Why no data on shootouts and bike tests?

“How dare you!”😂😂

This is a little wild to ask and makes no sense a drag race… but not much actual info is let out besides opinions is because the oems pay to make it that way. Of course some riders, mags, etc… are biased. I feel this is where Keefer is a great contributor in the area. Obviously he has personal bias but I think he’s a pretty straight shooter for the most part. 

So, we don't care how MX bikes actually feel on the track, but which one would win a drag race down the blacktop?

So you trust the word of testers who can’t feel 4 seconds per lap difference but will tell you which one totally “rips bro?”

What publications are you reading that you’re just getting it “rips bro”? I’ll make sure to steer clear of them. A good test rider who can both feel the differences between what bikes are like to ride and can communicate those nuances effectively can offer very valuable information, in my experience. I’d rather listen to or read Keefer’s take on how a bike handles on the track than look at dyno or any other numbers any day. You’re definitely getting more than “it rips, bro” from Keefer, and several others. I know some people like to shit on MXA but I’ve been reading MXA for 40 years and have always found their shootouts and reviews helpful - when I get a new bike their recommendations for suspension settings are my starting point and I adjust from there - they’re always very close for what I like. 

I do find that videos - with some exceptions- tend to be a pretty high level overview of the bikes compared to written material, which tends to go into more detail. I don’t see how you could read an MXA shootout and find it useless - there’s a lot of good info there. In addition to rider opinion, you get detailed dyno data. Vital used to have a very detailed write up featuring opinions from a wide variety of riders. I don’t recall seeing the write up in recent years - just the video. Vital would then put out more detailed videos on each bike (does that still happen?). I appreciate the efforts. I don’t really think you’re giving a fair characterization of what we’re getting from several moto journalists. 

You can’t get away from the fact that whether or not you will gel with a particular bike is not something that anyone can tell you, whether with objective data or their personal experience. So nothing replaces riding a bike yourself if you can. The RMZ 450, for example, always finishes last in shootouts and I doubt objective data would be any kinder to it. But when I rode one that was set up well for me, I loved it - the power delivery was well suited to my riding, it handled beautifully, and I didn’t really notice the weight. No amount of data would have told me that. 

It is an interesting question to ask: What kind of data would result in a better informed purchasing decision? I’m not sure what the answer is but it’s worth discussing. But if you want the best possible information, go to your local track and offer someone similar in weight and ability a few bucks if you can try out their bike. 

Never seen a shootout that's just like "bike has got sick vibes, just get it bro"

Plus, taste for bike characteristics is subjective. YZ250 2 strokes are loved here, and the one time I rode one I couldn't get off of it fast enough, hated how it handled. People love to shit on the 09-12 Hondas, I loved mine. Riding it back to back with my friends 2012 KX450 at the time, I found it nearly un rideable for my style, it was way too stiff and snappy, I loved the mellow power on my Honda, I could ride it more aggressively without making mistakes or getting tired. Hard data on roll on acceleration wouldn't have told me that.

Dirt Bike Magazine tests in the 70s when Rick Siemen was with the magazine are still the bar to reach.