What sources of information influences what bike you buy...

dern · Post by **dern** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 3:52 pm

I was watching the latest 44 Teeth video last night on Bristol Burrito BRAAPS and found myself thinking whether I wanted a desert sled before I snapped out of it and had a word with myself. It's a funny video though if you've not seen it.

I used to read bike mags and they were pretty much my only source of information but we seem to be bombarded with info so was interested what informs your choices... let's say prior to test ride so in terms of building up your list of stuff to consider. I think you can choose three options.

By the way, I'm in software, I don't have any use for this information, I'm just interested.

Post by **Trinity765** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:15 pm

Everything influences what bike I'd like to buy. Even when my Mum says "Make me a cup of tea, Trinity" I think "Mmmm I wonder if i't's time for four cylinders

Google it". Life is one big search for another bike.

I'm limited because of my size which rules out some bikes but otherwise, it's the test ride that is going to win me over.

Post by **Taipan** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:18 pm

What Potter said, although as I get old I favour function over form. So as a bike only functions as a form of transport for me, it simply needs to be a good commuter.

Post by **weeksy** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:21 pm

dern wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 3:52 pm I was watching the latest 44 Teeth video last night on Bristol Burrito BRAAPS and found myself thinking whether I wanted a desert sled before I snapped out of it and had a word with myself. It's a funny video though if you've not seen it.

I used to read bike mags and they were pretty much my only source of information but we seem to be bombarded with info so was interested what informs your choices... let's say prior to test ride so in terms of building up your list of stuff to consider. I think you can choose three options.

By the way, I'm in software, I don't have any use for this information, I'm just interested.

There's a question. In terms of reviews i find Neevsey at MCN is generally fairly level headed so they're first port of call for me. But i generally have a very good idea what i want from a bike before hand. the XSR900 was the exception to this as i'd never ridden a triple or a retro, so relied on him and YouTube reviews to get some ideas.

The latest MT07 was influenced mostly by @Couchy who told me they were again, as with Neevsey i know me and Couch are on the same wavelength when it comes to biking, so was a simple call to try then buy.

Post by **Count Steer** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:23 pm

It's changed with the times. It was magazines years ago.

Then I saw something parked up and thought 'ooh!', saw one in the dealers, bought it then read about it.
Then someone on the previous board was selling something and I thought 'ooh'.

Another one...test rode a few things then waited for a new bike to come out and bought that. (Thought I might like to try a different new release so bought one but traded it for the one above when it was available). etc etc.

TBH the common factor with all of them since the 80s was there was a local dealer/service agent and they suited the commute and/or holiday travel need.

Post by **MrLongbeard** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:36 pm

Find a bike I like, usually at a bike show, watch every youtube video published and more importantly, for me at least, go spend some time on the owners forum

Post by **Bigyin** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:39 pm

What I went by was what mates had and what they thought of them then see what the dealers had. Take into account for the past 20 years many of us have been on the same bike forums so that’s a huge pool of different bikes and experience to tap into and knowledge pick.

The only time I went off piste was the first Multistrada purchase as I happened to see it after test riding a BMW GS1200, Africa Twin, Triumph Explorer as I needed to replace my GS1150 and had a Norway trip planned. I couldn’t get a KTM test ride as they had no bikes available within 3 counties at the time apart from the 1090 range

Le_Fromage_Grande · Post by **Le_Fromage_Grande** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:44 pm

Last bike I wandered round the dealers with something in mind, then see something completely different and buy it on impulse, the previous 5 where all slightly drunk ebay purchases, I've no regrets, but I doubt if I'd have bought any of them sober.

I am Mr. ImpulseBuy

Bustaspoke · Post by **Bustaspoke** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:57 pm

Potter wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:05 pm I see something I like and decide to buy it.

Then (either before or after) I read and watch as much stuff as I can about that bike, then I buy it anyway

^^^^^^ This ^^^^^

You appear to have missed out forums in the poll,I'm always looking at forums & FB groups to get an idea of what ownership entails.
Lots of bikes seem perfect when some journo's on a all expenses paid jolly reviews it in some ideal place to ride a bike.
I like 44 teeth but I wouldn't buy a bike based on them stunting on a bike launch...
For me,someone riding a bike for few thousand miles in different coditions is far more relevant.

Post by **Skub** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:58 pm

Years ago it was easy,the callow youth that was Skub just wanted whatever could go the fastest.

When it was the Z1,I bought one.
When it was the GS1000,I bought one.
When it was the GPZ900R,I bought one.
When it was the ZZR1100...you get the picture. Top speed junky me.

I nearly bought a Hairybusa,but I bought a GSXR1000 instead and liked it better.

Back then I was probably influenced by whatever bike journos said was good. There was only them and MCN. No interwebz to ask. Any of the dealers would have laughed in your face if you asked for a test ride. Rightly so,I wouldn't have given me a test ride either.

The bikes my mates had were a source of knowledge,at least you could blag a ride and see if you liked it,but I never ever bought anything on the strength of that. It kind of let me know what to avoid. Bloody Hondas and shit. Shudder.

Brand loyalty is probably a thing. I like Kawasakis,so I'll look there first if I'm wanting to change.

It's hard to be specific these days,because there is so much information and advertising blattering me up the face every day,maybe none of it works on me,maybe it all does.

The webz just makes buying anything so easy now.

Post by **wull** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:01 pm

For me it’s YouTube video reviews by the likes of 44t, MCN and such likes and owners reviews on YouTube.

Then it’s reviews online whether that be the same as above or a few others, Bennett’s etc do good reviews online and the other is magazine reviews but tbh the latter isn’t as much as the above ones.

Post by **weeksy** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:02 pm

Ah bollox... i added 'forums' and it's screwed up the poll.... Sorry.

Post by **Count Steer** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:09 pm

Skub wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:58 pm
It's hard to be specific these days,because there is so much information and advertising blattering me up the face every day,maybe none of it works on me,maybe it all does.

Reminds me of the Marketing chap that said 'Half of our marketing budget is wasted. Unfortunately we don't know which half'.

dern · Post by **dern** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:18 pm

Potter wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 4:05 pm I see something I like and decide to buy it.

Then (either before or after) I read and watch as much stuff as I can about that bike, then I buy it anyway

Ha ha ha, totally what I do.

Bloke on youtube I like: This is cool
Me: Yeah I'm going to get one

Bloke on youtube I don't like: I don't like it
Me: Idiot

It's scary how influenced I can be by people I like on youtube, I good marketing trick if you can pull it off.

dern · Post by **dern** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:19 pm

weeksy wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:02 pm Ah bollox... i added 'forums' and it's screwed up the poll.... Sorry.

Don't matter, the chat's the interesting thing. Good call to add forums, should have thought of that

dern · Post by **dern** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:22 pm

It's just occurred to me that I do this quite a lot...

Drink JD
Find something on ebay I like the look of
Find all the information that reinforces the opinion that it's cool and ignore the rest.
Buy it.

Got a drum kit somewhere around here as a result of this process. Don't play drums.

Demannu · Post by **Demannu** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:24 pm

Weeksy
Any bike he says is a keeper ( and not orange) has GOT to be a bit special.

Le_Fromage_Grande · Post by **Le_Fromage_Grande** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:35 pm

dern wrote: ↑Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:22 pm It's just occurred to me that I do this quite a lot...

Drink JD
Find something on ebay I like the look of
Find all the information that reinforces the opinion that it's cool and ignore the rest.
Buy it.

Got a drum kit somewhere around here as a result of this process. Don't play drums.

I find a couple of pints of IPA makes choosing a bike to buy much easier, sober I procrastinate too much.

Then again, before I met my wife I used this approach to relationships, get drunk and see who you wake up with, it's not a bad way to live your life, certainly makes life interesting.

Post by **Rockburner** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 5:47 pm

Test rides.

(sorry - let me make that clearer)

My own test rides on bikes.

Couchy · Post by **Couchy** » Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:28 pm

I usually buy what I like the look of, I don’t listen to too much as I know most modern bikes are good. Suspension is always adjustable or upgradable so I take little notice of that. I ride ok so can allow for issues others might find a problem. I wouldn’t buy an adventure bike and moan it isn’t a track bike and vice versa.
Tbh these days I can just tap into the back catalogue of bikes I’ve owned 180+ now and bikes I’ve ridden prob another 100.

But If the bike isn’t right it can be changed

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