Consumer Reports First Motorcycle Review since 1981

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RhadamYgg · #1 Post by **RhadamYgg** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:41 pm

I just got it in the mail. It is a great start - has mention of the MSF course, rider visibility and the value of monitoring for road surface defects.

Of course, they looked at it from the perspective of replacing a car for fuel economy. So, the only bikes they covered were:
1) super light weight scooters - 50cc
2) mid-range scooters - 125cc - 150cc
3) two 250cc motorcycles - Honda Rebel and Kawasaki Ninja 250

The good news is that if they get enough response - maybe they'll continue in to the motorcycle segment. Maybe they can give some objective reviews about motorcycles and their capabilities.

Or maybe if gas prices stay as low as they are they won't for another article on bikes until another 28 years have passed.

Anyway, I'm sure they only way they can judge it - is if the issue sells a lot. It is the March 2009 issue of Consumer Reports.

It is funny, maybe I should offer my services to them as a reviewer. Their facility is not 1 mile away from where I work on Executive Drive in Yonkers.

RhadamYgg

RockBottom · #2 Post by **RockBottom** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:38 pm

I'll be curious to see what they think of the Ninja 250. I'm trying to decide between that and the BHC-3 LS2 http://www.bosshoss.com/view_bike.asp?x=BHC3LS2

RhadamYgg · #3 Post by **RhadamYgg** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:54 pm

RockBottom wrote:I'll be curious to see what they think of the Ninja 250. I'm trying to decide between that and the BHC-3 LS2 http://www.bosshoss.com/view_bike.asp?x=BHC3LS2

You know.... Those bikes are really a bit too close to see much of a difference.

I do wonder if a person can really ride the Boss Hoss, but someone else on this forum said they had a dealer near them and a whole bunch of people do ride them.

RhadamYgg

RockBottom · #4 Post by **RockBottom** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:00 pm

I can't tell you how many times I've been out on my bike and found myself thinking, "Man, I wish I could pull my 24' Boston Whaler with this thing."

jstark47 · #5 Post by **jstark47** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:01 pm

So was their evaluation of the bikes knowledgeable and realistic? I've noticed Consumer Reports tends to look at cars from a different point of view than me - things that are important to them aren't so much to me, and vice versa. I'm wondering if the same would hold true for motorcycles?

RhadamYgg · #6 Post by **RhadamYgg** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:17 pm

jstark47 wrote:So was their evaluation of the bikes knowledgeable and realistic? I've noticed Consumer Reports tends to look at cars from a different point of view than me - things that are important to them aren't so much to me, and vice versa. I'm wondering if the same would hold true for motorcycles?

I suspect that would be true... They look for delivering the most value, in the safest and most efficient and reliable vehicle possible.

Depending on the person, but I'd wager most of us do look at all those things, but other things like look, feel, style, etc...

But you never know, if they hire someone really knowledgeable about bikes to work with them, they may understand that other things are important in bikes. But you know, if a bike can last 200,000 miles, that doesn't hurt.

What I'd value about Consumer Reports would be... Their objective nature in looking at bikes. So many motorcycle magazines.... And it seems like so much of the same content... And raving about each and every bike, even things that turn out to be dogs.

Hell, being in CR might even make motorcycles a little more respectable. At the least if some of the straight upstanding people that read CR will understand that bikes are out there - and what they should look out for, it helps.

RhadamYgg

RhadamYgg · #7 Post by **RhadamYgg** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:57 pm

RockBottom wrote:I can't tell you how many times I've been out on my bike and found myself thinking, "Man, I wish I could pull my 24' Boston Whaler with this thing."

Now, that would be a picture of the day - almost on a par with this.

RhadamYgg

Gummiente · #8 Post by **Gummiente** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:04 pm

jstark47 wrote:So was their evaluation of the bikes knowledgeable and realistic? I've noticed Consumer Reports tends to look at cars from a different point of view than me - things that are important to them aren't so much to me, and vice versa. I'm wondering if the same would hold true for motorcycles?

Ah, yes... the infamous Consumer Reports Umbrella of Logic. These were the people that soundly trounced the Dodge Omni (a front wheel drive subcompact introduced wayyy back in the early 80's) because it failed one of their emergency manouevers test. This "realistic" test consisted of a chain being wrapped around the steering wheel and bolted to the floor so as to allow only 1/4 rotation in either direction. The "realistic" test was to accelerate to a steady 80kmh (50mph), quickly twist the steering wheel 1/4 turn and then let go of the wheel. The Omni, predictably, went into a hissy fit and was given a fail grade.

I haven't read an issue of that rag since.

MrShake · #9 Post by **MrShake** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:17 am

I put zero confidence in consumer reports.

IMHO when they weight the value of a produce, they put to much weight on cost, and not enough on fit and Finnish or quality.
They also have the unfortunate following of zealots who will shop with their rag in hand making foolish decisions.

jstark47 · #10 Post by **jstark47** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:45 am

RhadamYgg wrote:What I'd value about Consumer Reports would be... Their objective nature in looking at bikes. So many motorcycle magazines.... And it seems like so much of the same content... And raving about each and every bike, even things that turn out to be dogs.

Check out Motorcycle Consumer News. They take no advertising from the motorcycle manufacturers, and they are pretty objective. I've been getting it for a year, and it's the only motorcycle mag I subscribe to now.