Paul Owen motorcycle reviews (or lack of)

**imdying** · 14th August 2012, 08:51

Who is Paul Owen from Fairfax? Why is he reviewing motorcycles? Does he ever actually ride them? Do you think he has ever considered talking about the actual motorcycle in his reviews? Has there ever been a worse reviewer? Would be nice to have some motorcycle reviews instead of opinion pieces on things that are irrelevant. If you know him, or work with him, give a smack upside the head and tell him to find another job.

**oneofsix** · 14th August 2012, 08:54

Originally Posted by imdying

Who is Paul Owen from Fairfax? Why is he reviewing motorcycles? Does he ever actually ride them? Do you think he has ever considered talking about the actual motorcycle in his reviews? Has there ever been a worse reviewer? Would be nice to have some motorcycle reviews instead of opinion pieces on things that are irrelevant. If you know him, or work with him, give a smack upside the head and tell him to find another job.

I guess he wrote something that upset you?

**5150** · 14th August 2012, 08:57

Originally Posted by oneofsix

I guess he wrote something that upset you?

Might be this:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bike...ew-riding-regs

**oneofsix** · 14th August 2012, 09:02

Originally Posted by 5150

Might be this:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/bike...ew-riding-regs

yeah that's what I was guessing. A promo for the mini-monster masked as a discussion of LAMS, well neither a discussion of LAMS nor a revenue of the mini-monster. It was probably suitable taster for a noob in their 30s thinking about a bike.
Imdying asks a fair question on the author's credentials I guess but I didn't think Fairfax ever employed reporters or people that knew their stuff, more people that can write something readable to the mass market.

**nzmikey** · 14th August 2012, 09:12

Yeah I came to post about that & saw that you did ..... oh well never mind

Sooooo who in their right mind would pay " $17,490 " for a 38kW (51bhp) learner bike.

I cant see you average 17 - 30yo doing that ....... you may find some mid 30yo's paying that much . but to me that seems a shit load of money for something that you prob wont keep much longer than say 18mths tops .

When I got my 1st bike I paid less than 4k it did me fine for 22,000km ( still got it but need to sell it ) .

The other side of it is the insurance ..... a Learner on a $17.5k bike that has a higher chance in either binning or dropping, it makes no sense to me .

**imdying** · 14th August 2012, 09:12

Originally Posted by oneofsix

I guess he wrote something that upset you?

No, nothing in particular, it's just that he never fails to ramble about things that aren't relevant. Now a little bit of that is ok, but that's all he does. Never any particular idiosyncrasies about the bike, or what it's like to ride, or anything sort of opinion garnered from direct experience with the bike. I honestly believe he either never gets the bike to ride, or never rides them (presumably can't given the things he writes). The dude got no game.

His consistently poor article read like mine would if I were writing about horses. Sure I know they're big, hay in one end, shit out the other, but you'd be able to spot my complete lack of knowledge within the first few paragraphs, just like you can with his.

It's fodder media admittedly, but there surely must be actual motorcyclists who can string a few works together that could be doing his job?

**Paul in NZ** · 14th August 2012, 09:22

Hes probably a decent guy trying to make a living without scaring the sponsors but I have to say I'm not a huge fan of his writing... I liken him to Simon Sweetman the music reviewer - if he hates it the chances are its pretty much what I like...

**oneofsix** · 14th August 2012, 09:23

Originally Posted by imdying

No, nothing in particular, it's just that he never fails to ramble about things that aren't relevant. Now a little bit of that is ok, but that's all he does. Never any particular idiosyncrasies about the bike, or what it's like to ride, or anything sort of opinion garnered from direct experience with the bike. I honestly believe he either never gets the bike to ride, or never rides them (presumably can't given the things he writes). The dude got no game.

His consistently poor article read like mine would if I were writing about horses. Sure I know they're big, hay in one end, shit out the other, but you'd be able to spot my complete lack of knowledge within the first few paragraphs, just like you can with his.

It's fodder media admittedly, but there surely must be actual motorcyclists who can string a few works together that could be doing his job?

I suspect those that can write about motorbikes are writing for the bike mags. As an article for a bored coffee drinker it is passable and hopefully anyone with a serious interest will do some more research. As a couple of people I've spoken to recently who are mildly interested in getting their 6L didn't even know the rules were changing (one already a scooter rider) the article will possible enlighten a few. As a serious bike reviewer, I'm not arguing with you about him.

**imdying** · 14th August 2012, 09:28

You guys could be right. I'm expecting too much from mainstream media. Still, would be nice to have a motorcyclist review motorcycles thought!

**willytheekid** · 14th August 2012, 09:31

I too hate Pauls "reviews"

There very "copy-paste", and he very rarely actually rides the bikes! (So how can he review them?)
I still read the reviews tho

(...In the hope he might actually improve!...honest!)

BUT...just wait till crasher see's this thread

(he won't hold back)
...I can see him now

**caseye** · 14th August 2012, 09:49

Hell I thought it was EWE Willy.
Shit I'll write their bike reviews, got to let me ride em first though, can't be done proper like if you haven't.

**White trash** · 14th August 2012, 10:13

Another fucken well thought out pile of crap from Paul. I love this line.

"Let's hope other brands take note of the Monster 659 and tweak some new models to comply with the new learner-bike rules."

Do a bit of research dickhead. Suzuki have the following models already compliant. DR650SE, DRZ400E, Boulevard S40, AN650 Burgman and have the following on their way in restricted guise to meet the market GSX650U, SFV650U.

Hyosung have the GT650L, GT650RL and ST7 650 (the most powerful LAMS bike) on the way.

KTM have every single road legal 4 stroke that they produce under 530cc on the list.

And that's just the three brands we sell!

Fucks sake.

**White trash** · 14th August 2012, 10:14

Originally Posted by nzmikey

Sooooo who in their right mind would pay " $17,490 " for a 38kW (51bhp) learner bike.

I cant see you average 17 - 30yo doing that ....... you may find some mid 30yo's paying that much . but to me that seems a shit load of money for something that you prob wont keep much longer than say 18mths tops .

When I got my 1st bike I paid less than 4k it did me fine for 22,000km ( still got it but need to sell it ) .

The other side of it is the insurance ..... a Learner on a $17.5k bike that has a higher chance in either binning or dropping, it makes no sense to me .

This is quite possibly the main reason Suzuki wont be bringing its LAMS legal GSXR600U to the country I reckon.