Where do they get this info from?

[Rossendale Rider]

Like all polls they can be manipulated or represented to suit. I've heard before that certain mags can be biased towards those that wish to sponsor or donate the odd bike.  Sadly, people reading ride might be put off initially with our GTR; however, after a mistake or two and a bit of real research they'll be on the introductions page in no time

[O.C.]

I won't ever again buy Ride magazine for precisely these reasons....its full of shite    how can they be taken seriously, and if the poll was so big and widespread I'd like to know how  many members of this forum contributed  with their own opinions / experiences

[Kwikasfuki]

I cancelled my sub to Ride when I realised they kept promoting the same products time after time

[alibx11]

I did post back in August last year http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3327.msg45704#msg45704 that the riderpower survey was then available to complete, maybe if more owners had filled it in then our beloved GTR would have rated a bit higher, I mean the survey is not based on the most owned bikes getting higher ratings it's taken as an average mark for the owners that bothered to fill in the survey.

I was disappointed myself to see how low it scored, and being a reasonably recent owner who doesn't cover a lot of miles, well so far anyway, I haven't had any experience of any of the problems they listed, nor I must admit have I read about them on these forums but they must have got their info from somewhere. If only 30 people fill in the form and 3 people have had a certain problem then that's a 10% slice of owners that have been "plagued" with said problem when there could be hundreds of owners quite happily never seeing an issue or experiencing any major problem.

I haven't had any problems with mine but was unable to answer questions like how long do your tyres last on average  etc. because I haven't had to change mine yet, so other peoples answers where counted there and mine wasn't.

There will always be more people that complain about things, bike reviews included, than the owners who will praise their machines.

Maybe the moral of this story is if you feel they've not represented the bike correctly then next time make the effort and fill in the survey.

[Winston Smith]

What I do know is that RiDE does report on FACTS and is as accurate as it can be.

The mag isn't 'sponsored' by any make or biased in any way.

What you need to understand is the journo's ride every bike available on test launches and then on real world trips or tours.  They also take 'real' riders (like me and a host of others) who get the chance to ride all the machines on the particular test and take all comments into consideration.

The FJR was slated 3 years ago because it was crap in comparison to the other bike (including the GTR)  5 years ago the GTR came second to the best by a smidgen.  The winner that year (K13) has been replaced but the GTR hasn't been upgraded.

The GTR is a great bike, but K hasn't invested to keep it at the fore-front.
Non of the Jap manufacturers have due to the state of their economy.

There are no bad bikes really.  Just accept your own favourite may not be so fantastic to everyone else.

RiDE are the most unbiased and even publication out there.  Just because your favourite isn't as perfect as you believe don't get pissy over it...

[Charlie747]

What I do know is that RiDE does report on FACTS and is as accurate as it can be.

The mag isn't 'sponsored' by any make or biased in any way.

What you need to understand is the journo's ride every bike available on test launches and then on real world trips or tours.  They also take 'real' riders (like me and a host of others) who get the chance to ride all the machines on the particular test and take all comments into consideration.

The FJR was slated 3 years ago because it was crap in comparison to the other bike (including the GTR)  5 years ago the GTR came second to the best by a smidgen.  The winner that year (K13) has been replaced but the GTR hasn't been upgraded.

The GTR is a great bike, but K hasn't invested to keep it at the fore-front.
Non of the Jap manufacturers have due to the state of their economy.

There are no bad bikes really.  Just accept your own favourite may not be so fantastic to everyone else.

RiDE are the most unbiased and even publication out there.  Just because your favourite isn't as perfect as you believe don't get pissy over it...

So no difference between a 2009 and 2010 model year GTR then......................?

[Winston Smith]

Not quite sure WTF you are on about.

The GTR in question was my own bike when it came close second.

If you are on about the difference between 09 and 10 models then it was minor tech and cosmetics in reality  - traction control, heated grips and better cooling.

The FJR was a complete re-hash except the (superb) engine with fresh body work and frame/suspension.

I'm afraid I live in the real world where things change and new stuff is better or different in a good or other way. 

All forums are the same - extremely defensive of their own brand/model, unable to accept any flaws or that other marques can offer the same/better/different.

The GTR is a brilliant bike but not for everyone.

The GTR  is an old bike that needs refreshing to keep up with the Jones's

The GTR is a brilliant machine that is truly sporty and fantastic to ride.

The GTR isn't crap or rubbish or full of faults...

Discuss   

[O.C.]

Chill out Chris you're gonna blow a gasket me olde mate

Kawasaki has, in my humble opinion, had a raw deal from the press in general for donkeys years, and I'm on record as saying so for an equally long time

Some things just don't change   

The ONLY way to assess a bikes capabilities/suitability for your own requirements is to test it thoroughly....

Horse for courses   

[nightrider]

I always think that mcn must be sponsored by bmw as they seem to go on and on about them ,like no other bike exists.  I do think that we are spoilt for choice on the bikes that are out there , and all are superb in they own ways , and the mags have to split hairs to make one better than the rest,as long as you are happy with what you have then f--k em ,    Gtr's rule.     

[Charlie747]

Chill out Chris you're gonna blow a gasket me olde mate

Kawasaki has, in my humble opinion, had a raw deal from the press in general for donkeys years, and I'm on record as saying so for an equally long time

Some things just don't change   

The ONLY way to assess a bikes capabilities/suitability for your own requirements is to test it thoroughly....

Horse for courses   

"The winner that year (K13) has been replaced but the GTR hasn't been upgraded."   


"Not quite sure WTF you are on about." 


I was just pointing out that the GTR had a major update for 2010 model year. 

2010 model year according to the press had  the following up grades in response to owner and press comment  This information is taken from press articles.

Optional large screen fitted as standard
ABS standard fitting across world market
Trip computer display now worked by left hand switch gear
Heat shield on exhaust
Redesign of fairing
Glove box moved from tank top to fairing
Traction control
Uprated rear spring

Some articles even claimed the variable valve timing was new for 2010 

Traction control was 2010's big deal according to the press.

Some of those updates represent major capital expenditure from the manufacture.

Chris I enjoy reading Ride and other motorcycle magazines and respect the efforts invested to provide a consistent balanced informative entertaining article month after month.

With that in mind the majority of tests on GTR mention the handling as a subject but don't expand in to detail of how and or why it splits opinion.  Are you able from your years of riding experience and your recent direct group test involvement to elaborate this point and satisfy my and others curiously ?

[Boomer]

All motorcycle mags are paid for by you and me and ADVERTISING. Whether conscious or not they always rate higher the bikes whose manufacturers buy the most adverts. Don't believe me? Check for yourself. I did years ago and they all do it, just some are more obvious than others.

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

[Charlie747]

All motorcycle mags are paid for by you and me and ADVERTISING. Whether conscious or not they always rate higher the bikes whose manufacturers buy the most adverts. Don't believe me? Check for yourself. I did years ago and they all do it, just some are more obvious than others.

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

[Bryn]

Fiddly pannier fittings   

The GTR panniers were by far the best panniers I've had on a bike for simplicity and capacity....

If you want fiddly try the 1200 GS vario's   

[Charlie747]

Fiddly pannier fittings   

The GTR panniers were by far the best panniers I've had on a bike for simplicity and capacity....

If you want fiddly try the 1200 GS vario's   

But are they waterproof ?    (sorry private joke)

[Bryn]

But are they waterproof ?    (sorry private joke)

Ah... I see what you did there