express my opinion...

Sports-tourers

1. R1150RS (again, two years in a row)
2. 97-98 Blackbird
3. 99-present Blackbird

I'd say they're is no more accurate or well done survey in all of motorcycling. The editors of RIDE must be genius' or is that genei.

Jurgen

seat_boy · 10-17-2004, 04:27 AM

Just to point, the ranking is not the editors' opinions, but a survey from their readers. Who think the R1150RS is the pinacle of sport touring...

Eric

SQD8R · 10-17-2004, 11:58 AM

yep I think the 1150RS is under-rated. It will be stellar with the new 1200 motor in it. The thing I didn't care for in the survey was it used to be an entire issue. Now it's just a portion of an issue. The information quality suffers. Also WTF is KTM doing in the al-rounders section. When have you ever thought of KTM as a bike in the same category as a VFR? Weird. Weirder still was the fact that none of the KTM dual purpose bikes were in the trailies section while they are easily recognized as one of the best dual purpose bike builders.

cjflyfisher · 10-17-2004, 01:28 PM

the 1100 gs above the 1150 and 1200. Either the nunber of people who ride each one gets smaller with the newer more expensive models, or I actually made a good choice for once. I really like mine, but I can't see how the older model ranks higher than the 6 speed models. Nonetheless it's nice to see it up high on the ranks.

10-15-2004, 04:10 PM	#1
SQD8R ^OP Eat squids and be merry Joined: Jun 2004 Location: The Village: 75°53'34"W, 45°17'42"N Oddometer: 7,345	RIDE Power Pt 1. save your money... Well I'll list the top 3 in each category, except trailies, as they appear first, before I express my opinion... Sports-tourers 1. R1150RS (again, two years in a row) 2. 97-98 Blackbird 3. 99-present Blackbird Tourers 1. Goldwing 2. 99-02 St1100 3. 90-98 ST1100 Budget/commuters 1. Aprilia RS125 2. VFR400 3. FZ6 All-Rounders 1. Aprilia Touno 2. Buell S/M/X models 3. CB1100 X11 (KTM in it's entirety was 24th) (12GS wasn't mentioned in this category despite it being considered an all-rounder by most, weird) Cruisers 1. Vmax 2. HD 1340/1450 c.c. 3. Yamaha XVS 1100/XV1100 Trailies 1. Varedero 2. 1100GS 3. 1150 Adv 4. 1150 GS 5. Vstrom 1000 6. R12GS 7. Multistrada 8. Caponard 9.Africa Twin 10. Varedero 99-02 11. Tiger (new model) 12. 600/650 Transalp 13. F650 14 DRZ400 15. Tiger (old model) 16. Dominator 650 17. F650 (old model) Sports 600's 1. CBR600RR 2. Triumph Daytona 600 3. TT600 Superbikes 1. CBR1000RR 2.GSXR750 3.R1 all new models but suffice to say I'm unimpressed with the survey, the categorization and the issue in general. For example the entire KTM line is in all-rounders category, yes I know most of you 950 owners consider it an all-rounder but, RIDE then says in the KTM portion that they are too focused to be true all-rounders? Then why place them there? Then in the dual-purpose category not a KTM in sight? But the Multistrada makes it? HUNH (in my best Scooby voice). I'm not one usually for surveys of this nature mainly because there are too many variables to consider but that's my opinion so... The rest of the issue deals with beginner bikes, SV650 history, and big naked bikes, all season wear, and used big bore sportsbikes (which is another oddity since they compare the FZR1000, CBR900RR, GSXR1100 to the ZZR1100 instead of to the ZX9, weird). The first article is the most idiotic. It's blokes v. birds. Who is the better rider men or women? They are answering IMO a question that doesn't need answering. Who's the best? Who cares. If you are thinking in terms of insurance well women since they have a better overall record than men and that's probably debateable. Race track or dragstrip. Whoever puts in the best lap times. Road riding who cares it's not a race. It was, in my opinion, a stupid article about a question that really didn't need to be answered and isn't in this aritcle. They took 2 men and two women and in the end came up with who was the best out of that 4-some, nothing more, It was the rider with the most experience, that's a surprise, one of the women, not a surprise. I've had a 12 year old kick my ass repeatedly around his dad's farm on a dirtbike 100 c.c. less than my bike, of course he's going for a Canadian 125 c.c. off-road title. I've had a overweight 55 year old with a bum ankle who can't shift properly kick my ass @ a trackday over the years. I've had a grandmother beat my best dragstrip time on her husbands ZX12. Does that mean 12 year olds, older crippled men and octogenerian women are better riders than me... well yes in this case. WTF was my point here...I'm going to cry myself to sleep now. Anyway if you have any questions about the article don't hesitate to ask. I'll save you a few bucks. __________________ 2006 BMW HP2E: Teutonic Dreadnought 2011 Husqvarna TE630: Swedish heritage, German engineering, Italian flair 2011 BMW S1000RR: The Barvarian Bullet Married men don't live longer, it just seems longer. Sour grapes are a lesser man's fruit. SQD8R screwed with this post 10-15-2004 at 04:45 PM

10-17-2004, 04:27 AM	#5
seat_boy Wannabe adventurer Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Dublin, OH Oddometer: 156	ride survey Just to point, the ranking is not the editors' opinions, but a survey from their readers. Who think the R1150RS is the pinacle of sport touring... Eric __________________ Currently between bikes..

10-17-2004, 11:58 AM	#6
SQD8R ^OP Eat squids and be merry Joined: Jun 2004 Location: The Village: 75°53'34"W, 45°17'42"N Oddometer: 7,345	yep I think the 1150RS is under-rated. It will be stellar with the new 1200 motor in it. The thing I didn't care for in the survey was it used to be an entire issue. Now it's just a portion of an issue. The information quality suffers. Also WTF is KTM doing in the al-rounders section. When have you ever thought of KTM as a bike in the same category as a VFR? Weird. Weirder still was the fact that none of the KTM dual purpose bikes were in the trailies section while they are easily recognized as one of the best dual purpose bike builders. __________________ 2006 BMW HP2E: Teutonic Dreadnought 2011 Husqvarna TE630: Swedish heritage, German engineering, Italian flair 2011 BMW S1000RR: The Barvarian Bullet Married men don't live longer, it just seems longer. Sour grapes are a lesser man's fruit.

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10-15-2004, 05:28 PM	#2
XT Alan Adventurer Joined: Sep 2004 Oddometer: 45	I bought the Mag. In my opinion these surveys are pretty meaningless. You get a much better idea about the relative abilities and merits of bikes by trawling around forums such as this, asking questions and reading the critical posts put up by owners. Getting in with a dealer or an experienced dealer's mechanic also helps you find out which bikes really are good and which are not.

10-16-2004, 07:48 AM	#3
XPADREX Funslinger Joined: Nov 2003 Location: Ohio, USA Oddometer: 7,771	Any rag that lists the Multistrada ahead of the Caponord pretty much clues me in that they are more concerned with pose than prose. Look at that list. Opinions are like poopchutes, and some magazine writers are like opinions.

10-17-2004, 01:28 PM	#7
cjflyfisher cjflyfisher Joined: Jun 2004 Location: colorado springs CO Oddometer: 414	the 1100 gs above the 1150 and 1200. Either the nunber of people who ride each one gets smaller with the newer more expensive models, or I actually made a good choice for once. I really like mine, but I can't see how the older model ranks higher than the 6 speed models. Nonetheless it's nice to see it up high on the ranks.