Huss

Their comments about performance, handling, suspension behaviour etc

Pete_Brissette

That doesn't really explain how the USA review is "more realistic" than our review.

So, an aspect of most motorcycle reviews that's potentially easy to lose sight of is their subjective nature -- regardless of how highly regarded the publication or author. Unless the subject at hand is something concrete and factual, like wheelbase, frame material, wheel size, etc., most commentaries about a motorcycle's handling, power, braking performance and the like, are ultimately the reviewer's opinion(s), influenced by various experiences, and possibly even biases.

I've had seat time on just about everything, save for most dirt/motocross bikes. From the snarling beast that is a Desmosedici to the humble Suzuki TU250, and even some Chinese-made scooters and motorcycles, I've had the opportunity to ride lots of street and dual-purpose bikes. What that experience has given me is the insight to review a motorcycle in context, or plainly, think about the bike compared to others in its class or general type. However, if I'm particularly impressed with a certain quality in a bike I might draw comparisons about that quality to a class of bikes known for having a higher degree of performance. If I find I really like something about a motorcycle, or believe it works well, I'll say so, even if most of the review turns out more positive than negative. I'm not one to criticize for criticism's sake. There's a difference between criticism and cynicism.

Bart Madson of MotorcycleUSA.com is an intelligent guy, as well as a good rider and good writer/reviewer. Ultimately, though, his thoughts about the subjective aspects of the Judge's performance are his opinions, however different from what I may say about the Judge. And vice-versa.

The best way for a reader to form definitive opinions about a motorcycle is to get adequate seat time for themselves. If the reader then finds their thoughts line up with what a certain reviewer(s) has to say, then the reader is in good company.

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"If I had to live my life over, I'd live over a saloon." --W.C. Fields

Buzglyd

That's nitpicking now isn't it?

Ask Duke.

Huss

Exactly.

Which is why I look for multiple reviews .

The_AirHawk

So, essentially you're sayin' that Pete's Full of Horse-DooDoo, and doesn't know his sphincter from an oil-fill cap.

Perhaps we should have him Flogged, Flayed, then Staked-out over a Fire-Ant mound. Would that be "Realistic" enough?



Seru, get out your Cat O' Nine Tails, Duke's got a really sharp straight-razor.....

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Parfois, on fait pas semblant
Sometimes, it's not pretend
Oderint Dum Metuant
Let them hate so long as they fear
политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян
Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants
Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

The Spaceman

I'm just glad somebody got "sphincter" into the thread.

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318 curves in 11 miles."

Huss

Not at all. Let's keep this classy San Diego.. (channelling Ron Burgundy)
The review just seemed a little too enthusiastic for a big fat cruiser that purports to be a sporty/muscle bike (?)

It still was entertaining to read.