EC300 atop French magazine shootout!

[REVERUP]

I think mag tests are needed and welcome. They get info out to the public so we as consumers know what is available. And learn the specs and characteristics of a particular model.

I just am not a fan of shootouts!

I think this thread is a great example of why I feel this way. We have one mag who says Gas Gas bikes are at the top of a shootout and another that says at the bottom. Both shootouts have much of the same competition involved.
I see this in magazines every year. It is pretty rare that every mag crowns a certain bike as the Shootout champion cause of all the variables involved in the testing procedure.

Things like, location, setup, weather,how bike is equipped,test pilots, and how much money is slid under the table, Ha Ha just kidding. Are all factors.

These variables can lead to the kind of outcomes we see in these shootouts, both ends of the spectrum.

Best or worst, first or last, you be the judge.

Roscoe

 

[d2w]

Although slightly off-topic, Motorcycle Consumer News is 100% subscriber funded (i.e,. there are no adds in the magazine what so ever to sway the review). Unfortunately, they don't test/evaluate dirt bikes (but they do go as far as dual-sports). As for dirt bike reviews, I too like TrailRider.

Dale

 

[Grampy]

Gas Gas review

Just looked at the Dirt Rider 2009 dirt bike buyers guide. They listed about every motorcycle available with a one sentence evaluation. For Gas Gas they said "Our test riders have come to expect ample power and light handling" Pretty close evaluation in my opinion.