Almost all motorcycle mag reviews are glowing, so what bikes are good?

[Juan1]

1. Publications depend on advertisers for revenue.  The biggest advertisers are the makers of the items the publication is supposed to impartially judge. 
2.  There seems to be a high rate of editors leaving the publications for high paying jobs in the PR departments of motorcycle and car manufacturers.
3.  Some writers have been reprimanded or fired for negative reviews.  Google Scott Burgess and 2011 Chrysler 200.
4.  Writers are often given cars and motorcycles at no charge to live with for a while by the manufacturer.  These cars can be seen as free leases, gifts that can add up to tens of thousands of dollars per year.

The results?  Nearly 100% positive reviews of all cars/bikes tested.  Finally to my questions:  When you can't drive/ride the vehicle, how do you read through the B.S. to get to if the vehicle is good or not?  How do you know that the winner of the comparo wasn't the biggest ad buyer?  Are there code words?

[xunedeinx]

With bikes, does it mater?

Seriously, any sportbike or sport touring bike made since 1995 is too much to use on the street, and even on a track, not many can take full advantage of it, usually a more skilled person on a "lesser" bike will slaughter them just because they can use the bike.

So, who cares, buy what you like.

[Phil B]

With bikes, does it mater?

Seriously, any sportbike or sport touring bike made since 1995 is too much to use on the street, and even on a track, not many can take full advantage of it, usually a more skilled person on a "lesser" bike will slaughter them just because they can use the bike.

you're talking about "performance".   But maybe the OP wasnt referring to just performance. A good review covers much more than that.

[xunedeinx]

With bikes, does it mater?

Seriously, any sportbike or sport touring bike made since 1995 is too much to use on the street, and even on a track, not many can take full advantage of it, usually a more skilled person on a "lesser" bike will slaughter them just because they can use the bike.

you're talking about "performance".   But maybe the OP wasnt referring to just performance. A good review covers much more than that.

+1

[SAFE-T]

Read motorcycle forums ?

[k.rollin]

How good a bike is, outside of standardized performance metrics, is entirely subjective. Reading a positive review on a forum or in a magazine doesn't mean the bike will be good for you.

[Twisted]

Do as much study of the bike you like by going to a dedicated forum and asking lots of questions and reading lots of posts. Also test ride, test ride, test ride. Make up your own mind and not let anyone else do it for you.

[XealotX]

In the year 2012 is there really such a thing as a "bad" bike anymore? (Excluding some cheap Chinese bikes...)

The last time I was in a dealer I didn't notice many new bikes with oil drip pans under them. A new motorcycle might have some corners cut to make a particular price point but that's about it.