Dog & Lemon Guide for MotorBikes?

**YellowDog** · 3rd February 2008, 19:40

One of the best motor car review guides I have ever seen is the Dog & Lemon. It tells you the good, the bad, and the ugly for each and every car with a fairly unbiased apprasal as to how good the car actually is in terms of being fit for purpose.

As I am in the market for a new bike, I really would like to hear the good, bad and the ugly details of the bikes I am considering, plus also give me some options I had not considered.

The magazines I have read tend to be more like adverts with no 'honest truly' opinions. Does such a guide exist for bikers?

**James Deuce** · 3rd February 2008, 19:46

The Dog and Lemon is compiled by a man who owns and runs an Hindustan Ambassador (1954 Morris Oxford with square lights, manufactured in India).

Many of the publication's findings are at direct odds with independent safety and reliability tests such NCAAP and J D Power.

No doubt a Motorcycle Dog & Lemon guide will be compiled by someone who isn't afraid to let personal bias enter the equation, as that seems to be the accepted editorial stance for that publication.

From my perspective, there are no motorcycles that are dogs or lemons. They are all fun.

**98tls** · 3rd February 2008, 19:53

Maybe post up what your looking at and no doubt hear opinions from those that own/have owned/ridden etc,hell if i had taken in what the pommie mags said about my old TLS i wouldnt have touched it with yours but all these years later i can say its the best/most fun bike ive ever had.

**onearmedbandit** · 3rd February 2008, 19:58

Agree with Jim2 10,000%. The Dog and Lemon guide is a humourous publication at best. The editor has a problem with any vehicle that has a computer in it, near it, or was used in the making of it. I hope such a publication never comes out for bikes.

**YellowDog** · 3rd February 2008, 20:35

The Dog & Lemon is a piss take out of every car every made however under the humour and arrogance, there is also some very good factual information. I have sort of being gathering such information by reading many articles and comparisons. This KB site is also a bit of a Dog & Lemon guide. I have taken as much from negative reviews as I am from positive ones. You know, bad for you good for me.

I guess I am pretty scared about making a bad choice. My view is still that we all need enough cash and enough space for 3 bikes. As most of us can’t do this, we need to compromise somewhere down the line.

My needs are quite simple. I need to commute to the Auckland CBD and also take the missus touring to the Bay of Islands etc. I also love twisty bends on winding roads, but this doesn’t have to be at great speed, it just needs to be able to do it comfortably. Oh, and plus the missus says it must have ABS (like that makes a difference). I set my heart on a new Triumph Tiger and can’t really move away from this however I now find that affording a Tiger with the extras I want is just a bit too pricey. I am talking myself into settling for a GSF1250SAT, as that has all of the extras (except alarm) as standard. I’m not going to rush into a decision and the 10 minute around the block ride just isn’t enough on such a big decision.

Thanks everyone. Yes I know there are no crap bikes around and the idea is that you get one that suits you personally. Not quite there yet.

**James Deuce** · 3rd February 2008, 20:55

The Bandit is a brilliant bike. I find that reading too much makes the decision much harder than it needs to be, and the Bandit will be so good at the stuff you want to do, that you aren't going to find anything else in your price bracket, except maybe a V-Strom 1000 with the same luggage kit.

Bike journos say stuff about bikes that is outrageous sometimes. They'll write a bike off for being 2 mph slower or seconds a lap down on a competitor round a race track.

I've ridden heaps of bikes in the last couple of years and have to say that not a single one of them could be described as "bad". You're obviously focused on what type of riding you'll be doing which is a good thing and will help you narrow down your choices. To be honest, I can't see you doing better than the Bandit, unless you are comfortable with going second hand and looking at an ST1300 or FJR1300.

**Hitcher** · 3rd February 2008, 21:02

Mr Suzuki is currently doing a "touring" variant of the ABS Bandit 1250 for $15,000 plus change. Full fairing, modified screen and Suzuki hard luggage. That, Gentle Readers, is outstanding value for money, and one would have to be an extremely one-eyed rider to fork out another $10,000 of tax-paid income for an ST, Concours or FJR, or an extra $15,000 for a BMW or Norge.

Mutters, shame it hasn't got a shaft-drive, power screen, "proper" fairing and squillions of horsepower. A proper sports-tourer version of that magnificent new Hyabusa donk just has to be coming...

**James Deuce** · 3rd February 2008, 21:04

He's got another thread going on his desire for the SAT version of that Bandit 1250 you see, hence the desire for more info.

**98tls** · 3rd February 2008, 21:18

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Mr Suzuki is currently doing a "touring" variant of the ABS Bandit 1250 for $15,000 plus change. Full fairing, modified screen and Suzuki hard luggage. That, Gentle Readers, is outstanding value for money, and one would have to be an extremely one-eyed rider to fork out another $10,000 of tax-paid income for an ST, Concours or FJR, or an extra $15,000 for a BMW or Norge.

Mutters, shame it hasn't got a shaft-drive, power screen, "proper" fairing and squillions of horsepower. A proper sports-tourer version of that magnificent new Hyabusa donk just has to be coming...

Saw my first new Busa on the way back from Woodstock,very nice.

**cowpoos** · 4th February 2008, 07:12

Originally Posted by Jim2

No doubt a Motorcycle Dog & Lemon guide will be compiled by someone who isn't afraid to let personal bias enter the equation, as that seems to be the accepted editorial stance for that publication.

How do I apply?