Wes' criticisms aren't unique to the bike industry. I'm trying to think of the many rags I've subscribed to over the years that don't suffer from this problem. At best they suffer from lies of omission, at worst it's an love-fest with the manufacturers.
There was a time, decades ago (Bruce Reeve was editor), when Cycle Canada lost its Honda ad money because of unpopular (to Honda Canada) things they wrote about a new Honda model they tested. They also reported the failed electrics on their first Hinckley Triumph and the catastrophic rear-drive failure of the Honda 'Dullville' they were offered to critique (Honda decided to hold-off on importing that bike until just recently). I always appreciated the fact that they'd "tell-it-like-it-is", if need be. I heard a few years ago that the Francophone version had taken over C.C. and that I wouldn't recognize the mag anymore...
A way long time ago, Cycle (I think?), posted a cover photo of their test-bike that month -- a 250cc BSA Starfire -- with a turkey sitting on the seat. That was beautiful -- but, I doubt that there are any modern bikes as bad as that one...?
Still, I find it refreshing whenever I think I've deciphered a few truths from the weight of words about a new model.
Sometimes you sort'a got to "read-between-the-lines"... :huh:
The tech world is the same way. Write something less complimentary about an Apple keynote and you no longer get invited back. Several in the media had this happen (and it's not just an Apple thing).
Even though they don't have ad money to lose, they can lose access to test bikes. There's no guarantee they're not lying through omission unless they gave the DN-01 a proper bashing.
I lost a wee bit of respect for them because I know one of the people that writes for them. He was describing the "high speed" handling of a bike and I know for a fact that his track-day pace is nearly as fast as I ride casually around town. :-\ I'd have no issue with an opinion on comfort, power, ride harshness, whatever; he's ridden several dozen more bikes than I have, but I know he doesn't have a clue on high speed handling.
