Consumer Reports for MC products and gear

[schmuhl]

Is there an equivilent? Honestly, I've searched and can't seem to find any rating source for new products or reporting on product performance. A little help here?

[KillBill]

This is a great question. I know of a lot of the magaizines
will do some reviews but it's not tested the way a streetrider
would test it.

Have you checked here? http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...oduct-reviews/

I usually ask, post etc...

There must be another source though besides some of the lame
retailer websites.

[keeena]

Webbikeworld.com. Not all reviews are very technical & I disagree w/ some...but a nice resource none-the-less.

[jc r6]

This is a great question. I know of a lot of the magaizines
will do some reviews but it's not tested the way a streetrider
would test it.

Have you checked here? http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...oduct-reviews/

I usually ask, post etc...

There must be another source though besides some of the lame
retailer websites.

I agree

Forums are usually the best for reliable products reviews..you just have to filter out the "i have it cause it look's cool" squid posts

...most other sources are biased because of sponsorship

[TheIglu]

Motorcycle Consumer News is sponser free.

[Doc]

I just google "*motorcycle Item* review"

[DucDave]

I think forums are about the worst place to try and get real objective information about anything...its either 'I'm humping my brand/dealer cus it's my brand/dealer and I love it/them.' Or its '...dumping on my brand/dealer cus my brand/dealer sucks.

Or its just plain leg humping...

Cycleworld, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider and Road Racing World all do product comparisons and in their real 'comparison' issues they do bring a level of objectivity to the table. These reports are different from the 'First Ride' or 'New Product Tests' which tend to be a little more subjective.

Yes...I know...theyre all supported by advertising. But I find these Comparos to be pretty useful. Especially when they confirm what I have already decided I believe. When they dont they just suck...right!

(Buying motorcycle is 80% emotion upfront and 20% justification after the fact...)

[markbvt]

I think forums are about the worst place to try and get real objective information about anything...

True, but I've always taken Consumer Reports' reviews with a grain of salt too. They definitely seem to have biases (against American cars, for example), and some of their testing schemes have never really worked. Their camera reviews, for example, have never really matched the findings of actual photographers. Another example: their recent review of smartphones ranked the Motorola Q as easier to use than an iPhone, which is total and utter bullshit. I know because I've owned a Motorola Q. It was a piece of shit that angered me every time I used it.

I think the best place to find reviews is in publications/blogs/whatever that cover that particular market segment. A number of the online motorcycle mags have decent review sections, and as Dave points out, they can actually be pretty objective. Remember that Motorcyclist had enough balls to publish their own helmet tests which concluded that the Snell standard is bullshit and many cheap helmets protect your head as well as expensive ones (or even better), thereby angering all high-end helmet manufacturers.

--mark

[schmuhl]

Beauty! Thanks peops. Now, I have a fair amount of reading ahead of me. (I hate homework!)

[DucDave]

Beauty! Thanks peops. Now, I have a fair amount of reading ahead of me. (I hate homework!)

What decision are you trying to make? Even if its conflicting and opinionated, don't deprive this forum the opportunity to weigh in on a new purchase decision....!!!!

[schmuhl]

1. depriving my love for Arai with a fab. HJC design
2. vortex makes these sweet levers...
3. Icon Moto pants because they r too cool bu they're Icon moto
4. heated grips opposed to heated gloves
... should I continue? Did I mention I'm a newbie? There's a bike stand. I don't have any leather. Wow, i could go on and on.