MCN - More Contradictory Nonsense??

[Jiffer]

I'm not a regular reader, but have just read a shoot-out in this week's MCN where they put a GT1000 up against two 1200cc bikes - an HD XR1200 and a Guzzi Griso....

(Nowt like a level playing field, is there? )

Now, unless it's me, despite the various words/phrases like 'cheapest, easiest to ride, quickest, best handling, comfortable, reliable' in favour of the GT and one or two comparisons where the Guzzi beats the Harley but loses out to the GT (fuelling, handling, braking, 'performance') they seem to have damned the GT with feint praise and claim it 'lacks character and soul' when compared to the hideous, slab-sided XR1200 (surely, some sort of joke this bike?) and the incredibly agricultural-looking Griso...???

I have a 'Termied' GT000 (which has sufficient character to have earned itself the nickname 'Da Pug' with me) and I was scunnered, so I followed through to the MCN website and looked up a few reviews of various Ducati models and it seems they have struggled to ever get given better than 3 out of 5 stars!!??

What am I missing here? If you compared any of/all the meanful facts and information in the article it would be difficult to rationally conclude anything other than the GT comprehensively humped the other two bikes into the weeds in every area where it counted!

Does Ducati have some sort of history with MCN or summat?

[butchersdog190]

Haven't read that rubbish for years, the money saved must have got at least two new sets of tyres for me!

[Kiwi]

What do you expect from MCN?

MCN and their asscociated magazines are a joke, road test writes ups less than a page in length.

Unfortunately far too many people read and believe what they write up and what ever is their flavour of the month tends to sell very well, whilst other excellent bikes that are not 120% overtly sports focused get overloooked

[jay748]

Yet to meet a journalist who lets the truth get in the way of a good story ,

[triumph5ta]

Originally Posted by Jiffer

What am I missing here? If you compared any of/all the meanful facts and information in the article it would be difficult to rationally conclude anything other than the GT comprehensively humped the other two bikes into the weeds in every area where it counted!

MCN and "compare meaningful facts, rational etc" do not belong together. Its a tabloid weekly, it really is dreadful. Ignore.

[Joolz]

I think it was fair to compare xr1200 and griso 1200 with the gt1000. Personally, I did look at the griso before buying a gt100 (although I didn't get round to test riding one). The gt did get heaps of praise in the article, although only narrowly won in points.
The GT1000 is a superb bike, and everyone I have met has admired the bike (I bought a black and cream model). Non-biking latin babes have said what a beautiful bike this is. Old pensioners have stopped and chatted to me and said what a wonderful bike. Personally I just laughed about the comment about it lacking character and soul! I first saw this bike at the Birmingham bike show and thought it was stunning; my view has not changed.

[Rudolph Hart]

I've sat on a GT1000 but not yet ridden one. I think it's a very nice bike.
Nothing printed in MCN would put me off buying one. I very much hope it stays in production for a good few years as it looks like a fun but comfy bike that I could use to take Mrs H for longer spins.

[Jiffer]

Interesting comments, gentlemen - many thanks, but just a couple of points - a) I have a GT1000 myself, so I don't need MCN to tell me anything about them and b) I've been round the block a few times myself and am well able to read any publication like MCN with the appropriate level of scepticism!

(I'm not an MCN reader as such - it was bought for me last week out of the blue because we're on holiday and I only bought this week's because of the upcoming GT test that was mentioned in it; I probably get to see one copy of MCN a year, on average!!)

My query really was whether there was a general 'anti Ducati' angle with MCN - which was more really to do with the reviews on the MCN website where, like I say, any model Duc struggles to get more than 3 stars!!

Since I posted, I have spoken with my mate (748 owner) from the local Ducati dealer (and who describes MCN as 'More Cr*pp than News' despite having been pictured in it himself!!) and he says he feels there has always been a down on Ducs from MCN and wonders if it isn't 'advertising related'! (??) He went on to say that he thought any bike that isn't sport or race replica oriented will struggle to get a good rap from them! Although, this I probably don't agree with myself as they seem to be featuring a lot of 'nakeds', cruisers and even scooters in the two copies I have seen. (??)

There were too many loopy comments in the article to mention, but to say the GT 'lacks character' is ridiculous - I'm sure mine (Da Pug) would rip the ar5e out of your pants if you looked at it funny (92 bhp in a very compact 185 kg bike) and if I were a lot richer, younger and maybe angrier I would love to brutalise mine a bit as they do look a bit sweet straight from the factory! (With Termies 'baffles out' they certainly sound the part!!) Also to say any Guzzi looks 'stunning' is a bit strong, IMO - you gotta be able to blank the engine out to say that, I reckon! (I've seen prettier/neater engines on building site diesel dumper trucks!!)

Not sure about taking Rudolph's missus too far on one, though - there ain't a whole lot of room to seat a passenger and virtually dick-all to hang on to!!

??

[Rudolph Hart]

Video clip of the 'comparison' from the MCN site:

Video: Harley Davidson XR1200 takes on Ducati's GT1000 and the Moto Guzzi Griso - Motorcycle News

Not much footage of the bikes though. Mainly seems to feature some chap in a Belgian bar. Not sure how he claims the Ducati has the least character but it's the most fun? Ah well, one man's meat is another man's poison.....

[Rudolph Hart]

Originally Posted by Jiffer

Not sure about taking Rudolph's missus too far on one, though - there ain't a whole lot of room to seat a passenger and virtually dick-all to hang on to!!

??

More room than on a Monster though. I agree the bike probably needs a grab rail/rack for pillion duties. Shame that Ducati now only offer one bike with a grab rail as standard (Multistrada).

[Jiffer]

Originally Posted by Rudolph Hart

Video clip of the 'comparison' from the MCN site:

Video: Harley Davidson XR1200 takes on Ducati's GT1000 and the Moto Guzzi Griso - Motorcycle News

Not much footage of the bikes though. Mainly seems to feature some chap in a Begian bar. Not sure how he claims the Ducati has the least character but it's the most fun? Ah well, one man's meat is another man's poison.....

Hah! See what I mean....???

I guess the GT'll have to go now - I can't be doing with a 'soulless' bike', even if it was clearly the best at everything in this test!!

(Just kidding! See that clown surfing on the GT?? )

They do need Termies tho' - then you've got all the character you need...!!

[Jiffer]

Originally Posted by Rudolph Hart

More room than on a Monster though. I agree the bike probably needs a grab rail/rack for pillion duties. Shame that Ducati now only offer one bike with a grab rail as standard (Multistrada).

No shame at all - the 'Strada is an absolute cracker! (I got one of them also!! )

See a big bunch of 'em here:

YouTube - Raduno Multistrada Roma 1/2/3 Giugno 2007

And mine which I wish I could have joined in with:

my bikes

- it would have pipped 'em all in the looks stakes!!



(Sorry about that, but I've always wanted to do a Dancing Banana smiley!!)

[Black Dog]

Originally Posted by Jiffer

Not sure about taking Rudolph's missus too far on one, though - there ain't a whole lot of room to seat a passenger and virtually dick-all to hang on to!!

My better half thinks the GT is the comfiest bike she has ever been on - much better than the last bike, a big Bandit with a "comforting" top box and backrest. She finds the seat quite roomy. I have the Ducati rear rack on, which does provide something to grab onto but she doesn't use it. And this is someone with serious back problems.

[Joolz]

I have found the GT1000 to be superb two-up, after all, that is what it was designed for.