VOL. 54 ISSUE 42 OCTOBER 24, 2017 P79
the same production line in Austria). They all have the capability
of getting to the checkered flag first, but there is always one bike
that always does it a little better—perhaps a little easier, a little
more consistently, and maybe even a little cheaper—than all the
rest. To find out which motorcycle that is, we ride them, work on
them, and live with them for weeks.
As usual, our group of tester riders was made up of very
experienced and capable motocrossers of various ages, sizes,
weights and talent, ranging from novice all the way up to pro.
This year, we had the honor of having former motocross factory
racer Brett Metcalfe as a part of our testing staff.
Our shootout guideline is simple—leave them stock. All of
the bikes here are ridden just as you would get them off your
dealer's showroom. We run the stock tires, suspension springs,
handlebars, levers, grips, pipes, mufflers—everything is left
stock, except for graphics that we install just to make them
look a little prettier. (This year, D'cor Visuals accomplished that
for us.) Our testers are only allowed to make adjustments that
are made available to them from each bike. And all of the bikes
were weighed with a full tank of gas on our own scale.
BY THE CYCLE NEWS STAFF/PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM BOOTH
