So Motorcyclist's choice for their Motocycle of the Year this time is the Kawasaki Versys.
??? ??? ???
It's one thing to acknowledge the existence of non-european bikes, but to declare one bike of the year? Inconceivable. Sad to see them go out like this; almost like losing a friend to dementia.
make the beast with two backs....I was going to post up something similar....If can't put together a decent magazine at least fill it with T&A. The Brits do both, very well.
i don't get that magazine, I only get MCN, but what was their reasoning behind choosing that bike?
Andy
I really don't know anything about this bike.
First impressions. Mufflers are clever Buell knockoffs - but it's got a big block ass, and the front end is just hideous. 1990s mirrors and indicator need to go too.
It must have a REALLY good engine, to get bike of the year.
You guys are funny and sound a lot like the Harley guys [evil]
If someone does not have the same viewpoint as you they must not know what they are talking about! I always thought the letters I read in the American magazines where made up where if someone's favourite bike did not win whatever comparison it was in, they would threaten to cancel their subscription or never buy the magazine again. Seems I was wrong!
I love my Ducatis, have had a few a over the last twenty years, but for the vast majority of bike riders out there they simply do not deliver what they need or want [thumbsup]
long haired lout
what is your avatar?
Quote from: GotDuc on August 03, 2008, 05:09:45 AM
long haired lout
what is your avatar?
Someone, not me has messed around with the Public Enemy logo.
Quote from: long haired lout on August 03, 2008, 05:05:27 AM
You guys are funny and sound a lot like the Harley guys [evil]
If someone does not have the same viewpoint as you they must not know what they are talking about! I always thought the letters I read in the American magazines where made up where if someone's favourite bike did not win whatever comparison it was in, they would threaten to cancel their subscription or never buy the magazine again. Seems I was wrong!
I love my Ducatis, have had a few a over the last twenty years, but for the vast majority of bike riders out there they simply do not deliver what they need or want [thumbsup]
I'll freely admit that I am a ducati snob. Proud of it, too. I sent them an email clearly stating their judgement was obviously suspect, and I would be having nothing more to do with them (like I ever bought that crappy mag anyway) unless they print a retraction naming the Monster S2R as bike of the year for 2008 and 2007. And I highly suggest you do the same - mcmail@sourceinterlink.com
Let's face it that Versys or whatever is a little commuter POS. Compared to righteously awesome bikes like the beemer HP2, KTM Super Enduro and Adventure, and of course just about any Ducati, I can't see it holding up in any way.
The British mags positively slay consumerist whore rags like Motorcyclist.
MCN's review from Nov 2007:
http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/200711-versystest.pdf
it's all about the benjamins. always has been.
I stopped reading motorcyclist about a year and 1/2 ago....seems I'm not missing much. Pity, 'cause it used to have a bit of an edge to it once.
I gave up on my Motorcyclist Mag subscription @ a year ago but forgot to tell the 'ole lady cuz she renewed it.
Pretty much just Performance Bike /Bike Mag / and TWO around here......
Quote from: factorPlayer on August 03, 2008, 09:54:01 AM
I'll freely admit that I am a ducati snob. Proud of it, too.
+1 I fall into that category as well.
I was dumfounded when I saw they chose that stupid bike as MOTY. I have a subscription because it was given as a gift. I still enjoy some of the content and they do seem to be including more Ducatis since Catterson took over as EIC.
I don't know if you guys noticed, or even read that far into the story but they chose that stupid B-King as the best Naked bike. I was like WTF?? The two dealerships that sell the Versys and the B-King can't give away either one.
It seems that C_rex is correct, it's all about the money.
I subscribe to a ton of mags and read a ton more that I pick up with varying degrees of consistency, and all I can say about Motorcyclist is duuuulllll. Since Brian Catterson took the helm a while back it's gone through a lot of changes, to say the least. I agree that it used to have a bit of an edge to it that is certainly lacking now. Catterson came from Cycle World and seems to be trying to reach for their broad appeal by trying to hit the entire riding public with a giant swath of articles every month, rather than focus on the semi-hardcore street (slightly edgy) content and editorial slant they used to have. Whether it's resulted in any increase in readership, I have no idea. But I do know that I read it less and less frequently than I used to. Their road tests seem more like short snapshots rather than in-depth tests, and they're certainly trying to appeal to the (dull) middle ground that the Versys is meant to appeal to. Not to knock the bike, because it's certainly capable of being a do-everything kind of mount that can get the job done for a great many riders. But of course in my riding world such a bike comes from Italy and goes by the name Multistrada.
I've ridden it and it's a really nice bike. Plenty of power, easy to ride, and a good platform for a tourer. Don't know about Motorcycle of the Year though.
They are a private magazine that has a right to print what they feel is the best bike of the year. Same thing with Maxim printing their top 100 sexiest girls of all time, do I agree with their pics? Maybe on some but not on others....but I definitely don't get worked up over it!
To a regular Joe, the following statement might seem odd:
Magazine: "Hey Joe, the Ducati Monster is the best bike, the first major service will cost you $1100, but it's the best bike out there"
Sure they can print whatever they want but there are ramifications for ill-considered pieces.
In this case it's pretty solidly demsontrated that they have utterly lost touch with their core readership, if not reality. You can go declare a 60hp jap commuter bike of the year all you want, I'm just going to hold everything you say afterward with the same regard as a turd falling into my drink :P
They aren't even consistent with their own prior history; consider their past MOTY's
2005 BMW K1200R
2006 Triumph Daytona 675
2007 KTM SuperDuke
Then add the Versys. Which one does not belong?
Quote from: factorPlayer on August 04, 2008, 12:35:27 PM
Sure they can print whatever they want but there are ramifications for ill-considered pieces.
In this case it's pretty solidly demsontrated that they have utterly lost touch with their core readership, if not reality. You can go declare a 60hp jap commuter bike of the year all you want, I'm just going to hold everything you say afterward with the same regard as a turd falling into my drink :P
They aren't even consistent with their own prior history; consider their past MOTY's
2005 BMW K1200R
2006 Triumph Daytona 675
2007 KTM SuperDuke
Then add the Versys. Which one does not belong?
maybe it's the year that's different: gas prices through the roof.
maybe a putt that does something practical is the Motorcycle the masses need this year?
I agree with the fella who mentioned the brit mags. [thumbsup] always a welcomed change when I find em
I get alot of Motorcycle Mags including Motorcyclist and I had to just scratch my head and say WTF as far as the Motorcycle of the year was concerned.
I do believe they named the 1098 R a winner and the 848 a runner up in another category. Dolph
Would I buy a Versys? No but I can see their reasoning behind choosing it.
"Compared to righteously awesome bikes like the beemer HP2, KTM Super Enduro and Adventure, and of course just about any Ducati"
HP2 hideously expensive and so so narrow in it's focus (my boss owns one). KTM Super Enduro and Adventure slow selling with bad resale values. Which Ducati and under which criteria?
Personally dislike the UK mags, juvenile and superficial.
A friend has a very rapidly ridden 1098S as his toy but his daily rider come rain or shine is guess what?
Quote from: long haired lout on August 05, 2008, 03:17:08 AM
Would I buy a Versys? No but I can see their reasoning behind choosing it.
"Compared to righteously awesome bikes like the beemer HP2, KTM Super Enduro and Adventure, and of course just about any Ducati"
HP2 hideously expensive and so so narrow in it's focus (my boss owns one). KTM Super Enduro and Adventure slow selling with bad resale values. Which Ducati and under which criteria?
Personally dislike the UK mags, juvenile and superficial.
A friend has a very rapidly ridden 1098S as his toy but his daily rider come rain or shine is guess what?
Your mom? :o
Bike of the year seems artificial to me, because it's just bikes released this year. I don't know anyone who cross shops only new models. If something is innovative then do write-up on it, but comparing brand new models to only each other is strange.
But at least the comparison explained the winner pretty well. And of course it was all about practicality.
I'm curious, what new model should have won (and why) according to people in the thread who hated the choice by the magazine?
I could make a good argumen for the 1098r if the traction control were steet legal (cuts spark but not injectors so spits unburned fuel out).
Quote from: m0t0g0th on August 04, 2008, 02:37:00 PM
maybe it's the year that's different: gas prices through the roof.
maybe a putt that does something practical is the Motorcycle the masses need this year?
What this guy said [thumbsup] !
Also, this bike is POPULAR in europe because it is a good commuter, it is narrow (great for lane splitting in London traffic, trust me, I know!), tall and economical. Also, I read a review from a european test rider saying this bike has always been on his short list because it was great all-around bike!
.....He also said the bike may not catch on in the U.S. because the American public was not used to this type of bike....And he is right!
Lastly, the bike is CHEAP!!!! And that is a huge factor considering this bike is competing with other ADV bikes and "dual sports" such as the BMW GS 650 (800 twin).
Quote from: Jobu on August 05, 2008, 03:56:50 AM
Your mom? :o
I guess your mom is proud she raised a make the beast with two backswit.
Jobu and long haired lout, knock it off.
yeah guys, don't come in here and crap in my jap bike-bashing thread.
Quote from: Statler on August 05, 2008, 05:22:53 AM
I'm curious, what new model should have won (and why) according to people in the thread who hated the choice by the magazine?
Well according to the Magizine, (and I'm not sure they mentioned it this year) the MOTY is all about significance in the industry. Huh? What is so significant about an underpowered ugly bike with crappy suspension?
I'm not sure I know what I would choose for MOTY if it were my decision. It is difficult because I haven't ridden all of the current models. Although I may not agree with the past years selections I can at least understand why they were chosen. This years bike offers nothing new in the way of technology or anything that even sets it apart from any other run of the mill standard. Not to mention it's just a warmed over Ninja 650 with different body work and seating position.
If they had chosen something like the new BMW SP2 I may not have agreed but I would have respected the choice a lot more.
BFD, its not like I ever bought a bike because it was MOTY. [roll]
It's a subjective choice by the editorial staff. What was funny were the comments by Catterson about how he sent the MOTY email to everyone at Motorcyclist, and some of the replies he got. ;D
Did you ever noice how the reviews of motorcycles never go below 3 stars?
Quote from: long haired lout on August 05, 2008, 03:17:08 AM
Personally dislike the UK mags, juvenile and superficial.
WHAT? If they didn't cost so freakin' much I'd definitely subscribe to Bike and Two! Much better to read than most of the other stuff out there.
Quote from: factorPlayer on August 06, 2008, 12:09:53 PM
yeah guys, don't come in here and crap in my jap bike-bashing thread.
Technically, I was agreeing with you. 8)
Quote from: Statler on August 06, 2008, 05:38:22 AM
Jobu and long haired lout, knock it off.
Sorry [thumbsup]
Quote from: Z1000S on August 06, 2008, 08:29:17 PM
WHAT? If they didn't cost so freakin' much I'd definitely subscribe to Bike and Two! Much better to read than most of the other stuff out there.
There just seems to be no middle ground, either dumbarse or boring. And their love of chunky English girls and Hondas cannot be good.
The only reason I subscribe to Motorcyclist Magazine is because they offered it to me for $5.00 a year. Same for Car and Driver Magazine.
Cycle World is worth a bit more. I should resubscribe to RoadRacing World Magazine, but they don't offer discounts.