MCN Road Test

Gerry · Jul 13, 2014

Just read the MCN road test John O'Groats - Lands End, using the Kawasaki 1000 SX, Honda VFR800F and the Triumph Sprint GT SE.
Basically the Sprint GT did not do to well against the two sport tourers (Too long in the tooth but the motor should be a national treasure according to MCN), So why did'nt MCN use the Sprint ST for the test, Maybe because the ST used to kick the VFR's butt ? or just to make the VFR look good.
MCN says the GT is too tail happy with all the luggage that it comes with, (117 litres, it was carrying all the camera gear) and steers like an oil tanker and the VFR is like a sports bike even though you have to stir the motor to get it to go. The list goes on, The GT has tacky clocks and top yoke, nasty finish on frame etc.
Dont know why I bother reading MCN, nothing is ever on an even field with them. If it has'nt got Traction or ABS or some other gismo its not worth having.

Beanie · Jul 14, 2014

Or the difference in price, stick luggage on the VFR and you are looking at about 12 grand

Gerry · Jul 14, 2014

That's probably right, plus Honda had to turn the vtec down on the new model to make it ridable.

SteveJ · Jul 15, 2014

Don't know why they are knocking the engine?
This would be the same 1050 that they rave about when it's on the Speed Triple.

I'm sure they work on who ever gives the biggest bribe gets the best review.

Richard H · Jul 15, 2014

It doesn't seem that long since the Sprint was being praised in the biking press as the best thing since sliced bread. Its hasn't suddenly become a bad bike and yes Steve its the same fantastic 1050 engine.

Gerry · Jul 15, 2014

I think its to do with gadgets, The more the bikes got the more they rave about it.
A couple of months ago they road tested the Speed Triple against the Tuono, Super Duke, Ducati and kawasaki 1000 on a race track.
What's that all about, the Speed Triple was made for the roads not tracks and they were miffed that the speedy was on the limiter down the straight at 150 along with the Kawa 1000 and how the traction control on all the others improved the lap times.
I dont see the point in road tests like that, my traction control is in my right hand.

Richard H · Jul 15, 2014

In 2012 I got sucked into believing the hype of the bike press; bought the latest, greatest technological marvel that was the newly released Ducati Multistrada 1200 S.
Yes it was fun to ride..... when it worked
Returned 8 times to Ducati Coventry in it's first 18 months!
Just plain over complicated and what could go wrong did.
I hope Triumph keep it simple, I don't want any gadgets from now on.

folkbloke · Jul 15, 2014

MCN? Mostly crap nonsense.

Gerry · Jul 15, 2014

Hope they do keep it simple, I think ABS is a good thing (though its not fitted on my bike) any thing that helps stop you is ok. I have a friend with a Tuono its a hell of a bike but he says he never messes with the electronics on it, he's only used the launch control once and had to stop on the motorway slip road to set it, his biggest problem is fuel consumption it eats the stuff.
I buy MCN to see what's new but their road tests are rubbish, trouble is a lot of folk take them as gospel and think they have to have the latest offering because MCN say so.

SteveJ · Jul 16, 2014

I spoke to Chris Moss who used to write for MCN and has now gone freelance and writes for Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, He said he is glad to be away from it as with MCN you would ride the bike and then it would be straight on the laptop for the review sometimes until 3 in the morning and the article had to be written before the next day to which the editor decided that the article would go in next weeks issue.
There is a great deal of pressure on the writers at MCN to churn reviews out as quick as possible, and I think there is no time to actually have a think about what you have actually ridden.
My other biggest gripe with MCN is the whole emphasis on what goes fastest around a race track and what has the most horsepower and electronic gadgets must be the best bike.
Ok ABS, Honda's electronic steering damper and to a lesser extent traction control are very good but all the rest is just getting in the way of actually riding a motorbike.
Most of us spend the vast majority of our time on the road and what we look for (well what I do anyway) is a bike that is enjoyable and comfortable to ride and as well as the odd trip up to Scotland, France or Spain also you can have a bit of fast A and B road riding on it on the odd fine weekend.

Tiger 1050's, 1050 Speed Triple's and 1050 Sprints all fit this. A BMW S1000rr, Yamaha R1 or Ducati Panna whatever the hell you call it don't.

And all of these bike are good enough for you to loose your licenses on. Although I think that the R1 and company is more of a blue light magnet than the others.

And if anyone wants a good bike mag I would suggest Classic Motorcycle Mechanics, the bike mag for grown ups :wink:

End of rant.

Steve