Upgrade to enjoy this feature!
Vital MX fantasy is free to play, but paid users have great benefits. Paid member benefits:
- View and download rider stats
- Pick trends
- Create a private league
- And more!
Only $10 for all 2024 SX, MX, and SMX series (regularly $30).
The Shop
A Vital clique has decided they are the worlds greatest test riders. Most with zero to maybe a year or so doing reviews. They used Vital as a springboard to go out on their own. That hasn't panned out yet so they return to Vital. MXA having 50 years of bike testing credibility seems to bother them. Made worse because MXA won't kiss the ring of this clique. Good for them.
Buying the bikes yourself verses simply taking a loaner from the bike manufacturers PR departments somehow gives anyone "More Credibility"?
In my opinion test riding takes years of experience. At least before I pay any attention to your opinion. Why are you any more enlightened than me? Because you had Vital as a springboard? Because your friends shill for you on Vital? Nope
Test, ride, learn, keep humble. If you do a good job the credibility will come.
Respect.
Now in between everything else you're doing, how about you go on the pulp show more?
It seems really odd that a grown man would get so upset over what ML is doing - to the point where he'll jump on a message board and start hurling insults and thinly-veiled threats.
What's interesting about the moto magazine industry is how little money there actually is for everyone but the very few OG editors. The young "associate" editors make almost nothing, and a former senior editor friend of mine (from a now defunct print magazine) was still making peanuts just a few years ago. There's a reason that they cycle through so many...they're basically living in poverty in order to live the moto dream.
Most of these magazines are nothing more than overt advertising platforms to allow the editors to live the moto lifestyle...there is honestly so much conflict of interest (excepting Michael L. and his shootout - I totally applaud him for what he's doing) that they don't even bother to hide it. There is very little actual journalism in motocross, because there simply isn't enough money to risk pissing off anyone in the industry.
I saw an actual "Shop Now" link on the home page of one of them this morning and had to laugh.
MXA is still relevant? Hahahahaha....no.
I have always enjoyed your contribution to Vital while you were here as an Admin and now with your new channel!
Keep it coming and I’ll just leave this here because I think it makes all of us laugh!
Knowing that an advanced degree, or years of experience in this case, does not necessarily make someone an expert is important to recognize... otherwise you're at risk of going through life thinking you're #1 simply because you have more time putting in work compared to your competition.
I've never met ML, but he comes across as mechanically inclined and intelligent regarding dirt bikes. Also, purchasing the bikes himself shows he's not beholden to any factory influence. Good enough for me.
Pit Row
Anyways, Jody called and said he needs his shoes shined, so go get your shinebox.
MXA lost some of its creditability a while back, a-lot of it seem to come down to a few of its employees ego's, but its been going that long its still got some, and will have its old school followers that still like it, Print is nearly dead, and the fact its still produced over a heap of other titles that have gone shows it still has its place,
You could even find some local riders to assist in the testing!
"Buying the bikes yourself verses simply taking a loaner from the bike manufacturers PR departments somehow gives anyone "More Credibility"?
I have seen (and ridden) mag test bikes that had different components than same model stock motorcycle I was racing.
Back in late 2004, the 2005 CRF 450 magazine test bike I rode had a different front brake disc and caliper than my new 05 stocker, and this was right when the bikes came out, I had bought one of the first ones released.
Go back to 1983, the MXA CR 250R that Lance Morewood was testing had a totally different fork than my brand new stocker. I was pitted right next to those guys at Carlsbad, and my bike and their "stock" bike had a few differences in a few parts.
Even back two years ago at Vital's 250F test at Cahuilla creek, the Yamaha's brought out by The OEM were super crisp and sounded different than the other new YZ 250's.
So do the OEM's put on better parts for the mag guys to test, or tune them differently? maybe, maybe not.
But if you buy a test bike off the showroom floor, like Consumer Reports does with new cars, there is no chance an independent test rider gets a bike that has been attended to or tweaked by a factory technician to make the test bike perform better.
Insults, ignorance and arrogance. Nice trifecta.
Would you be surprised to know that Michael's used test riders that have been at this "testing" since "Pro Link" was a new term at Honda back in the early '80s?
Even KYB shod Uni-Trak Kawi's...remember those?
How about the "balance" of riders and skill level he often uses?
How about the usually thorough & varying "chassis set-ups" he gets his test riders to try with the help of VERY capable and knowledgeable suspension professionals?
How about the way he keeps things EXTREMELY "as delivered"?
You see, smart guy, some of us have "been there, done that" & know...for a fact...that you're an ass.
An ass that speaks of Cliques as he sucks up to one of the oldest cliques in Moto.
Yup. You're an ass.
What you don’t get from a quick 3-day test is durability. ML even stated that clearly. Perhaps you could do some ride days with all the bikes to get even more average Joe opinions. The riders would have to pay a little and provide comments on the bikes for more YouTube material. You would also build hours quicker leading to a durability video after some number of hours.
Post a reply to: 2020 450 Shootouts